4th October 2021
Report by Jamie Cameron
The Robins completed a busy week with a creditable 0-0 draw away at AFC Bournemouth to make it seven points in eight days.
Cheltenham had won comfortably at Maidenhead and come from behind to beat Portishead in a week that saw them move top of the league, and they backed up those credentials by coming away from one of the title favourites with a point.
Steve Cuss’ Cherries were unbeaten in the league before this contest, and with it being difficult conditions and a long trip for the Robins, the game looked a daunting task.
Bournemouth did create the better chances, but Cheltenham defended excellently and had a chance or two on the break to steal all three points.
Manager Tom Davies started with a five-at-the-back system once again, with Lois Colley coming in as one of the wide centre-backs in place of Courtney Jones.
The only other changes from the Portishead victory saw Charlotte Criddle and Jade Grove replace Kate Bowden and Holly Rogers respectively.
Criddle (pictured) had Cheltenham’s first shot of the game, an ambitious effort from a 40-yard free-kick which went wide, with Grove also involved in the early stages, shooting into the side netting,
The Cherries almost took the lead from a quickly-taken free-kick, which Aimee Watson did very well to scramble across to and save, having been caught off guard.
It was the hosts who had slightly more territory in the first half, but most of their chances came from range.
Cheltenham continued to deny their opponents many openings as the second period got underway, with a combination of impressive defending and good game management.
Another set piece nearly found its way in as it dropped to a Bournemouth player inside the Robins area, but she poked just wide of the post.
Davies went for it on 75 minutes, bringing on Rogers for Colley, which really opened the game up in the final stages.
The hosts hit the post from a header, before a dangerous cross from Rogers was gathered by the ‘keeper inside the six-yard box.
Molly Clark then narrowly missed with a bicycle kick for Bournemouth, and Rogers had a great chance one-on-one on the counter-attack.
It was a strong challenge from the defender to stop her momentum, and although Rogers did well to get a shot off, the ‘keeper stopped it with her legs.
Cheltenham finished the game with five-at-the-back after Jones replaced Grove, and that helped to see out a very respectable point.
It’s now three weeks until the Robins’ next competitive game, but before then, they are in friendly action against Boldmere St Michael’s and Sporting Khalsa.
Cheltenham: Watson, Hallsworth, Barbour-Gresham, Butler, Colley (Rogers 75), Haynes, Criddle, Liggett, Bevan, Grove (Jones 88), Wathan.
Subs not used: Walecki, Hayward, Donnelly.
Robins’ Player of the Match: Amy Wathan.
