New boys on target as Robins earn draw
New signings Tom Denton and Justin Richards both opened their goalscoring accounts for Cheltenham Town in last night's friendly fightback against Bristol Rovers.
Rickie Lambert's first half penalty and Jeff Hughes' well crafted strike put League One Rovers 2-0 up and the Robins looked set to lose their unbeaten run this summer.
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Justin Richards opened his Cheltenham Town account
But Denton was set up by Cheltenham's most recent acquisition, Oliver Bozanic, in the 59th minute and Richards slammed home the leveller with 12 minutes left.
Bozanic, who arrived on a six-month loan deal from Reading this week, showed an early touch of class, jinking past a defender before sliding a pass towards Denton, but it was beyond the tall striker.
Lambert curled a free-kick over the bar, but former Rovers favourite Barry Hayles almost opened the scoring for Cheltenham in the 12th minute.
Goalkeeper Steve Phillips raced off his line to deal with a through ball from Bozanic only for his attempted clearance to strike Hayles and roll wide.
A fine cross from Bozanic had Phillips flapping, but Hayles was denied by a last gasp challenge from Stuart Campbell.
Darryl Duffy lifted a chance over the advancing Scott Brown, but it dropped inches wide and Brown deflected a powerful drive from right-back Carl Regan over the bar in the 32nd minute.
David Hutton set up Pook on the overlap, but his shot was straight at Phillips and Rovers opened the scoring 10 minutes before half-time.
Jo Kuffour lifted the ball across goal to Lambert, who had found space at the far post. He brought it down well to take it away from Lee Ridley, who tripped him and a penalty was awarded.
Lambert, who netted 29 goals last term including three against Cheltenham, lashed home from the spot and Rovers remained one up at the break.
Denton almost got off the mark in the 51st minute when he leapt to meet Michael Pook's cross, but Phillips made a fine save to push the ball away.
Rovers doubled their advantage three minutes later when Kuffour exchanged passes with Hughes twice, carving Cheltenham open and allowing Hughes to apply a delicate finish over Brown.
Denton showed that there is more to his game than heading ability when he showed composure in the box to receive Bozanic's cross before switching the ball onto his right foot and placing a neat low finish past Phillips.
Denton was then heavily involved in the equaliser, powering a header towards goal from Bozanic's corner that was cleared off the line, but Richards followed up to net his first goal since arriving from Kidderminster. Only a good save from Phillips denied Richards a second at the death.
CHELTENHAM TOWN: S Brown; D Bird (J Low 75), M Townsend, S Duff (c), L Ridley; D Hutton (J Richards 63), M Pook, A Gallinagh, O Botanic (M Watkins 83); T Denton (J Alsop 83), B Hayles (E Hammond 63). Subs not used: J Tabor, J Durrant, W Puddy.
BRISTOL ROVERS: S Phillips; C Regan (A Lescott 46), S Elliott, B Anthony, J Hughes; D Pipe (C Reece 46), C Lines, S Campbell, D Duffy (A Williams 70); J Kuffour (B Swallow 70), R Lambert (S Rigg 70). Sub not used: M Green.
REFEREE: S A Hooper (Wiltshire).
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by jo O'Shea, Prestbury
Friday, July 24 2009, 5:08PM
“Did I read "a John finnigan type of player might be a good idea" from Charlie. Had anyone noticed we still have the original John Finnigan type on the books. Mind you if he has any sense he wont play with some of the drop outs MA has brought in. MA must be regretting every day his fall out with JF. Good luck JF. You are much to good to play with some of the never weres and has beens that MA has brought in . I do not include the players that were already at Cheltenham whom MA tried to get rid of.”
by Paul, Cheltenham
Thursday, July 23 2009, 1:16PM
“Where's Bob gone?
Is he saving his comments for when CTFC play bad?
(Or is "miserable old git" his new nom de plume?)”
by OC, Chelt
Thursday, July 23 2009, 11:58AM
“Alf - whats the point then, of a late substitution if the player can't be expected to get the pace of the game immediatley? That should be the prime requirement for a late sub should it not? To come and be able to make a difference immediately?
We have 4 strikers. We do not need Jules.”
by Richard lll, Cheltenham
Wednesday, July 22 2009, 3:31PM
“I would agree with Diesl and say rtthat Diallo 1st choice right back, although it is wierd thaty he is No. 6, not No. 2 as Craig points out. I'd prefer Low to Bird at RB - Bird only as emergency. I think (hope) that MA is just shuffling the squad as these are friendlies and he wants to be sure who he can play where maybe late on in a game if things are getting tight. Should be an interesting team sheet come August 8th anyway!”
by diesledog, paddock
Wednesday, July 22 2009, 3:30PM
“I dont know, but one things for sure, you 'aint gonna see Driss in mid-field eh?”
by Craig, Cheltenham
Wednesday, July 22 2009, 2:08PM
“So why has Drissa got the number 6 shirt instead of the number 2, the traditional first choice right backs' number?”
by diesledog, paddock
Wednesday, July 22 2009, 1:59PM
“Kyle Haynes just behind Drissa, will be first choice rb.
When I suggested MA ought to look at Jack Smith who at the time was out of contract with Swindon, he said he wasn't looking for a full back, so I guess he must(as do others) have got faith in KH and DD.”
by Craig, Cheltenham
Wednesday, July 22 2009, 1:17PM
“Totally agree with Dan, we need another right back as if you check out the ctfc website Birdy has just been allocated the number 2 shirt for the new season!!! Nobody wants him to play there, do they?! He's first choice midfield for every game in my book, and as supporters player of the season for the last 2 seasons I can't think anyone else would disagree.
Also, whereas I agree with Alf on Alsop not being able to get into the game in just 10 minutes - isn't that why he's been signed on? To come on for 10 minutes to do a job? If he can't get into the game for those 10 minutes then what's the point? Saying that though, he's got the 39 shirt as that's how many goals he's after to be the clubs record football league scorer, and I hope he does it.”
by Dan, Cheltenham
Wednesday, July 22 2009, 1:09PM
“I was a fan of Big Jules back in the day when he was terrorising defences with a certain T. Naylor, but we released him at the right time.
In my opinion, he has looked way off the pace in all of the friendlies (regardless of how long he has been on the pitch) and for the same amount of money we could bring a youngster in on a month-to-month contract who could do better.
Plus, I reckon the quartet of Richards, Hammond, Denton and Hayles have enough fire power to do a job for us, with Theo Lewis in support.
Elsewhere I think the team is shaping up nicely. I think one last piece in the jigsaw should be defensive cover, as Josh Low and Birdy aren't specialist full-backs by any stretch.
I've a good feeling about this season.”
by alf hart, windsor
Wednesday, July 22 2009, 10:48AM
“He had 10 mins. last night. Anyone who has ever come onto the field as a sub will know that you do noy get into the pace of the game straight away. He made a couple of decent headers and I thought he looked fitter than before. How much can you do in 10 mins anyway? I am not suggesting for a minute that Notts. County will be queuing up at the door to sign him. Just that he may not be a bad option for a bit of a blood and guts cameo role at the end of a game. Talking about Notts. County I have a couple of mate who are 'Pies' fans and they are horrified at the prospect of what may happen to their football club. It's not just about money ( but I'm not saying that the odd couple of quid doesn't help!). Also, whilst on the soap box......why aren't u.16's let in for nowt at friendlies? Would fill the ground and also build a groundswell of support for the future.”