Gwalia United host Cheltenham Town at Leckwith International Athletics Stadium on Thursday evening (kick-off 7.45pm), as we look to build on our two-game winning streak in all competitions. On Sunday, we progressed to the Second Round of the Adobe Women’s FA Cup, defeating Winchester City Flyers 4-0, away from home.
Tia Asker’s curling strike set the tone. However, after Gwalia conceded a penalty minutes later, Benedicte Haaland was on hand to deny Chelsie Hay an equaliser.
The second half was where the game opened up, as Ellie-Mai Sanford turned her effort goalward to make it two, before Manon Pearce and substitute Eliza Collie netted in stoppage time to seal our place in the draw.
Gwalia will now face Plymouth Argyle away from home in the next round of the FA Cup on the weekend of the 22nd/23rd of November.
Cheltenham are level on points in the league standings after seven matches, with only goal difference placing them in eighth place compared to Gwalia’s seventh. Their two of three league victories have come away from home, against Real Bedford (1-4) and AFC Wimbledon (1-2), in addition to a home win over Oxford United (1-0).
On Sunday, the visitors were in cup action, as they defeated Millwall Lionesses thanks to Libby Bell and Emily Owen to secure a tie against, also drawing a fellow third-tier side in Lewes at home.
From last season’s league encounters, Gwalia have the upper hand in the previous two meetings. In September 2024, Cheltenham had taken a two-goal lead going into the second half, although Emily Poole and Kylie Nolan ensured we left Gloucestershire with a point.vIn the return fixture in February, Manon Pearce fired Gwalia into an early lead, with the lead staying intact until nine minutes from time, as Una Lue equalised for Cheltenham. Pearce managed to register her brace and the decisive goal in the 89th minute to secure three points for Gwalia at Newport Stadium.
To keep up-to-date with Thursday evening’s match, follow the live match blog in the ‘match zone’ section of the website, or on the club’s social media channels.
