12th January 2017
Cheltenham Dev 6-0 Team Mendip
Report by Manager Adam Ryman
Unfortunately for Mendip they only had nine players from the start of the game and they were always going to be up against it from the start. Mendip actually started the better team and were on the front foot from the beginning, winning a few corners and making it difficult for Cheltenham.
Cheltenham grew in to the game though and were having a lot of joy through the wide areas. Eventually the pressure told as Lauren Cable (pictured) battled her way through and finished well in the bottom corner. Shortly afterwards it was 2-0 as a good ball over the top found Lauren Cable again who chipped the keeper. Cheltenham continued to press but couldn’t find another goal before half time.
Cheltenham started the second half a lot better than the first and got their rewards early on in the half. Kayla Garland came in from the left and fed a ball through to Yas Francis who capitalised on a goalkeeper error and finished calmly. Shortly after, a corner wasn’t cleared effectively by Mendip and the ball fell to Abbie Jones on the edge of the box who rifled home a half volley in to the corner.
Cheltenham continued to be in the ascendency and again were having joy out wide. The fifth goal came with both wingers combining. Becca Harris drilled a low cross through the box and Becky Mansfield was on hand at the back post to finish calmly for her first goal for the club. Cheltenham’s defenders got a lot more confident as the game progressed and were pushing further up the field and joining attacks. The 6th goal was another great strike from Abbie Jones as she capped off her comeback game with a wonderful brace.
A special mention goes to Abbi Barker in the centre of midfield who showed great composure and passing to keep Cheltenham ticking over and starting many attacks.
It was a good start to the new year for Cheltenham. It probably wasn’t their best display of the season but the three points is all that matters.
