29th January 2023
Report by Kieran Neller.
Cheltenham Town’s complete performance sees off Billericay and rounds off league double.
The Robinesses started aggressively, pinning the home side into their half.
A shot from Izzy Cook (pictured) after 10 minutes was the first threat from Cheltenham. The attacker lobbed her marker, before bringing the ball onto her left foot and letting loose just wide of the target.
Billericay returned the shot, as Zoe Rushen’s shot flew over from her free-kick.
Libby Davies released a thumping effort on goal, and struck a defender’s arm. The referee pointed to the spot.
Skipper Emily Owen stepped up to take and placed the shot into the bottom corner with composure at the half hour mark.
Cook kept pushing for Cheltenham, as she fired two shots in quick succession into the Billericay’s shot-stopper Alex Baker.
The Robinesses broke through in the 52nd minute. The attack combined to pass effortlessly through the home side’s defence. Cook released the shot, which the keeper saved, but the attacker volleyed home the rebound to put the visitors two goals ahead.
It only took five more minutes for Cheltenham to secure a third goal. Libby Davies lobbed the keeper from range in her first start for the side.
At the other end, Cheltenham number one Aimee Watson dealt with a series of awkward balls into the box.
Forward Emma Congrave affected the game immediately. She carried the ball deep into the box before striking low and hard under the keeper and into the net to put the Robinesses four goals to the good.
In the dying moments of the game, Watson produced a moment of brilliance, flicking a ball around the post while unsighted to maintain the away side’s clean sheet.
Cheltenham are back at home next weekend when they face league leaders Oxford United on Sunday, 5th February.
Cheltenham: Watson, Jones, Fallon (Finch 64), Taylor, Holden (Newns 76), Cook, Owen, Haynes, Collis (A. Davies 67), Nolan, L. Davies (Congrave 72)
Cheltenham Player of the Match: Aimee Watson.
