West Women’s League, Premier One: Cheltenham 2, Taunton Vale Ladies 1st XI 2.

TAUNTON Vale’s hope of winning promotion back to the national league ended with a frustrating draw away to Cheltenham on Saturday.

Vale started in an unusually slack manner, sloppy marking allowing Cheltenham to create a few chances in an end to end opening.

The visitors’ debutant Gemma Winterbottom jabbed a short corner rebound over the line from close range but the umpire ruled it out claiming a foul.

Vale soon took the lead through Helena Bird, who fired in a cool strike from the top of the D on her long awaited comeback for the first team.

But Vale couldn’t hold their lead for long though as a Cheltenham forward went down injured on the 25 yard line winning a free hit for the home side. On the restart it was strangely upgraded to a short corner which Cheltenham converted to go in level at the break.

Both sides created chances in the second half with Vale player-of-the-match, keeper Chris Chan, pulling off some fine saves.

Cheltenham caught Vale on the break and scored from close range but Vale bounced back well with a sustained spell of pressure.

Jess Berry was released down the right and struck the ball into the bottom corner to equalise before Vale got what they thought was the winner.

Lou Parkinson swept a straight ball under the advancing Cheltenham keeper, only for the umpire at the opposite end to rule it out claiming the ball wasn’t touched.

Vale now face a rematch against Cheltenham in their final game of the season on Saturday week, needing a win to finish second in the table.