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Scottish Cup semi-final: Rangers 2-0 Motherwell

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Hannah Davison's first half header was the only effort to beat Emily Mutch in the Motherwell goal

Rangers reached their first Women’s Scottish Cup final since 2010 on a historic day at Hampden after dominating part-time Motherwell.

In the first ever domestic women’s game at the national stadium, defender Hannah Davison headed in the opener after 17 minutes for Malky Thomson’s side, who have already won this season’s League Cup.

Spurning a plethora of chances, Rangers did not seal the victory until the final moments, when Chelsea Cornet’s downward header crawled over the line.

The win sets up a meeting with either Glasgow City or Celtic, who contest the other semi-final at Hampden on Sunday (12:30 BST).

Many a hero has been sculpted at Hampden, and if part-time Motherwell were to deliver any sort of cup shock, a few in claret and amber would need to be wearing capes.

Jo Addie tried her best in not only blocking a goal-bound shot, but then throwing her head in front of Jenny Danielsson’s effort from point-blank range to deny Rangers again.

No-one could deny Davison, though. Scotland international Sam Kerr picked the towering defender out with ease, and the reigning league champions’ overwhelming dominance was finally rewarded.

Emily Mutch would have known her A-game must be on show, and while the clean sheet was already gone, if it wasn’t for her, Rangers would have been out of sight by the break.

She flung a sprawling leg out to halt Rangers’ top scorer Kirsty Howat’s celebrations, in what was the pick of a quality bunch of saves.

In an otherwise quiet second period, Tessel Middag’s thunderous strike cannoned off the crossbar after she connected sweetly with Danielsson’s assist.

Victoria Esson was never threatened in the Rangers goal, but the slender advantage until the end of regulation time kept hope alive for Motherwell.

That though, evaporated, when Cornet met Middag’s corner to glance in a header and put the tie to bed.

Player of the match – Tessel Middag

Tessel Middag of Rangers

Rangers class in attack eventually prevails – analysis

It was always going to be a tough ask for part-time Motherwell against a full-time Rangers side, filled with internationals who are not spooked by Hampden.

No matter the venue, though, it’s a daunting prospect in any setting to face the free-flowing Rangers attack who recycle the ball so well and pepper the opposition’s box.

There were a few eyebrows raised at the omission of Emma Watson and Rachel McLauchlan by Rangers, given the duo have been so effective in recent weeks down the left-flank. Mind you, bringing in 43-cap Nicola Docherty isn’t too bad.

If it wasn’t for Mutch in the Motherwell goal, it really could have been a sucker-punch scoreline. The young keeper was kept on her toes, and can leave Hampden with her head held high, despite being on the losing side.

And a wee word for Leanne Crichton. 72 Scotland caps, but finally, she got to trot out on the Hampden turf for the first time. She’s now played at Wembley in a FA Cup final and Hampden in a Scottish Cup semi-final. She was missed on Sportsound, though…

What the managers said

Rangers head coach Malky Thomson: “Did we play well today? No, not particularly, we didn’t set the hay on fire, but two goals and we’re through to the final which is all that matters.

“That’s about nine days on the bounce the girls have been in with no days off, so psychologically, to keep going, going and going with top concentration is a credit to the group.”

Motherwell boss Paul Brownlie: “I’m really proud of the group. The players left everything out on the pitch, which was important. Defensively, we were very resilient.

“It’s disappointing to lose two goals from set pieces as we worked on them this week, but Emily Mutch was excellent. There is a sense of realism what we were up against today.”

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