Rangers Defeat Hearts 6-0 In Edinburgh

RANGERS picked up three points with a 6-0 victory away to Hearts in the Scottish Women’s Premier League this afternoon.

It was a dominant display from Malky Thomson’s side as Sam Kerr and Lizzie Arnot both netted doubles with goals from Kirsty Howat and Zoe Ness completing the scoring.

It was Rangers’ first competitive match in 2021 as the SWPL returned from a three month suspension.

Jenna Fife started in goal for Gers with Nicola Docherty, Carly Girasoli, Brianna Westrup and Rachel McLauchlan in front of her.

Kirsten Reilly and Sam Kerr were joined in midfield by Emma Brownlie with Lizzie Arnot and Zoe Ness supporting Kirsty Howat in attack.

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It was a fantastic start from Rangers as they broke the deadlock with only five minutes on the clock.

Kirsty Howat did well down the right to find Zoe Ness in the box, she turned and found Sam Kerr in space at the other side of the area and the midfielder slotted beyond Charlotte Parker-Smith for her first Rangers goal.

Malky Thomson’s side doubled their advantage just five minutes later as Nicola Docherty found space on the left to pick out Kirsty Howat and the striker driller a right-footed effort high into the back of the net.

Rangers were dominant and were awarded a penalty as Sam Kerr was taken down inside the area.

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Lizzie Arnot stepped up to the spot and extended Rangers lead as her right-footed shot beat Charlotte Parker-Smith.

Just before the half-hour mark the referee again pointed to the spot as Kristy Howat was taken down in the box by Shona Cowan. Arnot again stepped up to the spot and confidently fired a powerful effort high into the back of the net.

Rangers made it five with just 33 minutes played as Emma Brownlie picked out the run of Zoe Ness and the striker remained composed to slot beyond the goalkeeper.

Rachel McLauchlan came close just before the break as her left-footed shot from the edge of the box bounced back off the post.

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The relentless pressure from Rangers continued after the half-time break with Sam Kerr making it six on 54 minutes.

Lizzie Arnot found space on the left to deliver a dangerous ball into the box which Kerr got on the end of the beat Charlotte Parker-Smith.

Malky Thomson made a host changes to his side throughout the second-half with Daina Bourma, Brogan Hay and Chelsea Cornet all making an appearance.

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Striker Bala Devi had to be replaced after just four minutes as she took a knock, with Sonia O’Neill coming on in her place.

Malky Thomson’s side remained in control as they picked up three points in the Capital.

Rangers: Fife, Docherty, Brownlie (Cornet, 64), Reilly, Ness (Bourma, 74), McLauchlan, Girasoli, Arnot (Devi, 74, (O’Neill, 78)), Howat (Hay,64), Kerr, Westrup

Subs: Cunningham, Bourma, O’Neill, Hay, Devi, Gemmell, Cornet.

Hearts: Parker-Smith, Delworth, Forsyth, Cunningham, Turner (Birse, 73), Tweedie (McKay, 65), Williamson, McIntosh, Walkingshaw, Cowan, McAllister.

Subs: Tebbit, Keney, Smith, Begg, Birse, Shepherd, McKay