Cheltenham go goal crazy in 3 goal rout of Swindon

By Peegs
March 18 2003

Cheltenham put in their best away performance of the season as they defeated Swindon 3-0, Damian Spencer scored a scorcher of a goal in the final minute to seal a perfect evening for Bobby Gould’s men.

The only change to the team that beat Mansfield at the weekend was the inclusion of Russell Milton in the centre of midfield inplace of the again injured John Finnigan. John Brough continued upfront.

732 fans made the trip to the County Ground and saw a Martin Devaney early chance go wide, it must be said that Swindon fans are rather pathetic, there only song during the whole match being “you are bottom of the league say you are bottom of the league”.

Cheltenham were in control of the game during the first half but aside from the Devaney chance didn’t create much, this was until the 32nd minute when Cheltenham took the lead. A hopeful through ball by Mark Yates was met on the run by the goalside Martin Devaney, he took the ball forward before placing it past the on rushing Bart Griemink. What the Robins had to do now is hold onto their lead unlike the rest of the season.

Now with the added confidence of being a goal up Cheltenham built on their lead with another goal 7 minutes later, it ws the type of goal we haven’t scored this season. An inswinging free kick by Grant McCann ran lose in the area and John Brough stabbed the ball goalwards and all Griemink in the Swindon goal could do was watch it trickle past him. We are now taking the little half chances when they come are way, this will be important in forthcoming weeks.

Shane Higgs who has taken his chance with both hands since coming into the line up was called into action when a Sam Parkin shot was heading for the corner before he tipped it wide, John Beswetherick on loan from Sheffield Wednesday also missed a good chance with a free header from 8 yards.

The halftime break came and with the 2 goal lead Gould will have told his men to stay tight at the back and break away quick on the attack with the pacy Brown upfront looking dangerous against a slow backline.

H/T 2-0

Swindon manager Andy King made a change at the break which saw Eric Sabain come on inplace of Matt Hewlett although Sabin came out with the wrong pair of shorts on and the start of the second half was delayed by a couple of minutes whilst this mistake was rectified.

Unsurprisingly Swindon came out of the blocks quick in the second half but the Town End Crowd were frustrated with a succession of Beswetherick corners that drifted over all players, when they have a big player like Matt Heywood to coem forward for set pieces this was a waste of an opportunity on their part.

Cheltenham continued to create chances and shooting towards the visiting fans they nearly added a third to the total whern a one two between Brown and Devaney saw “Disco” through on goal but he dragged his shot wide from 15 yards.

Penalty claims and free kick claims for Swindon were waved away referee Mr Hall as the Swindon fans started to get frustrated.

It was an entertaining game and good work by Yates and McCann saw Marvin Brown shoot at goal but Griemink was equal to the test as he parmed his shot wide. At the other end Higgs showed Robins fans what they had been missing in the last 4 years with a comfortable save from and Andy Gurney shot, moment later Gurney headed over from a cross by Beswetherick. Swindon lacked the quality in the final third and you couldn’t see them scoring 2 goals.

With 15 minutes left Bobby Gould made a substitution with this weekends game with Northampton in mind by taking off the ever running Marvin Brown and replacing him with Damian Spencer. He got a standing ovation by Cheltenham fans for his efforts.

Shane Duff nearly claimed his first league goal with a piledriver of a 30 yard shot that Griemink tipped round the post, from the resulting corner the ball arrived to Grant McCann’s left boot 20 yards out and ho shot narrowly wide. This was a good away performance by Cheltenham and you have to question why we haven’t played like this during the season.

Swindon missed what basically was an open goal 10 minutes from time when a cross by David Duke arrived to Alan Reeves who only had to slot the ball in, instead he walloped the ball high over the “Town End” Stand.

Things got worse for Swindon on 83 minutes when Beswetherick was out paced by Martin Devaney, 25 yards from goal he pulled Devaney down, after consultation with his linesman referee Andy Hall showed Beswetherick a red card, looking back on it this may have been a bit harsh.

In the final minute Town fans were sent into cloud cuckoo land with a goal that may be a contender for Goal of the Season. Damian Spencer received the ball wide on the left, he cut and ran inside before unleashing a curling shot that nestled in the top corner. In the process I nearly lost my scarf, it was one of the best goals I have seen live.

The final whistle went and Cheltenham have now strung back to back wins, to make these results count we now must beat Northampton at home on Saturday, this would be the first time this week we have strung 3 wins in a row together, make sure you get down to Whaddon Road to cheer on the lads as are relegation battle has now begun!

F/T 3-0

SWINDON TOWN: Griemink, Gurney, Heywood, Reeves, Duke, Miglioranzi, Hewlett (Sabin 45), Robinson, Beswetherick, Parkin, Invincible.

CHELTENHAM TOWN: Higgs, Bird, M.Duff, S.Duff, Victory, Devaney, Yates, Milton, McCann, Brown (Spencer 75), Brough.

Attendance 5,583