7th November 2017
We now hope to be able to cover Development matches thanks to the help of one of the parents. Here are the first of two reports.
Cheltenham Development vs Cheltenham Civil Service: Sunday 5 November
On a cracking day for football Cheltenham Development took on Cheltenham Civil Service in a highly competitive affair at Tewkesbury School.
The first ten minutes were very cagey and it took a fortunate rebound to get the scoring underway. Catherine Reilly charged down a back pass, and the keeper’s kick rebounded off her to roll into the net – 1-0 Cheltenham.
The game then became largely a midfield battle with very few chances up to the 30 minute point. Following some great play down the right a sharp cross in from Becca Harris drew a foul from the Service defence and the resulting free kick was zipped just wide by Alana Taylor.
Cheltenham were very unlucky to concede on the stroke of halftime when a handball resulted in a free kick outside the box for Civil Service. Lucy Bennet produced the perfect shot which went in off the post giving the Cheltenham keeper no chance. 1-1 Half time.
Town were pinned back at the start of the second half but after a quick break the ever dangerous Holly Rogers produced a jinking run into the area which brought a last ditch saving tackle from the Service defence.
Civil Service then produced a fine goal with a pass over the top being expertly flicked over the advancing keeper – 2-1 Civil Service.
Just a few minutes later and Civil Service were 3-1 up with a perfect through ball outwitting the Cheltenham defence
Just when the game looked to be heading for a routine Civil Service win Cheltenham struck back following a peach of a corner from Holly Rogers which was flicked in with a back heel from Liz Dawson.
Cheltenham threw everything into the last five minutes but just came up short – another thoroughly entertaining game ended 3-2 to Civil Service.
Swindon Spitfires v Cheltenham Town Development: Sunday 29 October
On a wonderful bright Autumn day Cheltenham Ladies Development took on Swindon Spitfires away.
The match started as it would continue with open attacking football and Swindon were first to attack with a swift break and a shot which whistled over the bar. Cheltenham responded with Rebecca Harris providing a good through ball for Holly Rogers whose shot was well saved by the Swindon keeper. Yasmin Francis was unfortunate to hit the rebound over the bar.
Swindon were finding success attacking down the right and from one of these forays a cross slipped through the Cheltenham defence to give Skye Peters a simple tap in 1-0 Swindon Spitfires.
Cheltenham did not let their heads go down and a perfect through ball from Yas was pounced on by Holly Rogers who smashed the ball home to level the game at 1-1.
A period of stalemate followed before another Rogers strike gave Cheltenham a deserved lead after 20 Minutes.
The game continued to be end to end , and Swindon looking to be going level when a shot was heading for the top corner before a fantastic acrobatic save from Caty Sterling Lee kept the game at 2-1 Cheltenham.
Before the break Swindon again broke down the right and in almost a carbon copy of the first goal another tap in followed 2-2, which was how it stayed until half time.
The start of the second half was much quieter than the first. Cheltenham had a real let of on 60 minutes when Swindon crossed the ball (yet again from the right) but hit the bar with the goal at their mercy.
Some great wide running from Alana Taylor saw a deep cross into the box which was met with a perfect header from that star lady Holly Rogers again 3-2 Cheltenham – now for an exciting last 20.
Cheltenham were unlocked down the right yet again on 75 minutes Swindon equalised.
Next a corner to Cheltenham was met by a thunderous volley from Holly Rogers which deflected off the defender into the net – 4-3 Cheltenham and surely they would not let Swindon back in again – but oh yes they would and guess what a cross from the right and a tap in from 6 yards – now 4-4!
In the last few minutes both sides could have won it with Holly Rogers being unlucky not to get another– forcing a fine save from the Swindon keeper.
What an advert for the Ladies’ game – eight goals, fine saves and excellent attitude from both sides – no better way to spend a Sunday afternoon.
