RANGERS came from behind to secure all three points in a hard-fought victory against Spartans in Park’s Motor Group SWPL 1 this afternoon.
Rebecca Galbraith gave the visitors the lead at Rangers Training Centre before captain Brianna Westrup headed home a late first-half equaliser. However, Malky Thomson’s side netted the winner with just over 10 minutes of the match remaining as Tess Middag drilled a low effort beyond Alicia Yates.
Malky Thomson named four changes to his side from last weekend’s 4-0 victory over Hamilton with Jenna Fife, Chantelle Swaby, Ciara Grant and Zoe Ness all coming into the starting XI.
Rangers lined-up with Jenna Fife in goal and a back four of Demi Vance, Brianna Westrup, Chantelle Swaby and Nicola Docherty. Tessel Middag was joined in midfield by Zoe Ness and Ciara Grant, while Megan Bell and Brogan Hay provided support for striker Jane Ross.
It was a glorious afternoon as the sun shone on Auchenhowie as Rangers looked to take an early foothold on the match. Zoe Ness saw an effort from distance bounce just wide of the post before Tessel Middag’s corner met Ciara Grant on the edge of the box but her shot looped just over the bar.
At the other end, Spartans broke down the right as Louise Mason managed to get in behind the Rangers defence but her ball was held by Jenna Fife.
The Light Blues were continuing to push for the opening goal, as Jane Ross and Zoe Ness combined well with Ross driving into the box before cutting the ball back to Ness but her curling right-footed strike bounced back off the crossbar before the danger was cleared.
With 20 minutes on the clock, Demi Vance went on a darting run down the left before picking out Ciara Grant just inside the penalty area and she lifted a shot towards goal but it just drifted over the crossbar.
For the second time of the match, Rangers were again denied by the crossbar as they pushed for the opener in this match. Nicola Docherty did well to win the ball back inside the Spartans half before Ciara Grant picked up the ball on the edge of the box and took a touch to tee up a terrific strike at goal but the woodwork denied an opener for Gers.
Despite being dominant in possession in the opening stages of this match, it was the visitors who took the lead with half an hour played.
A ball from the Spartans midfield released Rebecca Galbraith on the left-wing and she drove towards goal before getting a shot away which took a slight deflection off of defender Chantelle Swaby before landing in the far corner of the net.
In the final action of the first-half Rangers had an equaliser in added time. Demi Vance whipped the ball into the box from a free-kick and captain Brianna Westrup got a strong connection to head beyond Yates and send Gers in level at the break.
Into the second-half, Rangers threatened again from a set-piece as Tess Middag’s corner met Westrup at the back post but her header was just over the bar.
Demi Vance was denied by Yates shortly after as her powerful strike was pushed away by the visiting goalkeeper before the loose ball was cleared by a Spartans defender.
Ness came close to getting on the scoresheet as her strike was blocked by Yates as she somehow managed to stop the ball on the line.
Malky Thomson made a double change as Rangers searched for that all-important second goal with Sam Kerr and Kayla McCoy introduced in place of Zoe Ness and Megan Bell.
Spartans goalscorer Galbraith had another chance at goal into the final 20 minutes as she won the ball back and released a shot but it was just wide of Jenna Fife’s left-hand post.
Rangers had another fantastic opportunity from a set-piece as another free-kick was swung into the box by Demi Vance but Kayla McCoy’s header was blocked by Alicia Yates.
With just over10 minutes remaining, Rangers took the lead at Auchenhowie. Brogan Hay drove towards the byline before delivering a dangerous ball into the box which was picked up by Tess Middag and the midfielder drilled the ball beyond Yates and into the back of the net.
RANGERS: Fife, Vance, Westrup, Swaby, Docherty, Middag, Grant (Howat, 80), Ness (Kerr, 65), Bell (McCoy, 65), Hay (Watson, 85), Ross.
Subs: Cunningham, Arnth, McLeary.
Spartans: Yates, Mason (Gibb, 61), McMahon, Ryan, Frew (Clelland, 51), Douglas, Marshall, Reynolds (Smart, 61), Mcquillan, McCafferty, Galbraith.
Subs: McMahon, Gibb, Mcfadyen, Hamilton, Smart, Reilly.
Referee: Ross Cooper