11th December 2022
Report by Kieran Neller.
Captain Emily Owen’s brace helped secure victory over tough Cambridge United side in the second round of the FAWNL League Plate.
The Robinesses started bright, with a goal in the first five minutes. Billie Haynes dashed a ball into the box for striker Emma Congrave (pictured), who poked the chance past the on-rushing keeper to take the lead.
It took until the half hour mark for Cheltenham to come close to scoring again. Issy Newns took on a long-range effort and rattled the woodwork as the visitors pushed for another goal.
The chances kept flowing for Cheltenham, as Kylie Nolan’s deep run resulted in a cutback to Charlie Taylor, who drilled the ball first time, narrowly missing the target.
Moments later, Haynes saw Webb off her line and attempted a lob from range, clearing the keeper, but striking the topside of the crossbar.
Skipper Emily Owen doubled the Cheltenham lead just before the half, as a clever free kick beneath the wall took a fortunate deflection and squirmed past the wrong-footed keeper.
Cambridge came back strongly at the start of the second half, with Sarah Wiltshire scoring a penalty in the first few minutes of the half to weaken Cheltenham’s lead.
Nolan carried the ball into the Cambridge area, and after jumping to intercept an attempted clear, was taken down in the box to earn the Robinesses a chance to regain their two-goal advantage.
Owen stepped up and scored her second goal of the game with a cleanly struck finish from the spot.
The home side kept pushing, and reduced the deficit for a second time with a long-range effort from Wiltshire.
Substitute Henna Butcher put the game out of Cambridge’s reach, with a well-placed finish in the 92nd minute that secured Cheltenham a place in the Quarter Final.
The win means that the side will either face Ashford Town from the FA Women’s National League South-East, or Crawley Wasps, who Cheltenham beat in the Southern Premier earlier in the season.
Cheltenham: Hannam, Jones, Owen, Fallon, Nolan, Newns, Collis, Cook (Butcher 72), Haynes, Congrave (Grove 72), Taylor (Wathan 81).
Subs not used: Finch
Cheltenham Player of the Match: Kylie Nolan
