Sheffield United
Prior to the game news broke of trialist James Rowe on the bench, a shock to most as there are already an overwhelming amount of midfielders in the team, although after the match Johnson admitted he had been in since the start of pre-season only to get injured, so it was worth the look.
Cheltenham started of a bit shaky, struggling to create anything or get any flow to their game, it wasn't a surprise to see that Che Adams tucked it home at the near post early on. With Mclennan out of position Downes struggled to get a header in and would have been glad to seen the half-time break, after a mistake-ridden 45 minutes from the Aussie. It was however all Cheltenham from that moment forward, taking a strong hold on the match as the Blades invited pressure.
With the Robins finally finding their flow, an array of chances just couldn't come to anything, and it was a question of when the goal would finally come. On the brink of half time an overhaul of Cheltenham players in the box allowed the opportunity to arise. Billy Waters, struggling to make anything of his chance gave the ball away, but the defender was quickly dispossessed and the ball was played to an unmarked Morgan-Smith in acres of space who equalised to send them level at half time.
The second half brought much of the same dominance from Cheltenham, taking a real grip of the game it was extremely pleasing against a top opposition. Many of the eleven were changed and Jordan Wynter made his return with around 20 minutes to work on fitness. Jack Barthram spent a whole 90 minutes on the field, and arguably his best display yet, along with Rowe who looked very, very lively.
It wasn't to be however, and after a failed clearance from a corner, a brilliant finish gave Sheffield what can only be described as an undeserved lead, and it was quickly added to after as Town pushed on for an equaliser. A counter-attack broke, and Baxter managed to control an awkward pass and slot past Kitscha for a 3-1 lead. Nigel Adkins would've been more than satisfied with the result, and it was a resilient effort from his team, and the difference in class eventually showed.
Bristol Rovers
Rivalry set aside for the pre-season, the opposition on this occasion was one in which most around club would be idolising after mastering the 'bounce back' effort last season. However it was Darrell Clarke who was left very red-faced and disappointed with his newly promoted Bristol Rovers.
In what was a mouth-watering affair, both teams failed to set a full set of subs for the game. With the goal happy Amari-Morgan Smith on the sideline with a slight injury, Zack Kotwica also spent his day playing for Evesham hinting that he'll depart on loan for added game time. In came trialist Rowe for his first start, pushing Billy Waters up to partner Danny Wright.
With the first proper attacking move of the game for the Robins, a free-kick floated in from just past the half way line, Harry Pell used his presence to head across goal for Billy Waters to guide it into the top corner from a volley. 1-0. From one well worked set piece to the other, Rovers quickly levelled from a corner, a fine move, but big questions will be asked of the marking and defending all round. Downes started slow again, but gradually asserted himself and improved as the game progressed.
Gary Johnson's attacking style was really starting to empower the opposition as the Robins continued to pressurise the opposition, Waters coming close again, and an Aaron Downes header was saved well. The chance finally arose however shortly after, a brilliant combination of passes around the defence and midfield opened up the chance on the counter. A lovely lobbed through ball from Rowe put Waters through on goal who didn't fail to finish with a driven strike into the far corner.
Taking the lead going into the break, the confidence shone through into the second half, especially from the fiery Waters. A ball through to him from Harry Pell, gave Mildenhall the temptation to come out and attempt to claim the ball, only to be dribbled past leaving him with no choice but to take down young Billy and rue him the chance of getting a hat-trick. However with a penalty awarded it was his chance to get his revenge, although it wasn't to be after a fine save from the experienced shot-stopper.
Rovers had the opportunity to get their own back, with what was a questionable penalty awarded, Matt Taylor stepped up in an attempt to claw back a second equaliser. Again it wasn't to be, Dillon Phillips scrambling down low saved well, and the same on the rebound, a fine effort from the young keeper, who has done well after a couple of edgy performances. Town held on well for their first win at Whaddon Road, and first game in the red and white.
Cardiff City
The final home pre-season game saw Daniel Parslow sign on for the Robins prior to the game, with Rowe, and young goal-keeper Rhys Lovett set to follow. Johnson expressed only one more addition was needed in what would be the mystery loan centre-back. However it was a surprise to see a trialist on the bench in JJ Hooper on the back of an 8-hour drive from Scotland.
In a tie that saw some experienced faces at Cardiff including Marshall, Noone, Doyle and Le Fondre. Local lad Bobbie Dale made a start up front in place of Rowe, along with Jack Deaman playing for a couple of other clubs as he looks to depart.
From the start Gary Johnsons highly attacking philosophy was highlighted again, the intent to get forward at every opportunity has been welcomed with open arms from the fans, and it's been a joy to watch the team play proper football. Dale started lively up top with Wright, both working well for each other to try get through, and it took 14 minutes for the flick on by the ex-Wrexham player, leaving Bobbie for a confident finish which was just what he needed to boost his confidence. Wright was unlucky not to double the lead with a powerful header from a free-kick that just needed directing away from the keeper.
In what saw a fairly quiet second half, the pace gradually slowed itself down. All throughout the game challenges were flying in, a pleasure to see commitment from the players in a game which some would say didn't hold a lot of meaning to being only pre-season. With the game slowing down, so did the attacking intent from Cheltenham, something the manager has raised, and has assured that he will get the team doing it for the full 90 minutes to kill off the game.
With the inability to finish off the game the Bluebirds began to apply pressure, and with four minutes left they managed to equalise from a corner. The one cause for concern to take from all these games is failing to deal with defending set-pieces as a goal has been conceded in each game at home. For some reason Cheltenham have never been able to deal well with them in the past, and hopefully it hasn't gone unnoticed going into the season.
In a tie that saw some experienced faces at Cardiff including Marshall, Noone, Doyle and Le Fondre. Local lad Bobbie Dale made a start up front in place of Rowe, along with Jack Deaman playing for a couple of other clubs as he looks to depart.
From the start Gary Johnsons highly attacking philosophy was highlighted again, the intent to get forward at every opportunity has been welcomed with open arms from the fans, and it's been a joy to watch the team play proper football. Dale started lively up top with Wright, both working well for each other to try get through, and it took 14 minutes for the flick on by the ex-Wrexham player, leaving Bobbie for a confident finish which was just what he needed to boost his confidence. Wright was unlucky not to double the lead with a powerful header from a free-kick that just needed directing away from the keeper.
In what saw a fairly quiet second half, the pace gradually slowed itself down. All throughout the game challenges were flying in, a pleasure to see commitment from the players in a game which some would say didn't hold a lot of meaning to being only pre-season. With the game slowing down, so did the attacking intent from Cheltenham, something the manager has raised, and has assured that he will get the team doing it for the full 90 minutes to kill off the game.
With the inability to finish off the game the Bluebirds began to apply pressure, and with four minutes left they managed to equalise from a corner. The one cause for concern to take from all these games is failing to deal with defending set-pieces as a goal has been conceded in each game at home. For some reason Cheltenham have never been able to deal well with them in the past, and hopefully it hasn't gone unnoticed going into the season.
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