Report: Rangers Take All Three Points Against Hibs

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RANGERS came from behind to beat Hibs 2-1 in the Park’s Motor Group SWPL 1 this afternoon.

The Edinburgh side took the lead at Rangers Training Centre midway through the first-half before second-half goals from Lizzie Arnot and Jane Ross sealed the three points for the Light Blues.

Malky Thomson made two changes to his side from last weekend’s victory over Hearts with Rachel McLauchlan and Sam Kerr coming back into the starting XI.

Rangers lined-up with Jenna Fife in goal and a back four of Demi Vance, Brianna Westrup, Chantelle Swaby and Rachel McLauchlan.

Chelsea Cornet was in midfield alongside Tessel Middag and Sam Kerr with Lizzie Arnot and Brogan Hay supporting striker Jane Ross.

Rangers were looking to get an early breakthrough at Auchenhowie as they started with a high intensity to put pressure on Hibs. With three minutes on the clock, Brogan Hay was alert to win the ball back in a dangerous position on the edge of the box before playing in Jane Ross but her shot was just wide of the target.

It was a fast-paced start, however there were few clear cut chances for either side in the opening 20 minutes as both teams tried to get a foothold in the match.

The visitors were the ones who took the lead with 23 minutes on the clock. Siobhan Hunter played a diagonal ball from the back to pick out the run of Amy Muir on the left wing. Muir delivered a dangerous ball into the box which Michaela McAlonie got a touch on to guide into the bottom corner of the net.

The goal gave Hibs confidence as Amy Gallacher tried a shot from distance shortly after which was held by Jenna Fife, before at the other end Demi Vance curled a shot towards goal which was saved by visiting goalkeeper Emily Mutch.

Colette Cavanagh was booked for a challenge on Sam Kerr just outside the box with 10 minutes of the first-half remaining. Demi Vance stepped up to the set-piece but her shot drifted just over the bar.

Into the second-half, Rangers were awarded a penalty with 58 minutes on the clock. Demi Vance tried a long-range effort which was spilled by Hibs keeper Emily Mutch. Striker Jane Ross looked to follow-up on the rebound and appeared to be caught by the goalkeeper as referee Chris Gentles pointed to the spot.

Lizzie Arnot stepped-up to take the spot kick and fired it down the middle to draw Rangers level in this match.

The spot-kick spurred on Gers and Malky Thomson’s side took the lead in the 65th minute.

A short Hibs goal-kick was headed into the path of Jane Ross by Lizzie Arnot, Ross took a touch to cut inside at the edge of the box before curling a lovely right-footed finish towards goal to beat Mutch and curl in at the far post.

The Light Blues made two changes in the second-half as Megan Bell came on for an injured Brogan Hay, before Nicola Docherty was introduced in the final ten minutes in place of Rachel McLauchlan.

Rangers had a fantastic chance to increase their lead with five minutes of the match remaining as Jane Ross whipped a ball in from the right which met Lizzie Arnot in front of goal but her touch lifted the ball just over the crossbar.

Hibs had a few set-pieces in the dying stages of the game as they searched for an equaliser but the Rangers defence stood strong to see out the match and secure all three points.

RANGERS: Fife, Vance, Middag, Hay (Bell, 72), McLauchlan (Docherty, 83), Ross, Arnot, Cornet, Kerr, Westrup, Swaby.

Subs not used: Cunningham, Arnth, McCoy, Maclean, Watson.

Hibs: Mutch, Notely, Murray, Muir, Hunter (Leishman, 80), McGregor, McAlonie, Cavanagh, Morrison, Coyle, Gallacher.

Subs not used: English, Malone, Livingstone.

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