It has been the buzzword that has defined Rangers of the last year and it was something that the women’s team was sorely lacking. However, if the evidence since the start of the season is to be believed, Rangers may have found that relentless streak that will deliver the SWPL title.
This was in demonstration from the off on Sunday as it took Rangers only two minutes to break the deadlock against Aberdeen. The visitors failed to deal with a Nicola Docherty cross and Kayla McCoy capitalised on the indecision between centre half and goalkeeper to score the first goal of the day.
A second followed only ten minutes later and this one was much more aesthetically pleasing. Docherty at the heart of it again, reacting fastest to win the ball in midfield, Brogan Hay then sent Lizzie Arnot clear on goal with a perfectly timed through ball which the Rangers’ striker made no mistake with, calmly slotting the ball past the goalkeeper.
You could have forgiven Rangers for taking the foot off the gas somewhat being two up inside 15 minutes. However, they had smelled blood and clearly had a taste for goal as they went hunting for more. Kirsten Reilly coming closest with a well-placed curling effort from the right-hand corner of the box that just went wide.
The third inevitably arrived on the 23rd minute, Rachel McLauchlan causing problems down the right-wing, as she usually does, sent over a tantalising ball into the middle of the box for McCoy to meet on the volley for her second goal of the game.
There was then a lengthy delay in the game as an Aberdeen player received treatment for a head knock after an accidental collision with the boot of Docherty. if Aberdeen hoped that the stoppage would slow Rangers down they were slowly mistaking as two more goals would come before the break.
Reilly added the fourth, making up for her earlier near miss with a stunning strike from the edge of the box finding the top corner of the net. McLauchlan got her second assist of the day, latching on to a through ball down the wing before cutting the ball across the box for Chelsea Cornett to slide in and smash the ball into the net to make the scoreline 5-0 at halftime.
How can you improve on that half? Well scoring straight from a corner will certainly help. Arnot did just that for her second of the game just after the restart, as her delivery from the right-hand side beat everyone before going in off the post.
A hattrick of assists for McLauchlan set up a hattrick of goals for McCoy. Another superb ball put in by McLauchlan, this time hung up to the back post which had the ‘keeper done to rights. McCoy was on hand for the simple finish to complete her hattrick and grab Rangers’ seventh of the game.
Rangers continued the pursuit of more goals but it looked like Aberdeen were going to see out the rest of the game without further damage. McLauchlan came close to a much deserved goal of her own with a good effort from distance which forced the ‘keeper into a save at full stretch and substitute Jane Ross passed up a couple of good opportunities.
The eighth and final goal was to come five minutes from time as Ross mopped up after McLauchlan had another long range effort saved.
A wonderful performance as Rangers remain top of the league. The result was expected and never in any doubt even before the game kicked off. The true quality of this team will now be seen in the coming weeks as Malky Thompson’s side have the perfect opportunity to show they are the real deal. Next up, a league game away to champions Glasgow City next Sunday which then takes us into a doubleheader against Celtic.
