RANGERS played out a 1-1 draw with rivals Celtic after a stoppage time equaliser denied the Light Blues all three points in the SWPL at Broadwood Stadium this evening.
Following a controlled first half from the hosts, Brogan Hay was on hand to tap them in front following some good work by Emma Watson. After they had looked to have seen the game out, an attempted clearance from Jenna Fife saw it rebound off striker Caitlin Hayes for the visitors as they left Cumbernauld with a point right at the end.
Malky Thomson named one change to his side in the Light Blues first post-split fixture in the SWPL. Emma Watson came into the team from last weekend’s Scottish Cup win over Hibs, replacing the injured Lizzie Arnot.
Rangers had an early half chance fall their way courtesy of a Tessel Middag set piece. Her delivery from the right flank found the arriving Lisa Martinez who had spun round the back post, but her left footed effort found the side netting from a tight angle.
After a lively start at Broadwood from both sides, the two teams settled into the match and both enjoyed spells of safe possession through midfield without any clear cut openings after 10 minutes of the contest.
Celtic went close off a ricochet from Natasha Flint, she closed down the back pass to Rangers goalkeeper Jenna Fife and was almost rewarded but the ball flew past the post and wide off the attempted clearance.
After a period of 10 minutes of little in the way of chances, a clever interchange down the left channel involving Maddie Nolf and Sam Kerr allowed the two to combine and find Chelsea Cornet on the outside of the area. The midfielder tried in ambitious strike from range but saw her shot sail over Pamela Tajonar’s crossbar.
Rangers took confidence from the opening and went close through their captain Kathryn Hill. A deep delivery from Middag found Kerr who had made a run round the back post, the ball never broke for Kirsty Howat who was well placed before the defender saw her close range effort held on the ground by the away keeper.
Rangers took the lead with just over ten minutes to go until the break. Emma Watson, who had a bright half up until that point, did well to get to the touchline as she dug out a left footed delivery, her cross was attempted to be cut out by defender Caitlin Hayes. In doing so the Celtic goalkeeper was left wrong-footed as Brogan Hay was on hand to tap the ball into the empty net to fire the Gers in front in the derby.
Nolf went close with an effort of her own from range, trying her luck from 30 yards which needed saving as Tajonar tipped the ball over the crossbar, as the Light Blues gained added confidence from finding the opener.
Rangers were ending the half in strong fashion and Hay herself was taking real initiative in trying to add to their lead, taking on several Celtic players down the left side the winger acknowledged the supporting Rachel McLauchlan behind her but the full-back’s strike was deflected wide.
Celtic looked for a response at the start of the second half, having created little in the way of clear cut opportunities past the 50 minute mark, Shen Menglu was getting into some promising positions down the left flank without being able to carve any chances for the visitors.
Rangers were comfortable as the game approached the hour mark; the away side were looking brighter in spells but couldn’t cause any real problems for the Gers backline. Flint managed to spin in behind Martinez but her shot was high and wayward as it sailed over Fife’s crossbar.
The hosts were playing on the counter for a spell and produced their best piece of play in the second period just after the hour mark. Kerr did brilliantly to carry the ball 30 yards up the pitch, eventually Howat arrived to support before the striker found substitute Megan Bell unmarked at the edge of the area, but she dragged her right footed effort wide of the far post.
An opportunity presented itself to Watson following Middag’s half volley from the edge of the area, the winger was in behind at a tight angle but her shot was deflected wide as the Light Blues were enjoying a spell of second half possession and getting joy in the final third.
Watson was again involved as her left footed delivery found the midfield runner in Kerr inside the area, but her headed effort came off her back and lacked the power to beat Tajonar as the game approached the final 10 minutes in Cumbernauld.
After an extended amount of stoppage time following a Martinez injury, a long ball over the top saw Caitlin Hayes run in behind the Rangers backline, an attempted clearance from Fife rebounded off the forward which allowed her to roll the ball into the empty net as the visitors claimed a point in the last kick of the game.
RANGERS: Fife, McLauchlan, Hill, Middag (Maclean 78), Hay (Bell 56), Howat (McCoy 78), Cornet, Martinez, Kerr, Nolf, Watson (McLeary 90)
SUBS NOT USED: Esson, Docherty, Davison, Danielsson, Berry.
CELTIC: Tajonar, Otto (Ross 45), O’Riordan, Gallacher (Loferski 69), Jacynta, Chance, Clark, Kerner, Hayes, Flint, Menglu.
SUBS NOT USED: Logan, Craig, Mengyu, Fergusson, Bowie, Goldie, Barclay.