Alsop on target as Town draw 1-1 with Stockport

By Peegs
November 11 2002

It was a case of either 1 point gained or 2 points lost at Edgeley Park as Cheltenham gave away a lead gave to them on half an hour by Julian Alsop. £400k signing Ben Burgess hitting the equaliser just before half-time.

Mark Yates came into the team inplace of Richard Forsyth who was only resigned on Friday evening. He took his place on the bench alongside the returned to fitness Hugh McAuley. John Brough continued at centre back with Richard Walker still out injured.

The Stockport team didnt include the injured player manager Carlton Palmer but did include long throw expert Dave Challinor, £400k summer signing Ben Burgess and Division 2's top scorer Luke Beckett.

Cheltenham made 3 clear cut chances in the first 10 minutes. A free kick on the right hand side of the area was swiung in by Grant McCann, Brayson failed to make contact with the ball but it took a good save from on loan Southampton 'keeper Blayney. The on loan 'keeper had to be alert minutes later to dive at Brayson's feat to stop him shooting at goal. Brayson is now starting to show why Allner brought him to the club.

Brayson again was behind the 3rd chance, he crossed the ball into the box for Alsop who had ran into space 8 yards out, unfortunatly for him and Cheltenham he got the ball stuck under his feat and a combination of Hatters defenders Clare and Challinor cleard the ball to safety.

The Robins continued to be on top, Tonkin having to be alert to clear a Jamie Victory cross. Alsop and Devaney both tested Republic of Ireland U21 International Blayney with long shots that he dealt with comfortably. Luke Beckett had a chance on 24 minutes but Book rushed out to block his shot, for the leagues top scorer he was remarkably quiet.

Alsop then volleyed the ball towards his own net Steve Marlet like but the ball rebounded luckily for him off the post and to safety. LUCK AT LAST!!!!!

On the half hour Cheltenham took a deserved lead through Julian Alsop. Devaney - who has made the right wing place his - ran down the right, beat left back Tonkin, his run took him into the box and he crossed low for Alsop who couldnt miss (should I say that after Huddersfield!) from a yard out. What we needed to do now was to keep the lead till half time. But no, that didn't happen sadly!

6 minutes prior to the half time break Stockport equalised. Luke Beckett sent Gibb through down the right hand side, his low driven cross was driven into the net by £400k player Ben Burgess. Book had no chance. Now were in Division 2 were going to come up against players of the class of Burgess, he doesnt have a transfer tag of £400k for nothing.

Town nearly went behind before the break! Ireland's finest Mike Duff slipped whilst tryin to clear a cross from the dangerous Gibb, the ball arrived to Gibb but he put his shot over the bar.

Half time arrived and Cheltenham would have to feel unlucky to be only drawing at this stage. Would spencer make an apperance in the second half?

H/T 1-1

Cheltenham were unchanged for the 2nd half as were Stockport County. Hatters had a number of early 2nd half chances. Ali Gibb - who was playing well - sent a free kick over the bar from 20 yards.

Grant McCann who is the cheif free kick taker sent one over the bar from just outside the area after Devaney had been brought down by Stockports Karim Fradin, he got a booking for his troubles.

The Robins were hit with more controversial refereeing decisions moments later. A knock down by John Finnigan was met by an on rushing Devaney who ran into the box, he was hacked down by Tonkin but the ref bottled giving a penalty an instead booked Devaney fro allegedly diving! It was a disgraceful decision by Mr G Salisbury.

Brayson who had a quiet 2nd half by his recent standards nearly set up Devaney for a crucial goal, Devaney ran onto his through ball but his shot from 15 yards was brilliantly saved by the impressive Blayney. Again if we want to stay up in this Division we need to take our chances when they come.

The only substitution of the game came on 77 minutes. Top scorer Luke Beckett - who was kept quiet all day by a combination of Mike Duff and the superb John Brough, will Walker get back in when fit? - was replaced by Jon Daly.

8 minutes from time Stockport nearly knicked all 3 points. Ali Gibb crossed over from the right, Karim Fradin - another impressive player at this level - headed down for scorer of the first goal Burgess, but the £400k player spannered his sshot wide of the target. It was a chance a £400k striker should have scored from.

The game ended with a fair result 1-1 although Cheltenham probably edged it overall. With Wycombe in the LDV Vans on Tuesday this gives Allner a chance to rest players for the crucial FA Cup clash Away at Yeovil on Saturday.

The result leaves us 2nd bottom but at the start of the season this game would be one I would have put down as a defeat. The next league game is a tricky away fixture against Oldham Athletic on the 23rd November, I'd settle for a point from that one!

STOCKPORT COUNTY: Blayney, Hardiker, Challinor, Clare, Tonkin, Gibb, Goodwin, Fradin, Briggs, Beckett (Daly 77), Burgess

CHELTENHAM TOWN: Book, Howarth, Duff, Brough, Victory, Devaney, Yates, Finnigan, McCann, Brayson, Alsop

Attendance 4531