RANGERS’ pre-season programme came to its conclusion this afternoon as they fell to a 4-0 defeat to Sunderland at Broadwood Stadium.
In Head Coach Leanne Crichton’s first match in charge, she named a real youthful starting side as the Gers were put through their final match preparations ahead of their SWPL opener next weekend, as a Katy Watson hat-trick and Katie Kitching strike were the difference for the visitors.
The Gers were in action for the final time before their league campaign gets underway next weekend. Crichton named a mixture of youth and experience in the ranks in their test against the English Super League 2 side.
The visitors made a promising start in North Lanarkshire inside the opening minute. After working the ball outside the area, Katie Kitching tried her luck from the edge, but the strike was comfortable for goalkeeper Telma Ivarsdottir.
Rangers had their first sight of goal moments later as it come via a free kick chance. Mia McAulay stood over it and saw her strike deflected, it fell to the feet of Natalie Bandura inside the area, but Demi Lambourne was level to it from point blank range.
Away side were looking threatening at corners as they looked to take the lead and they did just that. A delivery from the right fell inside the box to Katy Watson who finished beyond the Icelandic shot stopper to put the away side ahead.
Soon after it was two. Sunderland offered real attacking threats down the flanks and got their reward with a second. This time the ball came from the left with Watson making a promising run across the front as she finished it off her and her team’s second of the afternoon.
The Light Blues were struggling to impose themselves on the match and offer any real attacking intent themselves as they fell further behind. On the edge of the area after the second phase of a corner, a pass across the box fell for Kitching who dispatched the ball well for her team’s third.
After a period of real dominance from the away side Rangers did have a chance to get themselves on the scoresheet. The ball was worked down the left by McAulay who helped it onto Sophie Townsley who played in Natalie Bandura, but her shot at the angle found the side netting.
Sunderland still had time to add to their lead before the break as they went in at half time four goals to the good. Winning the ball high they profited from a changeover in the final third as Watson was played in and she composed herself to smash the ball into the far corner for her hat-trick.
Leanne Crichton made five changes at the break as more senior players were introduced on proceedings. Kirsty Howat, captain Nicola Docherty, Fallon Connolly-Jackson, Jodi McLeary and Katie Wilkinson were all brought on as Rangers looked to put on a better second half showing.
Sunderland still looked a threat on the break whenever they came forward. Continuing to sustain attacks from the wings, this time from the right the ball was cut back for player of the match Watson, but her effort this time came off the outside of the post and stayed out.
The hosts looked to benefit from having more senior players in their frontline. Wilkinson, who looked to make things happen from the get-go, weaved her way into the box, but saw her effort heading goalwards blocked amongst the bodies of the away side who were defending impressively.
Chances at both ends throughout the second half were few and far between. Rangers were looking to show more positive signs in the final third but weren’t getting much joy, whilst Sunderland were more than content to play on the break given the scoreline.
Towards the end the Gers did look to find the target. CaCee McKenna, the young full-back found herself well advanced delivered the ball in for Jodi McLeary, her header fell for Fallon Connolly-Jackson on the edge of the box, but she fired well over the top off balance.
RANGERS: Ivarsdottir, McAulay (McArthur, 76), Arnot (Hay, 60), Austin (Docherty, 45), Berry (McLoughlin, 60), Griffiths (McLeary, 45), Townsley (Howat, 45), McKenna, Black (Connolly-Jackson, 45), Boyce (Simpson, 76), Bandura (Wilkinson, 45)
SUBS: Cunningham
SUNDERLAND: Lambourne, Brown, Westrup, Greenwood (Roberts, 66), Corbyn (Cassap, 45), Fenton, Kitching, Sheva (Trialist, 45), Watson (Blades 66), Jones, Dale (Scarr, 8)
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