Cheltenham's away form deserts them again

Cheltenham failed to follow on from their Manchester United style 2-1 win against Brighton, in which they scored twice in injury time, as they were comprehensively beaten 3-0 by Swindon at the County Ground.

Despite a bright start, in which Steve Brooker missed two good chances, and Dave Bird hit a post, the game changed when the usually reliable Alex Russell misplaced a pass. Sadly, this was in his own penalty area, and after the mix up, Simon Cox put Swindon ahead. Russell then seemed to think Cheltenham were still playing in red, as he hit dozens of passes to gleeful Swindon players, as Cheltenham got themselves in a muddle.

Thankfully the County Ground was a lot drier than the last time I visited, but still slightly cold, and Cheltenham's day got worse following yet another mix up, as again they tried to pass it out of the box. This time Billy Paynter was the recipient, scoring Swindon’s second, which was followed a bizarre celebration as Paynter pulled captain Hasney Aljofree's shorts down in front of a slightly bemused crowd.

While Cheltenham couldn't have been faulted for determination, Steven Gillespie especially, the killer touch was lacking, and any hopes of a comeback were dashed when Christian Roberts scored with practically his first touch after coming on. A good first touch it was too, firing an angled shot into the bottom left hand corner from long range.

So not as good a day as Cheltenham's last trip to the County Ground, and they'll need to pick themselves up for the game against Hartlepool on Saturday.

Meanwhile a good set of results for Forest Green's play off hopes meant nothing as they could only draw with Stevenage, although that in itself is a credible result. Rovers remain four points off top five, and still have to go to Cambridge.

JAMES LEWIS

FGR do Gloucestershire proud

Gloucestershire ‘village’ side Forest Green Rovers may not have won at the County Ground on Saturday afternoon. They may not have even won a place in Sunday’s FA Cup Third Round draw, but what they did win was the respect of the Swindon Town fans.

The weather for the game was typical cup tie weather. Drizzle soon turned into showers as I queued for a bus to the train station…only to find that the 12:46 train to Swindon had been cancelled for some reason. Fortunately there was a free bus to Swindon from Cheltenham, that took from 1:10pm to 2:50pm.

So I was already a bit late getting there. On my way to the stand I noticed a few hundred bank notes (presumably fake or I would probably have picked them up myself!) scattered over the floor saying "take your payoff and go". Unfortunately I couldn’t dwell on it too much as I had a game to get to.

Now anyone who has had the pleasure of being an away supporter at Swindon, will know that they are seated in the Stratton Bank, which is an uncovered area behind the goal….and although I had a coat, and a jumper on, I had no hood, so I was hardly shielded from the elements. I envied all the Forest Green fans wrapped up warm in their hats and scarves.

At half time, Swindon led 1-0, JP McGovern scoring direct from a corner. The first half wasn’t particularly noteworthy; despite the rain the sun was shining in the away fans faces, and it was difficult to see where exactly the ball was without getting a blinding headache.

What FGR boss Jim Harvey said to the non-leaguers at half time must have worked though. About ten minutes in, Stuart Fleetwood scored, followed by a crazy celebration in which half the team did Klinsmann dives one after the other. A word on Fleetwood before I go on by the way….that was his 24th goal this season. Compare that to the entire Derby County team who have scored a total of…five.

Most strikers would be proud to have scored two dozen goals in all competitions in May never mind early December. Just as Forest Green fans thought it couldn’t get any better, it did, Mark Beesley heading in a cross, and the away fans went wild. Only 24 minutes to hold on!

Ok…so they tried to hold on for the win, and it failed. Former Plymouth player Hasney Aljofree headed in a cross from the left, and the Rovers looked as though Rovers would have to make do with a replay.

Except they didn’t even manage that, because with minutes to go, substitute and general daddy’s boy Blair Sturrock scored a rebound from Billy Paynter’s saved shot, to send Swindon into the hat.

Despite coming so close, and missing out, the population of Nailsworth will have their heads held high tonight, after pushing the former Premiership side all the way, and almost pulling off another upset. I must confess I was already planning a trip to the New Lawn for the replay but alas it wasn’t to be and thoughts can carry on to the League, and the FA Trophy.


JAMES LEWIS