12th October 2022
Report by Kieran Neller.
In their first midweek home game of the season, Cheltenham Town Ladies were held to a draw in a thrilling encounter with Bridgwater United Women.
Tuesday evening saw the sides face each other for the first time in a competitive fixture, under the floodlights at the Corinium Stadium.
The visitors started the game on the front foot, with a spell of early pressure which was eventually cleared to safety by Courtney Jones.
The Robinesses retaliated, with an early corner being steered on target at the far post by Charlie Taylor, but the ball couldn’t get past the Bridgwater bodies on the goal line.
The early intensity continued throughout the first half, but without any clear-cut chances, with a number weak Bridgwater shots being collected by Cheltenham keeper Aimee Watson.
The second half brought an even more tense atmosphere. Bridgwater were given a free kick on the edge of the box and forced a brilliant low save from Watson before Cheltenham would take the upper hand.
The Robinesses pushed forward and got their reward. A darting run from Emma Congrave put pressure on Bridgwater defender Keeley Banfield who collapsed over the ball, handling it, and gifting the home team a penalty.
Skipper Emily Owen (pictured) stepped up and slotted the penalty away to put the Robinesses ahead at the hour mark.
Bridgwater responded and piled pressure on the home side, with striker Ellie Sara almost latching onto a scuffed shot from her teammate, but the chance rolled out for a goal kick.
Watson was forced into action again not long after, as she dived across her area to save a strong far post shot from Sara.
In the 87th minute, huge appeals for a second penalty were waived away by the referee after Henna Butcher was pushed to the ground in the box. From the resulting goal kick Bridgwater found their way through. A 25-yard shot from Laura Holden finds the top right corner, leaving no chance for Watson.
The final moments of the game were as frantic as the rest. Kylie Nolan came close to scoring with a shot from the edge of the box that narrowly flew wide of the post.
Nolan had another chance soon after as she latched onto a through-ball with just the keeper in front of her, but the Welsh International couldn’t lift the shot over the on-rushing Beth Howard.
A few moments later at the other end, Jones made an inch-perfect tackle to deny the visitors a last gasp win.
Cheltenham Town Ladies are back on the road for their next fixture as they face Crawley Wasps on Sunday 23 October.
Cheltenham: Watson, Jones, Owen, Fallon, Nolan, Taylor, Collis (Barbour-Gresham 81), Cook (Butcher 65), Haynes, Newns (Wathan 71), Congrave (Grove 77).
Subs not used: Asker
Cheltenham Player of the Match: Izzy Cook.
For the digital match programme for this game, click here.
