Rangers made it three in a row as they held on to the Sky Sports Cup following an emphatic 5-0 win over Hibs.
The goals came from all over with Katie Wilkinson, Camille Lafaix, a Kirsten Reilly own-goal, a Kirsty Howat strike and a Rio Hardy effort giving Jo Potter’s the first silverware of the season – and keeps their treble hopes firmly alive.
Barry Ferguson, interim Rangers manager, was in attendance to take in the cup victory while Hibs boss David Gray and Malky Mackay were also there to offer support to Grant Scott.
Judy Murray – who spoke exclusively to PLZ Soccer – was also there to cheer on the Hibees.
Ultimately, though, it was an afternoon where the spoils belonged to Rangers.
Wilkinson netted before the break with two goals in as many minutes after the interval sinking Hibs whose resolve seemed to disintegrate with the second goal.
It was a poor one to lose. Brogan Hay’s lofted ball forward was volleyed by Lafaix with Hibs goalkeeper Erin Clachers coming out to get a hand to the effort, however she could not keep it out.
Scenting blood, Rangers quickly claimed a third. Again, Hibs were architects of their own downfall with captain Kirsten Reilly turning the ball into her own net from Kirsty Howat’s cross.
Hibs had created the best chance of the game midway through the opening period when Kathleen McGovern’s effort had gone marginally wide while they had also had the ball in the back of the net only for an offside flag to rule the attempt out.
But as soon as Wilkinson claimed first blood there was always a feeling that the Easter Road side would struggle to force their way back into the game.
Clachers redeemed herself with a superb double stop as Rangers looked to keep the pressure up.
To Hibs’ credit, they tried to keep at it but the conviction of the performance was gone given the margin of the scoreline.
By the time that Howat added the fourth, though, heads were firmly down. There was more to come; Hardy, who started on the bench, added a fifth as Rangers retained the trophy with emphatic zeal.
For Rangers, the question now is just where the first silverware of the season may lead given the psychological advantage that will come on the back of such a comprehensive win.
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