7th October 2024
Report by Owen Mason.
Photo courtesy of Marc Payne Photography.
Cheltenham Town Women fell to a 3-0 defeat at Court Place Farm against Oxford United on Sunday.
An early penalty from Zoe Barratt was followed by her second nine minutes into the second half. A late free kick from Kate Wiseman secured all three points for the U’s.
First Half:
It was a fairly even first few minutes in Oxfordshire as both sides tried to work each other out. A first proper foray into the box for the home side saw Ffion Llewellyn bring down Taome Oliver. The referee quickly pointed for a spot kick, which was dispatched to Mia Smith’s right by Zoe Barratt.
Sam Rose’s side quickly looked for a second, and looked like they’d get it through Ruby Sealey, but her effort was just wide. Cheltenham then grew into the game, with a plethora of chances before the break.
First Libby Bell almost found Henna Butcher with a pinpoint cross, but it narrowly missed her head. Doris Greenwood had a looped effort just go over the bar, and went even closer to securing her fourth goal of the season moments later as she cannoned a shot onto the crossbar.
Any other foray into the box was well dealt with by U’s keeper Alice Howard. It finished 1-0 at the break but Cheltenham were unlucky to not be going into the break level.
Second half:
Tom Davies’ side continued where they left off with Meg Attenborough getting a shot away which was caught by Howard. Four minutes later though Oxford doubled their lead, as Barratt raced down the wing and shot past Smith. The floodgates almost opened as Oxford pushed for a third, but Mia was on hand again to force a corner.
Butcher and Connie Pengelly had chances to halve the deficit but Henna’s effort was saved by Howard, and Connie’s long-range effort landed on the roof of the net. Oxford added a late third through Kate Wiseman, with her free kick beating the wall and going past Mia.
That was all she wrote as Oxford ran out 3-0 winners at Court Place Farm. Next up for the Robinesses is the visit of Exeter City to Kayte Lane on Sunday October 13, and Wolves a week later in the Women’s National league Plate Second Round.
Cheltenham: Smith, Trinci (Collis 74’) Attenborough (Leach 74’) Bell, (Pengelly 82’) Butcher, Llewellyn, Wellesley-Davies, Owen (C), Pemberton, Greenwood, Lue
Cheltenham Player of the Match:
Chosen by Opposition: Henna Butcher
