November 8, 2026
Cheltenham Town Women suffered a 4-0 defeat against Fulham at Motspur Park on Sunday afternoon.
Rianna Dean’s hat-trick and a goal from Sophie Gillies helped the hosts take all three points on home soil.
After a cagey start, it was Fulham who got the opener, Dean making no mistake after being played behind, her powerful effort unstoppable from close range.
Despite the pressure from the hosts, Cheltenham almost got back in it just before the half-hour mark.
Lilly Wellesley-Davies’ ambitious effort from long-range on the right-hand side narrowly dropped just over Jess Gray’s crossbar.
However, up the other end, Dean came close to her brace after finding herself free in the area, her shot blocked well by Ruby Day.
The Cottagers did get their second two minutes from half-time, Gillies’ shot looping over Lily Felgate in net.
The second half started fast, with Leo Joyce’s long-range strike flying narrowly over the crossbar.
Alex Hall was then called into action at the back, clearing a header off the line to keep the scoreline at just 2-0, but a long-range effort from Dean made it three not long after.
On the hour mark, the Robinesses had their first shot on target of the game, Chloe Snook’s shot on the turn saved well by Gray.
Day was the next to try her luck, her first-time strike from long-range went wide of the left post.
Fulham made the late pressure count, Dean scoring her hat-trick with a powerful header to make it four.
Cheltenham host AFC Wimbledon at Kayte Lane in two weeks.
Cheltenham: Felgate; Wellesley-Davies, Hall, Vine (Hicks-Kenward 87); Salisbury-Williams, Curtis (Murphy 67), Day, O’Keefe, Bell; Joyce, Snook (Galley 74)
