23rd August 2021
Report by Jamie Cameron
A 4-0 victory away to Poole Town sealed Cheltenham Town Ladies’ first victory of the season on Sunday.
It was a dominant performance over the side from the south coast, with goals from Amy Wathan, Billie Haynes, Abby Bevan (pictured) and debut goal for Georgie-Marie Barbour-Gresham enough for all three points.
The Robins created considerably more chances than their hosts, and barring a couple of Poole chances at the end of the first half, the result never looked in doubt.
Cheltenham now sit fifth in the Women’s National League Division One South West after the first two rounds of fixtures.
Manager Tom Davies made three changes to the side that were beaten by Southampton Women on opening day.
Barbour-Gresham and Angelina Goodwin made their competitive debuts, while Holly Rogers started for the first time since returning from injury.
The trio replaced Ellie Walecki, Monet Legall and Lois Colley from the first game, with Tamzin Hayward earning a place on the bench.
Cheltenham came close to a very early opener as Haynes’ corner came off the bar, before Charlotte Criddle set up Rogers with a couple of excellent through balls, both of which were saved by Sam Chrippes.
Rogers again almost found the breakthrough as she had an effort cleared off the line, with Lacy-Jai Liggett and Bevan also going close in the early stages.
The goal came on 22 minutes, and in some style, as new signing Wathan took aim from all of 25 yards and found the net effortlessly.
Liggett and Haynes then tested the Poole ‘keeper as the Robins looked for some breathing space.
Poole almost got back on level terms just before the interval, with a speculative strike from way out catching the post, and Aimee Watson being forced into action for the first time a couple of minutes later.
Half-time arrived with the score still 1-0 to the Robins, but Poole continued their momentum with a shot from a narrow angle hitting the side netting.
However, the energetic Haynes doubled Cheltenham’s lead on 53 minutes, driving into the area and firing across the goal from 12 yards out.
Rogers then did well to create an opening on 61 minutes, but her shot went over.
The third goal came soon enough, though, when Bevan elegantly lobbed Chrippes from the edge of the area.
Liggett was continuing to look for a goal, and forced another save, before Wathan was denied from close range as the clock ticked over 90 minutes.
In added time, Cheltenham found a fourth as Barbour-Gresham got on the end of Haynes’ corner and headed into the net expertly.
That rounded off a very impressive display from Tom Davies’ side ahead of the local derby at home to Swindon on Thursday.
Cheltenham: Watson, Hallsworth, Goodwin (Walecki 75), Butler, Criddle (Jones 66), Barbour-Gresham, Bevan, Liggett, Rogers (Donnelly), Haynes, Wathan.
Subs not used: Hayward.
Robins’ Player of the Match: Abby Bevan.
