February 23, 2026
Cheltenham Town Women suffered a 3-0 defeat to Watford Women at Honeycroft on Sunday afternoon.
Goals from Freda Ayisi, Maddison Perry and Lachante Paul gifted the home side all three points.
First Half:
The opening 10 minutes had little chances, but Cheltenham had the first shot of the game, Charlotte Salisbury-Williams’ powerful effort just over the bar.
However, Watford opened the scoring seconds later through Ayisi, who took a touch on the edge of the box and finished into the top right-hand corner.
Midfielder Courtney Jones was inches away from levelling the game after the 20-minute mark, Sophie Hillyerd on hand to turn her pinpoint freekick wide of the post.
Bella Hall had the next shot, beating defender Annie Meiwald for pace, her effort into the arms of Hillyerd.
The Hornets doubled their lead through Perry, who ran in behind uncontested and finished past the helpless Poppy Irvine.
Cheltenham did not end the half without reply despite that second goal, a goal line clearance as a result of Jones’ header the closest the Robins came to getting one back.
It ended 2-0 to the hosts at the break.
Second Half:
The second half had minimal chances for both sides, but Watford added a third on the 70th-minute mark.
Flo Fyfe ran through the Cheltenham defence, her effort saved by Irvine, but only into the path of winger Paul, who capitalised and slotted into an empty net.
Moments later, Irvine made a fantastic save to deny the Hornets a fourth and Perry a second, clawing the shot away from goal at her near post.
The game was paused due to a medical emergency in the crowd. We’d like to send our best wishes to the fan affected, and a big thank you to all the medical staff and stewards who were quick on the scene.
The game was resumed at 4.15, with 15 minutes left on the clock.
Irvine made another great save to deny Annie Rossiter, with Perry hitting the crossbar on the rebound, before Cheltenham cleared.
On a more positive note, Holly Finch returned to first team action for Cheltenham in added time, 364 days since her last appearance in a matchday squad.
Fyfe missed an opportunity for a fourth, Irvine and Ffion Llewellyn doing enough to put her off.
The game ended 3-0 to the league leaders.
Cheltenham face AFC Bournemouth at Kayte Lane in two weeks’ time.
Cheltenham: Irvine; Salisbury-Williams, Norman, Llewellyn, Bell; Jones (Arnott 52), Curtis; Power (Trinci 78), Brittain (Guymira 67); Galley (Finch 90), Hall
