AMERICAN central defender Hannah Davison made history yesterday when she became the first player to score a goal in a women's club game at Hampden. Her header, after 17 minutes, set Rangers on their way to a 2-0 Scottish Cup semi-final win over Motherwell.
Davison's side, who are still in with a chance of winning the treble, will face either Glasgow City or Celtic in next month's final. The top two sides in the SWPL meet in the second semi at Hampden this afternoon.
Although the Scotland women's team now play their home games at the national stadium, yesterday's semi-final was the first domestic match to be played at the iconic ground. Rangers dominated the tie, but resolute defending by their part-time opponents meant they weren't sure of their place in the final until midfielder Chelsea Cornet got the second a minute from the end of regulation time with another header.
“I'm thrilled. It was a really exciting moment,” Davison, who previously played for Chicago Red Stars and Swedish club AIK, said of the moment she made history. “I haven't had too many goals this season so every one is special – and it was even more special to score at Hampden.”
Rangers had several more good chances in the first half, but were denied by Motherwell goalkeeper Emily Mutch and her defenders. Striker Kirsty Howat, who had missed two of the best opportunities, was replaced by Emma Watson at the start of the second half, and a Middag shot which smashed against the underside of the bar was just about their only other noteworthy attempt until Cornet's late second goal.
“We were really well organised and had a game plan,” Motherwell manager Paul Brownlie said. “Two moments in the game have killed us – both from set plays.”
In last night's SWPL game, Hibernian and Hearts drew 1-1 at Easter Road.
