Growth comes first for Saracens boss
GROWING newly-formed Cheltenham Saracens is the main aim for boss Simon Galpin this season rather than targeting promotion or trophies.
Saracens marked their Gloucestershire County Women’s League Division One debut with a 2-1 victory at newly-promoted Dursley, but Galpin believes his side should not be considered among the title favourites.
The manager was in charge of Cheltenham Town Development last season, but he insists Saracens do not have a squad full of South West League players despite being placed in the top division.
“The target this season is to grow the team for the future,” said Galpin. “This first season is a stepping stone in what I hope will be a fair few years of growth for the club. I’ll be happy to stay in this division.
“There seems to be an assumption that this is Cheltenham Town Development, but it is not. This is a very new side that has been together for eight or 10 weeks and only had a few pre-season games.”
Saracens carried a big threat going forward at Dursley, but had to come from behind after Katie Hooper finished superbly after being played in by skipper Michelle Watson, and the hosts led at the break.
Playing into the breeze seemed to suit Saracens as Kelly Adams levelled three minutes into the second half, and Lauren Wyatt’s ball to the far post found the net 10 minutes later.
Saracens had the chances to put the game to bed and were grateful when goalkeeper Adriane Cook-dunwoody denied Hooper an equaliser.
“It was a real test for us, a real learning curve,” added Galpin. “But there were some great positives for my team to take away. The way they battled back in the second half, the chances we created.
“Fair play to Dursley, they gave us a really good game. Their threat was all through the middle with pace. Second half we moved things around, went with a back three, and put a sweeper in at the end.”
Elsewhere in Division One, Bishop’s Cleeve came from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 with newlypromoted Bristol Rovers Development, Saffron O’brien scoring a late leveller after Annabel Jones cut the deficit.
Gloucester City and Bitton drew 2-2, the New Meadow Park side twice coming from behind through Chloe Golding and Beth Smith.
The third promoted side, Tuffley, went down 1-0 at Bristol & West as Beth Clatworthy struck.
In Division Two, Cheltenham Civil Service began with a 3-0 win at Downend Reserves, Gemma Riley (2) and Daniella Eden on target.
Cirencester beat Whitchurch 3-1 with goals from Nicola Biskup, Sarah Candy and Anna Torporkiewicz, while Mirri Smith scored the only goal as Gloucester City Development won 1-0 at City of Gloucester.
Lauren Mills scored a hattrick but her Longlevens side lost 6-3 to AEK Boco Reserves, while Red Falcon defeated Bradley Stoke 3-1.
Three of the four Division Three matches did not go ahead, with Kingswood, Mitcheldean and Southmead given walkovers by Stoke Lane, Olveston Reserves and Ashton Keynes respectively.
Downend A v Ellwood did go ahead, however, with the visitors winning 2-0 thanks to goals from Sarah Smith and Ellie Hall.
Forest Green Rovers kicked off their South West Premier campaign with a 4-4 draw at Liskeard. Charlie Rowlands struck twice for the Green Devils, while Nynka Rucker and Zoe Boyd were also on the mark.
Cheltenham Town, meanwhile, were overwhelmed 5-0 at National League Southern Premier leaders Oxford United. Leah Burridge and Carly Johns both scored twice, and Riva Casley also netted.
The Robins host Wimbledon in the National League Cup determining round this Sunday, while Gloucester City welcome Bishop’s Cleeve in the first qualifying round of the FA Cup, and Mitcheldean meet Ellwood in a Forest of Dean derby in the County League.