6th November 2023
Report by Grace Gunn.
Cheltenham Town were held to a 0-0 stalemate against Chatham Town despite the Robinesses’ second half dominance.
Both sides began strong, but it was Chatham who went closestjust eight minutes in after the visitor’s attack rattled the cross bar.
However, the hosts grew into the game throughout the half as Phoebie Poole drove through the midfield, shaking off the defence before being brought down, winning a free kick with Emily Allen striking the set piece from range but her effort curled wide.
The two sides headed in at 0-0 at the break with neither side able to break the deadlock but a rejuvenated Cheltenham asserted themselves early as Poole threaded the ball through to Charlie Taylor (pictured) whose attempt was saved by the keeper.
An onslaught from Cheltenham in the closing stages saw Chatham’s Cara Davies very busy but the keeper retained her clean sheet, despite the Robinesses’ best attempts.
First Half
An early half-chance sprung the Robinesses’ way after great link up play between Taylor and Tash Harding, but Allen’s looping cross was met by the visitors, preventing any real threat.
The positive play continued for the hosts as Poole battled off the sea of white shirts before turning and taking aim, but the effort drifted wide.
Despite the early chances from the Robinesses, it was Chatham who almost broke the deadlock after the attack blasted a shot, rattling the crossbar.
With both teams looking for the opener, Taylor won a free kick in a promising area after sprinting through, but Allen’s curling effort drifted away.
Another shot went beckoning for Cheltenham as Poole drove into the box before taking aim, but the number nine couldn’t keep the shot on target.
It was the Robinesses’ turn to hit the crossbar as Poole’s free kick was inches away from heading into the back of the net.
The two sides headed in level at the break.
Second Half
The hosts came out firing once again and came so close once again, this time through Taylor, but the low shot was dealt with by Davies.
The opportunities continued to flow for Tom Davies’ side as Harding picked up the ball on the right, driving it into the box but her looping cross was cut out by the keeper.
Just after the hour mark, Davies made a double change as Harding and Daisy Ackerman exited the field with Una Lue and Charlotte Buxton entering the fray.
Lue wasted no time in getting involved after the number 21 struck a long-range effort, taking a deflection on the way through, almost wrong-footing the keeper.
With just 15 minutes to go, Robinesses’ manager Davies made a third substitute which saw new signing Ella Pemberton enter for her debut.
Despite a late onslaught from the Robinesses, the points were shared with neither side able to break the deadlock at Kayte Lane.
Cheltenham: Watson, Owen, Llewellyn, Finch (Jones, 45’), Ackerman (Buxton, 62’) , Allen, Collis, Taylor, Lewis (Pemberton, 75’) Poole, Harding (Lue, 62’)
Attendance: 158
