By Peegs
December 23 2002

Not a game that will live long in the mind of the supporters, Cheltenham dominated throughout but couldn't break down the Wycombe defence. Wycombe in the end had the best chance of the game when a first half free kick from, Darren Currie hit the bar. A couple of changes were made to the team who lost 4-1 to Peterborough the previous Saturday. Yates and Brayson dropped to the bench and were replaced by McAuley and Spencer.

Hugh McAuley - who in my opinion had a good game seeing as he was playing out of position on the left hand side - was involved in the Robins first chance after 8 minutes, he received the ball on the right hand side before producing a pin point cross that Devaney headed at goal, but unfortunatly for Town, Wanderers goalie Taylor produced a good save.

Neil Howarth thundered a powerful shot just over the bar after 12 minutes, I think he is doing just about enough to keep Antony Griffin out of the team.

McAuley - who was involved in much of the positives from the game, why he got the stick on the official message board I dont know! - tested Taylor to the full after 25 minutes. He collected the ball 25 yards out and struck the ball, the wind may have took it slightly but Taylor had to be at full stretch to tip it wide for a corner kick.

Wycombe's best chance of the game came moments later, a free kick was awarded in the inside right channel about 25 yards out, Currie swung in the free kick and it grazed the top of the cross bar. I think we need a player of Currie's class as we cannot rely on good work rate and teamwork to stay in this Division.

That was the first half over. Cheltenham had dominated but the final pass and finish was just eluding them, time to loan or buy a proven Division 2 striker perhaps?

H/T 0-0

No subs were made at half time, Cheltenham were doing OK, perserverence is the word that cames to mind.

Wycombe were looking more of a threat on the break, players like Currie, Simpson and Bulman in the midfield can really un hinge defences, a couple of cross field balls from Currie were of Premiership class.

Bulman and Roberts were involved in a couple of Wycombe chances. Stuart Roberts shot wide from a Bulman pass then shortly afterwards Currie shot from just outside the box, Book couldn't gather cleanly but luckily for him Mike Duff was on hand to clear the ball away from danger.

A number of Wycombe first half shots ended up in the bowls club to cheers from the Town fans, but Alsop probably sent the ball into the Town centre! Spencer controlled a high ball forward and laid the ball back to "Big Jules" he smashed a volley which went miles over the bar, one day it will fly in the roof of the net though!

On 89 minutes Martyn Lee who played for us at the tail end of last season and scored a penalty in the shoot out versus Hartlepool cmae on inplace of Stuart Roberts. Well done to the few who acknowledged his return to us.

And that was about all the 2nd half action, well what was worth writing about anyway.

Much has been said about if we want to stay up we have to beat teams like Wycombe at home. Which is probably true but then again it was a clean sheet after conceeding 4 the last game.

Crewe up next, which proves to be a very difficult game, we need everybody to get behind the lads, make your contribution to the game before you cirticise the players part in the game.

F/T 0-0

CHELTENHAM TOWN: Book, Howarth, Duff, Brough, Victory, McAuley, Finnigan, Forsyth, Devaney, Spencer, Alsop.

WYCOMBE WANDERERS: Taylor, Ryan, McCarthy, Rogers, Anderson, Roberts (Lee 89), Bulman, Simpson, Currie (Senda 70), Faulconbridge (Dixon 79), Rammell.