REPORT BY DAVID SMITH AND JOHN BLEASDALE

Regardless of your agendas, thought processes and team you support, this was a win for Scottish women’s football! It was described as David v Goliath pre-match – a bit harsh for the magnitude and quality both teams play at.

There’s only been one goal between the sides in two league matches this season. Both are in the top six and on merit. It was never going to be a one-way assault course.

A record SWPL Cup Final record crowd of 4786 made their way to sunny Tynecastle to see holders Rangers take on Partick Thistle for the right to take home the Sky Sports Cup.

Thistle manager Brian Graham stated during the week that his girls were not coming to Gorgie to make up the numbers, and they caused their full time opponents some problems early on with their high press. It was through this that they fashioned the first clear opening of the game, leading to Rachel Donaldson feeding the ball to Imogen Longcake on the edge of the area. She then sidestepped the Rangers defence to fire a shot towards goal, but Olivia McLoughlin got back to clear off the line.

The holders, however, took the lead in thirteen minutes with their first attempt of the game. Kathryn Hill’s long ball caught the Thistle defence napping. Ava Easdon hesitated as she emerged from her six yard box and Nia McAulay cooly slotted the ball into her bottom right hand corner.

At this point, you’d be forgiven to think that Partick Thistle would crumble, but five minutes later they dispelled that myth by drawing level in spectacular fashion. Clare Docherty won the ball on the halfway line, jinked her way down the left wing and fed the ball inside to Donaldson, who’s 20-yard drive sailed over Victoria Easson into the roof of the net. It was a wonderful moment for the Jags in their first ever Cup Final, and almost two and a half years since they were elected into the top flight at the last minute due to the demise of Forfar Farmington.

After the half hour mark, Rangers began to up the tempo and had created a couple of half chances before they regained the lead on 35 minutes. A well worked short corner routine resulted in Brogan Hay playing the ball into the corner of the penalty area for Rachel Rowe, who took a touch before executing a beautifully curled shot into the top corner of Easdon’s net.

Rangers by now were in their groove as Thistle began to tire as the half neared its conclusion, with Bulloch taking a booking just before half time for pulling back Rowe to stop a counter attack. It became an uphill task for the Jags as the holders increased their lead a minute into time added on when Rio Hardy spun her marker and played a nice one-two with Jane Ross before prodding past Easdon despite late pressure from two covering Thistle defenders.

Rangers maintained their trajectory at the beginning of the second half as several forays forward into the Partick box didn’t turn into anything conclusive.

It was a valiant first half effort from the Jags but were carved open on three occasions that ultimately resulted in the goals for Jo Potter’s side, that forced Brian Graham to tactically go deeper but still have intent in the final third to try and get any joy.

The defensive set-up for Rangers despite a commanding lead had deficiencies and Imogen Longcake had an opportunity after good intensity from Lucy Sinclair but some resolute defending by Hill didn’t result in any fruitful.

A massive let-off came six minutes after the restart that would have been unjust for a battling Thistle side, Easdon dropped the ball before the onrushing Hardy came through with an open goal waiting in her grasp.

A minute later, the assignment was completed for Rangers as clever play from the Light Blues saw them cut open Thistle once again, initial efforts by Jane Ross and Rachel Rowe were denied by a few outstretched saves from the on-loan Glasgow City goalkeeper before Aston Villa loanee Olivia McLoughlin lashed home the rebound from a Brogan Hay cross.

A rallying call from Thistle was needed 12 minutes after the restart with the Thistle grafters needing a pick-me-up and fast, subs came on like a trojan for both teams that freshened up the match.

Partick looked puzzled, Brian Graham obviously proud of the shift her girls put in also had no answers for a Rangers side who clearly were given a few stern words at half time by gaffer Potter despite the 3-1 half time advantage.

In conclusion, women’s football, Partick Thistle and Rangers came out victorious. Ultimately, it’s the Jags who will have a runners up medal round their neck however what a run to the final and what a journey the club’s been on over the last 10 years.

From the days of playing recreational football in a local park in Maryhill, Thistle really have conquered all obstacles that have come their way, this won’t be the last time Graham’s side will appear in a national final.

They have to take their medicine and move on, make finals like this a benchmark, not once in a lifetime adventure stuff.

Potter has her hands on silverware in Scotland and they won’t shout like headless chickens but it’s an understatement to say they’re after the treble internally. The English workaholic has taken to Scottish football with a fresh pair of eyes and really stamped her authority on the game. Her teams have a stubbornness, they’re ruthless and it’s a berated dressing room when things don’t go their way.

A crowd of 4,786 tells us that women’s football is on an upward trajectory, the national team could all do us a favour, though. We need something to reignite us again as it’s good that domestically we are getting young families and those that have a different perception to the men’s game through our gates however everyone is judgemental on what happens with the women’s national team and that determines our progress as a country.

Pedro Martinez Losa, who was in attendance at the game on behalf of Sky Sports hopefully took a lesson from being brave, resolute and having an intention – the national team got belittled in the national media recently for an identity crisis.

Nicola Docherty and Lizzie Arnot both tried make it a bit more sweeter for the hosts but good goalkeeping from Easdon kept the scoreline respectable.

Rangers claim the Sky Sports Cup once again but boy was there initial fear. A great advert for our female game in Scotland.

POTM: Rachel Rowe: Scored a well taken second goal and played a pivotal role in the victory for Rangers as she stamped her authority on the game. Rachel covered every blade of grass as she was influential in the victory for Rangers.