By Peegs
September 22 2002

Cheltenham moved up 6 places in the table to 18th after a convincing 2-0 victory over Mansfield at Field Mill. Hugh McAuley sealing the win with 6 minutes left on the clock. There was one change to the Robins line up that beat Swindon in mid week was Antony Griffin replacing the injured Neil Howarth at right back. The Robins bench included ex Stags player Lee Williams. The Stags line up included ex Newcastle player Scott Sellers, ex Man Utd 'keeper Kevin Pilkington ans highly rated midefielder Craig Disley.

Mansfiled had the first chance of the game after 3 minutes. Craig Disley shot high over the bar after being put in by record signing Colin Larkin.

It was pretty scrappy stuff in the 1st half of the 1st half. Cheltenham had two opportunities to score. Mark Yates balsted a free kick way over the bar from a promising position from a free kick and McAuley -who was having a good game- volleyed over from a long throw in. The Robins were bossing the game and the 382 away following was outsinging nearly 4000 home fans.

Tony Naylor maybe should have scored with 12 minutes left before half time. Victory crossed the ball from the flank, Alsop headed down to Naylor who span with the ball and volleyed it over the top of Pilkingtons goal. At the oppostite end Lee Williamson shot over the bar from 18 yards out.

Cheltenham came within inches of taking the lead in the closing stages of the 1st half. Along ball forward was headed up in the air by Alsop, he ran on to his own flick and thuded a volley against the cross bar and out for a goal kick. It looked in all the way but didn't dip enough.

H/T 0-0

Mansfield manager Stuart Watkiss made one half tim change with Andy White replacing Colin Larkin who was making his return from injury. The Robins remained unchanged.

With 53 minutes on the clock Cheltenham should of without doubt taken the lead. McAuley lofted a high ball into the box, Alsop challenged Pilkington and flicked the ball back to Milton on the left of the area, he had a near empty goal to shoot at but blasted his shot into the watching Cheltenham fans behind the goal.

Micheal Duff headed wide from a corner and at the other end the dangerous Lee Williamson powered a diagonal shot just wide of Book's right hand post. Mansfield best chance of the entire match was wasted by White when he could only direct a Lawrence cross wide from 6 yards out.

The Robins went on to dominate the period between 60 and 70 minutes with a number of chances to score coming there way. Victory had a shot blocked from a goal mouth scramble and Finnigan shot wide when he had found some space. Naylor saw a vicsious volley deflected wide and Walker headed over from a McAuley corner.

More chances came Cheltenham's way. Pilkington made a top class save from a Tony Naylor drive that was heading for the top corner and McAuley had a shot deflected wide from the resulting corner kick. You had to scratch your head to how it was still 0-0.

There was no need to scratch it for to long though as Cheltenham finally made the breakthrough with 20 minutes left. McAuley- who was putting in good corners all afternoon- floated the ball over from the right, the ball fell lose in the area and Victory stabbed the ball just over the line. It was a scrappy goal but could be one of the most important this season.

6 minutes before the end Cheltenham sealed thwe win with a quality team goal. Mike Duff's long ball was cushioned down by Alsop to Naylor, he passed the ball to the forward running Finnigan, he could have shot but decided to play in McAuley who drilled a shot past Pilkington from 13 yards. The Town fans went crazy and so did McAuley who jumped into the crowd. Recent performances by Hugh suggest Allner was correct to offer him a contract.

Overall a solid performance but the key to this match was that we created opportunites and took 2 of them but in truth e could have had 5 or more goals. That tow 2-0 victories on the bounce and we want more of the same on Saturday versus Notts County at Whaddon Road.