24th April 2020
By George Brereton
With the FA Women’s National League Division One South-West season being drawn to a premature close following the Covid-19 pandemic, we’ve taken a look back through the archives, the reports, and all the stats and figures from the past eight months to work out the top five CTLFC players from the campaign. Starting with…
5. Mai Butler
Centre-Back
One of Alex Cheal’s earliest signings, Mai Butler joined the club from Wolves Women during the off-season and made an immediate impact.
Establishing herself quickly in the starting XI, Butler cemented her place as a rock at the heart of Cheltenham Town Ladies’ defence in the first half of the season forming a formidable partnership with vice-captain Cerys Dolloway and was present for five of The Robinesses’ eight clean sheets in all competitions over the course of the season and proved to be a great acquisition for Alex Cheal’s side.
An excellent central defender who brought a wealth of FA Women’s National League experience with her, she has been incredibly reliable defensively during the ill-fated campaign while also providing to be a real threat from set pieces this season, proving to be a handful for defenders in the box, chipping in twice on the scoresheet – including marking her debut by nodding home Cheltenham’s first goal of the season from a corner against Poole Town Ladies in August (Report).
A very vocal centre-back who does a fantastic job organising the back line, she is equally confident with the ball at her feet as she is competing for a header in the box. With the return of both Sam Morris and Chloe Rogers next season, while competing against the likes of Sammy Hallsworth, Kirsten Rendall, as well as her centre-back partner Cerys Dolloway and the rising prospect of Elle-Mae Simpson, Butler certainly has a lot of competition for a spot within the starting lineup but could prove to be a key player in The Robinesses’ defence next campaign, if the club is able to retain her services.
Mai is sponsored by Max Wilkinson
4. Sarah King
Winger/Full-Back
Signing from Swindon Town Women during the off-season after shining bright at the club’s open training session at the end of June, Sarah King is another fantastic young prospect and has been an excellent performer for the Robinesses this campaign.
A versatile young player, she has featured on both wings and at right back, during the season and possesses a superb ability to always come away with the ball, either when defending against opposition wingers or when running at fullbacks.
The Hartpury College student has directly contributed to three goals for Cheal’s side this season, with one assist and two goals, including silencing the home crowd at Homers Heath by popping up in the box from the left wing to convert a dangerous Sally Butterfield cross, scoring the decisive goal against Buckland Athletic in the second game of the campaign back in September (Report).
Kings’ good form also saw her gain international experience alongside future-Robiness Jasmine Bull, representing an England Colleges FA side against the likes of an England Independent Schools side and Manchester City Women’s youth teams. King would go on to be named in the England Colleges squad for the Il Cacio E’ Rosa tournament in Italy, which saw England beat Grifone Gialloverde 7-1 and Abruzzo 6-1 before losing in the final group game 1-0 to Moldova following a late free-kick.
Sarah is sponsored by The Flower Studio
3. Georgia Brown
Centre-Midfielder
On loan from Oxford United Women for the second consecutive season, Brown is a technically gifted, well-rounded young athlete who is more than capable of dictating play and running Cheltenham’s game from the centre of midfield.
Carrying on last season’s eye-catching form, where she scored 13 goals in 24 games, Brown has proven to once again be a key player for The Robinesses, netting 7 goals in 15 competitive fixtures, as well as being included in the build up of countless others.
While her height makes her a natural threat at corners and free-kicks, she has also developed a reputation for being a confident young playmaker with fantastic vision and ability to pick a pass. Brown has also featured at centre-back when needed during the campaign, producing assured performances in the Cheltenham back line and aiding the team’s passing game even from a deeper position.
Following previous interest from The England Lionesses youth teams, Brown’s excellent form this season has culminated in her being called up the Scotland U19’s squad, despite being only 16 and she featured in the squad’s games in Spain at the start of March.
Georgia is sponsored by Vehicle Solutions Cheltenham
2. Annie Martin
Striker
In her second season with The Robinesses after returning from travelling, Cheltenham’s captain and top scorer has been in great form for Alex Cheal’s side this season, netting 16 goals in just 15 appearances in all competitions this campaign, demonstrating her eye for goal by scoring a hat-trick in a fantastic 4-3 victory against Exeter in the FA Cup 3rd Qualifying Round (Report).
Annie is a hard-working striker who chases every ball, working as a constant thorn in the side of any defenders who like to play out from the back. She links the midfield and attack very well and can be just as much of a threat cutting in from wide areas as she is when central inside the box, possessing sharp footwork, ball control and a clinical ability to hit the net regularly.
Last season’s top scorer, with 27 goals in 25 games, Annie arguably hasn’t been at her best when compared to the previous campaign due to missing most of pre-season through a knee injury, although if anything this makes her 16 goals even more impressive. However, if Martin can rediscover her very best form once again, she can lead The Robinesses on a promotion charge in 2020/21.
Annie is sponsored by The Gym Cheltenham
1. Abby Bevan
Attacking Midfielder
A fan favourite with the Cheltenham Town Ladies faithful, and the only player to feature in every single competitive fixture this season with 18 starts and one substitute appearance, Abby Bevan has had a fantastic season and has been a real midfield linchpin for her side this season.
Providing what have become standard high-energy performances all season, she has also contributed her fair share to Cheltenham’s strike force with some pretty memorable finishes – nearly all of her 7 goals being scored from outside the box, including a superb shot from the edge of the area against Poole on the opening day (Report) and a perfectly placed strike against Exeter in the Women’s FA Cup (Report).
After signing from West Brom Women in January 2019, Bevan has provided a much-needed drive to the midfield and always seems to have an influence on proceedings, proving to be a key creative outlet.
Her experience as WBA Women’s ball-winning holding midfielder, combined with her constant running and high energy levels has been a problem for opposition defences, especially when combining with the tenacity, industry and predatory instincts of Annie Martin.
The midfield dynamo has turned into a key player for Cheal’s side, and fans will be hoping she can maintain her excellent form as The Robinesses look to fight for promotion next campaign.
Abby is sponsored by Pears Home Improvements, Worcester Trade Frames and Alan King Flooring
