14th October 2019
The Robins Derby always proves to be a fantastic affair, and there is no better time to hold it than under the floodlights on a Tuesday evening.
These teams put on a thriller in front of a bumper crowd of 375 at Whaddon Road at the business end of last season, with the visitors unlucky to not take home all three points; a Georgia Brown penalty doing just enough to collect a point for Cheltenham.
Both teams come into the game on opposite ends of the spectrum, not just in terms of league positions, but also in terms of match time in preparation. Cheltenham’s game yesterday was postponed due to an accumulation of rain over the past few weeks left standing water on the playing surface, allowing Alex Cheal’s team an extra rest day, while on the other hand, Swindon put in an impressive showing against Southern Premier outfit Chichester City in the FA WNL Plate but had to endure 120 minutes in a First Round fixture that went to extra time.
Cheltenham Town Ladies have also made this a Student Night, in which any student who displays a valid student card on the gate will receive free entry!
Please note that this game may be subject to a pitch-inspection due to the weather.
Team News
Manager Alex Cheal is expected to name a strong squad as the Ladies return to league action after back to back cup games. With yesterday’s FA WNL Plate fixture being postponed, it is likely to be a similar side to the one set to face Poole.
The only expected absence is fullback Kirsten Rendall, who was cup-tied for Sunday, and is unavailable to face Swindon due to work commitments.
The midweek game also sees the return of midfielder Louise Fensome and fullback Lauren Ellis, both of whom were unavailable at the weekend.
Opposition
Finishing 9th in the FA Women’s National League Divison 1 South-West last season, Swindon haven’t been able to build on the positive results they picked up at the back end of the previous campaign, which included pushing Cheltenham Town Ladies to their limits at Whaddon Road in a Cheltenham v Swindon double-header, with the women’s game following the men’s on the Saturday evening, and emerging victorious in a 3-2 struggle against Brislington on the final day.
This season, however, has seen the Fairford-based outfit languishing near the foot of the table after drawing the short straw and missing out on the opening day due to only 11 teams taking part in the league following Southampton Saints folding in the summer. This was followed by a 7-2 demolition by Southampton Women and 4-2 defeat at home to Larkhall.
The pressure started to build following a 2-1 loss against Maidenhead before picking up a 4-3 winners over Poole Town Ladies.
In their most recent outing, they faced Chichester City in the FA WNL Plate, falling in the first round with a scoreline of 4-2.
Previous Meetings
The Robins’ derby in the FA WNL goes as far back as 2015/16, with the two teams meeting in a matter of a couple of weeks in April 2016.
The first fixture at the fourth level, saw Swindon come out on top, in a 4-1 rout at Shrivenham FC. Ellie Maynard, Beth Westlake, Michelle Rich and Chyna Collings hitting the net for Swindon with Emily Skipp scoring Cheltenham’s only goal.
The reverse fixture, at Petersfield Park, saw Swindon make it a double, this time 4-0, with goals in quick succession from Collings and Megan Attenborough on the 11th and 15th, and again after the break, with Abby Picton and Serena Smith hitting the target on the 55th and 57th as Swindon marched to promotion.
The two teams wouldn’t meet again until 2018/19, following Swindon’s relegation from the Southern Premier. They would fall in the first meeting, as Annie Martin and Ella Hitchcox presented Cheltenham with all three points.
The last meeting between the two clubs would see Swindon visit Whaddon Road in front of a record crowd of 375. A Cerys Dolloway bullet header on the 3rd minute would be cancelled out by Swindon’s Alice Telling on the 9th and Milly Colford on the 41st before Georgia Brown would equalise from the penalty spot for Cheltenham to see the two teams share the spoils.
Directions and Entrance Price
Location: The DN Fire Stadium, off St. Peter’s Close, GL51 9DX. (Find it on Google maps here)
By car:
Turn off Tewkesbury Road onto Moors Avenue and take the first left, onto St. Peter’s Close. On St. Peter’s Close, keep left and go around the outside of the housing estate. Follow the road round and the car park and entrance to the ground are directly in front of you.
By bus:
The C, 41 and 42 buses from Cheltenham town centre all stop at The Range, or The Moors, opposite the Lexus dealership on Tewkesbury Road, both of which are a short walk from the stadium.
Entrance to the DN Fire Stadium is £2 per adult, with children, Cheltenham Town FC season ticket holders and Robins Trust members getting in for free.
**For this game, students showing a valid student card at the gate get free entry. Match programmes are available for £1 to those receiving free entry, or free of charge for paying adults.
Match Coverage
For real-time match coverage, follow our twitter page, @CTLadies. You can also check the club’s Facebook and Instagram for half time and full time scores.
