SCORING sensation Alex Davie said she was “jumping with joy” after her exploits in front of goal earned her a prestigious award.

But the talented 20-year-old insists she didn’t expect to be named as the Biffa SWFL (Scottish Women’s Football League) divisional Player of the Year despite notching an astonishing 58 goals for Dunfermline Athletic Ladies.

The forward, who is from Cardenden and works at Victoria Hospital, was voted as the top player in the North/East Division – a success featured by BBC Alba – for 2022, which saw Angie Comrie’s Pars finish second behind champions East Fife Development.

It was a notable achievement for the team, who had withdrawn from the Scottish Women’s Football Championship in 2021. They returned shortly before the campaign after joining forces with the Pars Foundation, the charity arm of Dunfermline Athletic.

The ladies are currently competing in a shortened, Biffa SWFL East League season but have been without Alex for their opening two fixtures as she recovers from an ankle injury.

Alex, who began her football journey with the Pars at the age of 11, before returning after spells with Raith Rovers and Dryburgh Athletic, said: “It was an amazing season last season.

“I think that’s one of the best seasons I’ve ever had personally, especially with the goals. I had 10 in the Westdyke game (a 13-2 win in October) – I don’t know how I scored that many – but it was a good game and, after that, I just kept going and going.

“I just wanted to win the league. It was quite a hard season, you can’t win everything! At least we came second and we beat East Fife in the last game. I just wish we could’ve won it!

“The award was good. I never really expected it though, and that interview I had with BBC Alba, that was a weird one as well!

“It was one of the first-ever times I’ve been recognised. That was a great season but Dunfermline themselves, the coaches, they got me to where I was, so they played a massive part in it as well.

“I couldn’t have done it without the coaches and the players as well.”

When asked if her achievement had sunk in, Alex replied: “I was actually at my work at the time when I got it. My phone was pinging so much I was like, ‘Oh my God, no way.’ I was jumping with joy just walking out of the hospital. It was so surreal!

“My mum’s one of my supervisors as well, and she was jumping about! I didn’t know how to feel!

“It was an amazing moment. She couldn’t believe it either I don’t think, but thanks to all my family and friends that voted for me and made it happen. I couldn’t have done it without them!

“I put as much effort in as I could, and it all worked out for me. I’m proud of myself for that.”