April 17, 2025
Report by Owen Mason.
Photo courtesy Marc Payne Photography.
Cheltenham Town Women were involved in another close final, this time narrowly losing 2-1 to Bristol City U21s in the Gloucestershire County Cup Final on Tuesday night.
Una Lue opened the scoring 10 minutes in with her 23rd goal of the season, as her effort slotted past Ella Stowell.
However, City replied five minutes before half-time as Maya Kendall’s strike from outside the box found its way past Mia Smith.
Bristol continued their turnaround in the second half as three minutes after the interval Madeleine Durrant made no mistake in striking past Smith.
It was a positive start for Cheltenham at Oaklands Park, who were only 48 hours removed from their Women’s National League Plate Final against AFC Bournemouth, where they narrowly lost 3-2 to Steve Cuss’ Cherries.
Abbey Britton’s Bristol City U21s side couldn’t get going in the early exchanges, which allowed Doris Greenwood to expertly find Lue who put a great strike past Stowell.
It continued a fantastic return for Lue, a 23rd goal in 33 games this season. She almost made it two moments later, as she got in a similar position to beat Stowell again, but this time the Robins keeper made a great fingertip save to put her effort past the post.
The attacking trio kept up their pressing on the Robins academy side, who’d only just got going into the game halfway through the first period.
The momentum in the game did turn however once Isabel Hebard went down for Bristol and forced a break in play.
Bristol were able to get a foothold in the game shortly before the break, as after being found well from a throw in, Maya Kendall was able to slot it smartly past Cheltenham ‘keeper Smith to level the final.
It was her second goal in just over three weeks against Tom Davies’ side, as Kendall is on a dual registration with Exeter City, who scored in the Grecians’ 2-1 win over Cheltenham on Sunday, March 23.
Durrant completed the quick turnaround for Bristol City, as her shot from outside the box found its way past Smith.
It was a stark contrast to the first half, as Bristol took control of the contest, with Cheltenham struggling to test Stowell.
A flurry of corners for Cheltenham in quick succession almost found an opening, as captain Emily Owen tried her luck with a header at Stowell.
Time was ticking for Cheltenham however the attacks were becoming more frequent, as with seven minutes to go, Henna Butcher and Greenwood linked up well to almost find Lue, who narrowly missed a chance to strike past Stowell.
Butcher also went close late on, as a dangerous corner was kept alive well, and her header was tipped off the line by the Bristol shot stopper.
That crucial save helped confirm the County Cup triumph for Bristol City U-21s. This game also marked the final game for Butcher before she leaves the Robins at the end of the 2024/25 campaign.
Lastly for Davies’ side this season is the visit to Ipswich Town on Sunday, April 27.
They face a Tractor Girls side who are all but confirmed as WNL Southern Premier champions, as they are three points and 36 goals ahead on goal difference of second placed Hashtag United.
