SUN 1.40pm: Cheltenham 1 - 2 Scunthorpe: With Martin Allen audio
Cheltenham Town 1 Scunthorpe United 2
Cheltenham Town were the better side at Whaddon Road this afternoon, but they failed to stop Scunthorpe United continuing their relentless progress at the top of the table.
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The Robins controlled much of the opening half, but found themselves a goal down in the 34th minute when an attack broke down and a midfield challenge between Josh Payne and Matt Sparrow broke kindly for the visitors.
A quick ball forward released Robins summer transfer target Gary Hooper, who raced through one-on-one and applied a low finish between the legs of goalkeeper Scott Brown.
It was a rare attack for the Iron, who were second best for long periods.
Cheltenham’s exciting young midfield of Josh Payne and James Wesolowski were on top against former Robins favourite Grant McCann and another summer target for ex-boss Keith Downing, Sam Togwell.
Drissa Diallo met Alan Wright’s corner with a diving header that was held by Joe Murphy and Payne curled a free-kick wide within five minutes.
Ashley Vincent ran at a defender and saw a shot held by Murphy and Scunthorpe were pinned in their own half.
Payne had been recalled in place of the injured Alex Russell, while at the back right-back Andy Gallinagh came in for Michael Townsend, with Darren Kenton starting at centre-back.
After wondering how they had returned to the dressing rooms 1-0 down at half-time, the Robins started the second period strongly.
Stuart Fleetwood had a quiet game, but he linked up with tackling machine Wesolowski, who crossed for Scott Murray and his shot was deflected wide for a corner.
Murray’s cross was palmed away by Murphy before McCann was cautioned for a foul on Payne that had the 17-year-old airborne.
McCann then showed the other side of his game, curling a shot narrowly wide with Brown at full stretch.
Almost immediately, Lloyd Owusu almost latched onto a pass from Wesolowski, but his first touch was loose and Murphy was out quickly and bravely to smother at the big striker’s feet.
The keeper needed treatment after coming off worse in the challenge, but the Ireland international was fit to continue.
Wright’s ball in was flicked on by Owusu in the 69th minute and with Vincent lurking, Mirfin made a last ditch intervention as Cheltenham pressed for a fully-deserved equaliser.
But from the resulting corner, substitute Connor headed in his first of the season from Wright’s excellent delivery.
A mix-up between Diallo and Kenton saw the ball rebound through to Hooper, who found himself with Brown to beat, but the keeper delayed his progress well and then claimed brilliantly at the feet of Ben May.
Brown was preferred to the fit again Shane Higgs, who had to settle for a place on the bench for the first time in many years, and vindicated his inclusion.
But Brown was beaten with 10 seconds of the 90 minutes to go, when Sparrow’s shot rolled into the bottom corner after May won a flick on.
CHELTENHAM TOWN: S P A Brown; A Gallinagh, D Kenton, D Diallo, A Wright; S Murray, J Payne (L Ridley 86), J Wesolowski, A Vincent; S Fleetwood (P Connor 53), L Owusu. Subs not used: S Higgs, G Caines, B Gill.
SCUNTHORPE UNITED: J Murphy; C Byrne, D Mirfin, K Pearce, M Williams; M Sparrow, S Togwell, G McCann, M Woolford (J Forte 77); P Hayes (B May 55), G Hooper (A Wright 90). Subs not used: A Crosby, J Lillis.
REFEREE: K D Hill (Hertfordshire).
ATTENDANCE: 3, 682 (337 from Scunthorpe).
