Robins 2-2 Bees

By Peegs
April 9 2003

Once again the Robins chucked away a lead, this time a 2 goal lead away at Brentford. Julain Alsop also saw red in a ill tempered game at Griffin Park.

Gould made one change to the team that played Port Vale 2 weeks ago, with Micheal Duff coming back in for Neil Howarth.

A moment of magic by Mark Yates saw an early 25 yard volley go over the bar. With Forsyth now out for the season big games are needed from M.Yates in an otherwise leightweight midfield.

Martin Devaney was having some joy down the right handside in the 1st half and had 2 shots, 1 blocked by defender Leo Roget and another saved by ‘keeper Paul Smith.

Cheltenham’s early dominance got it’s reward on 23 minutes s the Robins took the lead. Brough was challenged by Roget in the box, it appeared he was tugging Brough’s shirt and Frazer Stretton pointed to the spot. Northern Ireland star Grant McCann fired the resulting penalty into the net.

6 minutes later the Robins were gifted another goal. Leo Roget – the player who conceded the penalty – mis hit a back pass, the alert Marvin Brown stepped in and squared the ball unselfishly to Devaney who slotted the ball into the vacant net from 18 yards. Devaney is probably the only player who is challenging John Finnigan for the player of the season award. The Robins were 2-0 up and seemingly cruising.

Brentford didn’t force Steve Book into making a save in the first half. Something you don’t usually see is a half time team talk on the pitch but this is what happened as Wally Downes sent his team out to be lectured by assistant manager Garry Thompson infront of the paying public.

H/T 2-0

There were no half time subs, Cheltenham continued to create opportunities – as was required- and Yates sent John Brough through with a header but the makeshift number 1 striker powered his shot over the bar.

On 50 minutes the game could have been wrapped up and the Robins bringing 3 valuable points back to Cheltenhamshire, the Brentford ‘keeper Smith dropped a high cross, on loan striker Marvin Brown shot at goal but Senegal U23 player Ibrahima Sonko got back to clear the ball off of the line, if only it had gone in!

On the hour the ‘Bees’ made a double change, Fullarton and O’Connor replaced Evans and Mickeal Antoine-Curier (I expect the commentators were pleased he went off). 3 minutes after the change Brentford pulled a goal back. Northern Ireland U21 International Shane Duff shepereded the ball out of play, however it had last touched a Cheltenham player. Rowlands took the corner and with Book horribly out of position Dobson headed into the net. Perhaps time for Higgs to start again?

Bobby Gould responded by sending on Alsop and Spencer for the tiring Brough and Brown. The game was a niggly affair and in the 74th minute all hell broke loose. Alsop and Roget clashed which resulted in many players getting their hand bags out, when all calmed down Mr Stretton being the incompetent fool that he is sent off both Roget and Alsop. Replays suggest Jules shouldn’t have seen red.

5 minutes after the double sending off Cheltenham suffered a huge dent in their survival hopes when Brentford equalised and it was another mistake that gifted them the goal. Mark Yates – who otherwise had a good game – tried to allow the ball to run out of play for a throw in, however Stephen Hunt stole in and crossed for substitute Kevin O’Connor to head home.

In the end of the day 2 mistakes cost us 2 goals and this is why we find ourselves 4 points into the relegation zone, a win against Luton on Tuesday at Whaddon Road is crucial, get down their to cheer on the lads.

F/T 2-2

BRENTFORD : P.Smith, Dobson, Roget, Sonko, Somner, Rowlands, J.Smith (Frampton 87), Evans (O’Connor 56), Hunt, Vine, Antoine-Curier (Fullarton 56)

CHELTENHAM : Book, Bird, M.Duff, S.Duff, Victory, Devaney, Yates, Finnigan, McCann, Brough (Alsop 65), Brown (Spencer 65)

Sent off Leo Roget , Julian Alsop

Attendance 5,011