21st January 2019
Cheltenham Town Ladies suffered only their second League defeat of the season in controversial circumstances at Buckland Athletic LFC.
Having twice taken the lead and dominating the match, in terms of possession and goal efforts, the Ladies succumbed to some questionable refereeing decisions.
Annie Martin, who was captaining the side in place of the absent Sarah Walters, netted on 32 minutes to give the Robins a deserved lead following a cross from the left by Ella Hitchcox. The lead should be been much greater by the 45th minute when a Buckland player clearly handled the ball in the build up and as Cheltenham stood still in appeal the ball was poked home.
Half time: 1-1
The goal clearly inspired Buckland who came out for the second spell in more determined style and Cheltenham had to defend resolutely to keep the scores level. However, the storm was weathered and again the Ladies assumed control.
On 62 minutes Rose Knuckey (pictured) took a short pass from Louise Fensome and unleashed a superb strike from 25 yards into the top corner.
At that stage there looked like there would be only one winner but the home side was awarded a dubious penalty on 74 minutes after Fensome was penalised after winning a 50/50 challenge. This was duly dispatched.
Still, Cheltenham took the game to Buckland who had their keeper to thank for some good saves.
With 5 minutes to go Buckland caught the Ladies with a counter attack and took the lead for the first time and held on for the final minutes.
Full time: 3-2
Alex Cheal commented: “We are gutted. This is a game which we should have deservedly won. More possession, more corners, more goal efforts and their keeper was POTM which says it all.
However, they had two strikes on goal and scored from both. I can’t fault the players and we look forward to Larkhall at home next Sunday.”
Team:
Panniers, Leask (Hateley), Morris, Dolloway, Brown, Wilkins, Newns (Knuckey), Fensome, Butterfield (Davies), Hitchcox, Martin.
