Ashleigh Plumptre scores hat-trick as Al-Ittihad beats Al Ahly 6-2
Super Falcons star, Ashleigh Plumptre scored a hat-trick to lead Al-Ittihad to a convincing 6-2 victory over rivals Al Ahly in the Saudi Arabia Women’s Premier League.
This remarkable performance comes as her second hat-trick in the league.
Plumptre, a former Leicester defender, displayed her scoring abilities early in the match, doubling Al-Ittihad’s lead in the 29th minute with a powerful right-footed finish from inside the box.
The talented footballer continued her goal-scoring spree by netting two more goals in first-half added time.
In the closing moments of the first half, Plumptre made it 4-0 with a stunning long-range left-footed volley, showcasing her skill and accuracy.
Shortly after, she extended the lead to 5-0, calmly slotting home from a well-taken set piece.
With this exceptional hat-trick, Plumptre has now accumulated six goals from six games in the league.
Her outstanding performance has temporarily propelled Al-Ittihad to second place in the eight-team league table, securing 13 points.
In addition to her goal-scoring exploits, Plumptre shares the top spot in the league’s goal-scoring charts with Tanzania’s Clara Luvanga, who plays for Al Nassr.
The dynamic Super Falcons player continues to make a significant impact in the Saudi Arabia Women’s Premier League, solidifying her reputation as a key player for Al-Ittihad.
Since moving to Al-Ittihad, Plumptre has not featured for the Nigeria Women’s National team, her last appearance at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup hosted by Australia/New Zealand.
While her abscence was first thought to be a decision from the Justin Madugu led coaching crew, the defender stepped forward with explanation, that the decision was personal.
Nigerians will hope to see her return to the team ahead of the 2024 Women’s Cup of Nations tournament to be hosted by Morocco.
