14th August 2017
Cheltenham Town Ladies travelled to Women’s Super League Oxford United for their penultimate pre season friendly and their toughest opposition to date.
Oxford started with a mixture of Development and Reserve players and were quick and incisive with their passing, putting Cheltenham Ladies under pressure. But the visitors started to settle into the game and create their own chances. Indebted to some great saves by keeper, Bec Panniers (pictured) Cheltenham rode their luck, but still played with good purpose, and kept their composure. From a breakdown from an Oxford attack, Cheltenham counter attacked, and Ria Salleh scored with a smart finish, 1-0 to Cheltenham, which is the way the first half finished.
Oxford, then swapped their entire team for a mixture of 1st team squad players, their quality was evident from the start of the 2nd half. But Cheltenham stuck to their game, but the pressure finally told in the 65th minute, as Oxford levelled with a smart finish. Further goals in the 73rd and 80th minutes, saw the home side win an exciting and competitive friendly,
Cheltenham Town Manager, Graham Fletcher, reflecting on the result, said: ‘I thought we played really well in the 1st half. We rode our luck a little, but then started to create our own chances. Our goal was the least we deserved, as it could easily have been more. It’s a compliment to my team when the opposition change their team at half time, and Oxford were very good. We started to tire, but continued to compete. A really good goal got them level, followed by two further well worked goals won it for them, but overall I was really pleased with the players efforts, their match fitness is getting better, and team play continues to improve, I’m pleased with the progression.”
It was great to play Oxford United, their manager, Andy Cook was very complimentary after the game, which was nice. We move on to our final per season friendly on Tuesday, when we entertain Evesham United, KO 7:30pm at Petersfield Park.
