11th August 2017
Cheltenham Town Ladies entertained local rivals Cheltenham Civil Service in a pre season local derby at Petersfield Park last night before a excellent crowd of almost 50 spectators.
This was the home teams fifth pre season friendly and they looked sharper with the game starting at a frenetic pace. The home team should have been in front from their first attack, when a combination of slick passes presented a chance to Alana Taylor, whose shot was well saved by the Civil Service goalkeeper. The pattern continued in the same vain, with the home side creating lots of chances, but unable to take the opportunity. However, a defensive slip by the Robins Ladies led to their opponents scoring from their first shot of the game.
Immediately, the home side struck back. Another slick passing move saw the ball at the feet of Louise Bull who finished with aplomb. Cheltenham doubled their goal tally when a through ball found Sally Butterfield, who scored with a deft finish. The home side went into half time leading 2-1.
Cheltenham Town upped their game another notch in the 2nd half, their passing was excellent, and the Civil Service were penned back in their half for long periods of the half. Again, lots of chances were being made and again the excellent Sally Butterfield weaved her way through the defence to score with a crisp finish.
Manager, Graham Fletcher then made four substitutions, but the intensity from the home side continued, and from the next chance, Ria Salleh, finished well to make the score 4-1. The final goal came for Butterfield, as she completed her hat trick, with another good finish, and Cheltenham Town Ladies, who played with good tempo, and passed well, created lots of chances, ran out comfortable winners 5-1. There were a number of excellent performances epitomised by Suze Berry (pictured) at left back.
Cheltenham Town Ladies’ next pre season friendly is on Sunday 13th August when they travel to Oxford United followed by our last home friendly versus Evesham United on Tuesday 16th.
