19th February 2017
Cheltenham Town Dev 0 (4) – 0 (2) Oldland Abbotonians (Penalties)
Cheltenham Town Development got a deserved victory in the cup quarter finals via a penalty shootout.
The game started evenly with Cheltenham pressing very well and winning the ball back in good areas, only for the final pass to go astray. Cheltenham were coping well at the back with the Oldlands forwards and were passing the ball very well but no real chances were created. The half continued in the same fashion and both teams went in to half time with the scores level.
Cheltenham started the second half the much better team with the constant pressing causing the Oldlands midfield problems. Two minutes in to the half Lauren Cable fed substitute Molly Kilpatrick through on goal but her finish was saved fantastically by the toe of the keeper.
Cheltenham continued to press and there were a few scrambles in the box without anyone able to finish at the vital time. Molly Kilpatrick was then played through again and showed great composure and skill to round the goalkeeper but her finish was spectacularly cleared off the line. The game got a little more open as the half continued but there were no real chances of note and the game went on to penalties.
Lauren Cable stepped up first and fired her penalty in. After Oldlands scored, Hannah Bingham fired hers in to the corner. Caty Stirling-Lee then managed to pull off a great diving stop as Cheltenham led 2-1. Amber Coxhill placed her penalty calmly in to the corner to make it 3-1 and then Caty Stirling-Lee saved again as she tipped the penalty on to the bar. Abbie Jones unfortunately just fired over and then Oldlands scored to make it 3-2. Holly Rogers (pictured) then stepped up and fired her penalty in to the left corner to spark wild celebrations. Cheltenham deservedly booked their place in to the cup semi-finals with a great performance.
