29th August 2016
It was an afternoon of frustration for Cheltenham Town Ladies which saw them suffer defeat in the opening home of the season to a very decent Keynsham Town team.
A sluggish start by the home side saw them concede a goal after 9 minutes, and that seemed to have the desired effect as Cheltenham woke up, started to pass the ball well and put Keynsham under pressure.
As in previous games Cheltenham created a number of chances, but just couldn’t finish, and slightly against the run of play, in added time at the end of the 1st half, Keynsham scored their second. In fact Cheltenham were down to ten players at the time as a knee injury suffered by Emily Skipp had forced her off the field.
At half time Cheltenham brought on 16 year old Yas Francis for her home league debut to replace Emily.
Starting the 2nd half on the front foot, Cheltenham again took the game to Keynsham, but again couldn’t find the finishing touch to some really good approach play.
At the other end goalkeeper Bec Panniers produced some great saves, but Cheltenham’s defence was controlling the game, and Keynsham although looking threatening were kept to long range efforts. Graham Fletcher then replaced Ria Salleh with another 16 year old Holly Rogers (pictured above) for her league debut. Ria had only returned from America the previous day and was naturally tiring as the game drew to a close.
Again, against the run of play, Keynsham scored their third, two minutes form time, to win the game 3-0.
Yas Francis and Looby Parker – two of Cheltenham Town’s 16 year old starlets.
Manager, Graham Fletcher, commented after the game: “It was a frustrating game for us, we started slowly, let them get on top and conceded early on. We then had to regroup, and work hard to try and get back into the game. We did that, but to concede a second goal just before half time was disappointing. I said at half time, that the third goal would be crucial, if we had scored I thought we could get something from the game, again the final finish was missing. Its frustrating for all of us, as we worked really hard. I don’t think we deserved to lose 3-0, but that’s football, and it looks like we were well beaten, as its all about results, but overall I was pleased with the way the team responded. We have to continue to work hard at training and the performances we want will come. But, ultimately, we need to start winning.”
Team: Bec Panniers, Natalie Berry, Jen Brown-Wealls, Louise Bull, Anna Dennis, Ria Salleh (Holly Rogers), Sophie Wyatt, Lydia Amarquaye, Emily Skipp (Yas Francis) Ella Hitchcox, Looby Parker. Sub unused: Amber Coxhall.
Attendance: 30
