August 22, 2025
Report by Abi Harding
Cheltenham Town Women pick up their first three points of the season in the FA WNL Cup in a 2-0 win against Worcester City Women.
A brace from captain Emily Owen secured all three points in the first group game in Group F.
First Half:
Cheltenham earned themselves an early penalty within the opening 10 minutes when Clarabella Hall was brought down by Worcester keeper Jodie Whiteman in the box.
Captain Owen stepped up and slotted her effort into the bottom right-hand corner to give the hosts an early lead.
Louise Guymira had an opportunity to grab an early second, but her effort was collected by Whiteman in goal.
Hall’s turn of pace played into her advantage as she was able to skip past players before being denied by the near post on the right-hand side just after the 25-minute mark.
Meg Arnott was the next to try her luck at doubling the scoreline, catching the ball on the volley from long-range, her effort caught by Whiteman.
Seconds later, Hall saw her effort fly over the bar after working the space well.
Owen got her second and Cheltenham’s second of the game right before the break, the free kick played short by Trinci to the captain, who’s powerful effort beat Whiteman at her near post.
Anaiya Brady then had a chance for a third, Hall and Arnott’s deflected effort falling to the 16-year-old on the left-hand side, but her effort fell just wide.
The Robinesses were two to the good at the break.
Second half:
Guymira almost added a third within the opening two minutes of the second half, her volleyed effort just dropping wide, with the game remaining very lively despite the break.
Worcester had their first shot on target of the game, goalkeeper Ella Stowell on hand to deny the effort on goal.
Amelie Curtis forced Whiteman into the next stop from a corner, but from then on, the game fizzled out.
Substitute Una Lue had a chance on the edge of the area, her effort, however, over the bar as the clock ticked towards the seventy-minute mark.
Evie Billingsley forced another save out of Stowell, as Cheltenham looked to keep their clean sheet intact.
Billingsley had another effort with less than 10 minutes on the clock, her effort from the right-hand side rolling just wide of the target.
However, the visitors late pressure didn’t pay off, the game ending 2-0 to Cheltenham as they sit top of Group F.
The Robinesses make the trip to Real Bedford on Sunday as we return to league action, before rounding off the month at home against Oxford United.
Cheltenham: Stowell; Trinci, Jones, Owen, Norman; Curtis, Arnott (Evans 45), Newns; Brady (Boucher 60), Hall (Congrave 52), Guymira (Lue 52)
