Rangers Ladies suffered a 2-0 defeat at home to Hamilton Academical at New Tinto Park.
Goals from Holly Gardner and Kodie Hay was enough to give Accies their first away win of the season and make them virtually safe from relegation. Rangers remain in sixth place after the loss.
Rangers started the game brightly and had the better of the opening exchanges. However, the Bluebelles struggled to create any clear goal scoring opportunities. Holly Napier passed up on a half chance when she was initially struck by a Chantelle Brown shot, Napier recovered and had a shot of her own; but it was held by Elaine Fleming.
Hamilton grew into the game as the first half progressed and took the lead on 31 minutes. Gardner got on the end of a cross and sent a looping header over Joanna Viollaz and the ball settled in the bottom corner of the net.
Much like the first, Rangers started the second half brightly and Brogan Hay came agonisingly close to levelling the score. Hay was put through on goal and was in a race with Fleming to the ball. Hay got to the ball first and slotted it past the ‘keeper but her effort trickled just a couple of inches past the wrong side of the post.
It was Brogan’s sister, Kodie, who was to score the game’s second goal and wrap up the points for the visitors. A poor kick out from Viollaz was pounced upon by Hamilton, the ball broke to Hay at the back post who was left with a tap in to make sure of the three points.
It was certainly an off day for Rangers in a match that meant more to Hamilton’s season than it did to the home side.
Amy McDonald’s team will now hope to bounce back as they face a difficult double header against Hibernian. Rangers will travel to Ainslie Park on Wednesday night before playing hosts to Hibs next Sunday at New Tinto Park. Kick off on Sunday is scheduled for 2pm.
Rangers: Viollaz, O’Neill, Coakley, Watson, Muir, Gemmell, O’Hara (Clark, 75), Hay, Napier (Rice, 61), Sinclair, Brown (Robertson, 88).
Subs not used: Elliott, Templeton, Donnelly
Report: David Marshall
Picture: Rangers FC
