September 23, 2024
Photo courtesy of Marc Payne Photography.
Two headed goals in the second half saw the Robinesses leave Grosvenor Vale empty-handed yesterday.
The two goals came half way through the second half, courtesy of Megan Chandler and Anna Filbey.
Cheltenham started the game quickly, creating a couple of chances, with Henna Butcher causing problems. An early chance saw the Robinesses attacker latch on to an Emily Owen clearance before being fouled. Anais Trinci sent the set-piece into the danger area, forcing a stop from Watford ‘keeper, Maria O’Sullivan, before Meg Attenborough blazed over the crossbar.
As time went on, the Hornets grew into the game, creating chances with Chandler sending a shot over the bar, before Flo Fyfe saw a chipped shot narrowly avoid the crossbar just before the break.
After the restart, the home side fired out the traps, looking to make up for their prior squandered chances, threatening Mia Smith’s goal with a deflected shot before a low attempt almost snuck over the whitewash.
Watford Captain Chandler opened the scoring on 68 minutes, as Gemma Davidson’s corner was flicked into the air with the Hornets skipper sending a looping header past Smith.
Buoyed by taking the lead, the hosts wouldn’t have to wait long for their second. Coral Haines floated a cross into a crowded box with Filbey rising high to head down and into the net, doubling Watford’s advantage.
Conceding a second spurred Cheltenham to close the gap, with Una Lue and Ella Pemberton combining well to produce a shot that went wide before Lue would get a second chance, only to fire directly at O’Sullivan. At the other end, Smith was on hand again to produce a good stop from Dre Georgiou as the clock entered into injury time.
Cheltenham: Smith; Sharpe (Wellesley-Davies 65), Llewellyn, Owen; Trinci (Bell 75), Collis, Attenborough (Pemberton 60), Greenwood, Hateley (Lue 70); Butcher (Pengelly 80), Liggett.
Cheltenham Player of the Match:
Chosen By Opposition: Ffion Llewellyn
