Albion 4 Everton 0

 

Kiko Seike chipped, headed and blasted her way into the WSL history books with a debut hat-trick for Albion.

But the record books will probably do her feast justice after this perfect start to the new season.

The Japan international did not just become the first player to score a treble on her first game in this league.

Those numbers on a page will probably not tell you she did it with three superb goals to delight a vibrant home crowd at the Broadfield Stadium who had clearly arrived excited about a new season and a fresh start for the club.

It is hard to recall a better buzz around an Albion women’s game at the Broadfield Stadium over the last few years than that which was apparent on Saturday, even at 0-0.

A new head coach and 11 summer signings have refreshed things and sharpened expectation, even if some favourites – including Veatriki Sari, who play for Everton here – have departed.

Fran Kirby converted a penalty awarded for handball to make it 3-0 and fans gave her and fellow England international Nikita Parris, who went on as sub, a particularly warm welcome.

But Seike, who turned 28 last month, is no raw youngsters or unknown talent. As with Kaoru Mitoma when he joined the men’s set-up, she does so as an established international player at a prime stage of her career.

When asked during the summer whether Seike could have a similar effect as Mitoma, Albion women’s chair Michelle Walder replied simply: “That would be nice, wouldn’t it?”

The start could not be more positive.

Because of the goals, of course.

There was an inch-perfect 25-yard chip after she won possession on the half-hour.

There was a diving header from Poppy Pattinson’s inch-perfect cross to cap a team goal featuring big roles by the Catalan connection of Vicky Losada and Bruna Vilamala.

And then a rocket of a shot which swerved into the top corner from just outside the box.

But also because she had been playing well even before the goals came, testing goalkeeper Courtney Brosnan with a well-struck drive an always using the ball well from a starting position wide on the right.

Head coach Dario Vidosic said: “She is Japanese national team player.

“It’s probably a little different to how they play at the Olympics so it took her maybe a little bit more time to adjust.

“She is coming from more of a lower block, deep block, not pressing.

“It took her a little bit, also with the language.

“But she has been great. She has been trying to take on as much information as she can.”

Both Kirby and Vidosic confirmed they had seen such explosive finishes in training.

The head coach added: “Not just her, even the centre-backs have scored some worldies.

“If we can pin people back, get closer to goal, we can have these opportunities.

“She has got that strike in her locker, she can hit them and that is all we want.

“Try to get them positions where they can have that effect.

“We become a threat from different areas. We don’t want to be too predictable.

“We are trying to build as much as we can.

“We know six weeks (of pre-season) is short but we are trying to build as much as possible.”

Vidosic was aware this was just a start and there was a need to keep working hard with a trip to Manchester City coming next.

At the same time, he wanted players and fans alike to enjoy the win for a day or two.

He was pleased with the turnout although Albion will surely expect crowds to increase from this opening-day attendance of 2,125.

It was the Seagulls’ first home success since they beat bottom side Bristol City with a goal in stoppage time exactly eight months previously.

Everton spoiled a subsequent big occasion, winning at the Amex in April, and they had looked decent at times here.

They felt they should have had a penalty for handball in the first half and the game might have been different had Sophie Baggaley not got a hand to a rasping drive from Inma Gabarro which looked like it would level the scores early in the second period.

But Albion, with Parris and Jelena Cankovic playing only minor roles off the bench, appear to have a lot to offer this season.

They played with good tempo and the aim will be now to do all their best bits for longer periods.

And they have a direct, attack-minded Japanese winger who can score goals, which always helps.

Albion: Baggaley; Bergsvand, Thorisdottir, Carabali, Pattinson; Losada, Olislagers (Symonds 66); Seike (Agyemang 88), Vilamala (Cancovic 73), Kirby (Haley 88); Bremer (Parris 72). Unused subs: Poulter, Auee, McLauchlan, Loeck.