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Rangers Crowned SWPL Cup Champions for Third Year Running
Rangers have claimed the SWPL Cup title for the third consecutive season, triumphing over Hibernian at Fir Park in a decisive match that marked their first victory against the league leaders this season.
Head coach Jo Potter emphasized the significance of this matchup before the game, noting that the previous results against Grant Scott’s team served as a strong motivation to defend the title she first won last year.
On this notable occasion, Rangers demonstrated their dominance with goals from Katie Wilkinson, Camille Lafaix, Kirsty Howat, and Rio Hardy, alongside an own goal from Hibernian’s Kirsten Reilly.
The match started evenly, with both teams vying for control; however, it soon became apparent that Rangers were ready to seize the initiative. After a sustained period of pressure in the Hibs box, the opening goal felt inevitable.
Wilkinson, the standout striker, struck first at close range for her 39th goal of an exceptional season, giving Rangers a deserved lead just before halftime. This blow was particularly tough for Hibernian, who were aiming for a record-extending eighth cup victory, as they suffered the setback just six minutes prior to the break. They narrowly avoided a second goal courtesy of a crucial tackle from Siobhan Hunter.
Only two minutes into the second half, Rangers extended their advantage. A long ball into the box from the defense was mismanaged by the Hibernian defenders, allowing Lafaix to score with composure, solidifying Rangers’ position as the team to beat.
As celebrations continued for Rangers, the match took another turn when Hibs captain Reilly inadvertently bundled the ball into her own net, pushing the score further in favor of Rangers. The former Hibernian forward, Howat, capitalized on Hibernian’s weariness to fire in a fourth goal. Hardy later added another strike deep into the match, cementing a decisive victory.
Despite the one-sided scoreline, Hibernian nearly set the pace early on when Michaela McAlonie found the net. However, her effort was ruled offside, and the referee’s decision was unwavering, reflecting the fine margins that often define such competitive matches.
Source
www.bbc.com