Rangers claimed the first piece of silverware on offer in the Scottish Women’s calendar as they saw off Partick Thistle.
The holders kept the Sky Sports Cup in Govan thanks to goals from Mia McAulay, Rachel Rowe, Rio Hardy and Liv McLoughlin. Brian Grahams part-time side had levelled the game at 1-1 through Rachel Donaldson – but the goal only proved to be a consolation for the Jags.
Youngster McAulay cut in from the right-flank to last the ball into the bottom corner – but the lead lasted just four minutes before a Donaldson wonder strike levelled the game in the capital.
But the SWPL league leaders moved up a gear when Rowe curled a stunning effort into the top corner after a well-worked Rangers corner.
And it was all-but game over as Jo Potter’s side dealt a hammer blow to Thistle just before the break. Top goalscorer Rio Hardy slid the ball into the bottom corner after some well-worked link-up play with Hardy.
And the final would be put out of reach in the second half when Liv McLoughlin lashed the ball into the net following a goalmouth scramble.
It means that boss Potter will place the League Cup in the Ibrox trophy cabinet – right next to the silverware Philippe Clement has already claimed this term.
She will share a similar target this season with Rangers Women ticking off the first piece of silverware in a potential Treble.
15:25Key Event
FT! Rangers 4 Partick Thistle 1
The holders retain the Sky Sports Cup at Tynecastle!
15:23Mark Pirie
OFF THE POST!
The corner falls to Docherty – and the captain flashes an effort across goal.
It looks destined to nestle in the corner but it’s off the woodwork!
15:23Mark Pirie
Arnot from range!
It’s a great effort but Easdon gets a strong hand to the ball!
15:21Mark Pirie
Arnot looks for Howat
This time the attack comes down the left but more last-ditch defending keeps it at four.
15:20Mark Pirie
Possession football
Rangers seem happy to run down the clock at this stage with a comfortable lead.
Injury time is fast approaching.
15:18Mark Pirie
Jags look to counter
McLoughlin abruptly halts the counter attack as Falconer looks to break down the right flank.
15:14Mark Pirie
The Jags ring the changes
Rangers are knocking the ball about well but Brian Graham doesn’t look to have given up quite yet.
Partick Thistle make another change as Donaldson makes way for Wright.
15:10Mark Pirie
Giving youth a chance
More changes for Rangers now with Hill and Cornet off for Bance and Austin.
15:06Mark Pirie
Howat goes close!
Ewens is causing plenty of problems down the right – as she bursts down the flank to find Howat in acres of space in the box.
However, rather than drilling the ball across the six-yard box to Hay she goes it alone and fires into the side-netting.
15:03Mark Pirie
Change for Thistle
McQuillan joins the action as Henderson comes off.
15:02Mark Pirie
Arnot tests Lawton
It has been a tough afternoon for the Partick Thistle defender having faced off against McAulay, Hay and now Arnot.
She gets the better of Arnot as the Rangers star pushes forward – drawing a foul to give the Jags some respite.
14:59Mark Pirie
Over the bar!
Ewens flashes the ball across the box but it’s deflected by the Jags’ defence.
It almost goes into the Partick net as an own goal – and Howat latches on to the rebound.
She tees up Rowe – who thumps well over the bar from close range.
14:57Mark Pirie
Hay looks to counter
A brief break for the Jags as Hay bursts forward and attempts to lead her team up the pitch.
Howat tracks her all the way and snuffs out the danger.
14:56Mark Pirie
Howat causing problems
The sub hits the byline and searches for Arnot in the middle of the box.
Under pressure the Jags scramble the ball clear – and it could be a long final 30 for the Maryhill outfit.
14:53Mark Pirie
Changes for both sides
For Rangers, Arnot, Howat and Ewens replace McAulay, Ross and Hardy.
Partick Thistle bring on Hay, McAllister and Adams for Bulloch, Longcake and Sinclair.
14:52Mark Pirie
OFF THE LINE!
Slater spares her side a fifth as McAulay finds Rowe in the box – and she gets enough on it to lock the ball beyond the goalkeeper.
It’s not enough but it looks like things are going from bad to worse for the Jags.
14:50Mark Pirie
Hill receiving treatment
Donaldson catches the Rangers star with a late tackle.
A foul is awarded. It looked sloppy but not dangerous but Hill may have picked up an ankle knock.
14:49Mark Pirie
Falconer caught out
The Partick Thistle star can’t judge the bounce and it falls to Rowe.
She has Hay in acres of space in the box but opts to go it alone – and Falconer can get back to clear the danger.
14:47Mark Pirie
One hand on the trophy
The holders have racked up the goals today – and it would be some comeback from the part-time Jags if they were to rescue this one.
14:46Mark Pirie
GOAL! Rangers 4 Partick Thistle 1
McLoughlin gets in on the action as Ross and Rowe are denied – before the Aston Villa loanee lashes the ball into the net.
14:45Mark Pirie
What a miss!
