The Northern Rangers have made it through to the Semi Finals 0f the Women’s State-wide Cup, after downing Taroona 2-0 on Saturday. The scoring opened early with a Taroona own goal in the second minute, before a 67th minute Georgina Perkins goal sealed the visiting sides win and ensured they would be the last Championship side standing.
The game started with the Rangers attacking well, having a shot on target in the very first minute of the game. This quick start soon translated to a corner, which ultimately gave the visiting team their goal.
The corner was swung into the box with it bouncing around a number of players. The ball then began to travel goalwards, before Isabella McGinn got into the way. However, McGinn’s clearance did not go where she wanted, and resulted in an own goal and the Rangers going 1-0 up.
After their goal the visiting side continued to push for another, holding the majority of possession and forcing three saves from Miranda Vaughan in the opening 25 minutes.
At the other end Carla Zuniga produced a great touch to round her opponent before her shot went straight into the arms of Tanita Nortje.
Taroona then began to push hard for an equaliser, winning three corners in a row but failing to convert. Shots then fell to Ashby, Zuniga and Chamberlin, however the Rangers defence held strong.
In the 42nd minute Daisy Parsell had a great chance, however she hit it wide of the goal, seeing the score remain 1-0 at halftime.
When the second half began it was Georgina Perkins who had an early opportunity, producing a good run and shot only to be denied by Miranda Vaughan again. Two minutes later and a Vaughan mistake gave Perkins another chance, but the Rangers number nine fired narrowly wide.
The Rangers continued to push for another goal but the Taroona defence was holding strong. Chances continued to fall for both sides, before in the 63rd minute the Rangers hit the back of the net. This goal was disallowed due to an offside flag, however the visitors were celebrating not long after.
Minutes later, the ball came into the middle of the box to find Georgina Perkins who struck the ball well to double her sides lead and put them 2-0 ahead.
After this goal, the Rangers pushed for another to kill the contest but none were forthcoming.
Taroona had chances of their own, however the score remained the same, with the Rangers running out 2-0 winners.
Speaking post-match, Taroona coach Karen Wills said that her sides performance wasn’t their strongest. She believed her side were not very composed on the ball, however improved well in the second half of the first half.
Northern Rangers coach Ian Loft labelled it as “their hardest game for the year” explaining that the fixture so far this year has not seen them play against other top teams. He identified that his side were dominant early in the first half, and he believed his side should have finished the game off then.
The win sees the Rangers move on to the next round of the cup, whilst Taroona are eliminated. The Semi Final draw will be held on Monday at 11:30am.