Goals from Cheltenham Town’s skipper Emily Owen, Izzy Cook, Libby Davies and Emma Cosgrove helped Cheltenham Town Ladies breeze past Billericay Town.
Skipper Owen opened the scoring converting from the penalty spot after Libby Davies, making her full debut saw her shot strike the arm of a Billericay defender.
Izzy Cook doubled the lead in the 52nd minute, as the Robiness’ attack combined to pass effortlessly through the home sides defence. Cook’s initial effort was repelled by the keeper, but was able to volley in the rebound.
Just five minutes later, Libby Davies on her first start for the side, lobbed effort from range extended the lead to three-nil. With substitute Emma Cosgrove rounding up the scoring to add a fourth minutes after being introduced.
The win moves Town up to sixth position in the National League Southern Premier, sitting on 13 points from their nine games played.
Head coach Tom Davies was proud of his team’s dominance and how they controlled the match.
“The performance we put together was outstanding, we started the game well, we were quick, and we moved the ball. There were period towards the end of the first half that we protected it a little.
It took us a little while to get going in the second half, just getting our foot back in the game, re-establishing the right to play. Billericay came out, pressed us well and we had to earn the right to play again and we did that.”
“We moved the ball well, tactically we made good decisions, we were resolute and didn’t allow shots on target, we created good chances.”
“Its piecing together, we said last week not to lose sight of the process, when we win we don’t lose sight, and when we lose we don’t. Just keep pulling in the same direction and doing the same thing.
The head coach was sure to give recognition to two players in particular, young forward Libby Davies, and goalkeeper Aimee Watson.
“I’m delighted for her (Davies), I thought she was phenomenal today, she worked hard, she chased everything and held up the ball well. She was making great runs with her movement in the box and she deserved her finish, and it came down to her hard work.”
“There were a number of phenomenal performances there, Watson in goal, coming back to her best again, she deserves her plaudits for her clean sheet today, and I’m delighted for her. She earnt that and she worked hard for it.
“Across the board I was really happy with everybody.”
A win was vital for the Robins, as there next two matches see them host top of the table Oxford United and the leagues form team Watford. But Tom Davies is looking forward to the fixtures, interested in seeing how far his team have come.
“For us, its an opportunity, we got two of the best sides in the division at the moment, and quite rightly. For us it’s a brilliant opportunity to ourselves. To see where we are at, set a benchmark for us. See how close we come off, do we go out and get a result, or a good performance, its an opportunity to see what we can go and do.”
“We know what our project is this year and what are aims are, irrespective of the results its about putting in two positive performances. And it will be the same for the week after that, and the week after that. We just keep moving. Its nice to get a result and its nice to get a full performance where we have fully earnt it, and no one can say any different. Sometimes you go into games and be a little fortunate, but we have earnt that, so its full credit to the players,
Cheltenham Town Ladies next match is at home to Oxford United next Sunday (February 5, 2023).
