After being frustrated in the early parts of the game, the two forwards came up with the vital moments to maintain the Gers’ 100 per cent start to the new SPWPL season, with Melissa Regmi getting on the scoresheet for the visitors 14 minutes from time.
Ahead of a big week for the Gers, the Head Coach named five changes, with Jenna Fife, Eilidh Austin, Nicola Docherty, Jodi McLeary and Katie Wilkinson all in the team for their first outing in a fortnight.
To the surprise of very few, Rangers targeted a fast start and came out of the traps quickly in North Lanarkshire. Getting down the left side with Calliste Brookshire on one occasion to no avail, it was then Laura Berry on the other, but her cross seeking out Brogan Hay in the middle was slightly overhit as the opening went begging.
They continued to probe inside the opening 10 minutes but were yet to really test Katie O’Hanlon in the Aberdeen goal. A cross from the right fell to the edge of the box for Jodi McLeary, but her effort on the half volley looped over the crossbar.
Aberdeen, who had endured a difficult start to the season and sat in ninth in the table prior to kick-off, did look to impose themselves on the contest and looked to counter on occasion. Erin Carrol managed to nick the ball high and play through the running Lola Nesbeth, but the pass was slightly overhit, which allowed Jenna Fife to gather.
The Dons continued to frustrate the hosts in the early part of the game as the visitors made a steady start at Broadwood. Limiting them to anything clear-cut in the opening 20 minutes, it was Sophie Black who next tried her luck in Rangers colours from the edge, but her shot was deflected over the top.
After a slow start, Rangers did find the breakthrough, and it was Laura Berry back amongst the goals in Cumbernauld. A clever free-kick routine saw Black clip it to her captain, who spun round the back post; she headed the ball back into the danger area to allow the number nine the simple task of finishing from close range to put her side ahead.
It was soon to become two quick succession for the young forward as the home side took the real ascendancy in the game. A well-weighted through ball from McLeary found the well-advanced Austin in behind. The full-back picked out Berry in the box, who had time to set herself and emphatically finish off the chance into the roof of the net to double the advantage.
Brookshire then hit the inside of the post as the chances kept on flowing for the Gers. A delivery across the box fell for the Greece international, and she seemed to have done enough with her left-footed shot, only for it to hit the woodwork and stay out.
The first goal seemed to lift the performance levels drastically as Katie Wilkinson was next to get on the scoresheet. Brogan Hay’s clipped cross from the right flank was met by the head of the number 44, whose downward effort couldn’t be kept out by O’Hanlon as it was quickly three.
Rangers continued to threaten and were really in the mood to try and add to their advantage. Continuing to look lively, Brookshire found space on the left and cut the ball back to Wilkinson, but the striker’s effort was blocked off the line impressively.
The Gers made a double change ahead of the restart with Kirsty Smith and Fallon Connolly-Jackson introduced onto the pitch. It was a quiet start to the second period, with the home side continuing to control possession and add to their healthy advantage.
Crichton’s side came close to a fourth just short of the hour-mark with what would have been an improvised finish from Wilkinson to grab her second. A cross from the right from Smith was met by fellow sub Connolly-Jackson, who nodded it down to the top goalscorer, but her left-footed effort on the spin clipped the top of the bar and stayed out.
Further additions for the home side saw the arrivals of Gry Boe Thrysøe and Hannah Blake onto the pitch. The hosts remained comfortable in the match without threatening, with the boss perhaps having an eye on their upcoming midweek fixture and Old Firm, which were on the horizon for the team across the next seven days.
A positive forward from on the right flank as she chased the match ball so her take a loose touch as it fell for Thrysøe on the edge of the area, with the Dane’s strike forcing a stop from O’Hanlon between the posts to push it behind.
Aberdeen got their reward for persistence and got themselves on the scoresheet in the game to eat into the Rangers lead. 76 on the clock, a throw-in saw space open up for Melissa Regmi, whose shot was too powerful for Fife to keep out as the away side found the back of the net for just the second time in the SPWPL this season.
The Light Blues went on to claim yet another league victory as they warmed up for their Europa Cup second-round qualifier against IF Hammarby to come in midweek before an Old Firm to prepare for next Sunday.
RANGERS: Fife, Austin (Smith, 45), Boyce, Roelfsema, Docherty, McLeary (Hill, 83), Black, Hay (Thrysøe, 62), Berry, Brookshire (Connolly-Jackson, 45), Wilkinson (Blake, 62)
SUBS: Rarity
ABERDEEN: O’Hanlon, Salvetti, Nesbeth, Carrol (Buchan, 71), Walsh, Daniel, Finnie, Regmi (Hoyle, 85), Simpson (Watt, 52), Mayhew, Cemal
SUBS: Signorini, Buchan, Skinner