Page 11 - Women's Soccer Scene Issue No.28 2021-22

All square at Winklebury

Southampton Women 1 Cheltenham Town 1
Southampton Women grabbed a late equaliser to
deny table topping Cheltenham Town victory in a
hard fought FAWNL Division One South West
encounter at the Winklebury Football Complex.
Lucy Mear's header from Kiera Heslam's deep
corner in a first minute of additional time was reward
for a battling display from the hosts against a strong,
well organised Cheltenham side who had denied
them many clear sights of goal up tp that point.
There was little to choose between the teams
in the opening quarter of the game, Southampton
had some nice attacking build up play with Rachel
Okoro and Britt Jeal showing plenty of attacking
intent on the wings but every threat was strongly Southampton celebrate their injury time equaliser
defended protecting keeper Aimee Watson very well. (Dave Bodymore).
The encounter burst into life on the half hour when Cheltenham had their first clear
opening but Abby Bevan's shot on the run flew wide. From the restart, Southampton
created a superb move starting from keeper Ellie Parker and passing through five players
before an Aliss Wheeler shot flew just wide. Within a minute the hosts had forced a corner
which Jeal met with a looping volley destined for the bottom corner but keeper Watson
reacted well to scoop the ball away with her right hand on 32 minutes.
The match resumed a more familiar pattern up to the break with both defences in
command and few chances but the restart saw Cheltenham take the lead within two
minutes. A long flighted free kick was met by Lacy-Jai Liggett running in at the far post to
guide a volley home for a fine finish.
Southampton responded really well to this setback and dominated affairs in terms
of pressure for long periods but Cheltenham were rock solid at the back and denied the
hosts any real chances. The occasional half opening in the box saw shots blocked or
deflected for Watson to gather..
The hosts maintained their efforts as the match passed 90 minutes and were
rewarded when yet another defensive block resulted in a corner. Sub Heslam's delivery
reached a leaping Mear beyond the far post and her downward header evaded defenders
and keeper for a vital equaliser.
The result was pretty fair after a well fought battle but the visitors were close to
securing a big three points in their promotion bid as the season reaches a conclusion with
several clubs still in the mix for top spot.
Southampton Women: Ellie Parker, Lauren Cheshire, Sam Burt, Lucy Mear, Rachel
Okoro, Aliss Wheeler, Emily Wernham, Emma Whitlock, Sian Wylie, Britt Jeal, Chloe
Tucker. Subs: Kellie Warren, E-J May, Summer Kilby, Hannah Samuels, Kiera Heslam.
Cheltenham Town: Aimee Watson, Sammy Hallsworth, Charlotte Criddle, Mai Butler,
Abby Bevan, Jade Grove, Amy Wathan, Rhian Robbins, Emily Owen, Billie Haynes,
Lacy-Jai Liggett. Subs: Holly Rogers, Courtney Jones, Georgie-Marie Barbour-Gresham,
Tamzin Hayward, Holly Reed.

news@womenssoccerscene.co.uk Issue no. 28 - 31 March 2022