27th August 2021
Report by Jamie Cameron
A hard-fought local derby ended all-square as Cheltenham Town Ladies couldn’t quite find a winning goal against Swindon Town Women.
The anticipated first evening game of the season took place at the Corinium Stadium in Cirencester, and despite the hosts creating more chances, both sides took home a point after a 1-1 draw.
Lacy-Jai Liggett had given Cheltenham the lead inside five minutes, but the advantage only lasted for a quarter of an hour as Annie Colston levelled for the visitors.
The hosts tested Swindon ‘keeper Emily McGrogan on several occasions, and had a penalty appeal or two waved away. The result sees Cheltenham stay just ahead of their visitors in the table, with four points on the board compared to Swindon’s three, although Swindon remain unbeaten.
Manager Tom Davies made two changes to the side that eased past Poole Town on Sunday, as Tamzin Hayward and Lois Colley took the place of Billie Haynes and Angelina Goodwin.
It was Davies’ team who took the game by the scruff of the neck early on, as Amy Wathan won the ball on the halfway line and started a move that saw Holly Rogers slip Liggett through, who finished calmly.
The same duo combined for the hosts’ only other goal at home this season, and both were involved in plenty of Cheltenham’s chance creation throughout the evening.
The home side probed for a second, as Liggett put in a great ball that just evaded Rogers, but Swindon equalised with one of their first attacks when a cross found Colston, who did well to swivel and get a shot off that looped over Aimee Watson.
Swindon started to build in confidence after that as a swift counter-attack gave them a clear chance, which Watson did well to keep out.
The final stages of the first half saw Liggett come close from range, but the sides went into the interval level.
Cheltenham began the second period on the front foot as Wathan created another opening for Liggett, before Rogers was seemingly pulled back in the area when about to pull the trigger.
On another day, it would’ve been a penalty for the hosts, but they didn’t let it affect them, continuing to push forward for a second goal.
The game continued to be a matter of fine margins as another teasing cross was put in, this time by Rogers, which Liggett just couldn’t connect with.
Abby Bevan and Becky Donnelly then both tested McGrogan, before Helena Diaz-Butcher had a rare opportunity for the visitors. Her shot was well-saved by Watson.
Cheltenham had two guilt-edged chances to win it in added time, as a throw-in fell to Rogers, with her shot blocked on the line, before Liggett sprinted in on goal, but was denied by the excellent McGrogan.
It was the Swindon ‘keeper who earned them a point on derby day, but there are plenty of positives to take for Cheltenham ahead of the trip to Exeter on Sunday.
Cheltenham: Watson, Hallsworth, Butler, Colley, Liggett, Criddle, Bevan, Barbour-Gresham, Rogers, Hayward (Donnelly 77), Wathan.
Subs not used: Jones, Dix, Goodwin.
Robins’ Player of the Match: Lacy-Jai Liggett.
For the digital match programme for this game, click here.
