It was a perfect evening for football in Edinburgh as the Gers looked to continue their positive pre-season preparations as they faced Debbi McCulloch’s Spartans side.
Rangers lined-up with Jenna Fife in goals and a back four of Nicola Docherty, Kathryn Hill, Tessel Middag and Rachel McLauchlan.
Chelsea Cornet was joined in midfield by Brogan Hay and Kirsty Maclean, while Sam Kerr and Dina Orschmann supported Jane Ross up front.
Rangers started well straight from the referee’s first whistle with Orschamnn delivering the first real threat of the match. Cornet found some space in the middle of the park to link up with Orschamnn moving forward, the German striker sent a powerful effort towards goal, but it was collected safely by the Spartans keeper.
The Light Blues worked hard to maintain this early momentum, as they looked to push into the final third and threaten the home side’s backline.
Hill was next to create danger in the home side’s box after Thomson’s side were awarded a free kick well into the Spartan’s half. McLauchlan delivered a superb ball to link up with Hill in a congested box, with the defender managing to get a shot away but it fell agonisingly wide of the back post.
The Gers continued to build sustained pressure with youngster, Maclean, creating some lovely build-up play, but the home backline did well to disrupt and breakdown the Rangers threat.
Young Ger, Jodi McLeary, almost broke the deadlock for the Light Blues after Hay delivered a dangerous looking ball into the box. The youngster did well to get a foot to it, but the ball rattled off the front post and was cleared away from danger.
However, the Gers didn’t have long to wait as Orschamnn managed to deliver the first goal of the evening on the half hour mark, Maclean sent a lovely overhead through ball to meet the forward who flicked it neatly over the head of the Spartans keeper.
Five minutes after the opening goal, Cornet was on hand to double the lead after sending an effort past Yates. Hay did well to weave her way down the right flank and found some space to deliver the ball over to Cornet who sent a deft first touch into the Spartans net.
Rangers continued to build on the positive start to the game as they headed into the second half with both Kerr and Arnot having great opportunities on goal, but the Spartans keeper did well to keep the Gers lead at two.
It wasn’t all one way, and the home side did begin to find some momentum to try and close the deficit, Emma McFayden began to threaten new signing Victoria Esson in goal, but the backline did well to intercept her efforts.
Rangers were on the attack following this, and McLeary was able to find the third for the Gers after picking up the ball in the box, where she managed to find a pocket of space to get a shot past the keeper.
In the closing minutes of the game, the Light Blues continued to pressurise Spartans final third and didn’t drop in momentum, but the backline did well to break down the danger to end the score 3-0.
RANGERS: Fife (Esson, 46), Docherty, Hill, Middag, Hay (Arnot, 46), Orschmann (Cavanagh, 53), McLauhlan (Austin, 46), Ross (McLeary, 19), Cornet (Jardine, 63), Maclean (Ferguson, 63), Kerr.
SPARTANS: Yates (Harrison, 46), Clelland (Douglas, 46), McMahon (Mason, 46), Jamieson, Frew, McCafferty (McQuillan, 46), Marshall (Henderson, 46), Reynolds (McCafferty, 46), Galbraith (Smart, 46), Bates (McFayden, 46), Robinson (Jordan, 46).
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RANGERSTV: Don’t forget the Gers’ upcoming friendlies with Blackpool, West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur are all live on RangersTV. You can purchase this Saturday's match against Blackpool for £5.99 or our pre-season pass is available for £9 here on RangersTV.
SEASON 22/23 HOME KIT: Our new home kit, inspired by some of our most iconic retro shirts, is now available. Available in a number of size options in-store and online. More than Ready.
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