Cheltenham Town Women manager Tom Davies was left frustrated with his side’s defending after they conceded a quickfire double to lose to Oxford United Women at Kayte Lane on Sunday.
It was the Robinesses first defeat in the Women’s National League since their 7-0 humbling at home to Ipswich Town in November.
The hosts took the lead in the seventh minute through Libby Bell before two goals on the stroke of half-time from Jaime Gotch and former Cheltenham player Phoebie Poole gave the U’s a dramatic comeback.
The away side held on for their first league win since October 27 despite the hosts dominating the ball they were unable to grab a deserved equaliser.
Davies who has been in charge of Town since May 2020 was disappointed with the way they conceded the three minute double salvo that condemned them to defeat.
“I thought we sat in a little bit we allowed them to get a rhythm which is not the right thing to do and we need to manage our momentums a little bit better at times.
“I think we got a bit excited thinking we would get the next one, we just need to manage that and I thought we did okay and the last three minutes of the half is game changing.
“We’ve not defended the corner and we know they’ve got strength in depth in attacking corners and set plays so that’s a bit disappointing and then obviously the second goal is also disappointing from a defensive point of view it’s a good finish but it’s too easy to give those two chances away.”
After falling behind on the stroke of half time, Town piled on the pressure and were looking the closest to grabbing the next goal but they were missing the clinical edge meaning the resilient away side were able to hold on for a all three points.

“We rallied really well and then in the second half we managed the next phase and then we knew we would come strong at the end and we did and we were a step away, a touch, a header, a kick, a moment.
“I thought we were close, we looked like we were going to get close but unfortunately we weren’t at the right moment or it didn’t fall for us so a disappointing one to take.
“We did enough to win it but we definitely deserved something out of it, it’s one of them we performed well done the right things and therefore we will take that and used it as a continued momentum to move forward.”
Town will be looking to make amends for just their second defeat in nine games in all competitions when they play against Essex side Billericay Town at Kayte Lane looking to avenge their 2-1 defeat that they suffered in August.
Davies was confident that his side can go again and continue on their impressive cup and league form to keep on climbing the Women’s National League table.
“We will remove the mistakes and get that yard of luck or that bit of distance where the game changes so we are happy with that performance the group is right, the group is in a good space and that’s not going to change over the next seven days so all good we will rest, recover, get ready and go again.”
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