RANGERS fell to a 6-0 defeat to Arsenal in UEFA Champions League Round One Qualifying at Meadow Park this evening.
After limiting the Gunners to few clear-cut chances in the opening 45 minutes in a resolute defensive showing, a Caitlin Foord header separated the sides with the hosts taking 1-0 lead into the break.
Two quickfire goals from the winger and Alessio Russo put the game beyond any doubt before she claimed her hat-trick with a well taken volley. Kim Little added a fifth from the penalty spot before Foord grabbed her fourth in the final minute of original time to round off the scoring to book a place in Saturday’s final, with the Gers now gearing up to take on Atletico Madrid in the third place play-off on the same day.
The Gers headed into the contest off the back of flawless domestic form at the start of the new season. Winning their opening five league games and scoring 43 goals in the process without conceding but acknowledged the task at hand against the English giants who won the European competition back in 2007.
Head coach Jo Potter named five changes to her starting side from the weekend’s win over Dundee United, with Victoria Esson, Kathy Hill, Leah Eddie, Brogan Hay and Rio Hardy in their lineup.
Arsenal started on the front foot and saw most of the early possession in Borehamwood. In the early stages, an Emily Fox delivery into a dangerous area looked to pick out a teammate inside the box, but Kathy Hill did well defensively to divert any early danger to turn it behind for a corner.
The hosts probed in the early exchanges without testing Victoria Esson in the Rangers goal. A clipped ball over the top from Leah Williamson was picked up by Mariona Caldentey on the flank, but Brogan Hay was on hand to track back from the channel to see out the danger as Potter’s side settled into their shape early on.
After a goalless opening 10 minutes, the Light Blues looked to assert themselves in the contest whilst being wary of the hosts threat anytime they came forward.
However, after limiting the English giants to very little in the opening exchanges it was Arsenal who found the opener. Picking the ball up on the flank Caldentey picked out her teammate with a delivery deep round the back post which was met by Caitlin Foord to head it past Esson in the Gers goal to take the lead.
Clear-cut chances remained few and far between in the contest but it was Arsenal who continued to probe and look a threat in the final third. Combination play between Caldentey and Cooney-Cross presented an opportunity for the midfielder to try her luck from the edge of the box, but the effort flew over the top of the bar as the hosts looked to double their advantage.
Brogan Hay was looking lively down the right side for the Gers and almost created an opportunity having been played wide by Rio Hardy. A clever bit of skill got her a half yard, but the cross was cleared at the near post by Codina Panedas and away from danger.
An intervention from Kathy Hill stopped the Gers going two goals behind as the away side scrambled the ball from crossing the line at the far post. A delivery from the ever threatening Caldentey look to be tapped in at the back post but for Esson pouncing on it initially before the defender was able to clear the rebound to safety.
The theme of the match continued as the game reached the 40-minute mark with Jonas Eidevall’s side still a goal to the good. The English side constantly looked a threat with their quick passing and combinations around the edge of the box whilst the Gers tried to come forward when they got the chance whilst continuing to remain defensively sound throughout.
The Gers started with a spell of possession in the final third at the beginning of the second half without creating anything on goal. Mia McAulay was introduced for Brogan Hay as she looked to make an impact on the game straight away. At the other end, the hosts had an opportunity after a Fox delivery which was met by Frida Maanum at the back post, but she got the effort on volley wrong as she scuffed it wide of the target.
Arsenal went close to doubling their advantage after winning the ball high. Leah Eddie was crowded out of possession inside her own half as Kim Little took over, the midfielder worked the ball onto her left side and seeked out the far corner but for a block from the impressive Liv McLoughlin to divert the effort wide.
After a period of Arsenal keeping the ball inside the Rangers half, they found the crucial second goal. After trying to work an opening a ball played through was deflected into the path of Foord who dispatched the ball superbly beyond Esson to give the hosts breathing space in the match.
Two very quickly became three as the English side landed a blow on their opponents with two quickfire goals. This time in similar fashion the Gunners worked their way through the centre of the Rangers defence and it was Alessia Russo this time whose powerful strike beat Esson to add a third.
The hosts continued to threaten having really stamped their authority on the game as Caitlin Foord was on hand to fire home her hat-trick. A cross to the back post was taken first time on the volley by the winger as she smashed it beyond Esson at the near post to make it four just short of the 70-minute mark.
The Gunners then had a chance to add a fifth from the penalty spot, captain Kim Little stepped up to take it and dispatched it into the roof of the net before Foord grabbed her fourth in the final minute to round off the scoring as the hosts booked a place in Saturday’s final.
ARSENAL: Zinsberger, Fox (Wienroither 78), Panedas, Williamson, Caldentey (Kuhl 87), Little, McCabe, Maanum (Kafaji 70), Foord, Russo (Blackstenius 70), Cooney-Cross (Walti 78)
SUBS: Van Domeselaar, Williams, Wubben-Moy, Lia, Godfrey, Agyemang, Reid
RANGERS: Esson, Rafferty (Middag 67), Hill, Docherty, Eddie, McLoughin, Howat (Lafaix 67), Hay (McAulay 45), Arnot, Hardy, Wilkinson (Berry 85)
SUBS: Fife, Austin, McLeary, Black