Rangers Ladies got the season back underway with a 2-0 win over Aberdeen at New Tinto Park on Sunday.
Goals from Lisa Swanson and Sarah Robertson gave the Gers the win over the Dons.
The win sees the Blue Belles stay in 5th place in the SWPL table and open up a 5-point lead over Aberdeen.
The game got off to a cagey start as no team was able to create any clear cut chances. The first half saw very few attempts on goal, Chantelle Brown and Katey Turner had half chances for the hosts with Brown sending a header wide and Turner having a few shots going wide of the Aberdeen goal.
Donna Louise Paterson came closest for Aberdeen in the first half when her free kick was easily saved by Ranger Keeper Claire Johnstone. Rangers had shouts for a penalty when Rangers striker Lisa Swanson was brought down when trying to get on the end of a ball was played across goal, but the referee waved away the protests.
However, the deadlock was broken 2 minutes after half time when Swanson opened the scoring for the Blue Belles. The ball was laid off to the striker just outside the box and Swanson made no mistake and rifled the ball, first-time, past Rebecca Flaherty in the Aberdeen goal.
This was Swanson’s second goal against Aberdeen this season, after Rangers’ No. 10 grabbed the winner in the previous league fixture.
Aberdeen looked for an immediate response with Chantelle Brown had to clear the ball off the line following an series of corners for the visitors as they looked for an equaliser. The Dons had an excellent chance to grab that equaliser when Watson was left unmarked at the backed post but sent her shot high over the Rangers goal.
The result was put beyond doubt 5 minutes from time when Rangers grabbed their second. Chantelle Brown was brought down in Aberdeen box to win a penalty for the Gers. Captain Clare Gemmell stepped up to take but her attempt was saved by Flaherty, however Sarah Robertson, who replaced goal scorer Swanson, tapped in the rebound to give the Gers a 2 goal lead and to seal the 3 points.
Manager Kevin Murphy said after the match “Aberdeen really made us work for the 3 points today.
“I really thought in the second half we stepped up and I’m really happy to get the goals and the win after the break.
“I think we worked really well as team today, if anyone made a mistake there was someone mopping up behind them.
“I’m delighted with the clean sheet and we’re going to need to be switched on next week defensively”
Next up for the Blue Belles is Glasgow City in the Scottish Cup
Reported by Andrew Gamba
Picture: Rangers FC – rangers.co.uk
