RANGERS were crowned Sky Sports Cup winners for the first time ever after a momentous 2-0 victory over Hibernian at Tynecastle Stadium this afternoon.
In a first for the women’s game with the match broadcast live on Sky Sports, the Light Blues responded with a commanding display in front of a buoyant Gers support.
Lizzie Arnot opened the scoring inside a quarter of an hour with a sumptuous strike, before Malky Thomson’s side put the seal on the victory when Kirsty Howat doubled the side’s advantage with 15 minutes remaining.
The Gers boss named six changes to his side from last weekend’s victory over Glasgow Women in the SWPL, with Rachel McLauchlan, Chelsea Cornet, Brogan Hay, Jenny Danielsson, Tessel Middag and Kayla McCoy all returning to the starting lineup.
However, the Light Blues were forced into an early change just eight minutes into the contest, with Sam Kerr replacing Danielsson after the Finn suffered a head knock in the centre of the pitch.
Rangers then tested Hibs’ resolve with a series of corners on 11 minutes. Arnot’s in-swinging delivery forced Benedicte Iversen Haaland to palm away desperately, before Kayla McCoy headed agonsingly wide following a neat short corner routine on the opposite side involving Arnot and Brogan Hay.
The positive start from the Gers was rewarded on 15 minutes when the dangerous Arnot – who famously netted five goals in the final of this same competition in 2018 – produced a moment of ingenuity. The attacker advanced on the left before lifting her head and unleashing a left-footed strike that sailed into the top corner to hand her side an early advantage.
Thomson’s side had certainly limited Hibs’ attacking threat for the opening half hour, with Hannah Davison sniffing out a rare Hibees move that advanced into the final third as Krystyna Freda looked to centre.
Tessel Middag fired a speculative effort off target minutes later for the Light Blues, before Hay drew a comfortable save from the Hibs goalkeeper after turning smartly on the edge of the penalty area.
Hibs had an opportunity to throw the ball into the danger area from a deep free-kick on 39 minutes, but Jenna Fife was quick off her line to collect the cross and alleviate any pressure.
The Gers fashioned a half chance of their own less than 90 seconds later. Rachel McLauchlan’s cross found its way to Nicola Docherty on the edge of the penalty area, with the Scotland international arrowing an effort towards goal that ricocheted off McCoy and behind for a goal kick.
Docherty combined with McCoy just minutes into the second half, floating a menacing cross into the penalty area that the forward glanced goalwards but over the crossbar.
Thomson’s side had their tails up to begin the second half. Arnot and Docherty combined expertly down the left-hand side, with the latter’s low cross turned behind for a corner by Hibs captain Joelle Murray. From the resulting corner, Kathryn Hill was unfortunate not to turn the ball home at the back post as she rose highest to header towards goal.
Hibs had a moment of their own on 53 minutes, with Michaela McAlonie feeding Freda down the inside right channel and Fife making a smart diving stop to repel the opposition’s advances.
The Gers almost doubled their advantage on the hour mark. Working the ball from left to right, Hay collected a pass before fizzing a dangerous cross into McCoy who was unable to direct the ball towards goal from close range.
Arnot was among the action again just three minutes later, driving menacing towards goal and arrowing a shot at goal that was blocked on its path before Middag drew a save from Haaland.
Rangers were playing with a ferocious intensity as they searched for the all-important second goal, with substitute Howat turning expertly and firing a strike that crashed off the crossbar via a deflection.
However, the Gers forward didn’t have to wait long to double her side’s advantage and edge the team closer to a memorable cup victory. The terrific Hay worked the ball inside to Howat, who steadied herself and fired a low, driven effort that nestled into the bottom corner.
Such was the hunger on display from Rangers that they quickly went in search of a third goal of the afternoon. Arnot danced inside before the ball fell invitingly to Howat as she looked to quickly double her tally for the afternoon, but she could not keep her resulting finish on target.
The 25-year-old had another effort deflected behind for a corner, with Thomson introducing Lisa Martinez and Kirsty Maclean as the fourth official announced three minutes of additional time.
History beckoned for the Light Blues and the referee’s full-time whistle proved the cue for jubilant celebrations among players, staff and supporters inside Tynecastle.
RANGERS: Fife, McLauchlan, Hill (Martinez, 89), Davison, Docherty, Cornet, Middag (Maclean, 89), Hay (Watson, 82), Danielsson (Kerr, 9), Arnot (Cavanagh, 82), McCoy (Howat, 69)
Subs not used: Esson, Bell, McLeary
HIBERNIAN: Haaland, Parry, Huner, Eddie, McAlonie, Adams, McGregor, Notley, Murray, Livingstone (Hinds, 55), Freda (Mustafa, 55)
Subs not used: Kosinska, Leishman, Kukyen, Giannou, Morrison, Lawson
REFEREE: Colin Whyte
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