September 28, 2025
Cheltenham Town make it three wins out of three in Group F in the FA Women’s National League Cup with a 5-1 win over Kidderminster Harriers.
Goals from Libby Bell, Louise Guymira, Amelie Curtis and Meg Arnott ruled out Eloise Harris’ early goal.
First Half:
Despite the scoreline, the hosts took an early lead through Harris, who received the ball in the box before unleashing a powerful effort which rifled into the back of the net.
From then on, Cheltenham were looking for a way back into the game, Bell having the first shot of the game for the visitors, her effort sailing wide as the away side looked for a way back into the game.
Guymira had the next effort and the Robinesses’ first effort on target, forcing Katy Smith into a save.
Not long after, Bell did get the equaliser on the 20-minute mark, her long-range strike flying past Smith in net to level the game.
Issy Newns had a good chance to put Cheltenham in the lead, her effort saved by Smith, after she met Bell’s low, driven cross in the box.
After a potential penalty shout, Charlotte Salisbury-Williams’ effort was cleared off the line, the Robinesses pushing hard to take the lead as the clock ticked closer to half-time.
Tom Davies’ side did get their noses ahead before half time, Bell on hand again to score her brace, after heading home Salisbury-Williams’ cross into an empty net.
Guymira added a third late on in the first half, unleashing an effort which nestled into the bottom left-hand corner of the goal, meaning Cheltenham went in at half time 3-1 up.
Second Half:
It got better for the Robinesses after the break, Curtis making it four early on, her effort also finding the net from distance.
It was all Cheltenham as the half continued, Meg Arnott getting on the end of Emily Owen’s cross, but her header couldn’t find the target.
Centre-back Ffion Llewellyn was the next to try for a fifth, her shot from distance narrowly wide.
Arnott got the Robinesses’ fifth before the 70th-minute mark, and again, it was another great strike from distance, Smith yet again beaten.
Captain Owen forced Smith into yet another save as Tom Davies’ side looked for more goalswith little over 10 minutes left.
However, it was the opposition who came close to their second of the day minutes from time, Llewellyn on hand to keep the scoreline at 5-1 with a brilliant last-ditch tackle after Harris beat Haynes for pace.
Cheltenham will learn their FA Women’s National League Cup opponents tomorrow evening (Monday, September 28) at 19:45.
Next weekend, their attention turns back to league action, as they host Plymouth Argyle at Everyone’s Energy Kayte Lane.
Cheltenham: Haynes; Owen, Llewellyn, Norman, Salisbury-Williams (Trinci 53’), Bell(Brady 68’); Jones, Curtis (Evans 63’), Newns (Boucher 46’); Guymira (Arnott 53’), Congrave.
Cheltenham Player of the Match:
Chosen by Sponsor (The Kings Head, Bishops Cleeve): Libby Bell
Chosen by Opposition: Louise Guymira
