RANGERS got back to winning ways in the SWPL as they ran out 7-0 winners over Motherwell at K-Park Training Academy this afternoon.
An early Tessel Middag goal followed by a Kayla McCoy strike put Rangers on their way in the opening stages as they lead by two at the break.
Brogan Hay added a third just after the restart before Middag got her second of the day before Jenny Danielsson added a fifth, Kirsty Howat made it six from the penalty spot before Megan Bell rounded the scoring as the Light Blues got back the three points following their draw at Hearts.
Malky Thomson named four changes to his side for their trip to K-Park Training Academy with Nicola Docherty, Hannah Davison, Jenny Danielsson and Kayla McCoy coming back into to the team after their 0-0 draw at Hearts last weekend.
It was a fast-paced start by Rangers who opened the scoring just two minutes in, a through ball found striker Kayla McCoy who laid it off to Tessel Middag. Restored to the midfield on the day she struck a low unstoppable drive from outside the area which found the bottom left-hand corner to get the away side off to the park start on the day.
Rangers continued to ramp up the early pressure after an impressive start, it was again McCoy and Middag linking up and this time it was the striker who swivelled and fired a left footed shot, but it was gathered comfortably by Emily Mutch in the Motherwell goal.
The Light Blues had an opportunity to extend their lead just short of the 20-minute mark, Rachel McLaughlan found Jenny Danielsson at the far post after her delivery sailed through several bodies but fired her shot over the top.
Just shortly after the Gers doubled their advantage, Danielsson slipped a terrific through ball which was latched onto by McCoy who had started the game well, taking the ball in her stride she cushioned the ball across with her left side as it found the far corner with Rangers really making the most of their early possession in East Kilbride.
Brogan Hay was causing real problems down the right flank with her pace and trickery, playing a one to with Middag she found herself in a promising area but saw her cut back turned behind with the away side probing for a third.
Rangers somehow were denied a third, Nic Docherty’s free kick was floated in well which found McCoy. Flicking a header, the keeper managed to get a fingertip to the ball and turn it onto the crossbar to keep the score at two as we approached ten minutes to the interval.
Docherty was going about her defensive work smartly and sussing any out any danger from the home side as they looked for a way back into the game.
At the other end Lizzie Arnot was getting joy down the outside, firing a great left footed cross but there were no Rangers takers inside the area as we closed in on the break.
The Gers started the second half exactly like they did the first as they added to their lead, Arnot was slipped in well down the left side by Sam Kerr as she fired a cross in looking for McCoy in the area.
With a slight deflection the ball found its way to the far post as Brogan Hay was on hand to tap the ball home and add the away side’s third of the afternoon.
Tess Middag added a fourth of the contest on the hour mark and her second on the day as the Light Blues went further in front, receiving the ball from the left side the midfielder struck a right-footed effort from the edge of the area, taking a wicked deflection off Joanee Addie it found the far corner leaving the keeper helpless as Thomson’s side put themselves in complete control of the match.
The away side made it five as Jenny Danielsson’s cross come shot found the inside of the far post as Rangers really made their dominant display count as they added a fifth and they continued to probe for more as they went in search of more goals.
Substitute Kirsty Howat almost got in on the act but saw her close-range volley well kept out by the Well shot stopper as we approached the final 15 minutes at K-Park.
Howat went agonisingly close to adding a sixth with 10 minutes of normal time remaining, turning from around 25-yards out she fired a shot with the keeper off her line that came off the inside of the post and somehow stayed out.
As we approached the final whistle Rangers were given the chance to make it six from the penalty spot which was converted by Kirsty Howat with the keeper getting a touch but unable to keep it out.
Fellow substitute Megan Bell rounded off the scoring with a finish from inside the area as the away side rounded off what was a fantastic afternoon’s work in East Kilbride.
MOTHERWELL: Mutch, Inglis, Doran-Barr (Barghati 86), Hay (Rafferty 65), Watson, Anderson (Halpin 39), Ronald, Rice, Boyce (Lawton 65), McDonald-Nguah (Petherick 86), Addie
Subs not used: Andrews
RANGERS: Fife, Docherty, Hill (Cornet 71), Davison, McLaughlan, Kerr, Middag, Arnot (Watson 64), Danielsson (McLeary 77), Hay (Bell 77), McCoy (Howat 71)
Subs not used: Esson, MacLean, Austin, Cavanagh