15th November 2021
Report by Jamie Cameron
A comprehensive 4-0 win over Liskeard Athletic saw Cheltenham Town Ladies through to the Second Round Proper of the Vitality Women’s FA Cup.
Two goals from Jade Grove (pictured) and one each from Georgie-Marie Barbour-Gresham and Lacy-Jai Liggett extended the Robins’ unbeaten run to six.
It was the third time Cheltenham have racked up four goals in a game this season, and this one helped them see off sixth-tier Liskeard with ease.
The draw for round two will be made on Monday, with no new teams entering at this stage of the competition.
Manager Tom Davies shuffled his pack from the 2-1 win at Actonians in the League Plate, making four changes.
Barbour-Gresham and Liggett came back in to the side alongside Abby Bevan and Ellie Walecki, with Mai Butler, Amy Wathan and Billie Haynes among those missing out.
The Robins came out of the blocks quicker as Liggett had the only effort of the first 10 minutes against a stubborn Liskeard backline.
The opening goal came shortly afterwards, however, as a cross from Sammy Hallsworth was punched away by Sara Rowe, and Grove reacted quickest to score.
Grove came close on three further occasions before the break, testing Rowe once, and shooting a matter of inches wide twice.
Holly Rogers and Charlotte Criddle also threatened to get on the scoresheet, but Davies and his team had to settle for a 1-0 half-time scoreline.
The lead was doubled just four minutes into the second period as Sammy Hallsworth found Grove, who swivelled and slotted home for her fourth goal in eight days.
Rogers almost made it three on several occasions, before on 61 minutes, Criddle’s corner fell to Barbour-Gresham, who poked into the roof of the net.
Grove turned provider for the fourth goal, playing in Liggett down the channel, who used her pace to create an opening and fired into the corner.
The hat-trick almost came for Grove when she hit the woodwork on 83 minutes, before Liskeard created their best chance of the game on the counter-attack, Aimee Watson doing well to save.
Cheltenham begin their campaign in another cup competition next week when they take on Downend Flyers in the Gloucestershire FA Trophy.
After the game, Davies said: “The opponents made it difficult and sat in quite deep early doors, so we had to be patient, move the ball and try and find little areas that we could unlock.
“Once we did that, they came out to press a bit more and we were able to play through and find some combinations. We’ve got to build on that performance now and move onto the next one.
“Jade [Grove] is doing really well. She was on BT Sport yesterday with the Futsal and put in a Man of the Match performance today. She’s moving the ball well and in front of goal, she’s looking strong, so we’re really pleased for her and pleased for the team as well.
On the draw for round two, he said: “We always say that we want any home tie. We’ll take whoever we get, we’re not too worried about it. We’ll take it on its merit, go and play the game and enjoy it.”
Cheltenham: Watson, Hallsworth, Barbour-Gresham (Hayward 71), Colley, Jones, Walecki, Criddle, Bevan (Bowden 62), Liggett, Rogers (Haynes 71), Grove.
Subs not used: Butler, Wathan.
