Sunday, 26 May 2024
Scottish Gas Women’s Scottish Cup Final
Rangers 2-0 Heart of Midlothian
Hampden Park, Glasgow

Rangers emerged victorious from a rainsoaked National Stadium thanks to a stunning strike from Rachel McLauchland and second-half clincher from Lizzie Arnot.

Hearts were dogged defensively and generally defiant, but Jo Potter's side were worthy winners in the end. 

Scorers

Rangers: McLauchlan (25), Arnot (86).

Team News

Rangers suffered heartbreak on the last day of the league season – losing out on the title to rivals Celtic – but went into this one determined to secure a domestic double following their League Cup triumph earlier in the campaign.

Potter made two changes to the team that ran out 4-0 winners over Partick Thistle last Sunday, with Brogan Hay and McLauchlan in for Mia McAulay and Rio Hardy.

Rangers line up at Hampden Park

Hearts’ first trip to Hampden in this competition was the semi-final win over Spartans, so arrived in Glasgow intent on writing their names in the history books.

Manager Eva Olid introduced Ciara Grant for Addison Handley in her starting line-up following a 2-0 loss to Glasgow City.

Hearts line up at Hampden Park

As It Happened

Hearts started on the front foot and turned in the game’s first real effort of note within five minutes, when Katie Lockwood tried her luck from close range. Rangers’ keeper, Victoria Esson, was equal to it.

At the other end, Gers captain Nicola Docherty did well to cut inside but shot wide.

The Light Blues upped the ante, with Kirsty MacLean crashing in a long-range effort that caused Charlotte Parker-Smith some discomfort in the Hearts goal.

Rangers weren’t to be denied and McLauchlan opened the scoring in spectacular style – letting fly from distance to leave Parker-Smith with no chance – to spark wild celebrations in the pouring rain.

McLauchlan tried the same trick twice, but her follow-up effort flew just over the bar.

Rangers pushed for a second but found Parker-Smith in top form.

She produced fine stops in quick succession from Kirsty Howat, Hardy and Rachel Rowe to keep Hearts in the contest.

Parker-Smith's opposite number, Esson, enjoyed a much quieter afternoon but she still had to be on her toes to deny Carly Girasoli.  

It proved decisive, as Arnot scored to settle any lingering nerves and ensure blue and white ribbons were wrapped around the trophy.

Teams

Rangers: Esson, Docherty, McLauchlan, Hill, Middag (Hardy, 60), Hay (McAulay, 60), Howat (Ewens, 87), Arnot, Cornet (Bance, 90), MacLean (Rowe, 60), McLoughlin. Unused substitutes: Fife, Ross, Austin, McLeary.

Hearts: Parker-Smith, Brownlie, Grant, Forsyth, Lockwood, Waldie, Adamolekun (Rennie, 59), Girasoli (Penman, 90), McGovern, E. Husband (Michie, 90), J. Husband (Mooney, 83). Unused substitutes: Johnstone, Chomczuk, Fraser.