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Cheltenham Town Women hit back to win at Stockport County and secure last four place
Cheltenham Town Women reached the semi-finals of the FA Women’s National League Plate for only the second time in their history, beating Stockport County Ladies 2-1 after extra-time.
Stockport took the lead early in the second half after Lizzy Hamer’s free-kick. However, Cheltenham overturned the one-goal deficit.
The equaliser came from Lilly Wellesley-Davies with a bullet header in the 83rd minute which took the game to extra time.
Five minutes into extra period, Maisy Collis scored from long-range to book Cheltenham’s place in the semi-finals.
Stockport had the better chances in the first half, putting pressure on Cheltenham’s defence with multiple corners, as well as forcing Carys Pugh-Jones into some fantastic saves with strikes from distance.
The first real chance for the Robins came after 22 minutes, with some brilliant build-up play between the midfield and Una Lue leading the line.
The ball fell to Doris Greenwood, who connected with the ball well but her effort was saved comfortably by Lucy Farrell.
Pugh-Jones made another brilliant save to make up a mistake. The goalkeeper’s loose pass found Emily Bradshaw, but quick reactions from the 17-year-old kept the score level going into half-time.
Tom Davies’ side started the second half better, but as they did against Moneyfields last week, they found themselves a goal behind early on in the second half.
The free-kick was given from Meg Attenborough just outside the 18-yard box, and Elizabeth Hamer put her effort into the top left hand corner to give the Tier Four side the lead after 54 minutes.
Cheltenham had plenty of chances to draw themselves level. Captain Emily Owen hit the post with a header from a corner, and Una Lue also had a chance after being played through one-on-one with the goalkeeper, but a last-ditch tackle from Gemma Lancaster stopped the attack.
After keeping the pressure on Stockport who started to drop back, Cheltenham eventually got the equaliser they deserved. Substitute Henna Butcher looked lively when she came on, and her quick shot was deflected out for a corner.
After the first took another deflection out, the second corner was headed in by Wellesley-Davies for the 17-year-old’s first Cheltenham goal.
Una Lue had a chance to win the game for the away side right at the death, but her shot went narrowly over the bar and the game went to extra time.
Early on in extra-time, a long-range strike from Collis stunned everyone as it looped over Farrell to finally give the Robinesses the lead they deserved.
The result booked Cheltenham’s place in the semi-finals of the competition, something which pleased assistant manager Mike Harris, but he admitted that the performance wasn’t the greatest.
“I thought Stockport worked particularly hard and made it very difficult for us," Harris said.
"That being said I don’t think we were particularly good in phases of the game
"We got across the line and sometimes that’s what we need to do in cup games. We’ve done brilliantly to get across the line, so we’ll manage the legs going into what is a really important week.”
Harris also admitted his delight at two very “contrasting” styles of goals.
“We know Lilly would have been scoring headers in her college games, so it was something we were aware she had in her locker and it was an unbelievable header," he said.
"She had threatened earlier in the game, she had one go over the bar. Then Maisy’s goal was a fantastic strike from distance out of absolutely nowhere.
"I think a few of us thought it had gone out behind the goal which is why there was almost no celebration but it was a pleasant surprise when it dropped in the back of the net so I’m really pleased for both of them.”
Cheltenham could now face one of Southampton FC Academy, AFC Bournemouth, Manchester United Academy or Loughborough Lightning.
The latter two had their quarter-final game postponed due to Loughborough’s Adobe Women’s FA Cup game being postponed last weekend.
Davies’ side will now turn their attention back to the Women’s FA Cup, hosting Norwich City Women at Kayte Lane on Sunday, November 8.
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Cheltenham Town Women: Pugh-Jones, Finch (Llewellyn 45), Owen, Wellesley-Davies; Bell, Attenborough (Butcher 65), Collis, Greenwood, Pemberton, Trinci (Hateley 80); Lue.
Stockport County Ladies: Farrell; Newton, Lancaster, Davies, Owen, Greenhalgh, Bentley (Rathburn 67), Bradshaw (Brady 77), Wilson, Hamer, Watson (Nsangou 67).
