28th November 2016
Cheltenham Town Ladies 1st team in the end were comfortable 5-2 winners in the Gloucestershire Womens Trophy County Cup.
Against AEK BOCO, who play in the SWWFL Eastern Division, FAWPL Cheltenham Town, started reasonably well, and went in front in the 8th minute, when a 30 yard lob from Louise Fensome, evaded the reaches of the home keeper. Cheltenham doubled their lead in the 17th minute when Suze Berry was on hand to score.
However, the home team, using the wind and slope to their advantage, then launched numerous attacks on the Cheltenham goal, and within 10 minutes the home side were level. Two long diagonal free kicks into the Cheltenham box, caused mayhem, and suddenly it was a different game. Cheltenham reacted and changed their system to 4-1-4-1, and survived to half time, at 2-2.
The 2nd half was a completely different game. Cheltenham settled in to their more controlled passing game, and started to show their quality. And it was no surprise when they took the lead, a fine finish from Annie Martin (pictured) after 49 minutes. After 65 minutes Martin, fired in her second, and effectively the game was over, adding a fifth after 73 minutes by Ella Hitchcox, and Cheltenham were in clear water, and safely on their way to the quarter final of the Women’s County Cup.
Manager, Graham Fletcher, talking after the game, said: “We knew what to expect from Boco, they are a strong team, and like to get the ball quickly into the box, so I told the team what to expect and be strong. We got a good early lead, and thought we had weathered the storm, but they are a decent team, and really piled the pressure on. I changed the system, and we looked more secure. In the second half we found our game, relaxed, and started to control the game, our passing game was good, and our quality came to the fore. We scored three excellent goals, and within 25 minutes of the 2nd half the game was over. That’s three wins in a row now, and we continue to improve, and our confidence is high. I’m really pleased for the team, they battled hard again today, and played some really good football in the second 45.
We must now look for four wins in a row, when we visit local rivals St Nicholas next Sunday.
