1st February 2020
After last week’s postponement, Cheltenham Town Ladies welcome Buckland Athletic Women back to Gloucestershire in FA Women’s National league action after a busy transfer period.
The new year saw centre-half Amy Leask leaving to join Swindon Town Women in search of regular football, and out of form striker Kerry Bartlett return to her former club, Keynsham Town in the WNL Southern Premier, while midfielder Jasmine Bull and defender Harriet Lambe joined the Robinesses from Keynsham and Yeovil Town respectively.
Before last week’s postponement, the Robinesses came into this fixture on the back of a drubbing over Southern Regional Women’s Football League side Oxford City, who went toe-to-toe with the FA WNL side until Annie Martin slotted a hattrick in less than seven minutes. Combined with goals from Bartlett, Sarah King, Georgia Brown and Holly Fenton, the visitors were able to run out an 8-1 win in a much needed 90 minutes.
The Robinesses were also delighted to announce the acquisition of Harriet Lambe from FA Women’s National League Southern Premier side, Yeovil Town Women.
The young defender, who has international experience with the Republic of Ireland at a youth team level was on Cheltenham’s radar during pre-season but elected to join the Somerset club who operate in a professional capacity in a division above.
Nonetheless, Alex Cheal was delighted to see her register for his side, declaring he was “delighted to welcome her to Cheltenham. We have been aware of Harriet’s ability for some time and feel fortunate to add her to an already talented squad.”
Team News
Robyn Levett retains her place in goal after the game against Oxford at Marsh Lane.
Vice-Captain, Cerys Dolloway may be set for a return following her injury against Chichester in December.
Republic of Ireland youth international, Harriet Lambe is set to make her competitive debut after signing from Yeovil, while Holly Fenton, Hannah Galpin and Caitlin Marron may also feature after being called up from the Reserve team.
Opposition
The visitors come into this game on an impressive run, scoring 14 goals in their last five games, winning four of them. This run includes winning three games on the bounce, a 4-1 victory over Poole in Dorset and back-to-back home wins against Torquay United, 5-0 in the Devonshire County Cup and a 4-2 triumph over 10th placed Swindon Town Women.
The Bucks’ Ladies currently sit at a midtable 7th place in the FA Women’s National League Division 1 South-West, but striker Sarah Stacey is currently joint-top scorer in the league, sitting alongside Chesham’s Gemma Fraser and Southampton FC’s Ella Pusey and Shannon Sievwright.
Previous Meetings
The two teams met three times during 2018/19. The first in early September at The DN Fire Stadium, which ended in a 2-2 draw. The second time saw Cheltenham travel to Newton Abbot in the FA Cup and lose out 2-0 on an incredible heavy Homers Heath surface. Cheltenham would then return to the south-west club in the league, after the Christmas and New Year’s break, on the wrong end of a 3-0 scoreline.
The last meeting between these two sides saw an intense affair, with goalkeeping coach Alyta Norman standing in for regular shot stopper Bec Panniers and emerging with a clean sheet as the Robinesses winning in a tight game by just a single goal (1-0). The deciding goal for Cheltenham, scored by young winger Sarah King, sending a ball in from the right back across the face of goal and in off the post.
Directions and Entry 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. Children, Cheltenham Town FC season ticket holders and Robins Trust members receive 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.