A mix up at the back leaves Easdon scrambling and Hay with an open goal.
However, the Rangers star somehow drags the shot wide.
14:43Mark Pirie
Mix up at the back
Docherty looks to play the ball back to Rangers goalkeeper Esson – but Longcake is quick to react and snags the ball in the box.
She motors down the right but Hill rescues her teammates with a last-ditch tackle.
14:42Mark Pirie
Going for 4
Hay cuts the ball back to Docherty – who flashes a dangerous ball across the box.
Rowe looks to nod the ball in after an awkward bounce but it’s tame in the end for Easdon.
14:39Mark Pirie
Rangers on the front foot
The holders start as they ended the first half. Neat play from Hardy from a Rowe ball almost unlocks the defence but Easdon is quick off her line.
14:36Mark Pirie
RESTART! Rangers 3 Partick Thistle 1
We are back underway at Tynecastle!
14:22Key Event
HT! Rangers 3 Partick Thistle 1
The holders have one hand on keeping the trophy in Govan!
14:21Key Event
GOAL! Rangers 3 Partick Thistle 1
A neat one-two with Ross unlocks the defence – and Hardy finds herself one on one with the goalkeeper.
She slides the ball under Easdon and it leaves the Jags with a mountain to climb.
14:18Mark Pirie
Bulloch goes into the book
The first yellow of the game is issued to the Thistle star for a foul on Rowe – as a counter attack is brought to an abrupt halt.
14:17Mark Pirie
Ross on the right
But Slater steps in to deny the advance – and Rangers win a corner.
14:16Mark Pirie
Play restarts
McAulay returns to the action after the knock.
14:14Mark Pirie
McAulay receiving treatment
An awkward fall and it appears the Rangers star has picked up a hand knock.
14:13Mark Pirie
Can they do it again?
The part-time side have pulled Rangers back once – but the Jags have a mountain to climb with the host now in control of the game.
14:12Mark Pirie
Pressure on
The ball falls kindly to Ross who tries her luck from distance.
It strikes the Partick Thsitle defence and falls to McAulay who jinks onto her right foot – before the shot is blocked again.
14:11Mark Pirie
The Jags look to respond
The lead lasted just 4 minutes the last time for Rangers – and Longcake is determined to pull Jo Potter’s side back again.
She bursts down the left flank but eventually meets a wall of resistence and Middag lumps the ball away.
14:09Key Event
GOAL! Rangers 2 Partick Thistle 1
What a goal from Rachel Rowe!
A well-worked corner leaves the Rangers attacker free, and she curls the ball into the top corner!
14:07Mark Pirie
Ross crosses in
And it’s a delicate flick from Hardy finds McAulay at the back post – but she heads narrowly wide of the post!
14:05Mark Pirie
Going long
Hill plays the ball from deep to dinf McAulay from deep. She plays the ball to Rowe on the right flank but Easdon is brave and claoms the ball.
14:03Mark Pirie
Injury to Docherty
Nicola Docherty awkwardly falls after a clash with Lawton but she appears to be trying to run off the knock.
14:02Mark Pirie
Rangers camped in the attacking third
McAulay, then Hay, then Docherty all attempt cross into the Thistle box after knocking the ball around the final third.
But they find no joy as the part-time side stick to their task.
14:00Mark Pirie
Rowe corner in
But it’s too deep and alludes all of her Rangers teammates.
Lawton is able to thump the ball clear.
13:59Mark Pirie
Mia’s moment
She has been the star of the show so far – but Mia McAulay’s goal was quickly cancelled out by the Jags.
13:58Mark Pirie
Record breaking attendance
A bumper crowd of 4786 at Tynecastle so far.
13:58Mark Pirie
Hay lands the ball on the right
But once again the part-timers are standing firm!
The dangerous ball from the left is headed clear under pressure from Ross.
13:56Mark Pirie
Middag picks out McAuley
The Rangers winger nutmegs the defender and pulls the ball back to Cornet on the edge of the box.
In the end it’s a tame effort and straight into the gloves of Easdon.
13:54Mark Pirie
Free-kick into a dangerous area
Bulloch floats the ball in from the left-hand side of the box – but that gives Esson time to collect the ball.
13:54Mark Pirie
What a response that is!
As someone who has scored plenty of goals throughout his career – Brian Graham will be delighted with that!
The part-timers have given Rangers a major jolt, but can they build on it?
13:52Key Event
GOAL! Rangers 1 Partick Thistle 1
Rachel Donaldson with a stunning volley to level the game for the part-timers!
13:50Mark Pirie
Long ball forward
And Longcake drives at the Rangers defence.
They scramble the ball out for a corner, which is cleared by Hardy.
13:49Mark Pirie
Looking for 2?
McAuley is at the heart of the action again as she bursts down the right wing.
Her run is stopped just as he she looks to flash the ball across the byline.
13:48Key Event
GOAL! Rangers 1 Partick Thistle Women 0
Mia McAuley chips Esson to find the net after an inch-perfect ball from Hill!
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.