Rollercoaster Ride Ends In Another Draw

The final destination may have been a familiar one, as Fareham drew their fourth match in a row, but the route taken was anything but predictable as they fought back from two goals down to draw 2-2 in a match that had everything including the good, the bad and the ugly.

There was one change from last week’s goalless draw with Trojans as Isabel Austin returned to the side. Tara Lemon was once again on the bench in a non-playing capacity as Aimee Timms once again held the role of captain.

The home team started well and had an early opportunity in the 4th minute. Poppy Roddis set up a chance down the left side for Georgia Collins whose shot hit goalkeeper Emily Cupper’s helmet with the keeper also blocking the follow up from Poppy. Play continued for a few seconds before the keeper looked unsteady on her feet and went down for treatment. It was a reminder of the previous meeting between the two sides when a different Cheltenham keeper was injured in the warm up leading to them playing the entire game with eleven outfield players. Fortunately there was no repeat as play resumed after a four minute break.

In the 9th minute Hollie Smith intercepted a clearance and played the ball through to Poppy Roddis whose chipped deflection was inches wide of the far post.

The opening minutes had been dominated by Fareham but Cheltenham had their first penalty corner in the 15th minute and remarkably they would find themselves two ahead by the end of the quarter. The opening goal in the 16th minute was not without controversy. A risky cross field pass deep in Farham territory was intercepted by Evie Henderson. As the ball ran loose into the ‘D’ Sophia Barclay raced out and reached the ball just before the Cheltenham player. Her timing looked to be spot on but the forward went over the top of her and a penalty stroke was awarded. It looked harsh at the time and watching it again several times hasn’t changed my opinion. ALICE SHEA, the visiting captain, scored from the spot with a high shot to Sophia’s right.

One minute later the lead was doubled. Almost all the intervening time had been spent with the ball on the edge of the Cheltenham ‘D’ but they swept down the field to score a classic breakaway goal. Two quick passes found Emily Hobbs who embarked on a 50 yard run from one 23 to the other. Aimee Timms attempted to keep pace with her and as Leah Payne came over to help the ball was slipped right to a wide open EVIE HENDERSON who scored with a composed finish as Sophia Barclay came out to meet her.

After the late drama in the opening quarter the 2nd period was a rather uneventful one as the home side looked to regroup. They dominated possession but the closest to a goal came from another Cheltenham break in the 25th minute when Evie Henderson’s shot across the area was just out of reach of two team mates at the far post.

Half time was a moment for taking stock. Fareham had been in control for much of the first half but they knew they hadn’t played to their potential. With Cheltenham being a very adept counter attacking outfit it looked like the visitor's main threat would come on the break.

Fareham took the game to the opposition immediately from the restart. Good work down the right side by Sian Edwards and Alice Lander set up a dangerous cross from Georgia Collins which the keeper turned behind for a long corner.

A quick goal was needed and it came in the 38th minute. From a free hit on the left side of the ‘D’ Libby Jones found space and passed the ball into the area. Isabel Austin got a vital touch to find SARAH ATKINSON who turned and finished smartly to beat the keeper with a shot inside the right post to increase her tally for the season to three.

After an ideal start to the 2nd half Fareham tried to press for the equalizer but that would have to wait as the visitors had two very good chances to restore the two goal advantage. In the 39th minute a quick break set up a shot for Charli Roberts whose shot was just wide of the left post. One minute later Cheltenham had an even better opportunity which began in a familiar way with another strong run from defence by Emily Hobbs. Her pass found Evie Henderson who raced into the ‘D’. Sophia came out to meet her and made the stop as the two players collided and the ball ran loose to Alice Shea who tried to finish from close range but her reverse shot cleared the bar with just a defender on the line to beat.

After surviving those two scares Fareham resumed their mission and they were soon level. The sequence of events began when Gracie Coleman won a penalty corner after a tricky run and her shot from the corner was blocked, setting up a second PC which was taken in the 48th minute. Aimee Timms slipped the ball to GEORGIA COLLINS who shot from the edge of the ‘D’, through a crowd of players, into the far corner to make it 2-2. It was Georgia’s first goal since returning to Fareham.

Everything was set up for an exciting final quarter with the scores level. The hosts had the first opportunity in the 56th minute when Sian Edwards picked up the ball on the right and found Poppy Roddis who ran towards the ‘D’ and threaded the ball through to Sarah Atkinson whose shot was diverted wide for a long corner.

Four minutes later, more good work by Sarah who gained possession on half-way before a beautifully weighted diagonal pass to Sian Edwards down the right. Her cross was a dangerous one but Gracie Coleman was attracting a lot of attention from the defenders in front of goal and couldn’t quite get a touch.

Fareham’s best chance for a winner came in the 62nd minute and followed another period of quick passing using the full width of the pitch. Sian won a free hit just to the right of the area and found Sarah who sent a dangerous cross to the far side of the ‘D’. It was met by Libby Jones who fired in a shot which looked to be heading for the far corner before the keeper got a hand to it and the ball rebounded back into a dangerous area before cannoning off a Cheltenham defender’s leg and then almost squirming inside the left post. It looked like a penalty corner would be the call but a long corner had to suffice.

The visitors still hadn’t given up at this stage. Sophia Barclay saved from close range after another Charli Roberts shot and yet another long run by Emily Hobbs created a chance for Philly Roberts but her shot was stopped by Alicia Caillard in front of her keeper.

With two minutes to play Libby Jones almost capped a very good performance with an assist but her dangerous pass was just beyond the reach of Hollie Smith. Hollie was to feature in the final moment of note when she competed for a long pass from Alice Lander and appeared to be on the receiving end of an elbow from Cheltenham defender Isabelle Mico.

The contest ended 2-2 and whilst Fareham had probably failed to do themselves justice in the first half they fought back magnificently after the break to share the points with a Cheltenham side that played their part in making it a thrilling match to watch. It was frustrating that we couldn’t get a first win but we have become used to playing very well in recent weeks without a win to show for it. The draw was noteworthy for the fact that it was our eighth this season which equals the record for most draws in a season in the conference divisions of the women’s national league. Interestingly, the other seven sides to have achieved this all won at least four matches and only one team, Loughborough Students 2s last season, was relegated.

Our final league game is also our longest away trip of the season as we travel to Devon on Saturday to play Exeter (14.00), hoping to finish with a win.