6th October 2024
Cheltenham Town Reserves suffered a 3-0 loss at the hands of Portsmouth Development in the FA WNL Reserve South-West League.
After conceding early in the game the reserve Robinesses suddenly found themselves in a two-goal deficit by the thirty-minute mark and although positive going forward Cheltenham Town reserves couldn’t hit the mark as proceedings ended in a 3-0 win for the visiting Portsmouth Development.
First Half:
It was a very open start to the game as both teams enjoyed chances in the first ten minutes with the Robinesses especially taking advantage of counter-attacking opportunities attacking on the front foot. 12 minutes in, against the run of play, the visiting Portsmouth development side took the lead after a well-defended corner from Portsmouth found its way back into the box before being flicked into the top right corner by Pompey striker Chloe Sheffield.
The Cheltenham Town Reserves looked to reply instantly, but after some great build-up play, the final ball went a miss, and Portsmouth regained the ball and some momentum.
A cagey twenty minutes followed after the first goal with a flurry of fouls, from both teams and some decent chances all yielding no results.
31 minutes into the game Portsmouth Striker Chloe Sheffield doubled her account after a long-range effort slipped through the gloves of Cheltenham goalkeeper Emily Anwyll and rolled into the back of the net.
Cheltenham Town had their best chance of the game just before the halftime whistle as Jasmin Lavis found herself through on goal before releasing a shot that narrowly crept wide to the right post.
Second Half:
After a fast start to the half from Cheltenham Town Portsmouth grew into the second half, although at a slightly slower pace than the first half of the game, there were still tough-fought battles all around the pitch.
It was a stop-start affair in the second half and after two separate lengthy injury breaks play resumed with Cheltenham having good chances in and around the Portsmouth Box. A great save from Portsmouth goalkeeper Leah Etheridge from a corner which was met by Grace Ryan-Lill’s headed effort kept scores level but Cheltenham Town nearly took a goal back with captain Karly Norman’s effort only missing narrowly right.
With twenty minutes still to play Portsmouth Development extended their lead to three after Freya Jennings took advantage of some sloppy build-up play before firing her shot into the top of the goal.
Some great saves from Cheltenham Towns Emily Anwyll kept the Robinesses in the tie but after few chances for both teams in the last ten minutes, the referee blew full time and Portsmouth Development ran out 3-0 victors.
Cheltenham: Anwyll; Ryan-Lill, Lloyd, Norman, Lee; Hale, Bowyer, Finch; Lavis, Lawrence, McCulloh
