RANGERS were beaten 1-0 by English Championship side Charlton as they continued their pre-season preparations at Broadwood this afternoon.
A late second-half goal from a trialist was the difference as Malky Thomson’s squad got more important minutes under their belts ahead of the 2022/23 season.
Jenna Fife started in goal, with a back four of Rachel McLauchlan, Kathryn Hill, Tessel Middag and Emma Watson.
Colette Cavanagh, Sam Kerr and Kirsty Maclean were in midfield, with Brogan Hay and Jodi McLeary supporting Dina Orschmann up front.
There was almost an opening for Charlton early in the match as Emma Follis played the ball through to find the run of Angela Addison but she was flagged offside as she raced towards Jenna Fife.
Rangers had their first real chance of the match midway through the first half as Sam Kerr made a driving run into the box creating space for herself to get a right-footed shot away at goal but it was saved by Sian Rogers.
It was a competitive start to this friendly, with the English side coming close to breaking the deadlock on the half hour mark. Freda Ayisi hit a powerful strike from outside the box but it bounced back off the post before the danger was cleared.
Just minutes later Addison had the ball in the back of the net for Charlton as she tapped home a cross but the linesman raised his flag for offside.
Both teams were still searching for the breakthrough in this pre-season friendly, as Colette Cavanagh’s ball from the left met Brogan Hay in the box but her shot drifted just over the crossbar.
Malky Thomson made four changes to his side at the break with Nicola Docherty, Lizzie Arnot, Eilidh Austin and Kayla McCoy all introduced for Kathryn Hill, Rachel McLauchlan, Colette Cavanagh and Emma Watson.
Charlton had a great chance to take the lead as the ball was cut back to Tegan McGowan who was in space on the edge of the box but she couldn’t keep her effort down.
Kayla Jardine and Chelsea Cornet were introduced for the final 20 minutes of this match as the squad got important minutes ahead of the 2022/23 season.
Eilidh Austin forced the Charlton goalkeeper into a save on the 75th minute as she whipped a ball towards goal from the right-wing but the stopper managed to keep hold of the effort.
Charlton took the lead shortly after as a trialist managed to head home a cross at the back post to touch it beyond Jenna Fife.
RANGERS: Fife, Hill (Docherty, 46), Middag (Jardine, 65), Hay, Orschmann (Cornet, 65), McLauchlan (Arnot, 46), Cavanagh (Austin, 46), Maclean, Kerr, McLeary, Watson (McCoy, 46).
Subs: Esson.
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PROGRAMME SUBSCRIPTION: Rangers fans can now purchase a matchday programme subscription for the 2022/23 season. Additonally, MyGers members who purchase a subscription will be allocated 20 MyGers points. You have until 31 July 2022 to purchase online here.
SEASON 22/23 AWAY KIT: Our new away kit, featuring a red diagonal print and the classic Rangers scroll crest in blue, is now available. Available in a number of size options in-store and online. More than Ready.
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