A 77th minute Kirsty Howat goal, late Katie Wilkinson free kick and Mia McAulay close range finish fired Rangers into the quarter-finals of the Sky Sports Cup after a 3-0 win over Dundee United at Foundation Park this afternoon.
Having been frustrated for long spells and their opponents holding firm defensively, the substitute popped up with the vital moment from the bench to put the holders in front before her strike partner dispatched a well-placed free kick into the corner late on, before McAulay rounded off the scoring in stoppage time as the Gers now await their last eight opposition in Tuesday afternoon’s draw.
Manager Jo Potter named a mixture of youth and experience in the starting lineup as they began the defence of their cup trophy. There were first starts of the season for both Jane Ross and Charlie Devlin, as well as a competitive debut for 2009 born 15-year-old May Cruft, having featured in the past two matchday squads.
The Gers looked to maintain the domestic momentum they created at the start of their league campaign into cup action. On her first time appearing in the starting side and in a more advanced role, Devlin looked to get a shot away at the angle to try catch out goalkeeper Beth Mowatt, but the covering Sophie Timlin made a good sliding block the shot with the effort heading goalwards.
Rangers dominated the early possession as they looked for a repeat of the performance against the same opponents earlier this month. There were opportunities from the get-go for the several players to impressive with huge fixtures to come in the weeks ahead.
The away side continued to probe as they seeked an opening goal. Just short of the 15-minute mark having worked the ball down the left flank it fell to the captain who was on the left side of the area, she looked to drill one into the far corner but via the aid of a deflection it flew wide of the far post.
A smart save from Mowatt denied Jodi McLeary as the visitors continued to mount up the early pressure. The winger darted inside and tried her luck from the edge of the area, but the shot stopper did well to get finger tips on the ball and keep it out.
A set piece chance almost offered up an opportunity to open the scoring as Tessel Middag and Kathy Hill combined. The midfielder delivered the ball into the penalty box from a central position which was met by the number four, but her header landed in the hands of the goalkeeper.
The match remained goalless beyond the half hour mark as the hosts managed to frustrate Potter’s side into minimal clear chances. Remaining firm in their shape they were putting on a resolute first half display in the cup tie.
Dundee United had a chance themselves from a wide free kick as they looked to continuously grow into the game. The delivery broke for defender Abbie Cusack inside the area, but her low effort was comfortable for Jenna Fife to claim.
The Gers continued to dominate and had multiple efforts off target as they looked to find a goal before the break. Jane Ross held the ball inside the area and acknowledged the well placed Cruft on debut, but the youngster’s shot flew over the top of the bar.
Jo Potter made three changes at the break as she looked for her side to up the intensity after being level at the interval. Kirsty Howat, Katie Wilkinson and Mia McAulay were all introduced as they looked to turn the match in their favour.
Wilkinson looked to have an instant impact straight away after a Rangers corner. The cross into the box fell for the striker on the penalty spot with bodies around her, but she lashed her effort over the top of the bar.
The Gers thought they had made the breakthrough just short of the hour mark after Howat diverted Eilidh Austin’s delivery into the back of the net, but the assistant on the near side ruled out the goal for offside.
Frustrations counted to mount for the away side as they continued to push to find an opener. Austin was getting joy on several occasions deep down the right channel, but her deliveries were dealt with by the United backline who were holding firm in the contest.
The hosts were still offering a threat on the few occasions they went forward. Ellie-May Cowie didn’t give up on a long ball deep inside the Rangers half and was supported by Timlin on the break, finding her teammate inside the area she looked to skip by Hill and get a shot away, but the effort lacked the desired power.
After 77 minutes of persistence, Rangers finally found their breakthrough. Frustrated for large spells of the contest a short goal kick was met by the head of Wilkinson, it turned into a pass for Kirsty Howat to latch onto as the striker raced through on goal at the angle and slotted it into the bottom to put the Gers ahead.
The task for the Gers was made easier four minutes from time after Megan Burns was dismissed for the hosts after a denying a goal scoring opportunity for Wilkinson. Just outside the area with the striker about to pull the trigger she was brought down which resulted in the defender receiving a red card.
From the resulting free kick the forward brilliantly placed it into the far corner to give the Light Blues breathing space before Mia McAulay tapped home a third in stoppage time as the Gers safely booked their place in the quarter-finals, as their attention now turns to a massive first Old Firm derby of the season on Thursday evening.
DUNDEE UNITED: Mowatt, Frew, Cusack, Robertson, Sidey, Cowie, Moodie (Knight 81), Steedman (Logan 81), Burns, Brien, Timlin
SUBS: Rennie, Martindale, Christie, Osborne, Taylor, Hutchison, Steedman
RANGERS: Fife, Docherty, Hill, Rafferty (Hay 61), Middag, Devlin (Bell 76), Ross (Howat 45), Austin, Lafaix (Wilkinson 45), McLeary, Cruft (McAulay 45)
SUBS: Esson, Arnot