23rd October 2022
Report by Kieran Neller.
Henna Butcher was the difference for Cheltenham Town Ladies in hard-fought win on the road at Crawley Wasps.
The Robinesses started strong, a quick shot from Haynes showed the visitors’ attacking intent.
The side’s second chance of the game fell to Butcher (pictured), as she met a high cross with a glancing header, sending the ball just past the post.
Keeping the pressure on, Izzy Cook struck the up-right after a skilful dribble through the Wasps’ defence. She continued her assault with another shot at the edge of the box, this time just clearing the crossbar.
Cook would remain in the thick of it, rattling the woodwork again minutes later, as her long-range effort was pushed onto the bar by Crawley keeper Wiggins.
Kylie Nolan was next to hammer on the Wasps’ door after she collected the ball from the byline and shot from the angle. Wiggins made yet another strong save to deny the Welsh International.
The half ended with the ball in the Cheltenham goal as Crawley shot into the vacant net with Watson down injured, but it was chalked off as the referee called for a drop ball.
The Robinesses continued their onslaught into the second half as Billie Haynes hit the woodwork for a third time in the game, with the ball flying into the ground to the feet of Emma Congrave before being collected by the keeper.
Cheltenham finally got their breakthrough in the 50th minute, as Butcher latched onto a perfectly weighted through-ball from Nolan and touched the ball passed the keeper and into the net.
Another chance came for Butcher at the edge of the box as she found a yard and struck through the gap but couldn’t find the target.
Aimee Watson made a crucial touch at the other end to deny a chance for the home side, palming the cross away from danger.
The Wasps had a dangerous looking attack denied by the linesman in the dying embers of the game to maintain Cheltenham’s clean sheet.
Cheltenham Town Ladies are back in action next Sunday as they face AFC St Austell in the first round of the FA Women’s National League Plate Competition.
Cheltenham: Watson, Jones (Barbour-Gresham 86), Owen, Fallon, Nolan, Cook, Butcher (Collis 71), Taylor, Haynes, Wathan (Newns 81), Congrave (Grove 61),
Subs not used: Beck-Esson.
Cheltenham Player of the Match: Henna Butcher.
For the digital match programme for this game, click here.
