2nd April 2018
With no First team game last weekend, the Robins Reserves made the short trip down the M5 to local rivals St Nicholas LFC Reserves. With both teams in the bottom three, this was a real relegation six-pointer.
St Nicks were forced to make a late ground change after heavy rain and thanks to the hard work of the St Nicks backroom staff the match went ahead at the Ridings.
Ever-present Becca Harris (pictured), 18, scored the opening goal on 4 minutes for Cheltenham following good work on the right
Cheltenham dominated possession in the opening 20 minutes but it was St Nicks who were awarded a penalty on 24. Taken by their captain Charlie Davis, low to the right of the other ever-present player, keeper Caty Stirling-Lee who has played every minute of every game this season. (1-1)
Minutes later Robins striker Holly Kay went on a mazey run and herself was unfortunate not to be awarded a penalty having passed both the keeper and another defender before being bundled off the ball.
Cheltenham were galvanised by this poor decision and made St Nicks pay in the closing five minutes of the half. Harris again crossed from the right hand side causing the defence real problems and Lydia Armaquaye drove home on 41. Just three minutes later, Harris, having a great game, turned a couple of St Nicks defenders inside out before crossing the ball into the box when Emma Canham met it on the volley for 3-1, Cheltenham’s best move of the match.
Half time 1-3
Cheltenham have seen leads evaporate this season and the half time team talk was all about game management, and getting the weight of pass right on an increasingly sticky pitch. Cheltenham took to the task well until the 70th minute, when tired legs allowed St Nicks a couple of half chances. As St Nicks pushed for a second, the Robins Captain Armaquaye slid a great ball through to release Eve Edmondson who calmly slotted past the approaching keeper to complete the scoring
Player of the match: Becca Harris
Team: Lydia Armaquaye (C), Lauren Cable, Emma Canham, Eve Edmondson, Becca Harris, Holly Kay, Sam Morris, Summer Rankin, Caty Stirling Lee, Jess Wadey, Jade Wiltshire.
