August 18, 2025
Report by Abi Harding
Cheltenham Town Women suffered defeat against a strong Exeter City side 2-0 on the opening day of the season at Kayte Lane.
Goals from Bow Jackson and Sophie Gillies gave the visitors all three points.
First Half:
Cheltenham Town started the game well, striker Una Lue hitting the crossbar from close range after a clever freekick landed at her feet on the half-volley.
Exeter’s Sarah Stacey was the next to try her luck but was denied by the fingertips of Ella Stowell in net.
Libby Bell did well to get on the end of Em Owen’s cross, but her header was straight at Grecians keeper Abbi Bond.
Goalkeeper Stowell was called into action again at the half an hour mark, claiming Jess Sandland’s dangerous ball.
Louise Guymira had two good chances for the hosts, beating two players before unleashing a powerful effort that just flew wide of Bond’s far post.
Less than a minute later, Lue found Guymira in the area, but her effort on goal was saved by Bond.
Moments before half-time, Lue almost grabbed a late opener, her effort bobbling just wide of the new post.
It ended goalless and level at half time.
Second Half:
The away side broke the deadlock early in the second half, Jackson’s header looping over Stowell.
The Grecians had chances to get their second, but good chances went amiss.
Substitute Bella Hall almost made them pay, coming close to an equaliser, her effort saved by the feet of Bond.
Exeter doubled their lead on the 66th-minute mark, Gillies running in behind before slotting home.
The game fizzled out from there on, but Hall saw another two chances fall wide, her half-volley flew over the crossbar before her header dropped wide of the near post.
Cheltenham will face Worcester City in the newly formatted FA Women’s National League Cup on Thursday, before making the trip to newly promoted Real Bedford next Sunday.
Cheltenham: Stowell; Salisbury-Williams (Congrave 83), Owen, Llewellyn, Evans, Bell (Trinci 75’); Arnott (Jones 83), Curtis, Newns (Hall 53); Lue, Guymira.
Attendance: 178
