ALLAN SALVONA described Alloa’s performance on Sunday as their best game yet as he raved over his players’ performances.

Alloa were defeated 2-1 by East Fife Development but more than matched the Fife side who remain the only unbeaten side in the league.

A late free kick from Molly Williams wasn’t enough to win anything from the game but Salvona was delighted with his team’s efforts.

Speaking exclusively to Advertiser Sport, he said: “Best game yet. I thought every girl out there was phenomenal.

“They really dug deep and gave more than 100 per cent. I think, since the start, that’s been the best performance.

“Really disciplined at the back, couple of mistakes for the goals but we’re playing second in the league. They’re second for a reason but we more than matched them.

“Every girl put in a shift, did what we asked. The session on Thursday seemed to be a bit of a turning point for the girls with things clicking and they brought that into the game.

“I think maybe for the first time they realised what we’ve been trying to work on. We brought that into the game and, after the frustrating result last week, we went back to basics. Just trying to use the players to the best of their ability.”

Three players – Claire Stirling, Heather Dickson and Hayley Preece – all made their debuts and Salvona was thrilled with their efforts.

He said: “I thought they were exceptional, did everything we asked of them. We tried to get Hayley in early doors. I thought she was excellent in the heart of midfield.

“Claire did really well, considering she was a goalkeeper before, playing at right back up against a pacey and difficult left midfielder. And Heather also done really well going forward, a great deal of fitness about her as well.

“It’s now about refining certain points for everyone in the team, but it’s really coming along, real positives from today.”

Another pleasing aspect for the manager was the personalities of his players finally shining through. Abbie Trotter read the game exceptionally well at the back, Summer Garrity was a vocal presence in the heart of midfield and Strummer Bernard was aggressive as she pressed the defenders.

“We’re only four or five games into the league but we’re now seeing the personalities shining through,” he continued. “It’s a new beginning and it has played in their heads a little bit but on Thursday something clicked and you saw that on the pitch.

“We need the big personalities to turn up. Abbie stepped up as the captain and she was phenomenal, she’s come away with a potential broken thumb but continued to play.

“Every player wanted to give that little bit extra.

“Winning all the individual battles, not just physically but mentally. Today we got in their faces, we made it really difficult for them. We more than matched them.”