15th October 2024
Report by Ben Stevens.
Photo courtesy of Marc Payne Photography.
Cheltenham Town Women fell to a 3-0 loss against Exeter City Women.
Sarah Stacey scored just before halftime despite a strong first-half performance. Multiple strong saves from Robinesses goalkeeper Mia Smith (pictured) stopped the visitors from adding to their advantage.
However, Exeter doubled their lead after a save from Smith fell into the path of Sophie Gillies to tap in City’s second. Zoe Watkins scored the visitors last, heading in from a corner.
First Half:
Exeter had the ball in the net within 10 minutes, after a free-kick taken from within their own half was scrambled in, but the offside flag was raised against the visitors. After this, Cheltenham started to pile on the pressure, with their first shot coming from Lacy-Jai Liggett, with her effort on the half volley going just over the bar.
After 24 minutes, the contest was very even. Mia Smith made a fantastic save from a speculative shot from distance by the visitors to keep the score level. Cheltenham won a free kick minutes later after some great play by Abbey Hateley, but the cross was claimed comfortably by Abbi Bond in Exeter’s goal.
More chances came for both teams, but the deadlock was eventually broken by Exeter just before the halftime break. Sarah Stacey, on her 100th appearance for the Grecians, tapped the ball in after an Exeter corner was initially cleared away, but the ball was played back in by Beth Ireland, and Sophie Gillies cut the ball back for Stacey.
Second Half:
Only a minute into the start of the second half, Cheltenham almost equalised. The Robinesses won a corner and Emily Owen rose highest to win the header and almost got the ball over the line after a few deflections, but play was stopped with Bond requiring treatment.
Just before the hour mark, Exeter doubled their lead through Gillies, who forced a first great save from Smith, but the rebound fell back to Gillies who tapped in the visitor’s second.
With five minutes left to play, Henna Butcher almost forced a mistake from the back line with some great pressure, but eventually, the visitors cleared the ball out. Minutes later, the visitors forced another great save from Smith, with a free-kickfrom distance forcing Smith to tip the ball over the bar.
Exeter added their third from the resulting corner, with Zoe Watkins rising highest to flick the ball in.
Cheltenham now move on to face Wolves in the FA WNL Plate on Sunday, October 20.
Cheltenham Town: Smith; Llewellyn, Owen, Wellesley-Davies; Hateley (Bell 68’), Collis (Trinci 68’), Liggett, Attenborough (Pemberton 62’), Lue (Pengelly 76’); Greenwood, Butcher.
Cheltenham Player of the Match:
Chosen by Opposition: Ffion Llewellyn
Attendance: 117
