February 3, 2026
Report by Abi Harding:
Cheltenham Town suffered a 2-0 defeat to Oxford United at the MGroup Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Goals from Emma Thompson and Maisy Barker condemned the Robinesses to defeat.
First Half:
The first half was cagey, the first chance for either side coming just before the half an hour mark.
Courtney Jones prevented the hosts from opening the scoring, clearing the ball off the line, keeping the scoreline at 0-0.
Bella Hall had Cheltenham’s first shot on target a few minutes from half time, her effort straight into the arms of U’s keeper Beth Wookey.
It ended goalless and level at the break.
Second Half:
Oxford opened the scoring early in the second half, Thompson getting on the end of a corner after pinball in the Cheltenham area.
Hall had a chance to equalise moments later, her effort saved by Wookey, however.
A combination of Poppy Irvine and Libby Bell kept Oxford’s advantage at one goal, Bell clearing the ball of the line twice before the U’s hit the bar.
Substitute Louise Guymira then tested Wookey from a freekick, her volleyed effort caught by the Oxford keeper.
A mix-up at the back gifted the hosts a second before full time, Barker scoring directly from a cross.
Cheltenham make the trip to The Dripping Pan to face Lewes in two weeks’ time.
Cheltenham: Irvine; Salisbury-Williams, Owen, Llewellyn, Evans, Bell; Jones, Curtis, Brittain (Arnott 75); Hall, Galley (Guymira 59)
Photo Credit: Steve Appleby
