After dominating the opening period the hosts had to be patient in making the breakthrough before Lizzie Arnot headed home her second goal in as many games to put the hosts in front at the break. Further second half goals were added by both Kirsty Howat and Tessel Middag from the penalty spot as the Gers claimed three points in their penultimate home fixture of the season to keep pressure on the league leaders at the top.
Malky Thomson named two changes to his side from the weekend’s 1-0 victory over Hibs, with Nicola Docherty and Megan Bell coming into the starting line-up as they replaced captain Kathryn Hill and Brogan Hay.
The Light Blues almost got off to the perfect start as an opportunity was created for Kirsty Howat inside two minutes. Rachel McLauchlan played a looping ball over the top of the Thistle backline before the striker took it in her stride but decided to take her shot early as it was comfortably gathered by Khym Ramsay in the first effort of the contest.
The Gers somehow didn’t take the lead past the five minute mark and it was McLauchlan that was heavily involved again. Skipping past several challenges inside the area the full-back tied up Howat who looked to tap the ball home but for a superb sliding block from Leah Robinson. The rebound almost fell for Megan Bell but the away side managed to scramble the ball clear to safety.
Despite the early pressure from the hosts they were unable to make the breakthrough at Broadwood. Bell was getting joy down the right flank with several dangerous deliveries as the Gers continued to probe in search of the opener.
Lizzie Arnot was next to try her luck for the hosts from the left flank after a corner kick routine. Tessel Middag played the ball short as she combined with the winger before she curled an attempted effort that whistled past the far post.
Rangers were continuing to dominate the possession in North Lanarkshire but were yet to find a breakthrough before the 25 minute mark. Maddie Nolf found herself in an advanced position down the left before cutting inside and firing a shot but Ramsay saw it past the near post.
The Gers went their closest yet to going in front just three minutes later as the pressure was relentless at that stage. Middag did well to carry the ball over 20 yards in the middle of the park as she acknowledged Arnot well placed on the left channel. The winger fired a shot that looked to be heading into the far corner but clipped off the top of the bar as the hosts went agonisingly close to getting on target.
Captain for the evening Nicola Docherty almost provided the perfect assist with a through ball that was latched onto by Arnot. Taking the high pass in her stride the winger opted to try lift the ball over the Thistle shot stopper but saw the effort land the wrong side of the post as the game approached the interval.
The breakthrough finally came for the hosts and it was Arnot once again as she headed home her second goal in two games. Not for the first time in the contest McLauchlan found herself in a well advanced position down the right channel, the full-back picked out an inch perfect cross to the back post which was headed home by the winger as the Gers took a deserved lead before the break in Cumbernauld.
An opportunity almost presented itself for the Gers to double the lead at the start of the second half. Middag did well to send Bell in behind down the right channel, taking it in her stride she clipped a pass to the back post that was just out of Arnot’s reach to tap home as the two wingers almost combined.
Arnot produced a fine save out of Ramsay after some combination play from a long in deep inside the Thistle half. Howat combining with the winger before her powerful effort was beaten away well by the keeper at the near post as the Gers threatened to go further ahead.
Howat had back to back efforts in quick succession kept out by the Jags shot stopper who was performing impressively to keep her side in the game, from similar positions on both occasions inside the penalty area the keeper was able to hold on to keep her side behind by just one.
However the striker was to get her reward for persistence as she was on hand to double the Rangers lead on the hour mark. A Middag corner kick delivery was initially met inside the area before Howat was on hand to tap home a second from close range to give Rangers breathing space.
After some further Rangers pressure the hosts were given the golden chance to stretch their lead as McLauchlan was brought down inside the penalty area by substitute Jordan McLintock. The full-back getting her body in front before the referee deemed the kick on the back of her leg to be enough contact to point to the spot.
Tessel Middag stepped up and confidently dispatched the ball home right footed into the top right corner as the midfielder added a third, with the Gers reaction immediately to go grab the ball as they were eager to add further goals with goal difference potentially being a factor in deciding the final league standings.
After a period with little chances Nolf went close to adding a fourth of the night before the end with a well struck effort. Cutting inside onto her right side her shot had beaten Ramsay all ends up but flew past the far post as the game reached its conclusion.
Despite dominating in terms of the overall play throughout the remainder of the evening the hosts were unable to add to their three goal advantage as they ran out comfortable winners in a convincing display in Cumbernauld to keep pressure at the top of the table with two league fixtures remaining.
RANGERS: Fife, Docherty, McLauchlan, Davison, Middag, Howat (Cornet 75), Bell (Hay 60), Arnot (McLeary 71), Maclean, Kerr (Cavanagh 75), Nolf
SUBS: Inman, Hill, Ferguson, Berry, McAulay
PARTICK THISTLE: Ramsay, Slater, Murphy (McLintock 45), Falconer, McGowan, Docherty, Bulloch (Fisher 76), Henderson, Ferguson, Robinson, Longcake
SUBS: Dalziel, Donaldson
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