Click here to listen to the post match thoughts of Martin Allen
21 Comments
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by AL Chelt, Cheltenham
Monday, October 20 2008, 6:49AM
“Hi Dieseldog,I was not trying to diss gallinaugh I think he is a good footballer but you and I are both correct in saying he is not a full back I know it was not to blame for the goals but I also commented before the game that if he played in that position we would be found out and we were it makes pretty good sense to me that if you leave a deffender back then it as to be a quick one Andy is not quick,one futher comment I saw the Owusu incident very clearly and I would agree that the goalkeeper held his legs so perhaps a penelty should have been give as it was not he was lucky to stay on the pitcg as he did kick out twice to free himself lucky for both players for different reasons the officials were ball watching.”
by diesledog, paddock
Sunday, October 19 2008, 6:43PM
“Brian, I think the reason they were singing that, was because of the theatrics the Scunny players were getting up to, or the fact the only time we heard them singing is when they scored. It's just to wind them up that's all, you don't have to so nice all the time.”
by Brian, Gloucester
Sunday, October 19 2008, 5:52PM
“Cannot believe the chants from the Chelteham fans singing 'Top of the League, you're having a laugh'. What a bunch of idiots and I thought the Gloucester 'Glawster' chant was stupid. I really enjoyed the game, and will always prefer to watch Cheltenham, and I think they were unlucky to lose.”
by diesledog, paddock
Sunday, October 19 2008, 5:34PM
“Al, I agree Andy did get caught out for pace, but which side did the 2 Scunny goals come from? Don't diss him to much, as he is still playing out of position, besides I'd much rather have in defence than Towner 'Two Humps', MA must feel the same, because he was not even on the bench. At last someone with a bit of guts to make these changes. Townsend is the only player that I can see is not towing the Mad Dogs line, so three cheers to him for telling him to have a day off and presumably telling him to sort himself out.”
by diesledog, paddock
Sunday, October 19 2008, 4:31PM
“HEAR, HEAR, Eyes Wide Open. Couldn't have put it better myself. One Eyed Jack, you've just lost your argument and for your information, I am a level 2 football coach, so I do know one or two things about the beautiful game, which you and your Scunny pals clearly do not. Take those rose tinted specs off, then you'll see what we see.”
by Two Eyes - Both Wide Open, The Glorious South West
Sunday, October 19 2008, 4:13PM
“I agree with most - the best side lost on Saturday, but the best teams don't always win the league - a professional job done us by a team that knows where the goal is - if they play like that every week they wont be at the top - simple. I agree with you One Eye the ref was poor for both sides, however from where I sit I saw the Owusu keeper incident very well - firstly the keeper was wrapped round Owusu's leg and he tried twice to get it out to try an get to the loose ball - he could have gone down or he could have more forcefully tried to get it out - he did the later and you keeper made a meal of it - you no doubt would have called him a disgrace if he had gone down. Secondly on 3 clear occasions your Captain dived with no contact whatsoever - Drogba would have been proud - that is football these days sad as it may be - so one he will get abuse for doing it and second it's sad that it's your captain and a senior player doing it - someone that should set an example to the youth watching - suggest you have two eyes open before trying to making your views in public in the future.”
by tony, cheltenham
Sunday, October 19 2008, 3:19PM
“we were robbed they never looked top of the league material the boy josh payne class act we have to extend his loan. he made mcann look rubbish............ only 17 and took the mick he could get us near the playoffs have a word with zola mr allen”
by Louise, Cheltenham
Sunday, October 19 2008, 2:51PM
“I dont dispute youre top of the league, but youre antics yesterday on the pitch Cliff left a lot to be desired. As a captain you should lead by example, not be displaying histrionics that would have been better placed on a stage! Nice acting!”
by Cliff Byrne, Top of the league
Sunday, October 19 2008, 2:04PM
“Louise - thats why we're top the league, thats why we're top the league, thats why we're top the league, thats why we're top the league.”
by cardinal b, Cheltenham
Sunday, October 19 2008, 10:34AM
“well one eye, they play rugger in Glos and not Chelt, obviously failed your gcse @ geography!
And don't get on your high horse about Owusu. You should have had a player sent off after 3 minutes, but the lame ref didn't have the bottle to book let alone send off the player concerned.”