Riya Mannu’s hat-trick helped Albion Women to a comfortable victory over Boldmere St Michaels in the FAWNL Northern Premier on Wednesday evening.
The creative midfielder continued her excellent form at the start of the 2026/27 season by putting the hosts three goals ahead before the hour mark at the Alexander Stadium - sealing her first senior hat-trick in the process.
Monique Robinson added further shine to the scoreline, despite a late visiting consolation, as her free-kick found its way past Tilly Astell.
The result leaves the Baggies a point off top spot in the third-tier, as they turn their attention to their FAWNL Cup endeavours with a trip to Norton & Stockton Ancients on Sunday (ko 2pm).
Albion made the perfect start to proceedings in Perry Barr when Monique Robinson’s cutback tee’d Mannu up to slam home from close range and give the hosts an ideal early response to Sunday’s Women's FA Cup exit.
Moments after striking the crossbar, Mannu did indeed double her, and the hosts’ tally for the evening. The No.25 picked off a loose pass from Astell, before burying beyond the visiting ‘keeper to make it 2-0.
And the first-half dominance didn’t end there; Jess Collyer watched an effort sail over, while Izzy Lane’s shot from close range made a Boldmere defender scramble to clear off the line.
The Baggies continued to put their stamp on the midweek clash, and it didn’t take Mannu many second-half minutes to polish off her hat-trick. She slalomed inside several Boldmere defenders before slamming away a third.
Robinson’s free-kick ensured a four-goal cushion, and even a Boldmere consolation with a handful of minutes to play could deny Charlie Fripp’s side a crucial victory.
Despite picking up the points, the night was overshadowed by a serious-looking injury to Rhianne Oakley. Everyone at the club sends their very best wishes to the forward.
Albion: Clarke; Reynolds, Day, Green, Haughey; Rush, Powell; Robinson, Mannu, Lane (Oakley 60’ (Hollin 75’)); Collyer (Round 60’).
Substitutes: Grimshaw, George, Sharp, Rabjohn.
