Match Report | Cheltenham Town 4-3 WCWFC

6 Sept

A performance to be proud of for City, despite defeat in Gloucestershire

On Sunday afternoon it was picturesque Bishops Cleeve for City as matchday 2 of the FA Women’s National League Cup took centre stage and it was a chance to get their first points of Group C on the board as they faced Tier 3 outfit, Cheltenham Town Women.

City had a chance in the second minute of the game , following some great combinations in the middle of the park with Jess Fassindge spraying a lovely ball through to Charlotte Poole who was through on goal, but the keeper made herself big and made the save.

Five minutes later, City with some excellent football yet again when Poole collected the ball and played in Connie Matthews down the left hand side, but her effort just sailed the crossbar.

A couple of minutes later, Billie Haynes made an outstanding last ditch block and then Jodie Whiteman made an equally outstanding save down to her left after two golden opportunities for the hosts to take the lead.

Just before the 20th minute mark Cheltenham took the lead after the ball was played in from the left and was turned into her own net by the unfortunate Billie Haynes.

A few minutes later, Worcester had a great chance, after Evie Billingsley put in a delicious pass across the box, but Poole couldn’t get a touch on the ball.

Moments later, City got a deserved equaliser when Evie Billingsley fired into the net after the hosts lost the ball in a dangerous area.

Just before the half hour mark, the ball bounced kindly to Nyah Edwards inside the box and she caught it sweetly, however the ball went over the bar.

Ten minutes later, Worcester found themselves in the lead, after Poole linked up well with Fassnidge after Poole was through on goal. The two combined really well and Poole slotted the ball calmly into the back of the net.

Five minutes into the second half, Poole grabbed her brace when she harried the goalkeeper and won the ball, despite the deflection the ball ended up into the empty net for Worcester’s third of the contest.

A couple of minutes later, Whiteman showed great reactions as Cheltenham put in a shot from inside the area.

Just before the hour mark Olivia Stubbs drove into the box and flashes an effort just wide and moments later Cheltenham hit the post.

Game changer Lowri Walker hits one from an acute angle with her effort flashing the crossbar and minutes later, Walker set up another game changer in Madeline Welham, but her effort flashed wide.

A couple of minutes later, Cheltenham scored their second as both sides wer

75th Moments after they, Szymkowiak almost catches the out as she drifted inside the box from the left channel, but the keeper was equal to her effort.

Just after the 80th minute mark, Edwards had a dig from the edge of the box but her effort crashed off the bar, meanwhile Cheltenham went up the other end and equalised from close range.

Five minutes from time the hosts were ahead for the first time in the game, following a cruel deflection past Whiteman.

Deep into injury time, City were awarded a penalty following a handball. Edwards took the responsibility, but the keeper saved her spot kick and the follow up effort from Kaye Haggett.

City are off on their travels again next Sunday as they face newly promoted Lye Town at the Lye Sports Ground with a 2pm kick-off.

WCWFC Performance Squad

The U18s were due to kick off their Central Warwickshire Girls Football League campaign on Saturday morning at Little Perdiswell as they faced Lutterworth Athletic U18s, but unfortunately the game had to be postponed as Little Perdiswell pitches need a little bit more time to recover following the summer drought.

Next up is another home clash as Coventry Sphinx U18s visit Little Perdiswell in league action on Saturday, 12th September with an 11am kick off time.

Following the postponement of their visit to Bromsgrove Sporting last Sunday, the U21s returned to action and faced Dudley Town at the University of Worcester on Sunday afternoon where a Chanelle Ward effort saw City go into the break with a 1-0 lead.

Worcester conceded twice during the second half and then up popped Leah Ritson with a 93rd minute equaliser for her first goal since coming back from her ACL injury.

Next up is a trip to Shirley Town Football club in Birmingham to face Crusaders on Sunday, 13th September with a scheduled kick off time of 2pm.

Thank you, City fans, for your fantastic support. Up the City!!!