Loan stars make immediate impact
THERE has yet to be a dull moment in the fortnight that has passed since Martin Allen took over as Cheltenham Town manager.
He has shaken things up and there was the feeling of the dawning of a new era as his new-look team took to the field to face Stockport on Saturday.
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Josh Payne celebrates a debut goal for Cheltenham Town
It was another highly eventful afternoon at Whaddon Road as three loanees were handed debuts and two of them were prominent in the Robins' 2-2 draw.
Stuart Fleetwood scored the opener and won a second-half penalty, from which Cheltenham eventually took the lead for a second time before Stockport grabbed a late equaliser.
West Ham's Josh Payne made his senior debut and immediately caught the eye with a mature performance, capped by a second-half strike after Scott Murray's spot kick was saved.
Young Hammers such as Rio Ferdinand, Michael Carrick and Jermain Defoe have been loaned to lower league clubs and progressed to be England international stars.
Of course Payne, 17, has a long way to go before he can be thought of as a contender for Fabio Capello's squad, but he already looks capable of having a big future.
Amid the excitement of the introductions of Payne, Fleetwood and Wigan's Lewis Montrose, one of the most popular players to represent Cheltenham in recent years, Jerry Gill, led the team out for one last time.
Nine players were sidelined, with Lloyd Owusu ruled out after twisting an ankle in training on Thursday and Alan Wright was concussed when a powerful shot from Fleetwood struck him on the forehead on Friday.
Shane Higgs (calf), Shane Duff (Achilles), David Bird (toe) and the suspended Barry Hayles were also out, along with long-term absentees John Finnigan (heel), Damian Spencer (knee) and midfielder Scott Brown (ankle).
Those called upon gave accomplished accounts of themselves, not least goalkeeper Scott Brown, and Drissa Diallo was dominant in his second appearance.
Not many defenders can catch Fleetwood in full flight and he raced on to Alex Russell's ball in the 23rd minute, beat one defender and was impeded by another, but he stayed on his feet and rolled a shot wide.
But he was celebrating nine minutes later when Russell released him again and after a perfect first touch he poked the ball into the bottom left corner.
Stockport levelled 10 minutes after half-time when Anthony Pilkington crossed for Peter Thompson to head in at the near post.
Cheltenham were awarded a penalty in the 65th minute when Fleetwood was brought down by goalkeeper Owain fon Williams.
Murray's spot kick was saved and he headed another attempt against the bar with the goal gaping, but Payne fired home to become Cheltenham's youngest Football League scorer.
Michael Rose's 90th-minute free-kick was blocked, but the ball was pumped back into the box and Michael Raynes headed past Brown to maintain Stockport's unbeaten record against Cheltenham.
Brown palmed Pilkington's curling effort onto the bar in stoppage time as Cheltenham held on for a point when they had looked set for all three.
Cheltenham Town: see panel on left
Stockport County: O fon Williams; J McNulty, G Owen (M Rose 67), J Mullins, L McSweeney (J Vincent 82); M Raynes; P Turnbull, S Gleeson (C Baker 82), G Dicker; A Pilkington; P Thompson. Subs: D Blizzard, L Rigby.
Referee: O Langford (West Midlands).
Attendance: 3,796 (575 from Stockport).
Star Man: Josh Payne.
8 Comments
by Pete, C&G
Monday, September 29 2008, 7:07PM
“Excuse me Northern Robin but that's at least the second time in a week you've agreed with me!!! Carry on like this and I'll get a bad reputation!! ;-))))))”
by Al Chelt, Cheltenham
Monday, September 29 2008, 12:35PM
“Anon maybe brief and to the point but I think if Robins did relocate to a modern ground with better facilities where it's easier to park we may get more fans as for the Stockport fan pointing out our poor full backs The Legend that is Jerry Gill is on his way and Gallinagh is not a full back so tell us something we dont know Im sure M A will address this situation he appears to be sorting everything else out when will he get to sleep?”
by northern robin, up north
Monday, September 29 2008, 12:09PM
“well I was going to post a positive and upbeat post for a change.... but Pete C and G you beat me to it so all I can do is second all your comments.”
by stockport fan, stockport
Monday, September 29 2008, 11:17AM
“From a stockport perspective I felt a draw was probably the right result.
We play good football, and you let us all second half by backing off all the time, but your two stubborn centre backs did a great job closing down, tight marking and jumping in the way of anything.
Your right and left backs, however, were very poor - ive never seen our wingers have so much space and time to cross.
After we scored to equalize, I did feel we would go on and win the game but the penalty was a bit of a sucker blow.
Can't help feeling if you didnt get that - it would of been a different game. Our tempo and willingness to push forward was immense at times - apart from your centre backs, you couldnt handle it.
At the end of it, I felt reliefed at the draw because i knew it could of been a chelt win as much as a stockport win.
I think, come the end of the season, both teams will be battling it at the end the wrong end of the table.
Your inability to pass to feet in opposing half and our inability to score are the factors.
Thanks for reading!”
by Pete, C&G
Monday, September 29 2008, 10:59AM
“I'm more than encouraged by what I saw on Saturday (Fleets had a poor game? Don't talk out of your rear end Malcolm). Considering how many players we had who haven't played 1st team footie this season (it gave it an air of pre-season!!), I thought they all did very well, Fleets and Payne especially. Towner's inabilty to keep his arms to himself in and around the box will prove costly at some point, I thought he was very lucky not to give away several penalties and may more free kicks than he did. He could do no better than look at Diallo for guidance on how to be an effective centre half. Strong and commanding in the air and not a hint of all in wrestling about it. I know it's not "our team" given all the loan players but if this is the way forward under MA, then it's going to be a very exciting ride up the table. I must just add a huge thanks to Jerry Gill. He's been a fantastic player for the club since his arrival and his level of professionalism is second to none. Thanks for everything Jerry and I'm just sorry we didn't get to invade the pitch after you scored!!! CTFC forever.”
by Malcolm 'Bomber' Hodges, cheltenham
Monday, September 29 2008, 10:43AM
“i thought fleetwood a poor game
scott brown... i thort he was a midfielder???
im fat
and have a fag burn in my shirt”
by Anon, Cheltenham
Monday, September 29 2008, 10:04AM
“Move the ground!!!!!”
by Derek, Gloucester
Monday, September 29 2008, 8:59AM
“I indicated on Friday in an article about Saturdays game, that after all the effort by Board and Manager to get new players in to the club, that the so called supporters of Cheltenham would not make the effort to come out and watch the new look team. I indicated that if I was a betting man I would put money on not getting a crowd of 4,500 or more. I would have won my bet!. A pathetic total of just over 3,200 home supporters bothered to turn up. Where are those 1,800 supporters who would have been at the game if it had been an FAC game against higher opposition?. It must be gauling to the management of Cheltenham Town, what can they do to get more people through the turnstiles. Full marks to those 'true' supporters who did go.”