Match Report | Cheltenham Town 2-0 WCWFC

Plucky City fell to defeat after travelling to Kayte Lane to take on Tier 3 side Cheltenham Town on Thursday evening in the first game of the FA Women’s National League Cup. 

The game started out with City forcing Cheltenham back, but in the ninth minute, the hosts received a penalty, which they dispatched to take the lead. 

Five minutes later, City keeper Jodie Whiteman saved comfortably after a shot from distance from the Robins.

Following this, City started to gain momentum and had their first chance of the match a minute later after some great play from Charlotte Poole on the left, but Annie Highway couldn’t get the pace on the shot to trouble the goalkeeper this time.

Just before the half-hour mark, Cheltenham hit the post after a drive from the attacker into the area. City, determined to try and level before the break, had their best opportunity of the game two minutes later as Sophie Griffiths drove into the box.

However, her shot slid just wide of the post. 

City could see themselves very unfortunate as Annie Sime looked to play the ball before the referee blew up for the foul, and from the resulting free kick, the hosts doubled their advantage before halftime. 

Into the second half, City almost got back into it as Griffiths played in Evie Billingsley, who broke the offside trap and forced the keeper into a great save down to her right.

Despite City growing into the second half, the game didn’t really have a clear-cut chance until Billingsley cut in from the left and forced the keeper into a save ten minutes from full-time. 

In the 85th minute, after some excellent football from City, Laila Rich in the middle of the park played a pass to Griffiths, who played in Billingsley, who dragged her shot wide.

Next up, we welcome Sutton Coldfield Town to Sixways on Sunday, 24th August, with kick-off at 14:00 in our first home competitive match this season. 

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