YFS
Rangers retained the SWF Youth Cup after a 1-0 win over Glasgow City at Toryglen this afternoon. Dana Baird’s wicked free kick was the only goal as Rangers ran out worthy winners over a strong City side.
Rangers lined up in a 3-4-3 formation, while City opted for 4-3-3, but both teams struggled to assert their authority in the first ten minutes of the match, and it took 12 minutes for the first shot on goal to arrive.
Great work on the right channel saw Maxine Welsh slip the ball into Jamie Lee Dearie, but she didn’t catch her shot properly and it didn’t test Rangers goalkeeper Jordyn Elliot.
On the half hour mark, Rangers took the lead. Having won a free kick 30 yards from goal, Dana Baird unleashed a ferocious right footed shot that soared past Chloe Gilfoyle to give Rangers a deserved lead.
Eight minutes later, Rangers almost doubled their tally. Claire Mullen dispossessed City in midfield and threaded a fine through ball to Chantelle Brown but she lashed her effort high over the bar.
City almost got their way back into the game through the lively Welsh. A great switch of play by Lauren Kelly found it’s way to Welsh who cut inside the onrushing City fullback, before lashing narrowly past Elliot’s left hand post.
With a one goal advantage, Rangers continued to pass well and high on confidence, they started to control the match. Both Jamie Lee Dearie and Paige Frame were cautioned by the referee in the only other action of the first half as Rangers went into the break 1-0 up.
