11th November 2024
Report by Ben Stevens.
Photo courtesy of George Marriott Photography.
Cheltenham Town Women fell to a 7-0 defeat to Ipswich Town Women.
Natasha Thomas opened the scoring for the away side, with Shauna Guyatt adding their second soon after. Thomas scored her second before a quick-fire double from Sophie Peskett and Charlotte Fleming made it 5-0 at halftime.
Despite a better performance, Thomas scored her third after half-time, before a strike from distance from Ella Rutherford found the bottom corner to add Ipswich’s seventh.
First Half:
Cheltenham started the game well and kept Ipswich in their own half, but a quick break from Ipswich gave them an early lead after Natasha Thomas slotted the ball under Mia Smith, despite the Robinesses keeper getting a touch on the ball.
Nine minutes later, Shauna Guyatt doubled the lead, holding off a challenge from Maisy Collis and found the bottom corner.
Cheltenham defended well after that and kept Ipswich at bay as halftime approached, but three quick goals gave Ipswich a 5-0 lead at halftime.
The Tractor Girls’ third goal came from Thomas again, with the referee not originally awarding the goal, but after discussion with the linesman, the goal was given after Thomas’ strike hit the wheel inside the goal before bouncing out.
The fourth came from Sophie Peskett after a quick break down the right-hand side, and she slotted the ball past Smith. The fifth came from Charlotte Fleming, who’s curled her effort in.
Second Half:
Cheltenham improved in the second half, but Ipswich still found two goals in the second period. Natasha Thomas completed her hattrick, with a cross finding her at the back post and she could head the ball in comfortably for her third of the game.
The final goal came from Ella Rutherford, who hit the ball from range on her return from injury.
Cheltenham travel to Plymouth Argyle next Sunday for a 2 pm kick-off.
Cheltenham: Smith; Llewellyn (Finch 85), Owen, Wellesley-Davies; Trinci, Collis, Liggett (Lue 46), Attenborough (Bell 60), Hateley, Butcher, Pemberton.
Cheltenham Player of the Match:
Chosen by Opposition: Henna Butcher
