Given the run-in of fixtures Cheltenham have faced, the fans, players and staff can all be very pleased on the opening form this season, which has presented four wins and three draws. Placed comfortably in fifth place, the most enlightening point of the first month has to be the bank holiday weekend, in which six points were obtained within three days.
If the results weren't fantastic enough, the character shown to gain these two massive wins was thrilling, ten men from the 7th minute at Plainmoor on the Saturday, required grit, determination and an endless work-rate to even try and get a point. However the performance from the boys proved empowering on Torquay's display, and was more than what any travelling fan would have expected, romping forward to a 3-0 victory.
With George McLennan's red-card failing to be overturned, another switch in personnel was needed going into Monday's fixture in front of the BT Sport cameras. With confidence at a high after the previous result, Wrexham travelled to the World of Smile Stadium on the back of five wins, and were expected to be the toughest test yet, which they most certainly were. Another slow start at home likewise to the Barrow game, the Robins were on the back foot for the majority of the first half and opening of the second. Dillon Phillips gave the sponsors the easiest job in awarding him the man of the match, after a spectacular performance, which without him would have seen three or four potentially hit the back of the net, and would have created an impossible challenge in getting back into the match.
The goal eventually came from Wrexham, James Gray making up for an earlier missed chance, slotted into the bottom corner, after some good build-up play and taking an overwhelming grasp of the game it required Gary Johnson's men to pull there socks up.
With that goal they did just that, again showing that character they dug deep and took the game by the scruff of the neck, with Wrexham fans aware their team were prone to switching off after taking the lead in games, Town used it to their advantage. It took all of five minutes to equalise, with one of the most unlikely suspects in Daniel Parslow in the poachers position, unmarked near the centre of the goal. As soon as it went in my thoughts were that he had no rights to be in such an open position, and the Welshman took his chance expertly.
From then on it was 50/50 and the game was wide open, with both teams in with a shout it was an entertaining match. With Phillips kicking being very hit and miss so far this season, the bit of play in the 83rd minute was executed perfectly, a ball lumped up to Amari Morgan-Smith, the striker took the touch down exquisitely under pressure and drove forward with the ball. At 20-yards he wrapped the ball beautifully around Belford who was left red-faced after his Joe Hart like celebrations when they took the lead. With the game turned on it's head the camp was ecstatic with the three points against their toughest test yet.
On to September, and the Robins face six fixtures, Altrincham, Dover, and Macclesfield open the month, with three tough fixtures which include the highly anticipated derby against Forest Green Rovers, as well as ties against in form Woking, and Tranmere Rovers, who were relegated alongside us last season.
On course for the two points a game requested by Robins' boss Gary Johnson, it will be interesting to find out where this unbeaten streak may take us. No fixture is easy or tough in any league, so although confidence is high, it's worth while to not get complacent and keep consistent. With the attitude set positively, and the all important character there, it could be an exciting month, especially with promising opening we've seen. With the return of Jordan Wynter and Lee Vaughan, competition for places in the starting 15 are hotting up, along with this we've had the news that Eliot Richards is now easing back into training, and hoping to get in a game before Christmas after his remission from cancer. His recovery is one thing, and hopefully his impact can push the Robins on to continue threatening the top teams and working towards operation bounce back. Come on you Robins!
Great stuff.
ReplyDeleteThank you very much!
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