By Peegs
November 4 2002

Paul Brayson struck his 1st league goal for the Robins as Cheltenham moved off the bottom of the table with a 1-0 home win versus Huddersfield Town. John Brough came into the starting eleven inplace of the again injured Richard Walker. For such a big club the Huddersfield team was lacking in big name players. How many times have I been able to say that this season?

After 8 minutes the Terriers had the 1st chance of the match, John Stead shot weekly at Steve Book, moments after this Martin Smith - their best player - cut inside from the right and fired a shot that went just wide.

On the half hour Cheltenham produced the clearest opening of the match so far, a combination of Victory and Alsop sent Paul Brayson through on goal, he was tackled by Huddersfield defender Nat Brown but the ball ran free to Alsop he powered a shot at goal but it cannoned off a defender and out for a corner.

Brayson - who is now looking a confident player after his 2 goals in LDV vans action - sent a diving header wide after work from Alsop in the area.

Cheltenham continued to have chances with Devaney - who again because of LDV vans action is now the 1st choice right midfielder - sent a shot wide and Terriers keeper Scott Bevan had to dive at the feat of Brayson to deny him scoring.

Moments before half time Bevan made a fantastic save to deny the unlucky Brayson. McCann won the ball from Sharp, the loan player from West Ham played a through ball into the path of the on rushing Brayson, he shot low but somehow Bevan got an arm down to divert the ball wide.

McCann made Bevan work again saving one of his now trade mark free kicks - are we sure we haven't signed Beckham on loan?!?!. 3 minutes before half time Cheltenham should have taken the lead. John Finnigan - my favourite player and in my opinion the player of the season so far - sent a ball down the left for McCann, he crossed low to Brayson ho shopt from 10 yards but hit a post. Again we had no luck!

Brayson had another chance before the break heading a Victory cross wide. It was only a matter of time surely before one of thses chances resulted in a goal.

H/T 0-0

Strangley enough it was Brayson who had an effort ruled out for handball early on in the 2nd half. It's only a matter of tiem before the former Newcastle man is a regular scorer in this division.

Cheltenham must have left their shooting boots at home as both Devaney and Finnigan fired over the Huddersfield Town cross bar. Brayson had another shot saved by Bevan, at this point it was constant pressure from the home team and a Devaney cross was inenvertedly hit onto his own cross bar from Sharp.

Mid way through the second half it was hard to beleive Cheltenham hadn't taken the lead. Devaney cross for Brayson but once again Bevan somehow managed to block his shot- Bevan is currently on loan from Southampton, maybe a name to watch in the future?. Moments after this save Brayson found himself in the 6 yard box, unselfishly he pulled the ball back to Alsop, from 4 yards he spooned his shot with no power into the grateful arms of Beavn.

If were to stay up its games which you dominate at home that you need to win, a prime example if there ever was one!

After 71 minutes the long awaited break through came and deservedly it was Brayson who got the goal. Devaney crossed, Alsop headed down and Brayson ran inbetween the gap bwtween goalie and defence, he side stepped Bevan before rolling the ball into the empty net. This goal could prove so importnat as we need some momentum if we have asperations of moving up the table.

3 minutes from time Huddersfield nearly got an undeserved equaliser. Victory failed to clear a cross from Smith, the ball came to John Stead who shot over from 10 yards. Now that was the luck we've been waiting for!

The game ended 1-0 to Cheltenham and we are now 3rd bottom. We're only a win away from moving up to nearly mid-table, thats shows how silly the previous home loss to Port Vale was, but as they say you win some you lose some.

F/T 1-0

CHELTENHAM TOWN: Book, Howarth, Duff, Brough, Victory, Devaney, Forsyth, Finnigan, McCann, Alsop, Brayson (Spencer 83).

HUDDERSFIELD TOWN: Bevan, Mattis, Moses, Brown (Clarke 46), Sharp, Baldry (Irons 17), Scott (Macari 73), Holland, Schofield, Stead, Smith.

Attendance 4322