A nice change of pace from the pressure and stress of the mens title and European race as today at Ibrox it’s the turn of the Womens team who face Aberdeen in the SWPL.
The Ibrox side are setting the tempo in the league and on the brink of a first title success under Malky Thomsons stewardship.
It’s a historic day for the side with their first league outing at Ibrox and rich recognition for the side and their league campaign. Rangers, hoping for a bumper crowd, have slashed the prices with it costing as little as £1 for season ticket holders.
A perfect opportunity to see a squad which has plenty of talent throughout it. Led by captain Brianna Westrup, the side have been in superb league form winning 22 of the 23 games played, with just one draw.
Today they aim to edge one step closer and preserve their 5 pt lead over Glasgow City.
The Rangers team today:
Fife (GK), Docherty, Vance, Middag, Hay, Reilly, McCoy, Arnot, Kerr, Westrup (C), Swaby
Subs: Cunninham (GK), Arnth, Ness, Bell, Howat, Watson, Grant
1st half action
1 min – Early corner is cleared for another and subsequent Reilly header is wide.
4 mins – Dangerous ball across by Aberdeen’s Hutchison but Docherty clears.
Rangers in charge but very little being created, trying to use the pitch with both Arnot and Hay very wide. Aberdeen will tire though if they keep chasing like this.
23 mins – CHANCE! Good play by Vance who finds herself on the right, she megs her marker before drilling a ball to the back post where Arnot guides it just wide!
26 mins – CHANCE! Good cross by Hay but McCoy fails to get any purchase on the header and it drifts wide, she should do better there!
30 mins – GOALLLL! Rangers go in front as Vance goes down the left and a perfect cross for Sam Kerr to slide in and score. 1-0 Rangers!
39 mins – GOALLLL! 2-0 Rangers and thoroughly in control now. Good pass by Reilly opens the play and Docherty whips one in low, Meach spills it out and McCoy taps in the rebound. 2-0 Rangers!
44 mins – CHANCE! Docherty with the chance as Hay pinches the ball back, but she lashes over. Then another quick effort as Reilly drills one in from long range, this time well held by Meach.
HT Rangers 2 Aberdeen 0
2nd half action
46 mins – GOALLL! Docherty with a fantastic strike cutting in on her left foot! Meach deceived by the movement and what a moment for the childhood Ranger Docherty! 3-0 Rangers.
50 mins – Middag long range effort just wide as it remains 3-0.
54 mins – GOALLL! Heart and Hands very own Lizzie Arnot gets on the scoresheet! Hurchison forced the wrong way and a short back pass is seized upon by McCoy, she unselfishly squares for Arnot to place home! 4-0 Rangers!
Sub – McCoy off for Kirsty Howat.
56 mins – Howat, who just replaced McCoy, chips an effort just over.
62 mins – CHANCE! Brilliant long pass by Middag and Hay takes it superbly then goes past her marker to cut back for Kerr who sends it just wide. That was a lovely move by Rangers.
64 mins – Subs OFF Hay and Kerr. ON Ness and Bell
77 mins – Subs OFF Westrup and Reilly. ON McLean and Arnth.
84 mins – Kirsty Howat springs the offside trap but her shot is dragged just wide.
Rangers in control as game comes to a close.
Full time result – RANGERS 4 ABERDEEN 0
Attendance – 4412
Stadium Player of the match – Demi Vance
Rangers far too strong for Aberdeen who gave a brave account of themselves. Rangers used the wings well to tire Aberdeen out before beginning to carve out the chances which eventually put them in front.
As the game went on it was a matter of how many and Rangers went on to score some good goals. It was a case of choosing when to attack and only sturdy defending kept them out. But you got the impression Rangers could up the gears anytime they wanted.
The first a lovely ball in by Vance we would be cheering at any level. The second again Docherty doing similar before her moment arrived with a superb third goal. The fourth a lovely finish by Arnot after good wide play and another good moment for the Rangers team in cruise control.
The subs would slow Rangers rhythm slightly but a fantastic opportunity for all to sample the Ibrox experience.
Credit to Aberdeen who kept at it all throughout but Rangers a class apart as the league table shows.
Another step closer to the title for Rangers in an afternoon that only demonstrated their class.
Four Lads Had A Dream 