RANGERS secured their place in the quarter-finals of the SWPL Cup with a 5-2 win over Aberdeen at Rangers Training Centre this evening.
With three wins from three in the group, Rangers have confirmed their place in the last eight of the competition with one game still to play on Sunday.
Jessica Broadwick cancelled out Rachel McLauchlan’s opener for the Light Blues before Zoe Ness regained the advantage for Rangers late in the first-half with Jane Ross, Lizzie Arnot and Chantelle Swaby adding to the scoring after the break.
Malky Thomson named three changes from the Light Blue’s last match against Manchester United last weekend as Jenna Fife, Zoe Ness and Rachel McLauchlan came into the starting line-up in place of Megan Cunningham, Chelsea Cornet and Tessel Middag.
Rangers were searching for an early breakthrough in the match as Jane Ross turned well in the box to get a shot away but it was just over the bar.
The deadlock was broken with just 11 minutes on the clock as Jane Ross cut the ball back to Zoe Ness inside the box and she curled an effort towards goal. Aberdeen goalkeeper Gail Gilmour managed to get a hand to the shot to push it away but Rachel McLauchlan was on hand for Gers to tap home the rebound on her return to the squad.
However, the visitors were back level just 10 minutes later as a long ball forward in search of Jessica Broadrick saw her cut inside and drill a low shot beyond Jenna Fife.
The Dons threatened again with another ball over the top as Francesca Ogilvie drove through on goal but centre-back Chantelle Swaby managed to get a touch before Ogilvie could get a shot away to divert it behind for a corner.
Lizzie Arnot drilled a ball across the face of goal which Zoe Ness got a touch on from close range but it was blocked by Gilmour in the Aberdeen goal before Brogan Hay had a shot saved as Rangers looked to get an advantage ahead of the break.
The Light Blues were back ahead in injury time as Sam Kerr drove forward before switching the ball to Zoe Ness who fired a low effort beyond Gilmour.
Just two minutes into the second-half Rangers added to their tally. Brogan Hay picked out Jane Ross and the experienced striker showed composure to guide the ball into the back of the net.
Aberdeen threatened as Francesca Ogilvie delivered a set-piece into the box which was touched towards goal by Eilidh Shoore but it was saved well by Jenna Fife.
It was a fantastic start to the second-half as Rangers made it 4-1 in the 50th minute. Brogan Hay drove down the right, holding off the challenge of an Aberdeen defender before getting a ball across the face of goal which was tapped in at the back post by Lizzie Arnot.
It was almost five for Rangers shortly after as Jane Ross found the run of Rachel McLauchlan through on goal but the right-back’s effort came back off the inside of the post before being cleared.
On the hour mark, the Light Blues did make it five as Demi Vance delivered a corner into the box which met the head of Chantelle Swaby who headed beyond Gilmour.
Academy youngster Jodi McLeary almost had her first senior goal for the club as she drove through on goal but the Aberdeen number one managed to block the effort with her feet.
In the final stages of the game, Aberdeen got a second goal as substitute Chloe Glover curled an effort beyond Jenna Fife.
RANGERS: Fife, Docherty, Vance, Hay (McLeary, 75), Ness (McCoy, 66), McLauchlan (Cornet, 66), Ross, Arnot (Watson, 75), Kerr, Westrup, Swaby.
Subs: Cunningham, Reilly.
ABERDEEN: Gilmour, Campbell, Penman, Broadrick, Forrest, Strath, Bruce, Shore, Ogilvie, Thomson, Gordon.
Subs: Gover, Fraser, Paterson, Innes, Collins, Brown
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