26th February 2018
Cheltenham Town Ladies played host to Poole Town this weekend knowing that a win over their opponents would see them leapfrog them in to 5th.
Cheltenham welcomed back Ella Hitchcox from illness and included new signing Eve Edmondson.
The early exchanges fell in Cheltenham’s favour as they tried to release Butterfield and Hitchcox up front. However it was their opposition that started to get a foothold in the game.
Chances came and went for Poole before Cheltenham created their first chance with Butterfield going close, only to be denied by a fantastic save by the Poole keeper as the half drew to a close.
The second half would pose different threats for Cheltenham with the sun in their eyes. However the home team started brightly with chances for Hitchcox and Fensome going by.
It was Poole who struck first though with a corner that found its way through the box and was tapped in at the back post.
Goal number two quickly followed and it was another corner that was powerfully headed home despite the best efforts of Panniers in the home goal.
Cheltenham had given themselves a mountain to climb with 20 minutes remaining but the introduction of Rowlands and Briscoe lifted them. The duo were pivotal in Cheltenham’s best chance of the game as they combined to set Butterfield through. Butterfields first shot was parried back into her path but her rebound effort was struck over the bar.
The lively Briscoe was causing problems to Poole’s defence as she looked to force the issue and pull her side through. Her skill in the wide right area took her past the full back and when it looked like she could of shot or passed to the free Rowlands at the back post, the striker was guilty of doing neither and it was collected by the keeper comfortably.
FT: Cheltenham 0 v 2 Poole Town
“Today was a frustrating day for us as too many players didn’t perform to the levels we expect. We touched on doing the basics right before the game and at half time, but we didn’t do it enough. We were unable to get our influential players involved in the game and for that we didn’t deserve to win the game.”
“It is a missed opportunity for us as we had the chance to climb the table but we have to go and pick up points elsewhere now.”
“We are a couple of months into this project and we have a lot still to work on. Things won’t change overnight and it’s all a learning process for these players but we will get stronger as the weeks pass.”
