Rangers 9 Queen’s Park 0

Queen’s Park made three changes to their starting line-up after their opening day defeat to Heart of Midlothian at Ochilview Park. Midfielders Monica Harty, Olivia King and Abby Callaghan made their first starts of the new season. Emma Craig, Jordan McLintock and Chloe Muir dropping to the bench.

The hosts found themselves on the front foot after seven minutes; Kirsty Howat got herself in the position to tap home but the striker’s shot was cleared off the line by Ciara Bonner.

Two minutes later, Ellie Kane did well to win possession in Jenna Fife’s penalty area but maintained pressure meant she wasn’t able to get her shot away.

After fifteen minutes, Lauren McGregor managed to save Howat’s second shot after the ball was deflected onto her path from out wide.

With seventeen minutes of the clock, Rangers found their first of the game via Kirsty Howat after her constant pressure paid off when she got her head on the end of Nicola Docherty’s cross into the box.

The next two goals from Rangers came in short succession between the 21st and 24th minutes. The first was a close-range shot from Chelsea Cornet and the second came after Howat’s initial shot was blocked before scrambling to the feet of Brogan Hay.

Rangers made it four on the half-hour mark when Rio Hardy won possession in a dangerous position, before running in behind the defence and slotting it past the keeper.

The Spiders almost responded with a goal of their own three minutes later, after Ellie Kane threatened with a dangerous free-kick which found the box accurately before being cleared away behind. The corner travelled too close to the line and found Jenna Fife’s gloves.

Rangers scored the final goal of the half with seven minutes to go courtesy of Kathy Hill who fired home a set-piece from close range.

Ciara Bonner then stopped another promising and did well to maintain pressure before she won back possession and cleared effectively.

Half Time: Rangers 5-0 Queen’s Park

Queen’s Park got the second half underway, after a fifteen minute break where the rain continued to lash down in Cumbernauld, before showing some great defensive resilience. Morgan Hay made a great clearance out to the right hand side where pressure from Megan Quigley and Nicole Cairney caused the host’s first attack of the half to fizzle out.

Three minutes into the half, Rangers looked to test Hay again but a clever touch from The Spiders defender sent the ball away from the feet of Tessel Middag.

The vistor’s defence was called into action again shortly after, and Hannah Cunningham stepped up with a perfectly timed tackle that sent the ball away for a corner with the attack eventually coming to an end after a poor ball into the box.

Queen’s Park made a double substitution in the 52nd minute with Abby Callaghan and Ciara Bonner making way for Ami Robertson and Chloe Muir.

Captain Ellie Kane came close once again to finding her first goal of the season but her well-taken free kick from range travelled too far wide and headed past the post. Shortly after, Darcy Molley entered the referee’s book after a late challenge on the left flank.

Kirsty Howat doubled her total for the evening after her lowly hit shot travels across the ground and into the net from within the box.

A minute later, substitute Katie Wilkinson took aim from a set-piece. Her initial shot was blocked by the wall but she found herself in possession quickly after, and converted her second chance.

Laura Berry scored minutes after coming off the bench to make it eight for the hosts. Mia Mcaulay found space down the left with her initial shot fired into the gloves of McGregor before it was spilled back into play for Berry to slot home.

With fifteen minutes left, Rangers threatened again but their chance was intercepted well by Monica Harty before the attack failed to find a way forward. Queen’s Park made their third change of the match with Harty being replaced by Rachel Wright.

Mia Mcauley played another dangerous ball in, this time to the feet of Kirsty Howat, who was denied her hat-trick by Chloe Muir before she has a chance to dispatch. Muir intercepted the chance and cleared effectively before having to repeat the feat minutes later in the 78th.

Howat looked to add to her goal contributions but Laura Berry lost the head-to-head with Oliva King who defused the attack with a strong clearance into midfield.

Lauren McGregor made a great save off the back of Jo Potter’s side’s next attack with the shot being parried out before the second attempt was blocked brilliantly by Chloe Muir.

Ciara Bonner picked up a knock with two minutes left in regulation time, before receiving treatment and being replaced by Elise Macara shortly after.

The ninth came for Rangers after an unfortunate own goal from Queen’s Park in additional time.

The Light Blues came close again deep in the added minutes with a powerful shot that McGregor did well to get her hand to in order to tip it over the bar.

Queen’s Park will now have to turn their attention to their second league match this week as they host The Spartans at Ochilview Park on Sunday the 25th of August, with a 3pm kick-off.

Rangers: Jenna Fife, Nicola Docherty, Laura Rafferty (Laura Berry, ’63), Kathryn Hill, Leah Eddie, Lizzie Arnot (Katie Wilkinson, ’46), Tessel Middag (Sophie Black, ’77), Chelsea Cornet, Borgan Hay (Eilidh Austin, ’78), Rio Hardy (Mia McAulay, ’63), Kirsty Howat. Subs not used: Lily Boyce, Victoria Esson.

Queen’s Park: Lauren McGregor, Hannah Cunningham, Ciara Bonner (Chloe Muir ’53), Morgan Hay, Darcy Molley (Elise Macara, ’91), Olivia King, Monia Harty (Rachel Wright, ’75), Megan Quigley, Abby Callaghan (Ami Robertson, ’53), Nicole Cairney, Ellie Kane. Subs not used: Emma Craig, Morgan Graham, Jodan McLintock, Rosie McQuillan, Lucy Inman.