September 28, 2026
Cheltenham Town finish top of Group C in the FA Women’s National League Cup with a 5-1 win over Kidderminster Harriers.
Goals from Courtney Jones, Leo Joyce, Chloe Snook and Charlotte Salisbury-Williams ruled out a goal from Sophia Webster-Ford and gave the Robinesses all three points in the final game in Group C. The Robinesses finish top of the group and advance to the First Knockout Round of the WNL Cup.
It didn’t take long for Cheltenham to take the lead; Libby Bell’s corner into the middle met by captain Jones, who made no mistake, heading home to give her side the lead within the opening 10 minutes.
As the half went on, there were chances to add a second, Indie Power denied by the feet of Cadi Doran after being played in one on one, and moments later, Evie Murphy’s effort from long-range hit the bar.
Joyce was the next to try her luck, her effort tipped over by the fingertips of Doran.
Up the other end, young goalkeeper Darcy Fortner was called into action saving Grace Morris’ free kick.
The Robinesses did get the second before the break, Joyce beating her marker and slotting home to double the deficit in added time.
Despite early pressure from the hosts in the second half, Power almost added a third, her effort in the box cannoning off the inside of the bar, before the striker won a penalty after being brought down by keeper Doran.
Top-scorer Joyce coolly slotted the resulting penalty into the bottom right-hand corner, giving her side a comfortable lead and getting her second of the afternoon.
Kidderminster got one back on the 80th-minute mark, Webster-Ford rounding Fortner, but Tom Davies’ side responded and added another two in quick succession.
Substitutes Snook and Salisbury-Williams added to the tally, Snook slotting it into the bottom left corner after being played in by Jones, with Salisbury-Williams’ long-range effort from the edge of the box making it 5-1 with a few minutes left to play.
The hosts were down to 10 players in additional time; captain Liv Owen received a second yellow card after a nasty challenge on Georgia Galley.
Cheltenham return to league action next weekend, hosting Hashtag United at Kayte Lane.
Cheltenham: Fortner; Wellesley-Davies, Hall, Vine (Salisbury-Williams 67); Murphy, Jones, Curtis (Evans 60), Day (O’Keefe 74), Bell; Power (Snook 67), Joyce (Galley 60)
