Robins out battle Tigers to book place in Round 2

By Peegs
November 9 2003

On the day John Ward was introduced to the Cheltenham fans a gutsy display on the pitch saw the Robins see of League leaders Hull City 3-1 in the 1st round of the FA Cup. Cheltenham reward is a home tie in Round 2 versus Leyton Orient.

John Ward was given a standing ovation pre kick off and the afternoon was to follow a similar pattern as the Robins dug deep to knock out high fliers Hull City.

There was a sense of optimism around the ground as the Ward era began (he officially doesn't take over until Monday but was in the technical rea through out the game) and the Robins got off to an explosive start after an early scare.

An over hit back pass by Grant McCann caused Higgs some trouble and all the tall 'keeper could do was hit the ball staright to a Hull attacker who ran towards goal, with Price and Burgess waiting in the box for the ball was fired across goal but to no Tigers player. However shortly after Cheltenham came close to taking the lead.

Grant McCan playing at left back inplace of the injured Jamie Victory who tweaked a hamstring in training hit a free kick from 25 yards, it cannoned into the wall and fell to the feet of Mark Yates who fired a shot at goal that sailed inches wide of the target.

It wasn't long however until the first goal of the game arrived. With 6 minutes on the clock a long ball into the box from Dave Bird - playing at right back inplace of the ineligible Darren Jones - found its way to Damien Spencer who shrugged off a challenge before placing the ball past Paul Musselwhite, the ball hit the post and trickled along the line, however the linesman had adjudged that the ball had crossed the line and Spencer had claimed his 4th goal against the Tigers this season following his hat trick against Hull at the KC Stadium in the 3-3 draw in August.

Cheltenham fans were still celebrating the goal when Hull should have equalised. A ball into the box went over eevryone's head and Jason Price marginally beat the offside trap, from 8 yards out he blasted high over the C and G End goal, it was a guilt edged chance that a player of his calibre should have taken and would have 99 times out of 100.

It was a pleasure to watch some of the football on show as both teams attempted to play football, the quality of football was in complete contrast to what we cam accustomed to watching under Bobby Gould.

Further chances came and went in the first half, Richard Hinds hit a powerful volly at goal from 35 yards for Hull that Shane Higgs did well to gather and down the other end Damian Spencer poked wide from 6 yards after a Ben Cleverley corner arrived to him at the back post.

H/T 1-0

As darkness decended over Cheltenham the teams entered the field of play for the Second half and it was a perfect start to the half for Hull. 40 seconds in they equalised, Price attoned for his earlier miss by running on to a long ball by Dawson, Higgs was slow off his line and Price beat him to the ball, poked it past him and hammered the ball into the empty net to send the healthy away support into celebration. Whether Higgs could have got to the ball if he reacted quicker I dont know but Price certainly shouldn't have been able to get onto the end of what was just a hopefull hoof forward.

Cheltenham needed to hit back quick and hit back they did. Lee Howells swung in a corner infront of the C and G and it was met by a perfect run by captain Mark Yates who thudded a header past Musselwhite from 6 yards to send the Robins fathful crazy and stun the tigers fans who were still celebrating their equaliser!

McCann warmed the palms of Musselwhite with a trademark free kick as Cheltenham searched for a 3rd goal to put the tie beyond Hull. The Robins kept on going forward and came oh so close to extending there lead. A corner into the box was headed goalwards by Mike Duff and appeared to hit a hand, however the ref waved play on and the Robins defender pummled a shot at goal which was cleared off the line.

The strength of the Hull squad was emphasised on 65 minutes when Peter Taylor was able to send on ex Leeds player Jamie Forrester and Northern Ireland International Stuart Elliot, they replaced Andy Holt and Richard Hinds respectivly.

The task ahead of Cheltenham in the final 25 minutes of the game was immense, Hulls attack now consisted of the pacy Jason Price, the Huge Ben Burgess and the guile of Jamie Forrester, a top forward line at this level of football.

Bob Bloomer and John Ward sensing an old head was needed in the cnetre of the park sent on Richard Forsyth inplace of Ben Cleverley who had a good game but no where near Man of the Match as announced at the gorund!

Hull thought they had equalised with a quater of an hour to go when a left wing crosss from Price was met by the head of Forrester, with the ball nestled in the back of the net the Hull players, fans and the bench united in celebration, however the linesman spoiled the party by duly raising his flag for offside.

The game entered the final minutes and many finger nails around the ground would have been taking a pounding and Hull nearly claimed an equaliser entering injury time, a high ball into the box saw many players challenge for the ball, Higgs got no where near and the ball was heading towards goal but some how it stayed out.

To settle all nerves Cheltenham broke clear and claimed a 3rd and decisive goal to put them in the hat for the 2nd round. A long ball forward by Grant McCann was chased down by Paul Brayson who tricked his way past 2 defenders with one touch, he was one on one with Musselwhite and the ex Bluebird calmly placed the ball past the advancing 'keeper to make the score 3-1 and send the Robins one step closer the the ilustrious 3rd round draw and possible fixture with the Big guns of the Premiership.

The final whistle blew shortly after and Cheltenham fully deserved their win. The 'John Ward era' has got off to a successful start and long may it continue!

The draw for the 2nd round has been relatively kind to us as we host Leyton Orient. Get down to Whaddon Road for that one and the league games beforehand as under John Ward it looks like we will be playing some nice football.

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F/T 3-1

CHELTENHAM TOWN: Higgs, Bird, M.Duff, Brough, McCann, Cleverley (Forsyth 73), Yates, Finnigan, Howells, Spencer, Brayson.

HULL CITY: Musselwhite, Jospeh, Whittle, Deleney, Dawson, Green, Ashbee, Hinds (Elliott 65), Holt (Forrester 65), Price, Burgess.

Attendance 3,624