- By Andy Campbell
- BBC Sport Scotland
Rio Hardy converted the decisive penalty for Rangers
Rio Hardy’s dramatic added-time penalty sent holders Rangers past Celtic into the SWPL Cup final.
The hosts, playing their first match under Elena Sadiku, took the lead through Chloe Craig’s second-half penalty after Kathryn Hill’s handball.
Hill scrambled in an equaliser and Kirsty Maclean swept the visitors in front only for another Craig spot-kick to level matters.
But Hardy held her nerve in the 95th minute for victory.
Partick Thistle host Hibernian in Sunday’s semi-final, with the final taking place on 23 March.
Though Rangers enjoyed the lion’s share of possession and chances, Celtic carved some excellent openings in a tense contest.
Hill headed a Kelly Clark lob off the line after Amy Gallacher’s free-kick had been punched clear by visiting goalkeeper Victoria Esson.
Rachel Rowe should have put Rangers in front following Lizzie Arnot’s cutback, the midfielder’s shot going just wide, and Chelsea Cornet was also off target from the edge of the Celtic box.
Celtic were struggling to get out but should have led when Gallacher’s deflected cross landed in the path of Celya Barclais, only for the full-back to turn wide on the volley.
Rowe threatened again from distance and her fierce rising effort clipped the crossbar on its way out.
Cornet and Arnot tested Celtic keeper Kelsey Daugherty early in the second half and Shen Menglu dragged an effort wide at the opposite end.
The game turned on 53 minutes as Paula Partido’s shot was blocked by Hill’s arm. Craig tucked away the resulting spot-kick with ease.
Daugherty made a superb double save to keep out Hardy’s efforts but Rangers and Hill forced the ball over the line at the corner after Cornet’s shot was blocked.
And Rangers turned the screw to lead for the first time, Hardy cutting back and Maclean beating Daugherty with an emphatic finish.
Celtic were not done, though, and Jenny Smith was upended by Tessel Middag to give Craig another chance from 12 yards, which she took.
Yet, there was one final twist. Hardy chased Arnot’s through ball and was pulled back by Caitlin Hayes. Hardy stepped up and sent her side through.
Rangers manager Jo Potter: “I said to them [the players] before the game this is your cup – it’s not mine yet. This is your cup and we need to do all we can to keep hold of it and we’ve not won it yet.
“There’s still a tough game to come against who wins out of the other semi final so it’s one step closer than we were before the game and we’re much happier that we’re in to that final.”
Rangers midfielder Rachel Rowe: “It was quite an emphatic end to the game. We showed great character and determination. We have got such belief within the group and we wanted to get it done within the 90 minutes.
“They had controversial penalties but that is football sometimes. We wanted to win the game and that is what we came here to do. We should have scored a few more but at the end of the day we won.”
Celtic manager Elena Sadiku: “The first half I was not really happy but then the second half we came out with a more clear mind.
“I think we need to work with the mentality of even if we let in a goal, we need to push even harder and not the other way.
“I think we can learn a lot from this game and just improve as a team. For me this is a loss of course but it’s also a big learning experience from this game.”
Olivia Martin is a dedicated sports journalist based in the UK. With a passion for various athletic disciplines, she covers everything from major league championships to local sports events, delivering up-to-the-minute updates and in-depth analysis.
