23rd August 2019
With the return of cup action, Cheltenham Town Ladies make a 266 mile round trip, to Billericay Town Ladies in the Determining Round of the FA Women’s National League League Cup. The losers of the this round aren’t eliminated, as this acts as a decider to determine who will feature in the League Cup and the League Plate.
Manager Alex Cheal believes this inability to be eliminated makes the game a little less stressful.
“It’s a bit of a break from league action which gives us a chance to rotate, give a few extras a go. Obviously the trip to Billericay isn’t a kind one, but it sets us up well for league action the following Sunday. It’s just a different environment, a chance to play a new team and just minutes in legs really. Regardless of whether we win or lose, we’ll take the positives from whatever comes.
“Billericay seem to be doing everything in the right way, so it’ll be a nice early test that will give us a marker of ‘are we going to be ready for those around us in the league?‘ so like I say, it’s a very welcome distraction.
“Sadly we’re without Kerry Bartlett, who is undergoing radiotherapy on her ankle. It’s frustrating for her, cause she just wants to get out there playing. She’s doing everything she can to put her in the frame but we’re just saying ‘no pressure, it is what it is‘, and it’s the same or Annie [Martin] and Sammy [Hallsworth] as well. We’ve got three great players there with a wealth of experience, but we’re not able to call on them right now. But even when we can, they’re not going to walk straight back in. We’ve got some of the most talented players and it’s about them working their way back into the team.
“Cause it’s a cup game, where we can’t be knocked out, there’s really no pressure. We said the same at Luton, and we went there and won and it put us in the tough competition, took us to Cardiff and that performance, where we pushed them all the way, really kickstarted our belief.
Regardless of whether we win or lose is irrelivant, we just want to put in a good performance and build on last week.”
Team News
Striker, Kerry Bartlett is unavailable, along with Annie Martin (knee) and Sammy Hallsworth (ankle).
Midfielder Louise Fensome is also absent from the side, not due to injury, just unavailability. Young loanee and playmaker, Georgia Brown, returns to the team to replace her.
Young striker, Holly Fenton, is set to make her full debut after missing out last weekend, while winger Caitlin Marron steps up from the Reserves after some good showings in training.
New signing Sarah King is also set to make her debut after being unavailable last weekend.
Opposition
Billericay started 2019/20 in fine fashion, carving out a 5-2 victory over Kent Football United and they find themselves in second in the FA WNL Division 1 South-East, the same position they found themselves in at the end of the 2018/19 campaign.
In the FA WNL League Cup last season, after a 10-1 victory of Maideanhead in the Determining Round they received a bye straight through to the second round, before being eliminated by Chichester City Ladies 2-0.
Their previous league campaign was one to remember fondly, with 15 wins from 22, three draws and four losses, including wins over Stevenage Ladies (6-1), Denham Ladies (6-0), Actonians Ladies (6-3), and a 31-0 destruction of Rayleigh Town Ladies in the Essex Women’s County Cup.
Previous Meetings
Sunday will be the first meeting between the two teams.
With both teams picking up impressive wins on the opening day, and Cheltenham hoping for the return of Kerry Bartlett, who missed the Poole game due to injury, the match is set to be a barnstormer.
Directions and Price
Billericay Town Ladies FC
AGP Arena
Blunts Wall Road
Billericay
CM12 9SA
Entry for Over 18’s is £3
Match Coverage
For real-time match coverage, follow our twitter page, @CTLadies. You can also check the club’s Facebook and Instagram for half time and full time scores.
