22nd November 2021
Report by Jamie Cameron
An impressive win at Downend Flyers saw the Robins make it three wins in three different cups over the last three weeks.
After progressing in the FA WNL Plate and the FA Cup, this weekend saw the beginning of Cheltenham’s Gloucestershire FA Women’s Trophy campaign.
It was a comfortable affair that could’ve had more goals on another day, with the performance bookended by a Lacy-Jai Liggett (pictured) brace.
In addition to an own goal by the Bristol-based hosts, Jade Grove, Ellie Walecki and Amy Wathan were also on the scoresheet.
Tom Davies made three changes to the side that saw off Liskeard in the FA Cup, as Mai Butler, Billie Haynes and Amy Wathan replaced Georgie-Marie Barbour-Gresham, Sammy Hallsworth and Holly Rogers.
It was a nervy start from Downend under plenty of Cheltenham pressure, and Liggett and Grove both went close early on.
Liggett broke the deadlock on 15 minutes, letting fly with an unstoppable shot into the far corner after Wathan lofted the ball over the defence.
The hosts handed Davies’ side a second 10 minutes later, as their ‘keeper missed her kick when attempting to clear a back pass and the ball trickled into the net.
After a brief spell of Downend pressure, Cheltenham ended the half on top, but couldn’t add to their two-goal advantage.
However, the lead became three at the start of the second half as the ball fell to Grove at the back post and she made no mistake to continue her run of goalscoring form.
Haynes missed a golden chance to get on the scoresheet, but two minutes later, Ellie Walecki did so for the first time, expertly placing an effort into the corner from 20 yards.
The Robins had a series of corners around the 70-minute mark, which came to nothing until Rogers put one just over the ‘keeper’s head, which allowed Wathan to head in unchallenged.
The scoreline was beginning to reflect the general pattern of play, and that was enhanced in the final moments when Liggett sealed her first brace for Cheltenham.
Her finish was just as emphatic as the first, firing into the roof of the net from 12 yards out.
Town continue to flourish on four fronts as they progressed in the Gloucestershire FA Women’s Trophy in style.
Afterwards, Davies said: “It’s always difficult coming away from home, getting used to the conditions and moving the ball in the way that we want to.
“We felt that we could’ve been a bit more clinical as we got the ball into good areas, but overall, it was a good performance.
“We were a lot better in the second half and we moved the ball with a bit more quality and a bit more purpose, which we were pleased with.”
Looking ahead to the next two weeks, with important cup games against Southampton Women’s and West Bromwich Albion, Davies said: “We’re really excited for those games and we’ve earned that opportunity.
“We’re going to go out and enjoy them and see what happens.”
Cheltenham: Watson, Butler, Jones (Hallsworth 46), Colley, Walecki, Haynes, Criddle (Hayward 60), Liggett, Bevan, Grove (Rogers 60), Wathan.
Image courtesy of Jon Harris.
