Fresh off their cup win last Sunday the Light Blues were dominant throughout with two own goals and a Kathryn Hill finish putting them three goals to the good at the break. A Kirsty Howat strike and a Rio Hardy penalty followed by a stunning Nicola Docherty finish towards the end rounded off the scoring as the visitors claimed another three points on their return to league action.
Jo Potter named three changes to the side from their last outing in the 4-1 Sky Sports Cup win over Hearts, with Brogan Hay, Rachel Rowe and Chelsea Cornet all coming into the team after the trio recently made their return from injury.
Rangers dominated in the opening stages in North Lanarkshire. The away side settled into comfortable possession quickly in the game, a corner kick was taken short and made its way to Brogan Hay on the edge of the area, but the winger’s shot was comfortably gathered by Chloe Nicolson in the Accies goal.
Another chance came just moments later. Rachel Rowe protected the ball well as she carried it over 20 yards forward, she slipped in Rio Hardy down the right flank but the wingers cut back was turned behind. The following corner saw a chance for Libby Bance but again it was straight at the keeper who gathered from a tight angle.
It was another set piece that almost resulted in the opener for the Gers. The initial pass was deflected into the path of Kirsty Howat, but the striker miscued her shot on her left side as it flashed across goal before it was cleared.
The hosts were limiting Rangers to shots from range as they continued to probe for the opener. Rowe had two attempts in quick succession from distance that both flew over the top as the away side continued to press to break the deadlock.
It was Bance who got on the end of a Jodi McLeary cross as she arguably had Rangers’ best chance to open the scoring. The winger cut the ball back on her left side which was met by the midfielder inside the area but she lacked the desired power to beat Nicolson as it trickled wide.
Howat produced an impressive stop out of Nicolson just shortly after. The striker worked space for a shot on the edge of the area which looked to be heading for the top right corner, but the keeper got herself across to turn the strike round the post.
Rangers made the breakthrough on the 20-minute mark courtesy of an own goal. Rowe found herself well placed down the right channel before firing the ball across the face, Melissa Reid was on the cover but saw the ball hit her as it ended up in her own net as the Gers took the lead.
A 10-minute spell with no real chances was to follow. Hamilton started finding themselves on the ball more often but were struggling to make any strides to threaten the Rangers goal, as the visitors still looked the more likely to double their lead.
That they did just moments later as Kathryn Hill was on hand to double the advantage at New Douglas Park. Rowe again was the provider as her cross from the left flank was met by the defender inside the area as she cushioned the ball beyond Nicolson with her left foot to add a second.
Rangers made it three minutes after as they gave themselves breathing space in the game through a second own goal of the afternoon. Hay was creator this time as her cross was deflected off Kirstie McIntosh as it wrong footed the Accies goalkeeper as the Gers strengthened their grip on the contest.
Hardy almost added a fourth five minutes before the break after getting on the end of Nicola Docherty’s cross. The captain found herself well advanced deep down her side and clipped a ball into the area, the forward met it but her looping header landed on the roof of the net.
The Gers introduced Mia McAulay and Kirsty Maclean at the break as they looked to extend their advantage in the second period. The theme of the contest remained with the visitors dominant as they continuously went in search of adding to their lead.
The Light Blues extended their advantage further as Howat continued her fine goal scoring form. The away side worked the ball down the left channel before it was cut back to the striker, her shot was goal bound before it took a slight nick and sneaked in at the near post to add a fourth.
It was almost two in two minute for Howat just moments later. Rowe who continuously impressed rode multiple challenges on the flank before the ball broke for Howat, catching it on the half volley she forced an impressive stop out of Nicolson at the near post.
Rangers had the chance to go further ahead from the penalty spot. Howat’s strike was deemed to have struck the arm of Hannah Coakley as the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Hardy stepped up and dispatched the kick into the bottom left corner as the away side made it five.
Rachel McLauchlan almost turned provider as she found herself well advanced down the right flank. The full-back picked out Howat with a cross as the forward met it on the volley but it flew over Nicolson’s crossbar from close range.
Megan Bell who had been introduced as a second half substitute went close to getting on the scoresheet. The Northern Ireland international tried an effort on her left side inside the box, but saw the shot come back off the post and stay out with the goalkeeper well beaten.
McLeary was next to hit the woodwork as Rangers still looked to add to their lead before the end. Her looping effort looked to be heading to the far corner on the half volley but she was denied by the frame of the goal before Tessel Middag fired over the rebound.
A moment of class was to arrive before the end as the captain fired in a stunning strike to add a sixth. Nicola Docherty cut inside onto her right foot around 25 yards from goal and sent a curling effort into the far corner as her brilliant finish rounded off the scoring at New Douglas Park.
HAMILTON: Nicolson, MacDonald, Coakley, Martin, McIntosh (Strain 80) , Muir (Strain 80), Giard, McDonald (Caldwell 89), Reid (Campbell 57), Ritchie, Kerr (McLounan 89)
SUBS: Marwaha, McKay,
RANGERS: Fife, McLauchlan, Hill, Docherty, McLeary, Cornet (Maclean 45), Bance (Middag 61), Hay (McAulay 45), Rowe (Bell 61), Hardy (Austin 75), Howat
SUBS: Esson, Colson