Match Report: Gers Defeat Thistle To Continue Strong Start

RANGERS continued their strong start to the SWPL season with a 7-1 victory over Partick Thistle this evening.

Lizzie Arnot netted a hat-trick for the Light Blues with a double from Kirsten Reilly and strikes from Brogan Hay and Kayla McCoy securing the points at Rangers Training Centre.

Malky Thomson named three changes to his side for the match as Megan Cunningham, Chantelle Swaby and Kirsten Reilly came into the starting XI with Jenna Fife, Brianna Westrup and Brogan Hay on the bench.

It was a strong start for the Light Blues as they took the lead with just four minutes on the clock. Jane Ross played the ball into the box with Rachel McLauchlan picking it up on the right-hand side. She found Kirsten Reilly in space on the edge of the box and the midfielder curled a lovely effort around Dalziel and into the back of the net.

Rangers were pressing early on as Reilly saw a shot go wide before Rachel McLauchlan had an effort blocked by a Thistle defender.

The visitors threatened on the break as Clare Docherty picked up on a loose Rangers ball but Chantelle Swaby was alert at the back to get a touch and clear the danger.

Gers almost doubled their advantage in the 24th minute as Jane Ross curled an effort towards goal but Dalziel managed to get a hand to it to tip it over the bar.

On the half-hour mark, Tessel Middag picked out the run of Rachel McLauchlan with a lovely diagonal ball as she raced down the right-hand side before cutting in and getting a shot away but it was just wide of the target.

Rangers were piling on the pressure as they looked for a second goal. Lizzie Arnot showed some fantastic skill to weave her way into the box and drill an effort on target but it was saved well by Dalziel.

The Light Blues were awarded a penalty on the 33rd minute as Jane Ross was fouled in the box just as she looked to get a shot away.

Lizzie Arnot stepped up to the spot and it was the perfect execution from the Gers forward. Despite Dalziel diving the right way, Arnot guided the ball into the bottom corner of the net to make it 2-0.

In first-half added time Dalziel pulled off another good save as she blocked a Rachel McLauchlan effort with her feet.

After the break, Rangers continued to control the majority of possession but were unable to add to the tally in the opening 10 minutes.

The visitors got back into the game with 62 minutes on the clock, Clare Docherty played in London Polland and she looped a shot from distance over Megan Cunningham and into the back of the net.

Danica Dalziel had another impressive save as Rangers looked for a quick response as she managed to get a hand on a shot from Jane Ross.

However, the two goal lead was restored in the 67th minute as Lizzie Arnot got her second of the game. Arnot played a lovely one-two with substitute Brogan Hay, picking up the return ball in the box and lifting it over Dalziel.

Jane Ross had a shot saved by the Partick Thistle keeper as Rangers looked to further their advantage.

Brogan Hay got on the scoresheet herself in the 73rd minute as she showed her pace to win the ball back inside the Partick Thistle half and drive towards goal before lifting a right-footed effort into the back of the net.

Two goals in two minutes saw Rangers make it five as Kayla McCoy netted her first competitive goal for the club. Brogan Hay picked out Lizzie Arnot on the left-hand side of the box, Arnot drilled a shot towards goal which was blocked by Dalziel but McCoy was alert to the rebound to fire home her first goal in blue.

Rangers were relentless and made it six with 10 minutes of the game remaining. Nicola Docherty delivered a cross into the box from the left which met the head of Arnot as she headed home for her hat-trick.

Megan Cunningham pulled off a fantastic save late in the game as Pollard cut the ball back to Cara Mcbrearty who was in space in the box but the Rangers’ keeper tipped the ball over the bar.

In the final two minutes Rangers made it 7-1. Substitute Emma Watson was fouled on the edge of the box with the referee awarding the Light Blues a free-kick in a dangerous position. Kirsten Reilly stepped up to the set-piece and curled a fantastic right-footed shot into the back of the net to round of a strong second-half for Gers.

RANGERS: Cunningham, Docherty, Vance, Swaby, McLauchlan, Reilly, Middag (Watson, 80), Cornet (Hay, 58), Ness, (McCoy, 58) Arnot (Maclean, 80), Ross (McLeary, 80).

Subs not used: Fife, Westrup

Partick Thistle: Dalziel, Murphy, McCulloch, Falconer, McCann, Docherty, Mcbrearty, McGowan, Macdonald, Pollard, Bulloch.

Subs: McGlashan, S. Payne, Smith, Christie, E. Payne.

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