Rangers maintained their strong form in the Scottish Power Women’s Premier League with a commanding 6-0 win over Partick Thistle at Petershill Park.
An explosive first-half display saw the game effectively wrapped up before the break, with goals from Mia McAulay, Rio Hardy, and a Demi-Lee Falconer own goal giving the visitors full control. The scoring continued in the second half as Kathy Hill, Kirsty Howat, and Camille Lafaix added their names to the scoresheet.
With the emphatic victory, Rangers climbed to the top of the SWPL table on goal difference heading into the international break.
Early Dominance
Manager Jo Potter made one change to the side that convincingly beat Aberdeen last weekend, bringing Kirsty Maclean back into midfield.
Rangers looked dangerous from the outset, with Kirsty Howat coming close early on after being picked out by Hardy inside the box. However, Thistle also had an opportunity to take the lead when Tiree Burchill broke free, but goalkeeper Vic Esson stood firm to deny the hosts.
The breakthrough arrived with a well-crafted team goal. Brogan Hay delivered a precise pull-back, and after some neat link-up play between Howat and Maclean, McAulay applied a composed finish to open the scoring.
McAulay nearly doubled her tally moments later, racing into space before forcing a sharp save from Jennifer Currie with a left-footed effort.
Rangers continued to pile on the pressure, and they should have extended their lead when Kayla McCoy set up McAulay, only for her shot to drift just wide. However, the second goal wasn’t far away. McCoy turned provider again, whipping a dangerous ball across the face of goal, where Hardy provided a delicate touch to guide it past Currie.
Things went from bad to worse for Partick Thistle just before the break. Howat’s clever ball across the box caused panic in the home defense, and Falconer inadvertently headed the ball into her own net to make it 3-0 at halftime.
Second-Half Control
The visitors continued where they left off after the restart. McAulay delivered a pinpoint cross for McCoy, who directed her effort goalward but missed the target.
Rangers thought they had added a fourth when McCoy found the net, but the goal was ruled out for offside after Maclean was adjudged to have strayed beyond the defensive line in the build-up.
Potter has often highlighted the depth of her squad, and the substitutes made an instant impact. Lizzie Arnot delivered a superb corner to the back post, where Hill rose highest to head home, leaving Currie with no chance.
The goals kept coming, with Howat capitalizing on a Hardy through ball. After her initial effort rebounded off the goalkeeper, she reacted quickest to fire into an empty net.
There was still time for one more as Lafaix, fresh off the bench, completed the rout. McAulay showed great work down the byline before cutting the ball back for Lafaix, who finished clinically at the near post.
A dominant display from Rangers sees them take top spot, continuing their impressive run as they head into the break full of confidence.
