6th February 2017
Match report by Lawrence Taylor, University of Gloucestershire Media Graduate
Cheltenham Town Ladies’ slow start proved costly as they lost 3-1 to Brislington Ladies in the Women’s Premier League.
With the Petersfield Park being deemed unplayable the Robins went to great lengths to host the game at Hartpury Sports Academy on a 3G pitch.
However, Cheltenham failed to adapt to the quicker surface and found themselves on the back foot. An early corner was punched away by Bec Panniers in goal but the ball fell kindly to a Brislington player who volleyed into the back of the net, putting the away side ahead.
After the shaky start Cheltenham began to settle into the game. A free-kick from Jen Brown-Wealls was whipped into the box but the ball ricocheted of a Robins player and behind for a corner.
Cheltenham’s best chance of the first half came from another Brown-Wealls free-kick. The captain floated the ball into the box and Ella Hitchcox came only inches away from getting on the end of it.
Poor defending near the end of the first-half then allowed a Brislington player to weave her way into the box and score their second.
Half time: Cheltenham Town Ladies 0 Brislington Ladies 2
Manager Graham Fletcher acted positively during the break to change the team formation and the ladies immediately began the second half far more strongly.
Ria Salleh was pushed into a more attacking role and she soon managed to break the offside trap to find herself through on goal. However, her shot sailed wide after pressure from the recovering Brislington defence.
Although Cheltenham were on the front foot for the majority of the second half, Brislington found some space down the right flank and cut the ball into the area for a Brislington player to score their third goal of the game all but sealing the victory.
Cheltenham’s heads didn’t drop and they managed to get a consolation goal late on. Brown-Wealls once again put in a teasing free-kick and this time Louise Fensome (pictured) powered a header past the Brislington goalkeeper.
Cheltenham continued to press late on and with pretty much the last kick of the game substitute Holly Rogers found some space in the box but her shot was saved.
The result was a disappointing one for the Robins but the second half showed some promising signs ahead of next week’s challenging fixture away to Southampton.
