Cheltenham Town Women through to the FA Women’s National League Plate final after narrow win against Southampton U21’s

Cheltenham Town are through to the final of the Women’s National League Plate after a 1-0 win over Southampton U21’s in the semi-final at Kayte Lane, writes Abi Harding.

Una Lue’s strike on the hour mark was the difference against a young Southampton team who missed a last-minute penalty and finished the game with 10 players.

The game started slowly, but the first chance of the game fell to the visitors.

Sofia Mallon tried her luck from a freekick; however, it was well held by Cheltenham keeper Carys Pugh-Jones in slippery conditions.

From that moment on the hosts dominated possession and chances, striker Lue having her fair of chances.

The best chance of the half came courtesy of Henna Butcher, however, whose shot cannoned off the crossbar from close range at a tight angle.

The game ended goalless and even at half time.

Much like the first half, the second half started slow, with little chances for both teams.

Despite this, just after the hour mark Lue opened the scoring from close range.

Lue was at the right place at the right place to poke Doris Greenwood’s corner at the front post home.

From that moment onwards, the away side pressed hard for an equaliser, Natasha Udebhulu having two good chances to level the scoring.

Cheltenham skipper Emily Owen was on hand to preserve the clean sheet with a crucial block and tackle.

As the match was ticking closer to the 90-minute mark, the referee pointed to the spot after he deemed there was a foul in the Cheltenham penalty area

Two Saints players ended up on the floor from a corner, with the referee deeming one a push in the back.

Pugh-Jones parried Kaylee Buckingham’s spot kick away, which was right down the middle.

Buckingham then tried to convert the rebound, which was well held by Pugh-Jones, whom she followed through on before receiving a red card.

In a last-ditch attempt to level the scoring, Southampton swung in a dangerous corner, which was subsequently cleared off the line by Attenborough.

After a dramatic ending, Cheltenham held onto the slender advantage, meaning they are through to their first National League Plate Final in their history.

Cheltenham Town Women: Pugh-Jones, Trinci, Finch, Collis, Attenborough, Bell, Butcher, Llewellyn, Owen, Pemberton, Lue

Subs: Smith, Greenwood, Leach, Morgan

Southampton Women U21s: Pettit, Lampard, Lucas, Matthews, Bolton, Blumire, Nohasiarisoa, Hotston, Buckingham, Udebhulu, Mallon

Subs: Cornish, Robbins, Chester, Peachey, Beard, Chads, Henry

C Martin Roofing Player(s) of the match – Carys Pugh-Jones and Una Lue (Cheltenham Town Women)

READ MORE: Check out Sunday’s Women’s results in and around Gloucestershire right here

Cover photo courtesy of Cheltenham Town Women