Robinesses defeat United to move top of the perch
Having made a positive start to the season it was perhaps surprising to see Maidenhead United Women suffer a heavy 4-1 defeat to Cheltenham Town Ladies at York Road on Saturday, but the ambitious Robinesses from Gloucestershire have already moved to the top of the table and will have their eye on silverware this season.
They count among their number the former Wales international Amy Wathan and she got her name on the scoresheet as Cheltenham ran out comfortable winners against Ryan Taylor's side.
The former Oxford United player Jade Grove was the first player from either side to get a shot away in anger, but Magpies’ keeper Lola Pollard was equal to it and managed to gather in the attempt.
It was a warning sign that wasn't heeded, however, and Cheltenham took the lead just a few minutes later, Georgie-Marie Barbour-Gresham threading a pass through to Lacy-Jai Liggett, who turned the ball beyond Pollard.
Maidenhead had opportunities to level, with Nicole Barrett played through on goal only to see her shot smothered by Aimee Watson in the Cheltenham goal.
Barrett was busy at both ends during this spell and was called into action to clear Barbour-Gresham’s header off the goalline.
Megan Halfacree fired a freekick over the top before the hardworking Grove saw an effort pushed wide by Pollard.
Grove wasn't to be denied a goal, however, and swept the ball into the corner of the net just after the half-hour mark when a free-kick fell kindly for her in the box.
In an attempt to wrestle back some control of the match, Taylor made three changes at the interval with Paige Vanden and Shylla Carty-Duhaney replacing Kajal Malhotra and Chrissy Nazif whilst 16-year-old Gemma Harvey took over in goal from Pollard.
The change of shape saw them boss territory and possession for a spell, however, Cheltenham showed their quality to add a third midway through the half.
When a shot came back off the crossbar Liggett had the presence of mind to set up Wathan for a tap-in
Maidenhead weren't about to throw the towel in, however, and Kirsty Matthews bundled the ball home from Halfacree's corner to reduce the arrears.
But the visitors weren't about to throw away their advantage and headed back down the M4 with a fourth goal through Abby Bevan, who smartly finished off a cross from substitute Holly Rogers, giving Harvey little chance.
The Magpies will be looking to bounce back to form this coming Sunday afternoon at York Road when they entertain Swindon Town, 2pm kick-off.
Admission will be £3 for adults and £2 concessions.