22nd October 2023
Report by Grace Gunn.
Cheltenham Town’s Phoebie Poole converted the only goal of the game as the Robinesses earn their first win on the road.
A cagey opening first half saw the two sides level with the score line poised at 0-0 at the break despite positive periods of play from both sides.
The deadlock was soon broken after the break with the Robinesses’ number nine calmly slotting the ball into the back of the net.
The visitors battled hard as they stood resolute, keeping their first league clean sheet of the season, and securing all three points, moving up to seventh in the league.
First Half
Both sides went toe-to-toe in the opening phases with neither side producing any clear-cut chances, but it was the Robinesses who had the first shot on target after Daisy Ackerman tried her luck from range.
Another chance came for the wing back as Ackerman was left in space, but the attempt again drifted wide.
A chance came for the hosts as they looked to get away, but goalkeeper Aimee Watson made no mistake in preventing the danger.
Manager Tom Davies rewarded Una Lue with her first start for the club and it was almost a dream start for the striker, but the home side’s keeper provided a vital touch, preventing the opener.
The chances began to flow as striker Poole skipped past the defender before taking the shot but again Alex Baker made a vital save.
Both sides continued to push to break the deadlock before half time as Billericay went close again but Watson denied Morgan Rogers.
It was the Robinesses who ended the half stronger as Poole again went closest following Ackerman’s great cross, but keeper Baker denied the number nine from point-blank range.
Second Half
Moments after the second half commenced, the Robinesses looked to get the opener after Poole wriggled through a sea of blue shirts, but Baker gets a touch to retain her clean sheet.
With Cheltenham consistently on the attack, it was only a matter of time before they converted, doing so in the 56thminute through the side’s top goal scorer this season, Poole, after Ackerman threaded the ball into the feet of the striker.
The intensity remained for Davies’ side as Lue came close to doubling the lead just minutes later, but the host’s defence provided a crucial interception.
Looking for their second, the Robinesses rattled the cross bar with just 15 minutes to go after Ackerman’s looping cross beat the keeper but had too much on it.
Despite Billericay looking for the equaliser, it was the Robinesses who looked the more likely to score as substitute Henna Butcher skipped past two defenders, driving into the box but the effort was drilled wide.
A strong defensive display and resilient attacking performance from the Robinesses saw them leave with all three points, keeping a clean sheet and securing their first away win of the season.
Cheltenham: Watson, Owen, Llewellyn, Finch, Ackerman, Allen, Collis (Davies 50), Lewis, C.Taylor, Poole, Lue (Butcher 90).
Cheltenham Player of the Match: Phoebie Poole
