Brave Cheltenham sunk by late Saha strike

By Peegs
January 4 2004

The Robins were cruelly knocked out in injury time as a Louis Saha header completed and undeserved Fulham comeback after the Londoners had gone behind to a Grant McCann strike in the fourth minute.

Infront of a large away following of 3,100 the Robins bravely battled hard and Fulham were indebted to 2 Louis Saha goals and a number of good saves from Dutch International goalkeeper Edwin Van Der Sar as the Premiership side booked their place in the fourth round draw to take place Monday lunchtime.

The task ahead of the Robins was immense as the team sheets were read out, Cheltenham were unchanged from the side unluckily beaten at Northampton last time out, as for the Fulham team, names such as Van Der Sar, Legwinski, Inamoto, Malbranque, Davis and Saha all took up their places in their starting 11 as manager Chris Coleman fielded nearly his strongest side.

The Robins couldn't have got off to a better start as they took the lead in the 4th minute. Grant McCann - booed off the pitch at Northampton - dispossesed Legwinski of the ball 30 yards out, he ran forward and struck a sweet shot with his left foot that either swerved or took a deflection and beat Dutch International Goalkeeper Van Der Sar. The Cheltenham fans went wild and the players ran all the way down our end of the pitch to celebrate.

10 minutes later however Frenchman Louis Saha showed why teams like Man Utd are keeping tabs on him with a moment of class that equalised for Fulham. Legwinski won a challenege against Devaney on the half way line - fans and players of Cheltenham were calling for a foul but nothing was given - the Frenchman played a long ball forward to his fellow countryman who had got goal side of Brough, with Higgs coming out to narrow the angle Saha used all his class to lob the ball over him and into the back of the net.

Cheltenham were not phased by the Premiership teams equaliser and nearly went up the other end and reclaimed the lead. John Finnigan - who battled hard all afternoon - won a challenge near the Fulham area, the ball ran free to Spencer who only had Van Der Sarto beat, however the Dutchman showed why he has played 76 times for his country has he thwarted the big man by saving his shot.

On the afternoon Fulham created few chances, however one such chance did arrive on the 20 minute mark when Louis Saha headed over from a good position when he maybe should have worked the 'keeper.

The Fulham players aren't Premiership players and multi millionaires for nothing and a moment of brilliance from centre back Zat Knight denied a clear goal scoring opportunity for Martin Devaney. A through ball by John Finnigan sent the pacy right winger into the box, however as he was about to pull the trigger Knight dived in with a superbly timed challenge, it was a moment of Premiership class.

With just over half an hour gone Cheltenham nearly regained the lead and no one could have complained if they did as they generally were the team creating the better opportunities. A clever set piece move saw Mike Duff arrive in the box from a very deep position, this meant no one was actually picking him up and he ran onto a Grant McCann free kick and fired a header a goal that Van Der Sar had to use his whole frame to dive and palm away the ball, in a league game it would have been a goal but this is what happens when you face international players.

Fulham were enjoying large amounts of possesion but without creating much and the Robins came close to going in at the interval 2-1 up as a deep corner from Richard Forsyth was headed back across goal by Victory, Taylor arrived 6 yards out but placed his headed inches over the bar.

The half time whistle arrived to cheers from the Cheltenham fans, the large travelling contingent were now beleiving that the Robins could get something out of the game.

H/T 1-1

In the first half Damian Spencer was causing Alain Goma all sorts of problems with his power and pace, Chris Coleman brought on Welsh International Andy Melville at half time with the Frenchman making way.

Fulham dominated possesion in the early stages of the 2nd half but it took them 10 minutes to carve out the first chance of the second half, Saha struck a 20 yard shot at goal that Higgs got down well to save.

On the hour Chris Coleman sent on his 2nd sub again showing the players he has at his disposal, Barry Hayles entered the field of play to replace Inamoto.

Fulham kept chucking balls forward to Saha but time after time the heroic John Brough would intervene with a powerful header. On the day every Cheltenham player could hold their heads up high.

Mid way through the second period of play Fulham came close to scoring when dutch winger Bobby Petta - who had an impressive debut - flashed a cross come shot across the face of the area and 6 yard box, however none of his colleagues could get on the end of the ball to the frustration of the Fulham fans who didn't sing one song during the duration of the game, there were however around 8 or 9 renditions of the Tractor song aswell as many other Cheltenham classics.

The moment of controversy arrived 13 minutes from time. Brian Wilson - who we must keep for longer if possible - charged forward into the box to receive a one two from Devaney, just as he was about to shoot he appeared to be clattered into by Knight, however the official - Mr Walton - who was useless and biased towards the Premiership side bottled giving the penalty and waved play on to the disgust of th 3,100 travelling fans.

Damian Spencer had run himself into the ground and was replaced with 6 minutes to go by Odejayi, the ex Bristol man left the field to a standing ovation. Well done Damian.

Sean Davis saw a shot fly wide from 20 yards and Forsyth got his name taken for a synical challenge on Davis as Fulham chucked everything forward searching for the winner.

Cheltenham had got to the 90 minute mark on level terms and dreams of a money spinning replay on Sky TV and the £260,000 tv appearance were alive, but those dreams were to be dashed 1 minute into the alloted 2 minutes of stoppage time.

A loose ball fell to Taylor 30 yards out he tried to hack the ball clear but all he managed to do was slice the ball behind for a corner. The tension among Cheltenham fans was unbearable and are worst nightmares were confirmed as Petta swung in a cross and Saha headed at goal and the ball creaped in.

It was heartbreak for the Robins as they had ran their hearts out, still the Cheltenham fans outsung there counterparts and Bob Taylor nearly made up for his mistake with the last kick of the game as he volleyed at goal only to be denied by a good save by Van Der Sar.

The final whistle went and we can all be proud that are team put in a brilliant performance, there can be no higher accliam then the Fulham manager saying "we couldn't have complained if Cheltenham had won today" and to right he was. Cheltenham weredenied victory due to 2 world class performances by Fulham player - Mr Saha and Mr Van Der Sar.

We can look back on the penalty that wasnot given but for now lets just remember that we came close to getting a positive result against the team 5th in the Premiership. Well done lads! Now lets take this performance into the league!

VOTE FOR YOUR MAN OF THE MATCH BY CLICKING HERE

F/T 1-2

FULHAM: Van Der Sar, Djetou, Knight, Goma (Melville 46), Green, Malbranque, Davis, Legwinski, Inamoto (Hayles 58), Petta, Saha

CHELTENHAM TOWN : Higgs, Wilson, M.Duff, Brough, Victory, Devaney, Finnigan, Forsyth, McCann, Taylor, Spencer (Odejayi 84)

Attenadance 10,303