Rangers hit five past Hibs to retain SWPL Cup

Rampant Rangers lifted the SWPL Cup for the third consecutive season after defeating record-winners Hibernian for the first time this season at Fir Park.

Head coach Jo Potter said pre-match that Rangers’ results against Grant Scott’s league leaders were an “added incentive” to retain the first trophy she won in charge a year ago.

There was no similar struggle on this big stage thanks to goals from Katie Wilkinson, Camille Lafaix, Kirsty Howat and Rio Hardy, plus a Kirsten Reilly deflection into her own net.

After an expected even start between the top two sides in the SWPL, the holders got a grip of things and their opener appeared a matter of when, not if, after a prolonged period of peppering the Hibs’ box.

And striker Wilkinson, at the second time of asking, lashed the ball in from close range for her 39th goal of a superb personal season.

Conceding just six minutes before the break was a sucker-punch for Hibs, who were chasing a record-extending eighth success in this competition, and it was nearly two had it not have been for Siobhan Hunter’s last-ditch tackle.

That only temporarily tamed Rangers, who doubled their lead under two minutes into the second half.

A hopeful, launched ball into the box was not dealt with by the Hibs defence and American midfielder Lafaix cushioned in to ensure the trophy would remain in Rangers’ cabinet.

Celebrations were still being enjoyed when the third was bundled in by stretching Hibs captain Reilly.

Former Hibs forward Howat capitalised on such exhaustion, firing a fourth in from near range and Hardy firing another dagger into Hibs’ hearts deep into the game.

It could have been so different on an afternoon Hibs had the ball in the back of the net first, but Michaela McAlonie was markedly offside and the raised flag on the near-right side was correct.