Golden Goal sends Wycombe through and Town out!

By Peegs
November 13 2002

The Robins LDV Vans dreams were shattered at Whaddon Road last night as a Golden Goal sent them crashing out 2-1 to Wycombe Wanderers.

As the competition is a bit of a joke (well it is now!) Allner decided to rest Steve Book, Jamie Victory, John Finnigan and Julian Alsop. In came Shane Higgs - for a rare apperance in goal -, new signing Richard Forsyth, Hugh McAuley and Damian Spencer.

The Robins had most of the early chances infront of the 1740 watching supporters. Brayson hit a shot that Taylor saved comfortably infront of the shut down for the night away end and John Brough headed over from a Hugh McAuley corner.

Shane Higgs was called into action after 10 minutes. Danny Bulman - Wycombe's best player on the night- found Currie with a neat through ball, Currie shot from little over 10 yards but Higgs made himself big to block the shot. For the record Currie is a player I thought we should have signed when he became a free agent from Barnet a few seasons ago, but thats history now.

Martin Devaney - who had another good game - Hit a shot wide from new signing Forsth's pass and moments later had an effort chalked off for off side.

Leading up to half time each side had a number of chances. The dangerous looking Currie flashed a shot wide and Grant McCann (who in my opinion we have to sign when funds are available) hit a trademark free kick that was deflected inches wide.

After a goal mouth scramble, Mike Duff hit a stinging volley from 15 yards that flew just wide, if it had gone in maybe an early contender for goal ofthe season? Your views on the message board please!

Shane Higgs was tested to the full on the stroke of half time, when Currie found himself alone on the right hand angle of the area. He hit a diagonal shot that Higgs pushed aside ofr a corner.

The scores level at half time was probably a fair reflection on the tie so far

H/T 0-0

No substitutions at half time by Allner and Sanchez, quite surprising as this competition is seen as a chance to give everybody a run out (well 14 players max!)

On the hour McCann dragged a shot wide from 20 yards when he should have hit the target, this is probably why he has never made the grade at Premiership level.

Probably the moment of the game arrived moments later, none other than Neil Howarth beat a man for pace, steadied himself and struck a shot from fully 30 yards that was heading for the top corner, somehow Taylor tipped it round the post. Now that would surely have been goal of the season!

The Wycombe travelling fans continued to beat there loud drum and for an LDV Vans game there was an impressive atmosphere. However the majority of fans in the ground were stunned 11 minutes from time, having offered little in the 2nd half Wycombe scored with a deflected shot.

Danny Bulman collected the ball 35 yards out, he ran forward un challenged and hit a shot that deflected or swerved alot that defied Higgs and went in. This was made eevn more sickening for the Cheltenham fans as in the 10 minutes prior to this goal Brayson had been flagged off side twice when through on goal when he was clearly a yard on side on both occasions. Will we ever get a good Lino and Ref?

The Robins sent on Milton and Alsop in a quest for an equaliser. Devaney sent a hot wide and then in envertedly blocked Brayson shot after Taylor had made a rare mistake when dropping the ball.

2 minutes into the alloted 4 minutes extra time Cheltenham equalised, Brayson found himself in acres of space on the right hand side, he fired in a cross that £15k signing Forsyth bundled into the net with some part of his body. The delight of the Robins faithful in equalising in the LDV Vans was incredible, what reaction will there be if we score a last minute equaliser at Yeovil on Saturday?!

The game went into Golden Goal Extra time. I've never been a big fan of golden goal and my opinions of it have gone down hill after last night. Lewis Cook found himself in acres on the left hand side - where was Neil Howarth?- he ran forward with pace cut inside and powered a shot at goal that creeped in. And that was it, just like that out of the competition.

Without meaning to de value the competition it is a Mickey Mouse competition, the financial benefits of staying in are not huge so we mustn't be too gutted going out at this early stage.

Bring on Yeovil on Saturday. I'll quote what I said as I approached the ground "I'd settle now for going out of the LDV Vans and progressing in the FA Cup". I don't think anyone could dis-agree with that. Keep the faith!

F/T 1-1 AET 1-2

CHELTENHAM TOWN: Higgs, Howarth, Duff, Brough, McCann, Devaney, Yates, Forsth, McAuley (Milton 80), Spencer (Alsop 85), Brayson.

WYCOMBE WANDERERS: Taylor, Senda, Thomson, McCarthy (Rogers 63), Vinnicombe, Currie, Bulman, Simpson, Cook, Harris, Faulconbridge