Glasgow City took on Rangers in the Sky Sports Cup, and it did not disappoint. The battle of the Leannes ended with Glasgow City triumphing.
Leanne Crichton was looking to ensure that Rangers secured their fourth consecutive Sky Sports Cup trophy, whereas Leanne Ross was aiming to end an 11-year wait for Glasgow City.
The first half was a slow burner, with few chances coming for either side. Few came close, and neither keeper was really called into action.
Rangers’ Kim Shin-ji thought she had opened the scoring just before the half-hour mark, as her effort crashed back off the post.
Glasgow City took that as their wake-up call, and Hayley Lauder was unlucky to watch her effort slither wide just eight minutes later.
Emily Whelan’s eyes must have lit up as her shot looked goal-bound before bouncing inches wide—another glaring opportunity for Glasgow City.
They headed into the break at a stalemate, and once again the second half needed a spark to get the goals flowing. One player who provided it was Lisa Forrest, who bagged a brace, with Rangers’ Katie Wilkinson providing a nervy ending with her late strike.
Glasgow City were forced to wait 25 minutes before they found the opening goal, much to the delight of head coach Leanne Ross. A beautifully delivered corner found Lisa Forrest at the back post after she had drifted from her marker, and the forward made no mistake in tapping the ball home.
With Glasgow City taking the advantage, the ball remained in Rangers’ half as they looked to respond quickly. However, cup hero Forrest gave her opponents little time to breathe as she netted her second just 89 seconds later.
Forrest picked the ball up just beyond the Rangers half and made no mistake, rocketing her effort into the top corner from the edge of the 18-yard box.
It looked more than certain that Glasgow City were going to hoist the trophy, with Rangers unable to catch a break of the ball. If one player was going to score, it was always going to be Katie Wilkinson. She had been quiet throughout the game, but when a golden opportunity presents itself, she is the player for it.
Despite the blustery conditions, the renowned striker made no mistake in firing her effort beyond Glasgow City’s keeper and pulling one back for Rangers.
With just a few minutes left, the game became nervy, with Glasgow City shutting out any opportunity to let the trophy slip. When the referee blew for full-time, two hands were firmly planted on the trophy for the first time in 11 years.
To the victor go the spoils—and deservedly so. Two great strikes secured the trophy for Ross’ side, and Forrest is already etching her name into the history books. With a Scottish Cup semi-final and the league still to play for, could Glasgow City have their eyes on the treble?
I have a keen interest in sport journalism and broadcasting.
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