Football / Bristol Rovers Women
Gas Girls knocked out of the FA Cup by Keynsham
A battling performance from Bristol Rovers Women’s was not enough to beat Keynsham Town, who won 2-1 at Lockleaze Sports Centre with an away trip to Luton awaiting them in the third round of the FA Cup.
Helena Costa scored a late goal for the Gas Girls and Keynsham were reduced to ten players for the last ten or so minutes of the match following a second yellow card, but despite several chances created, Rovers just could not force a deserved equaliser.
This was the furthest that Rovers had progressed in the FA Cup since being reformed in 2019, with the team currently sitting in first place in the South West Regional Women’s Football League Premier Division.
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Keynsham play in the division above Rovers so these two sides will play again in the league next season if Rovers hold their position at the top of the table.
Among the positives from the game at Lockleaze Sports Centre was the return from injury after more than two months of Rovers vice-captain Poppy Warren.
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Rovers manager Nathan Hallett-Young told Bristol24/7 that he was “gutted” after the match.
“It’s going to be a tough one to take but it’s something that we should be proud of,” said Hallett-Young.
“This is an achievement regardless of the result… We have made an unbelievable account of ourselves. Looking forward, we’ve shown that we can handle teams in the league above whether they’re at the bottom end of that league or mid-table, we’ve shown that we’re more than capable.
“A few tweaks are needed but we definitely put the game to them. A fair game probably puts it honours even or swings it our way but sometimes you’ve got to get the rub of the green.
“I thought their goalkeeper was excellent and was the difference between the two sides. Without that, it probably swings the game in our favour.
“But I can’t be more proud of the team.”
Main photo & video: Martin Booth
Read next:
- Keeper Cousin’s heroics help Gas Girls into FA Cup second round
- Gas Girls rue missed chances against Forest Green
- Gas Girls reveal new shirt in collaboration with St Peter’s Hospice
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