10th April 2021
Relive the magic of the last week’s Vitality Women’s FA Cup through the lens of Mike Halford as Cheltenham pushed Portsmouth all the way into extra time at Westleigh Park.
The Robinesses took Portsmouth all the way through 120 minutes of football after a three-and-a-half month break due to the national lockdown, with Kirsten Rendall returning for her first appearance of the season, come off the bench to replace Becks Halford, while Molly Ripley would make her debut, replacing first choice Robyn Levett after she picked up a nasty knee injury.
Portsmouth seemed to have advanced through to the Third Round after what Cheltenham manager, Tom Davies, described as “unsavable” goals – An inswinging corner going directly in from Jade Bradley and a Rebecca Bath rocket from the edge of the box five minutes later.
However, following an administrative error from Portsmouth Women, Gloucestershire’s biggest women’s football club saw themselves reinstated to the competition.
They will now play host to Gillingham Women in the Third Round and supporters will be able to enjoy the action from the comfort of their homes, with the game being streamed live on the Cheltenham Town Ladies FC official YouTube page.
