Super sub Naylor seals draw at Oakwell

By Peegs
August 15 2002

Cheltenham began their away campaign in their 1st season in division 2 with a mouth watering clash against newly relegated Barnsley who were in the Premiership 5 years back....

Graham Allner decided on a defensive 4-5-1 formation changing from the 4-4-3 he played against Wigan on Saturday in the 2 nil defeat. Book played in goal with a back four reading Neil Howarth, Richard Walker, Mike Duff and Jamie Victory. The two wide midfielders were Lee Williams and Martin Devaney with the 3 in the centre John Finnigan, Mark Yates and Russell Milton. Up front on his own was tall striker and last seasons leading scorer Julian Alsop.

The Barnsley team included Bruce Dyer and Mike Sheron upfront. Chris Lumsdon, ex Fulham midfielder Kevin Betsy and Dutch man Dean Gorre. That was the quality Cheltenham were up against.

The 1st half was littered with miss passes by both teams, the only real moment of quality happened on the half hour. A foul on the edge of the box by Robins midfielder John Finnigan led to Chris Lumsdon hitting the bar from a free kick with Steve Book still stranded lining up his wall.

That was the moment of best quality in a rather poor first half but that is what Cheltenham had set out to do. At half time referee David Pugh had to be replaced by fourth official and Premiership referee Neil Barry after Pugh appeared to collide with Mark Yates in the latter stages of the 1st half.

Early in the second half Barnsley were the better side and had a number of chances. Sheron shot straight at Book on the 50 minute mark. The pressure was buliding and shortly afterwards Betsy ran down the left skipped over Neil Howarth sliding challenged and crossed for Bruce Dyer to head home from 6 yards out.

Sheron had a good chance to double Barnsley's advantage 5 minutes later but he struck a volley straight at Steve Book.

After falling behind the Robins had to take the game to Barnsley. This resulted in a change in tactics by Allner. Diminutive striker Naylor entered the fray replcaing Russell Milton and Cheltenham changed to a 4-4-2 formation that was so succesful last season.

The introduction of Naylor gave Cheltenham the spark which was needed. Devenay had a shot deflected narrowly wide of the post. From the resulting corners Mark Yates and Julian Aslop both had efforts cleared of the line. One of which had the Robins players claiming hand ball, nothing was given.

Cheltenham continued to pile on the pressure and should have equalised with quater of an hour to go when left back Jamie Victory headed staright at Tykes keeper Alan Marriot. It's a chance he would have scored 99 times out of 100.

With 4 minutes of normal time to go Tony Naylor ensured the 248 travelling supporters went home happy. Alsop collected the ball on the edge of the area passed the ball to Naylor who beat Marriot with a well placed shot. The 9393 Barnsley fans in attendance were not happy but in all fairness a draw was the least that Cheltenham deserved in a game that should give them confidence for the tough season ahead.