Gwalia United came from behind to draw 1–1 with Cheltenham Town Women in an entertaining FAWNL League Cup tie at Kayte Lane, extending their unbeaten run against the Robins to five matches. Cori Williams-Mills’ young team showed excellent tenacity and a never-say-die attitude with many league cup debutants for Gwalia such as Elin Thomas, Megan Bible, Esme Kilburn-Thompson and Summer Evans impressing.
The first half was played at a relentless, end-to-end pace, with Gwalia creating several promising openings. Issy Newns tested the Cheltenham goalkeeper early, before Molly Kehoe struck the side netting on the half-hour mark. To the credit of both sides, Cheltenham and Gwalia were tenacious and keen on a high tempo encounter.
Bonnie Gready then went close following an excellent run, while Esme Kilburn-Thompson saw a well crafted effort slide agonisingly wide. Cheltenham also passed up an opportunity as the sides went in level at the break.
Gwalia made a change in goal at half-time, with Ameliah Yarwood replacing Benni Haaland, and continued to defend with determination. Elin Thomas, making her first League Cup appearance for the club, produced an important defensive intervention to stop a Cheltenham breakaway.
The contest became increasingly physical after the restart. Callie Jones received Gwalia’s first yellow card following a series of committed challenges, while Gready was on the end of a strong challenge from behind that somewhat bewilderingly for many of the Gwalia fans that had made the journey to Cheltenham drew no sanction.
Cheltenham took the lead in the 65th minute with a goal from Evie Murphy after Cheltenham’s Casi Evans persisted in winning the ball out wide, rewarding Cheltenham’s attacking play. But Gwalia responded positively. Imi Scourfield replaced Newns and Jess Cockayne came on for Summer Evans, giving more young players valuable League Cup experience.
Gready was then brought down when through on goal, earning Gwalia a free-kick. Molly Kehoe drew justice out of the scenario by producing an absolutely superb strike from just outside the box, the ball curling into the top right corner beautifully to level the score at 1–1. A finer strike you would struggle to see all season.
Both teams continued to play at a high tempo through the closing stages, with Cheltenham forcing a late corner, but Gwalia stood firm to secure a deserved draw. Bonnie Gready and Esme Kilburn-Thompson both had late chances, with Charlotte Salisbury-Williams hitting the crossbar from a fine strike for Cheltenham, but with two very evenly matched teams the result of 1-1 felt fair and deserved at Full Time.
