Five star Alloa Athletic in demolition job of Annan Athletic

A tight free kick from Cammy O’Donnell, a bullet shot from Luke Rankin, an outrageous couple of goals from Luke Donnelly and an easy open goal finish for Conor Sammon saw the Wasps run riot at the Recs.

Andy Graham made three changes from last week’s defeat to Arbroath – Morgyn Neill started the game with Kane Thomson slotting in at left back in the place of Calum Waters who faced suspension from the week before.

Steven Hetherington missed out, with Stefan Scougall dropping back and allowing for Luke Donnelly to come back into the squad.

Out wide, Kevin Cawley dropped to the bench and Cameron O’Donnell started on the left wing.

The Wasps were on the front foot from the first whistle, while Annan made life difficult for themselves with a couple of awkward moments for goalkeeper Jamie Smith.

The first real chance for Alloa fell Rankin’s way after a superb cross from Scott Taggart, the youngster’s effort was saved from close range.

A free kick awarded out wide of the box allowed Alloa to break the deadlock, O’Donnell whipping in a shot which crept over the line despite Smith getting a hand to it.

From there, Alloa’s confidence simply grew, with Taggart and Neill having opportunities to double their side’s lead.

David McKay was exceptional on Saturday in the back line, starting with a perfectly timed sliding challenge to halt a dangerous Annan chance.

Up the other end, Steven Buchanan’s pace continues to trouble left backs up and down the country, with the Alloa winger making himself a handful against Annan.

Alloa’s academy combined for their second, O’Donnell taking a touch on the ball and laying it on a plate for Rankin, with the youngster making no mistake in shooting past Smith.

Rankin could’ve had a second after clever link up play between Thomson and Donnelly allowed the stand-in left back to put a cross in for the waiting striker. It missed him narrowly, however, as Alloa searched for a third.

They didn’t have to wait long as Donnelly looked to get in on the action. A high cross from Taggart found Alloa’s number 9 at the back post. Donnelly put in an outrageous touch to control the ball, spin round and rifle it into the roof of the net, gaining himself the loudest cheer from the crowd.

Alloa went in to the break with the only criticism being that it could have been many more for the high-flying Wasps.

“I’m really pleased with the performance,” Graham said. “But similar to last week, we lost but we only lose three points and this week we only win three points.

“We’re not getting too carried away with it but I’m really pleased with the level of performance.

“Most importantly, I was impressed with the work rate. Most importantly, the boys really left everything out there.

“The main part of the reason we made five subs today was that come the 60 minute mark, boys were looking really tired.

“That was down to the amount of effort they had put into the game, it wasn’t down to a lack of fitness or anything like that.

“They had put a lot of effort into that first half and I was really pleased with a lot of the things that we saw.

“We worked on getting crosses into the box as we thought that’s how we could hurt them.

“And so it proved, Cammy O’Donnell was really good with his delivery. I couldn’t even pick out one player as they were all excellent."

The Wasps wouldn’t let up in the second half, and while Annan looked improved in the latter 45, Alloa would remain largely untroubled.

PJ Morrison made two notable saves to retain his side’s clean sheet, showcasing quick reflexes to deny Aidan Smith from close range.

Donnelly got his brace with a lob over Smith, giving Annan’s keeper no chance to save it as he added to his tally with another impressive finish.

Graham rang the changes past the hour mark, marking a debut for on-loan Falkirk youngster Scott Honeyman who joined the fray with Conor Sammon and Kevin Cawley.

Alloa had plenty chances to grab a fifth, with Honeyman, Shay Nevans, Cawley and Sammon all desperate to get in on the fun.

In the end, Sammon would notch the fifth – Nevans drives forward with a lot of space, plays in Cawley, his effort is smothered by Smith but it falls to the Irishman.

Sammon faces an open net to tap in Alloa’s fifth, capping off an exceptional day out for Alloa.

Graham went on: “The quality of the finishes on show, they were something to behold and I thought they were all outstanding.

“There wasn’t a fault in the team. Take nothing away from our boys, they stood up really well to them.

“Luke Rankin’s finish is excellent but LD knows what I expect from him and we know he’s got that quality.

“Now, we’re seeing the best of LD – he’s managed to get a full pre-season and he’s not picked up any injuries.

“They all know what it takes to deliver on a Saturday and I thought LD’s finishes were sublime.

“The guys have got to get the ball into them, the guys have kept a clean sheet so that’s great to see from a defensive point of view.

“It’s such a team effort to win a game like that so I’m really pleased.”