Robins lose 4-1 to Notts County

By Peegs
September 29 2002

Notts County were handed 3 points on a plate at Whaddon Rd as the Robins didnt even play to half their potential. A brace from Danny Allsop helped the oldest team in the league to a 4-1 away win.

The Cheltenham team was unchanged from that which won 2-0 at Mansfield the previous Saturday. The Notts County line up included ex Reading man Darren Caskey and ex Man City forward Danny Allsopp.

Its a cliche but the ame couldn't have got off to a worser start but its the truth it couldn't! Notts County took the lead on 2 minutes. Duff fouled Richard Liburd on the left hand side of the "penno" box. Caskey floated a ball into the box and Stallard flicked a header past Book who had no chance.

Before the crowd had finished debating the softness of the 1st goal they ha started debating the softness of Notts Counties 2nd goal! The ball was bouncing in the right back position, Mike Duff tried to head it back to Book but it was woefully short, Stallard intercepted and squared for Danny Allsopp who tapped the ball into the empty net infront of the C & G stand.

Town were looking there most dangerous in the air. Both Yates and Alsop headed off target from McAuley and Milton crosses respectivly. Town really had to get a goal back before halftime.

The Robins came close to pulling a goal back on 20 minutes when Walker lofted a ball into the box, Alsop headed it down for his mate Naylor who's volley was turned round the post by County 'keeper Garden. This was a great example thst proved Alsop and Naylor is our best striking partnership.

Both teams had further chances before the break. Liburd had a shot blocked by Walker after he had easily beaten right back Griffin. McAuley had a chance from a free kick but sent his shot over the bar and into the away following from Nottingham.

H/T 0-2

Many fans expected Mr Allner to make some changes at half time but he stuck with the same 11 who played so bad in the first 45 minutes.

A comical moment happened early in the 2nd half. Marcel Cas found himself the wrong side of left back Victory. He ran towards goal and fired a shot in to the side nettin. However all of the Notts County fans were convinced it had gone in and were momenterily celebrating a goal!

However 11 minutes after half time the Notts County fans were celebrating for real. Mark Yates who had his worst game in the red and white stripes was slow to react to a pass from Finnigan, Liburd collected the ball and released Allsopp, he rounded Steve Book and slotted home to make it 3-0. As has been mentioned many times in my reports in this division we are punished for every mistake we make. In this game intercepted back pass and intercepted pass were both punished. Would we have got away with them in Division3?

Finally Allner made some changes. He sent on Williams and Brayson in place of McAuley and Milton to try and create some width. Within 5 minutes Cheltenham pulled a goal back. Naylor ran down the left and managed to dig out a cross, Alsop got inbetween 2 defenders and bravely headed past Garden in the Notts goal. At 3-1 with 25 minutes to go we had a chance of claiming a point.

Finnigan powered a 30 yarder just over the bar and Williams was causing problems with crosses from the wide right but Town failed to get the 2nd goal that would have had Notts County on the racks.

Notts County sealed the game once and for all with a goal Mark Yates sould have sleepless nights about. A ball arrived to Stallard who had slipped, he took the ball past Yates with such ease he could have been mowing the lawn at the same time and then nut megged the advancing Book. This sparked mass numbers of fans to the exits and you can find out what I think of these people on the message board of this site!

Just an afternoon to forget. Best not to dwell to much on it. It was a case of quite a few players having an off day on the same day. Notts County didn't set the world alight wth there performance but have left with a 4-1 away victory! Bring on Crystal Palce on Wednesday in the 2nd round of the Worthington Cup.

F/T 1-4

CHELTENHAM TOWN: Book, Griffin (Spencer 82), Duff, Walker, Victory, McAuley (Brayson 59), Yates, Finnigan, Milton (Williams 59), Alsop, Naylor

NOTTS COUNTY: Garden, Stone, Fenton, Richardson, Nicholson, Boland (Cas 33), Brough (Ireland 89), Caskey, Liburd, Allsopp, Stallard (Heffernan 88)

Attendance at start 4565. At final whistle alot less.