10th March 2024
Report by Grace Gunn.
Cheltenham Town Ladies earn their first three points of 2024 after an important 6-3 away win to London Bees.
An action-packed opening 20 minutes saw the hosts London Bees take the lead but an instant reply from Ella Pemberton and Phoebie Poole (pictured) saw the Robinesses ahead.
The goals continued as Charlie Taylor poke home an effort with Henna Butcher joining in on the action just moments later.
Cheltenham added a fifth to their tally after Emily Allen produced a great chip over Amber Webber, but the Bees pulled two back on just before half time.
Poole converted her second of the match to wrap up all three points away from home.
First Half:
The hosts took the lead after Abbie Bensted caught Aimee Watson off her line, but the lead was short lived after Pemberton netted her first club for the side from long range.
One soon became two as Poole struck a lovely finish with Taylor tapping in to create a two-goal lead after just 20 minutes.
The visitors lead extended to three after Butcher slotted her first timed effort past Webber and the Robinesses weren’t done there with Allen adding a fifth on the 30-minute mark.
Bees pulled one back soon after, but the chances continued to flow for Cheltenham as Butcher looked to nod her effort home however it drifted just wide.
Heading into half time Allen smashed the cross bar from a narrow angle before Bees converted their third on the stroke of half time.
A frantic half came to a close as Cheltenham led 5-3 at the break.
Second Half:
Tom Davies’ side came out just as they left off as Butcher looked to send in a low driven cross, but keeper Webber came out to prevent the danger.
Despite a non-stop first half, the two sides continued to battle with Pemberton taking aim on the edge of the box, but the midfielder’s effort blazed over the bar.
On the hour mark Poole restored their three-goal lead after Butcher drove through the midfield, flicking the ball through the feet of the number nine, who dispatched to claim her brace.
Substitute Una Lue got straight into the action as the youngster drove through, letting go from range but her low shot rolled just wide of the post.
With 10 minutes to go, Davies handed debuts to Kat Bach and Eva Flitney as they looked to see out the game.
Despite a late flurry of chances, the Robinesses secured all three points following a convincing 6-3 win over relegation-threatened London Bees.
Cheltenham: Watson, Llewellyn, Owen, Buxton (Flitney 82), Ackerman, Allen (Lue 67), Collis (Davies 67), Taylor (Lewis 60), Pemberton, Butcher, Poole (Bach 80).
