21st August 2017
Cheltenham Town Ladies’ opening game of the new FAWPL season resulted in a 2-0 defeat against Southampton Saints.
The game was pretty evenly contested in the first 25 minutes or so, but the best chances fell to the home side. Cheltenham struggled to get their usual very good passing game going and were unable to create any real clear cut chances. From a debatable free kick, Southampton took the lead after 34 minutes. Cheltenham failed to deal with the cross and the home side took their chance. Half time arrived with the same pattern, Southampton on the front foot, with Cheltenham resolute in defence.
The 2nd half was played in the same vain, Southampton in the ascendancy, but whilst keeping Cheltenham at bay, they didn’t create a huge number of chances. Cheltenham’s best chance of the half came from a long range effort from Louise Fensome, whose shot cannoned off the cross bar, luckily into the hands of the home goalkeeper. On 80 minutes a defensive error allow home captain, Krystle White to double their lead, and the game was won.
Manager, Graham Fletcher, reflecting on the performance, said : ‘We didn’t get our passing game together today, and that was reflected in the fact that we never put them under any real pressure, which was disappointing. I can’t fault my players, as they worked really hard, and tried very hard to make things happen, but it was one of those days. We had five players under 20 in the squad, and that was encouraging, but we have to improve, be positive, and move forward to next Sunday’s home game against Keynsham Town, 2pm at Petersfield Park.”
Team: R Clark, S Walters, N Purvis, T Marriott, L Dawson, R Salleh, L Fensome, A Davies, J Brown-Wealls, H Rogers, E Briscoe, H Kay, Y Francis, R Jamieson.
