“We’ve been haunted by injuries this year, but we can still break the records,” Emily Owen believes.
Cheltenham Town Women had a successful start to the 2025/26 season, kicking off the campaign with eight wins in their first 12 games. However, since the turn of the year, Cheltenham have failed to pick up a league victory.
Reflecting back on the season so far, captain Owen admitted that in her four years at the club, this is a trend she has seen a few times.
“It’s always the typical winter months. After Christmas, everyone’s full of Yorkshire puddings and can’t get going. We’ve been haunted by injuries as well this year.
“In previous years, we have been chilling with injuries, and this season we have been hit really hard by them.
“Obviously, I had to miss three games with some ligament in my foot. Then Casi [Evans] had a chipped bone in her foot, which is difficult as there is no swelling in her foot or anything. Poppy broke her finger but is still managing to play with her gloves sewn up now!
“People are slowly coming back and at the right time as well.”
Owen’s side is just one win away from equalling their FA Women’s National League record, and just five points away from equalling the points record of 25.
“At Hashtag United away, all we had to do was win the game and go top four. And again, we just didn’t turn up. Whether it’s the pressure or whatnot, but that is the game from the first half of the year that sticks out for that reason, because we had such a good start,” Owen said.
Despite this, the club have slipped to eighth in the league table, just three points off the drop zone. On Sunday, Cheltenham travel away to Plymouth Argyle, but the Robinesses will end the season with fixtures against AFC Wimbledon, Hashtag United and Billericay Town, who all sit around them.
A huge win for Watford means they're still top of the table.#FAWNL pic.twitter.com/c5DqYdf4js
— FA Women's National League (@FAWNL) March 8, 2026
Whilst Owen remains confident that her side can beat the records, the captain admitted that a high turnover in players has also impacted performances.
Goalkeeper Charlotte Haynes and striker Una Lue both departed the club after Christmas, with forward Louise Guymira also leaving.
“We are not a full-time club,” Owen said. “People have jobs and things change in their work and personal lives, and it does impact the club.
“Louise, for example, joined with the idea of going to university, but things changed for her, and then she was unable to commit as much as we needed her to.
And then changes after Christmas, setbacks with players leaving, and you end up with a much smaller squad, and then half of them get injured.”
Lue joined Plymouth at the turn of the new year, linking up with former Cheltenham striker Phoebie Poole.
On seeing former Cheltenham players making these moves, Owen said, “We were sad to lose both. For Una, I’m really pleased she’s gone to do something new.
“She was a kid at Cheltenham and growing up through the years, playing for Jamaica too.
“Phoebe is also playing in the Wales senior squad, it’s pleasing to see.”
