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.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here