Shocking performance in 3-0 home mullering.

By Peegs
September 22 2003

Words really cannot describe how bad this performance was, it doesn’t warrant me wasting my time writing a match report but I will write a brief one!

Right Cheltenham were pants, in front of the Bob Taylor fan club of Baggies fans the ex West Brom man had his worst game since joining however his partner in crime Kayode Odejayi was non existent in play - useless is another way of putting it.

But worse was the performance of the back four of which Mike Duff got injured in the first half. Amankwaah forgot that he was a defender and Shane Duff looked unfit - fair enough as it was his first game back. Darren Jones looked slow and lacked a spring when jumping against Kitson.

The Robins fired numerous chances over the bar, shooting practice needed this week I think Mr Gould!

Right onto the goal action for an average Cambridge side. With half an hour on the clock Cambridge scored. Luke Guttridge played a good ball to John Turner who was completely un marked by Amankwaah, where was he? He crossed and Rotherham transfer target Dave Kitson planted a firm header past Shane Higgs.

Gould Immediately made a change and put on Devaney for Yates, the captain looked very unhappy with the decison, this was a clear sign that Gould had got his tactics worng.

H/T 0-1

The Cambridge match report suggests that loud noises were coming from the Home dressing room, undoubtedly Bobby giving the players a good rollicking.

The Robins only good spell of pressure came early in the second half. A good pass by Bob Taylor saw Devaney in some space, he shot at goal but Marshall inbetween the sticks for Cambridge managed to palm the ball wide of the target.

From the corner Grant McCann planted the ball on the head of Victory who's downward header was cleared of the line by Stuart Bimson.

A combination of sub Brayson and Devaney nearly equalised for the Robins when the Cheltenham born right winger got passed Marshall but was unable to get a shot at goal, he squared to Brayson but the under achieving striker was unable to get a shot in at goal.

The ball was immediately hit down the other end of the park and Kitson got clear of Jones and hit a low drive past Higgs into the bottom fight hand corner of the net to send the small Cambridge following seated in the In2Print into raptures.

With time counting down there was still time for a late goal and the men in yellow were the team to score it. A ball by Guttridge saw Opara in space, he ran onto the ball but was given too much space and was able to release a shot at goal that beat Higgs.

This just isn't good enough Bobby, its clear to see that Amankwaah is clueless at defending, please play this bloke right midfield. Why keep Devaney on the bench and start Howells on the right wing, Devaney causes teams problems with his pace but you keep making an example of him, please do not drive away one of are best players. I'm not one of the fical fans calling for your head at this early stage but a better performance is needed against the Gas on Saturday.

NOTE THERE WILL BE NO MAN OF THE MATCH VOTE FOR THIS GAME AS NO ONE WARRANTS THIS ACCOLADE

F/T 0-3

CHELTENHAM TOWN : Higgs, Amankwaah (Brayson 58), M.Duff (S.Duff 25), Jones, Victory, Howells, Yates (Devaney 34), McCann, Forsyth, Taylor, Odejayi.

CAMBRIDGE UNITED : Marshall, Angus, Duncan, Venus, Bimson, Guttridge, Fleming, Walker, Murray (Nacca 76), Turner (Opara 76), Kitson (Goodhind 85)

Attendance 3,728