14th October 2019
Weston 0
CTLFC Reserves 10
Goalscorers:
Weston:
Cheltenham: Marron 6′, Marshall 8′ 88′, Fenton 12′, 25′, Wadey 40′, Galpin 55′, Gough 48′, 62′, 64′
By Ben Ware
In a battle of Seagulls vs Robins, it was Robins that emerged victorious, in an interesting game which saw 10 goals from 6 scorers, 3 different Cheltenham goalkeepers and 4 players being forced off with injury.
The scoring started early into the game as Naomii Marshall hit the bar with a rocket of a shot and Caitlin Marron (pictured) collected the ball, cut inside and lobbed the keeper beautifully.
The next goal came just 2 minutes later, Naomii Marshall and Caitlin Marron involved again as Naomii tapped in Marron’s cross at the far post.
12 minutes in and Holly Fenton made it three, finishing calmly into the bottom left corner after a superb ball from right back Amie Boyce.
Weston had their chances going forward but a brilliant one on one save from Molly Ripley denied them their best chance of the half as she came out bravely to meet the attacker.
Holly Fenton grabbed another soon after, running onto an Abbi Barker through ball and slotting calmly past the onrushing keeper.
With five minutes left of the first half, Jess Wadey added a fifth. An inviting Marron corner saw midfielder Jess Wadey rise highest to head home.
Half time: Weston 0-5 CTLFC Reserves
Just minutes into the second half Leonie Gough grabbed her first, putting away Roxy’s cross before Hannah Galpin made it 7, heading home another Caitlin Marron cross.
Molly Ripley was then forced off injured, coming out bravely again to meet the attacker. As Ripley made the collection, the rushing striker was involved in a coming together with Cheltenham captain Jenna Lepore, whose knee collided with the young goalkeeper.
With the Robins forced into a change, goal scorer turned goalkeeper, as Holly Fenton stepped up between the sticks, making a fantastic save to pluck one shot out of the air and parrying away a one-on-one shot heading for the top corner, as well as volleying away Weston’s crosses.
Two more Cheltenham players were forced off with Roxy Smith and Marron coming off, joining the previously injured Jen Lepore and Molly Ripley on the bench, leaving Cam’s side with a single fit substitute.
Thirty minutes into the second half, Leonie Gough grabbed another, smashing past the goalkeeper. Minutes later she’d make it a hat-trick, tapping in Naomii Marshall’s cross at the far post.
We then saw Cheltenham’s third ‘keeper change of the day, with Caitlin Marron recovering enough to fill the gloves.
The Robins bagged their final goal as Naomii Marshall dispossessed a Weston defender and lobbed the keeper for her second of the game from a good angle.
A nasty tackle was the last occurrence of note as westons number 7 received the first and somehow only yellow of the game.
The game finished 10-0 to Cheltenham making it their second win in a row, third of the season, and an absolute dream for the goal difference.
Cheltenham: M. Ripley, A. Boyce, J. Lepore, A. Barker, A. Barnes, J. Wadey, B. Young, C. Marron, R. Smith, N. Marshall, H. Fenton.
(Rolling) Substitutes: E. Simpson, L. Gough, N. Sullivan, H. Galpin
Reaction
“You can’t be any happier than scoring ten goals in a game, but it was a bit easy for us today as the opposition weren’t at their best, and they can be a handful on their day. But the target for the girls was to see the game out and at half time we were leading by 5, so that allowed us to make changes and give the girls plenty of game time.
“For us, with the injuries, it was a case of seeing what we could do really. When Molly came off, we put Holly [Fenton] in goal, then Caitlin [Marron] in goal – and everyone kinda wanted a go in goal after that! But it was great to see, and the girls have really come together since pre-season as well now, and as a group we all trust each other now so when being asked to do a job they’re not used to they’re still able to make it happen.
“It’s a tough game, the girls were spot on for about 80% of the game, I can’t be too critical, we’ve scored ten goals and dominated the opposition which is what we want. So we have to make sure we build on that going into a bit of a different challenge next weekend.”
“Very good game, and I’m very pleased with my performance as well, it’s great to be able to help out the team with the assists and spend half an hour in goal. To win 10-0 really sums it up, how well we played and it was a great game to watch. It was also really nice to get out of my goal drought, and get some great headers off of corners and a couple of crosses too!
[On a possible promotion] “I can just see it now, our names are in lights! If we keep scoring lots of goals, we can get back to our top end position [from last season], and start making aims for top two or three, or potentially win the league. That’s what I and the team want to do. We don’t want to settle for anything less, and that’s reflected in our recent performances. We’ve got the drive and determination to make it happen.
“The win moves us to fourth, which is good, but if we think too much into it and focus on figures, on league positions, cause we want to avoid any possible complacency. All in all though, today was sick! I’m buzzing!”
