2nd November 2019
After a number of setbacks regarding postponed fixtures, Cheltenham Town Lades took out their frustration with a comprehensive win in the FA WNL Plate in their last competitive run out, coming out on top in a 7-0 thriller against Poole Town Ladies.
This week however, they gear up for a new challenge as they battle for a place in the first round proper of the SSE Women’s FA Cup against fellow Division 1 South-West outfit, Exeter City Women this weekend (2pm)
Following the Poole game, manager Alex Cheal suggested that preperation was key going into the crunch clash with the Grecians:
“We’ll have another week of training, but how we set up today would be how we set up anyway. The three that came on did well, the two that are coming back [Ella Hitchcox and Kirsten Rendall] will have to do well to get back into the team – and we have to make sure we get the game on first of all! But we’ll have a good week of training and we’re looking forward to a tough game. They’re around us in the league so it’ll be a good test for us.”
Team News
Cheltenham Town Ladies are expected to produce a standard strong squad, with changes kept to a minimum.
Kirsten Rendall is unavailable, with Lauren Ellis on hand to further reclaim her spot.
Bec Panniers resumes her goalkeeping duties after the Poole game a couple of weeks ago, while defender Chloe Rogers, who has missed over a year of action with a nasty knee injury, is also named in the matchday squad.
Opposition
Exeter have adapted well to life back at the fourth tier, picking up four wins in their opening five fixtures, putting up some impressive scorelines along the way.
Sunday’s visitors walked away with a confident 3-0 win over Larkhall on the opening day of the 2019/20 season, before beating local rivals Plymouth Argyle in the FA WNL Cup Determining Round, and this was built on with a 7-1 demolition of Poole Town Ladies, with their only loss so far coming at the hands of Southampton Women, with a heavy 8-2 scoreline.
Recently, the Devonshire club have put up some big wins, 7-1 over Sherbourne Town in the SSE Women’s FA Cup 2nd Qualifying Round, complimented by a 5-1 victory over Bideford in the Devon County Cup.
Previous meetings
The first encounters between the teams was in the FA WNL were set in the 2015/16 season with the Devonshire club running out winners in the first chapter, 3-1. Emily Skipp providing the only goal for Cheltenham that occasion. While at Petersfield Park, the Robins would return in kind, picking up three points with a 3-0 scoreline, Louise Fensome, Emily Skipp and Ria Salleh doing the business for the hosts.
The 2016/17 season saw the Robins and the Grecians placed second from bottom and bottom of the league respectively. They would meet at Petersfield Park in February 2017, with Louise Fensome, Holly Rogers and a Jade Wiltshire brace giving the Robins a comprehensive victory in a 4-1 scoreline. The reverse fixture, just two months later, would see the sides finish with honours even, 2-2. Ella Hitchcox and Sally Butterfield’s goals earning a point for the travelling Robins.
This time last year, the two sides met at the same stage of the SSE Women’s FA Cup in what was a very tight contest. A feisty affair, which saw the two teams play some good, fast passing football could only be separated by a single goal – a long-range free-kick from captain Sarah Walters being the deciding factor.
Directions and Entry prices
Location: All Saints Academy, Blaisdon Way, GL51 0WH. (Find it on Google maps here)
By car:
Turn off Tewkesbury Road into Hayden Road (B4634). Take a left at Blaisdon Way traffic lights, carrying straight on at the first roundabout. At the second roundabout, take the first exit into All Saints Academy main entrance.
By bus:
The C, 41 and 42 buses from Cheltenham town centre stop opposite Sainsbury’s on Tewkesbury road. The Academy is a 10 minute walk from the bus stop, down Hayden Way and following the same route as cars, mentioned above.
Entrance is £2 per adult, with children, Cheltenham Town FC season ticket holders and Robins Trust members getting in for free.
Match programmes are available for £1 to those receiving free entry, or free of charge for paying adults.
PLEASE BE AWARE THAT PUBLIC ACCESS TO ALL SAINTS ACADEMY IS NOT AVAILABLE UNTIL 1:45PM
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.
