18th April 2022
Report by Jamie Cameron
The Robins beat Chesham United 3-1 to seal a maiden promotion to the third tier of women’s football on a historic day at the Corinium Stadium.
After a superb 16-game unbeaten run in the league, Cheltenham had put themselves in a position where they knew a win in this, the final league game of the campaign, would confirm the title.
Town were two goals up at half-time, and eventually ran out 3-1 winners with Lacy-Jai Liggett and Rhian Robbins on the scoresheet.
Nearest challengers Bournemouth were beaten 5-0 by Exeter, meaning the Robins will win the league by five points.
Manager Tom Davies made two changes to the team that beat the Grecians a fortnight ago, as Abby Bevan and Jade Grove replaced Charlotte Criddle and Robbins.
Cheltenham got out of the blocks quicker, with Liggett (pictured) having a couple of efforts on target.
Grove was the next to test Lucia Delves with a sharp snapshot, before Bevan went round the ‘keeper and shot just wide when off balance.
The Robins didn’t have to wait too long to settle the nerves however, as Liggett won the ball in the final third and slid it home under Delves.
Five minutes later, the striker completed yet another brace to continue her outstanding season, volleying into the far corner from a fairly tight angle.
It was a quiet end to the first half, but Liggett did threaten a hat-trick, testing Delves on two more occasions.
Cheltenham could go in at the break thoroughly satisfied with their 45 minutes’ work, and with the knowledge of the Bournemouth score, confident that the title was on its way.
That didn’t mean the performance slipped at all though, as the Robins almost completely nullified any attacking impetus from Chesham, with Emily Owen coming close to a third.
The Generals had the ball in the net on 65 minutes after a superb finish, but it was ruled out for offside.
Cheltenham had their third 15 minutes from time when substitute Robbins raced clear and slotted home coolly to seal the win.
Holly Rogers, who had also come off the bench, almost got on the scoresheet as well, but the underside of the crossbar denied her.
Chesham did earn a consolation in the final few minutes, but the Robins saw it out comfortably to finish a magnificent season with yet another win.
After the game, manager Tom Davies said: “We dominated a lot of possession, it was quite a slow match, but once we got the goals and got in front, we’ve got a really good defensive record, so I was confident that we’d see the game out.”
Chairman Andy Liddle added: “If you look at our performances, particularly in the second half of the season, I think we’re going to more than hold our own next year.
“It’s a really exciting time and all credit to Tom and the girls for what they’ve achieved this season.”
The Robins have one game remaining before the summer break, the Gloucestershire FA Women’s Trophy final against Almondsbury, this Tuesday, 19 April at Oaklands Park.
Cheltenham: Watson, Owen, Butler, Barbour-Gresham, Hallsworth, Jones (Criddle 62), Bevan (Rogers 72), Liggett (Robbins 67), Haynes, Grove (Hayward 62), Wathan (Reed 72).
Robins’ Player of the Match: Lacy-Jai Liggett.
For the digital match programme for this game, click here.
