Robins knock out Latics 2-1 in 2nd Round of Cup

By Peegs
December 9 2002

Cheltenham progressed to the 3rd round of the FA Cup for the 2nd year running with a 2-1 away win versus Oldham. It was the same score line that the Robins defeated the Latics last year in the same competition.

Cheltenham had to make 2 changes to the usual line up. Grant McCann was ineligible and Martin Devaney suspended. Mark Yates and Hugh McAuley came into the line up.

Oldham included Dutchman Clyde Wijnhard in their starting line up, but like Cheltenham had a number of players out, most notably defender Clint Hill who broke his leg in mid week.

Oldham created some chances in the early stages. Paul Murray hit a weak shot at Steve Book. The old man David Eyres split the defence open with an angled pass and the ball came to Wijnhard but he was off balance and sliced his kick no way near goal. A player of his pedigree should have done better.

After 17 minutes the Robins took the lead. And it was the 2 players who came into the starting line up in place of the unavailable players who were involved. McAuley swung in a corner and Yates ran to the front post and met the ball with a firm header that left Pogliacomi with no chance.

It was 2-0 before you could say “Bob’s your uncle”. Book launched a long kick, Alsop headed on and Brayson got in behind the last man before lobbing over the Goalkeeper.

Cheltenham had one foot into the next round. They rode their luck on 26 minutes however when Wijnhard had a goal disallowed. He volleyed the ball into the net but it was chalked off for offside.

Oldham’s French defender Baudet nearly socred in his own net after half an hour, his header from McAuley’s cross just going over the crossbar.

4 minutes before half time the Cheltenham goal had a remarkable escape. But this is the luck we have been waiting for. Eyres crossed for £200k signing from Man City Chris Killen he thumped a header past Book and on to the bar, the ball rebounded down and Duff headed away before Wijnhard could pounce.

There was still more time for Cheltenham to ride their luck, in stoppage time Oldham hit the cross bar again, Paul Murray received a ball from a corner at an acute angle, he thundered a shot at goal that hit the crossbar, thankfully for Town Killen fluffed the rebound over the bar.

The half time whistle blew and Cheltenham could be very pleased with the scoreline so far, Oldham on the other hand could count themselves hard done by after creating a number of good chances.

H/T 2-0

Neither manager made a substitution at half time. Oldham came out all guns blazing, they had probably just had a rollicking from Ian Dowie their manager!

David Eyres – who was causing the Cheltenham defence problems – found New Zealander Chris Killen 12 yards out, he failed to connect well with his shot and John Brough was able to clear. If Oldham wanted to get anything from the game they needed to take their chances when they came.

Around the hour mark Oldham made 2 changes, Canadian Carlo Corrazin and Wayne Andrews replaced David Beharall and Chris Killen.

On a rare attack in the 2nd half the ever impressive Brayson nearly made it 3-0. He curled a shot at goal that had Pogliacomi stretching, it beat him but unfortunately for the Robins just beat the post aswell.

Cheltenham escaped again mid way through the 2nd period of time, David Eyres curled in a corner and Baudet headed at the correct goal but little Paul Brayson was standing in the right place to head off the line. Oldham fans must have been scratching their heads as to how they were losing 2-0!

Both managers made more substitutions, Will Haining replaced the tiring John Eyre and Graham Allner sent on Lee Williams for Hugh McAuley. Oldham continued to create opening. Murray met another corner at the far post but could only divert his shot into the side netting.

Pacey Wayne Andrews found himself clear through on goal but directed his shot wide of the target, maybe some shooting practice for the Latics squad is in order this week.

Eventually Oldham did make the break through. 83 minutes was on the clock when substitute Will Haining rose 12 yards out to direct a header past Steve Book from a Sheridan cross. If the goal would have been scored at the beginning of the half it may have been a completely different story but as it was Cheltenham hung on for the win and progression to the next round.

Cheltenhams reward for beating Oldham is an away tie versus Sheffield United, I can think of many better ties – Man Utd, Arsenal, Liverpool, Newcastle etc – but hopefully we should get some cash from gate receipts. It all help with the building of the away end in the summer.

F/T 2-1

OLDHAM ATHLETIC: Pogliacomi, Hall, Beharall (Corrazin 59), Baudet, Eyre(Haining 82), Murray, Sheridan, Armstrong, Eyres, Wijnhard, Killen (Andrews 65)

CHELTENHAM TOWN: Book, Howarth, Duff, Brough, Victory, McAuley (Williams 77), Forsyth, Finnigan, Yates, Brayson, Alsop (Spencer 84)

Attendance 4416