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Discuss the Match | Buy Photos and Souvenirs
This year's SWF West 17's League cup final was a mouth watering tie between old firm rivals Celtic and Rangers. Nearly every seat inside Toryglen was full for this highly awaited derby cup clash.
Last season Celtic triumphed in this competition, before Rangers went on to pip their rivals to the league title in a final day decider. However, Rangers won a clean sweep in 2012 at 15's, and many of their treble winning squad members formed today's 17's squad. The Gers had also won the league meeting between the teams in May - the only occasion either of the sides had dropped a single point.
Both sides started off trying to play some good passing football knowing they had the right surface and a massive width to use inside of Toryglen. In the opening ten minutes neither set of players was looking to really push too many bodies forward, content
The first real chance of this cup final came when Hannah Preston snatched the ball from the feet of a Rangers defender to then smash her shot on the half volley in to the side netting.
Tackles were flying in hard and fast as suspected in a Old Firm match, neither side wanted to give the other an inch in the battle for superior possession and territory. In the Celtic goal, Laura Hamilton was in excellent form, denying Rangers time and again.
Next to go close were Rangers. Number 18, Alex Middleton, rolled the ball slightly in front of Erin Cuthbert who smashed her attempt at goal just wide of the right post.
Just on the stroke of half time Rangers looked certain to fire home a ball in to the back of the Celtic net. A ball into the box was pinged around the area by at least five different players, but in the end it resulted in a remarkable goal line clearance by the Celtic defence.
Half Time: Rangers FC Girls 0-0 Celtic FC Girls Academy
The second half started off with Rangers storming the attacks down both wings. The light blues looked like going infront when Amanda Traynor did well to pick out an unmarked Caitlin McLean with her cross, but McLean headed just wide to keep the scores level.
Shortly after the near miss, the Gers broke the deadlock. Two shots from Amanda Traynor were blocked well by Celtic players but Megan Mason dived in on the line to stab home the rebound and give Rangers the lead.
Celtic had plenty of possession but were struggling to break down a determined and organised Rangers defence. On the occasions they did, Lauren Wilkes was in good form as she looked to keep her clean sheet intact.
After the opener Rangers started to pile on pressure looking to double their lead and came ever so close when Erin Cuthbert blasted a shot just inches over the bar. After that Rangers won a few free kicks in dangerous areas but nothing was to come of the set pieces. Hamilton was again keeping her side within touching distance, showing excellent handling, command of her area and bravery when required.
As the game was coming to the end the drama didn't stop. Firstly Celtic looked on the cards to pull a goal back when Samantha MacMillian showed great vision to pick out Chelsea McKay who raced one on one with the goalie but slotted her chance just past the post.
Minutes later Rangers added a second and all but sealed the win. Caitlin McLean clashed with the Celtic goalkeeper leaving both players down injured and letting Kirtsy Howat fire into an empty net. That was the last action of the match, seeing the Rangers players go wild as the full time whistle was blown.
Rangers celebrated bagging the first trophy of the season. They'll have their eyes on another treble, but Celtic will certainly have something to say about that in both the league and SWF Youth Cup.
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