Cooking up a win Izzy’s double gets Town off to a winning start
CHELTENHAM Town Ladies kicked-off their third-tier FA National League Southern Premier campaign with a 3-1 home win over Plymouth Argyle.
The Robins trailed at half-time after Charlotte Whitmore’s long-range opener, but levelled early in the second period through Jade Grove.
Grove equalised as Izzy Cook played the ball to the striker, who finished smartly at the near post.
Cheltenham earned a penalty in the 70th minute after a handball from Lucy Hack, but Courtney Jones’ shot was saved well by keeper Jasmine Read.
Cheltenham took the lead three minutes later after Cook got a goal herself after good work by Henna Butcher.
Cook then sealed the points for the home side, following up after Emily Owen’s free-kick had been parried by the Argyle goalkeeper.
Robins boss Tom Davies said on the club’s social media: “We played really well in the second half; we took ownership of the game and were a lot better. Overall, really proud of the performance.”
The Robins are back at home next Sunday as they face Billericay Town Ladies.
Cheltenham: Hannam, Jones, Owen, Barbourgresham, Asker (Liggett 65), Taylor, Butcher (Collis 80), Cook, Haynes, Grove (Newns 85), Wathan. Subs not used: Watson, Beck-esson.
The Cheltenham side included their latest signing, wing-back Tia Asker, the club’s ninth new arrival since the end of their title-winning season.
The 18-year-old has previous experience with Bridgwater United Women, where she made her first team debut in 2020/21.
She has also been with Yeovil Town as well as spending time at the Dorset Advanced Coaching Centre and representing Dorset Schools. Asker is an athletic and attack-minded player who believes she can fit in well at wing-back in manager Tom Davies’ Robins lineup.
“I began speaking to Tom after the end of the season and he was willing to give me a new opportunity to develop further and play in a position which suits my game very well,” Asker said.
“It’s a club which has ambition and the ability to challenge and become a strong threat within the league.
Asker is hoping to build both her confidence and experience as Cheltenham have their first taste of third tier football.
“The staff and players are also very welcoming, which made the move to the club very easy,” she said.
She has just finished her A-levels and plans to start a degree in sport performance from September.
NEW Forest Green Rovers Women’s head coach Neil Moore is confident that his team will be challenging at the business end of the table this season.
The Green Devils begin their South West Premier Division campaign at Liskeard a week on Sunday, and boss Moore believes his side should be among the contenders for promotion come the end of the campaign.
“I expect us to be competing at the top end of the table,” said Moore, who has been involved in high-level women’s football for over a decade, primarily as a goalkeeping coach.
“We want to improve upon last season (a fifth-placed finish in the fifth tier) and I’m optimistic that we will improve and take the club forward.
“Bristol Rovers will be up there, too, but this is my first time working at this level, so I’m not going to rule anyone out in terms of challenging.”
Moore worked with the goalkeepers at Women’s Championship side Charlton last season and has also coached at the women’s teams of Bristol City, Everton and Wales, and being based in Bristol has allowed him to bring a number of new players to Forest Green.
He added: “The squad I inherited was decent, but I’ve brought in some new faces, probably six or seven who I know from the Bristol area.
“We’ve taken a young goalkeeper on loan from Bristol City, and I know some girls who were in the City set-up when they were younger.
“It’s an exciting time for the club with the emerging talent centre being created and an academy set-up coming in below us.
“We’ll take every game as it comes, but we want to be competing at the top end of the table, and a cup run would be nice as well.”
South West Regional Women’s Football League Premier Division: Bishop’s Lydeard, Bristol Rovers, Forest Green Rovers, Ilminster Town, Liskeard Athletic, Poole Town, Royal Wootton Bassett Town, Sherborne Town, Torquay United, Warminster Town.