In the ScottishPower Women’s Premier League final this afternoon, RANGERS defeated Partick Thistle 4-0.
The Light Blues dominated the first half, scoring twice through Kirsty Howat, who also stopped Tessel Middag’s shot. Liv McLoughlin completed the score in the second half.
Even though the Light Blues only lost twice during a laborious and lengthy league season, it wasn’t enough for them to be proclaimed champions given results elsewhere.
All eyes will now be on the Scottish Cup final at the national stadium next weekend, as Jo Potter’s team hopes to capture their second trophy of the year after winning the Viaplay Cup in March.
Rangers looked to settle a score early in the Lanarkshire match. This was spurred on by Mia McAulay’s direct running on the right side, who hit the byline and centred into Rio Hardy in a delicious way. However, the forward was unable to get her feet in front of her from six yards out to direct her finish towards goal.
The in-form Howat, coming off a midweek hat-trick away to Hibernian, demonstrated her poise in front of goal, so they didn’t have to wait long to take the lead in the afternoon.
This time, Middag was the mastermind; he lofted a stunning pass above the Thistle defense, allowing Howat to set up an offside trap and fire a determined attempt across goal that was too strong for the diving Ava Easdon to save.
Within four minutes, the Gers appeared to have doubled their lead when Lizzie Arnot’s deft free-kick was reflected into the bottom corner by Kathy Hill’s head. However, the referee quickly raised his offside flag to cut short the home team’s celebrations.
As McAulay was causing havoc with her one-on-one skills on the right touchline, Easdon’s superb reactions allowed her to parry Howat’s initial flick around for a corner after she had already blasted past her marker once more on 20 minutes.
But when Howat sent the 17-year-old into space a few moments later, she should have performed better as she shot over from 15 yards out while facing minimal pressure.
Five minutes later, however, it would not have mattered as the Gers extended their lead thanks to a magnificent half-volley played by Middag on her unfavorable left side into the far corner after the ball had bounced nicely to the Dutch defender from a corner.
After Lizzie Arnot’s header was pushed off the line, the Gers came dangerously close to extending their lead. However, Liv McLoughlin scored from inside the penalty area after being cleverly set up by a McAulay pull-back.
Potter’s team dominated the game, but their dominance was not rewarded. However, moments later, a third goal was scored when the dangerous Arnot lofted a lovely ball towards the back post from the left side, where Howat slipped in and smashed a volley past Easdon from close range.
At halftime, Jane Ross and Sarah Ewens took over for Maclean and Hardy, with the hosts aiming for a lot more of the same ____ in the second half.
Just before the hour, another risky delivery from Arnot nearly found its way to Ewens, and when the ball came towards Ross, the Scotland international was unable to make the connection at full stretch. As a result, three very nearly became four.
But two minutes later, McLoughlin scored the fourth goal of the afternoon after a deft move inside the penalty area that included Howat and Ewens.
The SWPL trophy was not going to make it to Cumbernauld due to late drama elsewhere, but Potter will swiftly shift her team’s focus to the Scottish Cup final in seven days.
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