Frustrated Chris Gough was left to lament his side’s profligacy in front of goal as Bishop’s Cleeve Ladies lost their Gordon Perrett Cup quarter-final to lower-division Dursley after a penalty shoot-out. Gough’s daughter Leonie fired Cleeve into an early lead, but the Mitres missed several chances to increase their advantage and were stung by Phoebe Booth’s late leveller before going down 3-2 from the spot.
Asked if his team had blown their shot at glory for the season, Gough admitted: “Absolutely. I think we had the better of the chances. Their keeper has made two or three good saves, but realistically we’ve got to finish those off. A second goal would have killed the game.”
Even with the wasted opportunities, one goal should have been enough, but eight minutes from time home goalkeeper Ellie Jones spilled a free-kick from Dursley namesake Lucy, and Booth followed in to equalise. The Cleeve boss added: “It’s debatable whether it was a free-kick, but we’ve got to defend it better and react properly. Dursley have pounced on it, it goes to 1-1, and then penalties is just a lottery.”
Appropriately enough on Mother’s Day, Dursley mums Louise Pegler, Michelle Watson and Jodie Turl all starred in the shoot-out, the first two scoring penalties alongside Lucy Jones, while goalkeeper Turl saved two Cleeve efforts, including the decisive kick from her opposite number.
Victorious skipper Watson said afterwards: “That really showed the togetherness of the squad, it was one of our best results of the season. Players who have not been regulars in the team stepped up to play their part, and we were all rewarded for our hard work in the end.”
Dursley will host Red Falcon in the semi-finals – a reverse of their county cup last-four clash – after the Almondsbury club beat Winchcombe 4-1. Harri Mason (2), Roberta Hyam and Claudia D’Angelo eased the visitors through, while Leanne Boulton netted for the Magpies.
The other semi-final of the County League’s cup will be between champions Pucklechurch and fellow Division One side Longwell Green. Pucklechurch steamrollered visiting Cirencester 10-1, Anna Toporkiewicz with the consolation goal, while hosts Longwell Green beat Olveston 4-2 on penalties following a 1-1 draw.
Elsewhere, Cheltenham Town remain in charge of their own destiny in the National League South West Division One title race despite conceding a late equaliser in their 1-1 draw at Southampton. Lacy-Jai Liggett put the Robins ahead two minutes into the second half, but Lucy Mear headed a 91st-minute leveller for the home side. Cheltenham Town Development, meanwhile, drew 1-1 at home to Oldland in the South West Northern Division.
In Division Three of the County League, Mitcheldean were unlucky to lose 1-0 at title-challengers Whitchurch, while Downend and Bradley Stoke drew 0-0, and Bristol Union Development beat Southmead 4-3. Both Division Two matches were awarded as walkovers, Ellwood conceding to Cheltenham Civil Service, and City of Gloucester handing the points to Bristol Rovers Development, who can win the title this weekend if they beat nearest challengers Dursley.
Elsewhere on Sunday, Cheltenham have a home game against Exeter, Forest Green host Ilminster, and Gloucester City go to Bristol & West.
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