RANGERS tasted defeat for the first time in the ScottishPower Women’s Premier League this season as Glasgow City struck late to condemn the side to a narrow 1-0 defeat at Ibrox this afternoon.
The home side boasted the better opportunities in the contest – going close through Lizzie Arnot, Katie Wilkinson and Mia McAulay – but encountered an inspired goalkeeping performance from Lee Gibson in the visitors’ goal.
They were then suckerpunched with six minutes to play when Nicole Kozlova volleyed home at the far post from a free-kick delivery to earn City all three points.
The standout component of Leanne Crichton’s team selection was the inclusion of 16-year-old May Cruft in her starting lineup after the midfielder netted her first professional goal in the side’s previous away league outing.
Nicola Docherty, meanwhile, replaced Fallon Connolly-Jackson in defence, who were immediately posed a question when Kozlova made a darting run down the left-hand side and forced Jenna Fife to palm her effort out into a dangerous area.
Down the opposite end and a searching Crossfield pass from Lizzie Arnot was directed towards Mia McAulay on the opposite flank, but it was overhit from the experienced winger and Lee Gibson smothered the danger.
Both goalkeepers were showcasing their quality in the opening exchanges as Fife was called into action twice in quick succession when Kozlova released Abigail Harrison who was denied both initially and on the follow-up by a smart stop.
Opportunity then beckoned for McAulay, no stranger to a goal on the big occasion, when Arnot flicked a delicious pass round the corner for the teenager, but Gibson made herself big to thwart the winger’s effort.
Jess Pegram, sampling Ibrox for the first time, did just enough to disturb Kozlova when the winger was released in-behind by a searching pass from Kimberley Smit, coming to the rescue for the home side and applying enough pressure.
It was a end-to-end affair in Govan, glistening amid the late September sunshine, as Arnot curled a terrific strike goalbound after jinking inside Lisa Evans and forcing Gibson to push the ball around for a corner.
The hosts were unfortunate not to edge their noses infront on the stroke of the half-time interval when City played themselves into trouble inside their own defensive third, allowing McAulay to swivel instinctively after possession was advanced by Jodi McLeary before her effort skidded against the outside of the woodwork.
Into the second half and it was Rangers who continued their momentum. Arnot menaced down the left-hand side before lifting her head and delivering in search of McAulay but straight into the grateful arms of Gibson.
Kim Shin Ji has been a revelation since arriving in Glasgow, and after netting her first Gers goal against Partick Thistle earlier in the month she went close to doubling her tally when she drove inside purposely and flashed an effort towards the City goal that trickled wide of the post.
The hour-mark prompted a reshuffle as Eilidh Austin was withdrawn in place of Quinty Sabajo, making her Rangers debut after arriving at the club as a free agent.
Her introduction provided an immediate spark in the Gers ranks as Katie Wilkinson went close to breaking the deadlock following a quickly-taken throw-in from Shin Ji, but, again, Gibson was equal to the home side’s advances with an impressive reflex save.
Rangers were beginning to ratchet up the intensity in search of a breakthrough, with a sumptuous delivery from Docherty sailing delightfully into the path of Shin Ji who volleyed over on the stretch from 15 yards out.
McAulay then went close when she jinked inside and curled wide of the far post.
But the matchwinning moment for the visitors arrived with six minutes remaining as a free-kick delivered into the penalty area was flicked on by Katie Lockwood and slammed home by Kozlova, unmarked at the far post.
RANGERS: Fife, Austin (Sabajo, 60), Pegram, Hill, Docherty, McLeary, Cruft, Shin Ji, McAulay, Arnot (Berry, 79), Wilkinson
Subs not used: Ivarsdottir, Cunningham, Eddie, Griffiths, Connolly-Jackson
GLASGOW CITY: Gibson, Muir, Golob, Harrison (Forrest, 74), Wrobel (Lockwood, 74), Anderson, Evans, Smit, Kozlova, Motlhalo, Maata (Whelan, 57)
Subs not used: Clachers, Warrington, Lauder, McLaughlin, Tanaka, Brownlie
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