RANGERS retained the Sky Sports Cup with a commanding 4-1 win over Partick Thistle at Tynecastle this afternoon.
First-half goals from Mia McAulay, Rachel Rowe and Rio Hardy - after Rachel Donaldson had cancelled out the opener - gave the Light Blues a comfortable lead.
A further strike from Liv McLoughlin gave the Ibrox side the victory as they clinched the first silverware of the season and kept hold of the Cup they won for the first time last term.
It’s also a first trophy for boss Jo Potter since taking over the Gers last summer as her side proved too strong for the Jags.
Potter made four changes to the team who lost 2-1 to Celtic in the SWPL last weekend.
Cup keeper Vic Esson started in goals, with Kathy Hill, McAulay and Jane Ross also coming in. Jenna Fife, Lizzie Arnot, Sarah Ewens and Lisa Martinez all dropped to the bench.
Rangers dominated the early stages and controlled the majority of possession without being able to test Jags No1 Ava Easdon.
It was Thistle who created the first opportunity as Imogen Longcake got into the box and got her shot away, but thankfully for the Gers, McLoughlin was on hand to clear the net bound strike.
They were made to pay for that missed opportunity as teenage star McAulay fired the league leaders ahead on 13 minutes.
Hill’s superb ball over the top of the Thistle defence sent the youngster flying down the right channel.
Keeper Easdon was indecisive in whether to come and challenge or backtrack for her goal and McAulay took full advantage by showing superb composure to fire it into the empty net.
The lead lasted only five minutes as Donaldson’s strike from distance flew over Esson and into the net to make it all square.
Chelsea Cornet’s effort was easily smothered before Rowe was inches away from connecting with McAulay’s pass as the game settled down following a frantic start to the action.
The Welsh international wasn’t to be denied though as her stunning effort restored the Gers’ lead 11 minutes before the interval.
A well-worked corner involving Rowe, McAulay and Brogan Hay, saw the ball played to the midfielder who set herself inside a packed penalty area.
With bodies closing her down she unleashed a wicked right-foot shot which gave Easdon no chance before it crashed off the underside of the bar and into the net.
Rangers’ tails were up as they looked to extend their lead even more before the half-time interval, as the Jags struggled to get out of their own half.
The pressure paid off in first-half stoppage time as Potter’s side grabbed a deserved third.
Front pairing, Ross and Hardy linked superbly well on the edge of the area with the English striker managing to barge her way into the area.
She was under pressure, but Hardy showed composure to hold off her marker and fire through the legs of the on-rushing Easdon.
Rowe was pulling the strings and she almost gave Potter’s team the dream start to the second period.
Her ball fizzed across the six-yard box, only for Hardy and Hill to miss the chance to tuck it home.
An uncharacteristic error from Docherty almost handed Thistle a lifeline five minutes after the restart as her pass went straight to Longcake inside the area.
The Jags striker thought her luck was in, only for Middag to bail out her skipper with a fine challenge.
At the other end Hardy sent a shot wide after managing to collect a loose ball following an error in the opposition defence.
The win was sealed on 53 minutes as McLoughlin fired home from close range.
A fine passing move sent Ross away and she did well to hold off her marker and get her shot off, which Easdon saved with her foot.
Hay picked up the loose ball and unselfishly squared it to the on-loan Aston Villa midfielder who tucked it past the keeper.
On the hour mark Potter made a trio of changes with Arnot, Ewens and the returning Howat, in place of McAulay, Ross and Hardy.
Rowe almost grabbed her second and Rangers’ fifth soon after, only this time her shot flew inches over, before Howat saw her effort go the wrong side of the post.
Skipper Docherty thought she had netted a fifth for the Gers in stoppage time with a dipping volley but unfortunately it smacked off the post.
With the final whistle sounding the Rangers players, management, staff and supporters could celebrate a deserved victory, keeping hold of the trophy they won last season and taking home the first of this campaign.
RANGERS: Esson, Hill (Austin 78), Middag, Docherty, Hay, Rowe, McLoughlin, Cornet (Bance 77), McAulay (Arnot 60), Hardy (Howat 60), Ross (Ewens 60).
Subs not used: Fife, Bance, Arnot, Austin, Ewens, Martinez, McLeary.
PARTICK: Easdon, Slater, Lawton, Falconer, Docherty, Henderson (McQuillan 70), Donaldson (Wright 82), Bulloch (Hay 60), Taylor, Longcake (Adams 60), Sinclair (McAllister 60).
Subs not used: Logan, McCulloch, Hay, Adams, McAllister, Wright, Robinson, McQuillan.
Referee: Duncan Nicolson.