ALLOA ATHLETIC WOMEN saw their unbeaten start to the season come to a crashing end on Sunday at the hands of Harmony Row Women.

The Wasps started the SWFL West campaign off in superb style, defeating Athena 5-0, Cumbernauld Colts 6-0 and Clydebank 4-0.

They were ahead of Harmony Row on goal difference going into Sunday's match and the game presented Allan Salvona's side with an opportunity to take a three-point lead.

Unfortunately, that wasn't the case as a striking masterclass from Claire Rae-Love, who scored four and assisted the other two, ensured Harmony took the three points in a 6-1 victory.

The match started brightly for the Wasps with Amy Cully causing problems down the wing, using her pace to get space to deliver a great cross. Early danger from the visitors was then dealt with easily by Molly Williams. However, they threatened with a good effort off the post after some slack play from Alloa gave away possession.

Cully then had a great opportunity to put her side in front. A fantastic through ball by Alex Hyde found Cully's run and she raced onto the ball before smashing a good shot from distance at goal, forcing Harmony's goalkeeper into a smart save.

A great set piece delivery from Hayley Preece then found Cully who once again took the opportunity to shoot but her effort, having beat the keeper, crashed off the woodwork.

For all the Wasps' positive play at the start of the match, Harmony then moved up the gears.

Rae-Love produced two fantastic finishes in quick succession to send her team into a two goal lead. A simple through ball over the top just wasn't dealt with by Alloa's defenders and Rae-Love was able to poke the ball past an outrushing Kayleigh Johnston.

Alloa then switched off after the referee awarded a foul against them and two passes later the striker was once again through on goal to double her tally for the day.

The goals appeared to have dented Alloa's game plan as the team resorted to first time clearances and struggled to gain a foothold of the ball. Slack passing allowed Harmony to keep up the pressure and eventually Rae-Love guaranteed possession of the match ball with her third in extremely similar circumstances to her first two.

Just as it began to feel as if the game was going to drift away from Alloa, they gave themselves a lifeline. Cully, who had been so unlucky so far with some wonderful efforts on goal, this time turned provider as she lofted a ball over the top for Heather Bundy to race on to. From distance, Bundy made no mistake as she smashed a ferocious volley into the back of the net. Alloa were back in it.

And then they weren't. Minutes after reducing the deficit to two, Rae-Love scored her fourth of the day to put her side 4-1 in front.

A final effort from Hyde rounded off the first half before Salvona made a change, replacing Abbie Trotter with Madison Garrad.

The Wasps started the half with some great pressure, forcing Harmony into a mistake and winning a corner. Williams took the set piece and, although her effort was cleared, the ball fell to Megan Armstrong. Unfortunately her volley went wide of the post.

As far as clear cut chances come, Bundy couldn't have asked for better when the ball fell to her on the six yard line. After a decent effort hit the bar, the ball landed at her feet but she couldn't find the back of the net.

Two more goals would then follow for the visitors as Alloa struggled to get any real hold of the game. In the end it finished 6-1 to Harmony and while the goals were all taken well, Alloa should probably have stopped the production for many of them. Rae-Love's finishing ability was never in doubt but Alloa allowed her too many efforts on goal by not closing down players before they played the pass.

Salvona admitted the result was something of a reality check for his side but reiterated the desire for them to stick to what they do best: passing the ball and dictating the tempo of the match. On many occasions Alloa decided to clear the ball first time when the better option would have been to take a touch and play a pass. The pressure of the top of the table tie may also have played a part, something Williams admitted in her post-match interview.

Next up is a trip to face Dunipace as the Wasps try to get their season back on track. The season has started off strongly with three wins from four and it's imperative that Sunday's defeat doesn't derail that momentum.

ALLOA: Johnston, Preece (Keller), Williams, Stirling, Armstrong, Connel (Mehta), Bundy, Trotter (Garrad), Reid, Hyde, Cully. UNUSED: Swanson, McNamara, Dickson