Seike sinks Everton with debut hat-trick

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Japanese international stars and Fran Kirby also on target in 4-0 opening-day win

Bruce Talbot

2024-09-21T15:30+01:00

Kiko Seike salutes the Albion fans after completing her hat-trick. 📷 Kyle Hemsley

Kiko Seike had a debut to remember , scoring a brilliant hat-trick as Albion made a great start to the new Women’s Super League season.

The Japanese winger put Albion ahead with an audacious chip in the first half before heading in a second 11 minutes after the break. After another debutant Fran Kirby made it 3-0 with a penalty, Seike completed her hat-trick with a thunderous finish into the top corner, to the delight of 2125 fans at the Broadfield Stadium.

It was the perfect start for new head coach Dario Vidosic who had vowed to improve Albion’s poor home form after only winning one WSL game at the Broadfield Stadium last season.

Albion were on the front foot from the start with Fran Kirby and Seike, two of the four new faces in the starting line-up, linking up dangerously down the right-hand side.

Kiko Seike opens her account for Albion in the first half. 📷 Kyle Hemsley

Guro Bergsvand found space at the back post but headed Vicky Losada’s corner into the side netting before Kirby and Seike combined and Pauline Bremer was inches away from sliding in to convert Seike’s cross.

Kirby saw a shot blocked by Megan Finnigan as Albion continued to threaten. Seike forced a superb fingertip save out of Courtney Brosnan in the 27th minute when the Everton keeper stretched to keep out her powerful shot, but Seike wasn’t going to be denied.

In Albion’s next attack she dispossessed Elise Stenevik, burst into the box and as Brosnan came out chipped the ball over her and into an empty net. It was brilliant skill by the Japan international.

High flier: Kiko Seike is lifted up by Jorelyn Carabali after completing her hat-trick. 📷 Kyle Hemsley

Inma Gabarro’s shot was tipped over by Baggaley as Everton enjoyed a good spell at the start of the second half but Albion responded and doubled their lead after 56 minutes. The home side broke and Bruna Vilamala threaded a pass into the path of Poppy Pattinson, overlapping down the left. With options in the box her pinpoint cross picked out the unmarked Seike eight yards out and her diving header flew into the net.

Albion were now firmly in control. Brosnan pushed Vilamala’s header over before getting down well to parry Losada’s free kick, but from the corner Maria Thorisdottir’s shot was handled by Sara Holmgaard and Kirby stepped up to roll the ball into the corner from the penalty spot.

Seike made it an afternoon to remember for another debutant when she made it 4-0 with 15 minutes to go. She picked up possession 20 yards out, took a couple of paces before smashing an unstoppable right-foot shot into the top corner.

Kiko Seike celebrates after completing her hat-trick. 📷 Kyle Hemsley

It was memorable end to a perfect opening day for Albion with Seike getting a standing ovation when she came off with two minutes to go.

Albion: Baggaley, Bergsvand, Thorisdottir, Carabali, Pattinson, Seike (Agyemang 88), Losada, Olislagers (Symonds 66), Vilamala (Cancovic 73), Kirby (Haley 88), Bremer (Parris 72).