Albion Women secured a point from their FAWNL Northern Premier Division season opener in a combative encounter with Liverpool Feds away at Jericho Lane.
Fran Orthodoxou notched her first of the season just before the hour mark but the Baggies were forced to share the spoils as Emma Johnson struck late to give the home side a point.
Siobhan Hodgetts-Still’s side picked up a solid point to begin the season and will host Halifax Women in their first home game of the season next Sunday.
Two debuts were handed out within the Baggies XI as Ali Miller and Marli Rhodes-Andrews partnered in the front line, with other new additions Shan Turner, Rubie Harris, and Ellie May raring to make their mark on the game from the substitutes bench.
Albion began the stronger of the two sides and fought to make their set-piece dominance count during the early stages. Rhodes-Andrews came closest when she blazed an effort over the bar after Izzy Green managed to smuggle the ball into the striker’s path.
The home side aimed to respond quickly, and almost did via Beth Donoghue, who poked an opportunity over the bar.
Olivia Rabjohn could have fired Albion into the lead on the stroke of half-time, almost making the most of a miscommunication between Feds goalkeeper Rachael Norney and her back-line - yet she headed just over.
Feds started brightest in the second period, Johnson crashing in at the back post and hitting the upright with a downwards header.
It was Albion who would make their chances count, though, not long after half-time. Rabjohn curled a free-kick, which Orthodoxou flicked over her shoulder - and over goalkeeper Norney - giving the Baggies their first goal of the season and a well-earned lead.
But it wasn’t to be for the visitors. Johnson stepped forward from defence and launched a low effort past Anna Miller into the bottom corner, forcing the Baggies to settle for a draw in their 2024/25 curtain-raiser.
Albion Women are next in action this Sunday (August 25), hosting Halifax Women at the Valley Stadium (ko 3pm).
Albion: Miller, Reynolds (Harris 90’), Green, George, Brown, Orthodoxou, Evans, Rabjohn, Jhamat, Rhodes-Andrews (Warner 60’), Miller (May 74’).
Substitutes: Turner.
