By Peegs
October 19 2003

The Ghoul finally took his own advice and Flew away from Cheltenham having resigned after the 2-0 home defeat to Rochdale after 'Gould Out' chants echoed around the ground. This was once again a farce of a performance from Cheltenham as they slipped to defeat against an ordinary Rochdale side.

The players looked as if they didn't know what they were doing an were low on confidence, this was shown in an early effort by Damian Spencer which flew about a mile over the bar and into the houses behind the away end.

The play was disjointed from the Robins who lacked any kind of inspiration, Rochdale were knocking the ball round nicely without really causing much panic, however we juste seemed to launch it forward at every opportunity.

Rochdale took the lead on the half hour mark, a cross from Ged Brannan down the left was met by Kevin Townson who forced a shot home from just in side the post. Chants of 'Oh are Stevie Cotterill' and 'Gould Out' echoed around the ground and to make matters worse for himself Gould made a tactical change of taking of Darren Jones (who was playing OK) for Dobson.

The Robins could have and maybe should have equalised 5 minutes before half time. Edwards in the Rochdale goal dived full stretch to palm away a Grant McCann free kick, the loose ball fell to Amankwaah who swung back in a cross that was met by Jamie Victory's left foot, however the Cheltenham left back's effort was superbly blocked again by Edwards and the score stayed 1-0 to Rochdale.

The half time whistle blew to a chorus of boo's around the ground as what had been put on was nothing sort of shocking.

H/T 0-1

Bob Taylor - who was left on the bench, a bench that also didn't see Paul Brayson for some strange reason - was introduced early in the 2nd half for Graham Fyfe who as looked ineffective in recent weeks, I think it's time for him to be elft out for a few games. However Taylor had little effect on the game and it was 'The Dale' who came closest to scoring when Ged Brannan was allowed a free run through the centre of are midfield to the edge of the box where he fired a shot at goal, Higgs came to the rescue as once again this season he pulled off a top quality save.

Amankwaah and Dobson (not ready for first team action according to Gould) were causing a few problems in the second half down the Robins right hand side. One such run and cross from Amankwaah resulted in Yatesie heading over the bar when he really should have done better. Another searching cross from Amankwaah was heading towards Taylor when the Rochdale defender seemed to divert the ball for a corner however the inept officials signalled for a goal kick.

It was no wonder Cheltenham's best moves came down the right hand side as playing at left back for Rochdale at left back was Micheal Simpkins who was promptly abused by yours truly throughout the game, why other didn't join in I don't know, do you remember his crap performances for us whilst he was on loan last season!?

On reflection Cheltenham did create a fair few openings in the afternoon but the finishes lacked confidence, examples of this in the clsoing stages were Grant McCann scuffing an effort wide, substitute Ben Cleverley lacking conviction with an effort easily saved and Bob Taylor having a shot blocked.

The Robins were made to pay for these wasted opportunites 5 minutes from time when 'The Dale' secured all 3 points with a well taken goal. Leo Bertos cut in from the right wing and ran unchallenged towards goal, he let fire with a left foot shot that beat Higgs to send the Rochdale fans home happy!

More Gould out chants were the order of the day and memeber of the Paddoc right next to the dug out shouting 'Why don' you just resign Bobby'. And resign he did after the final whistle to the delight of the fans. Rumour has it that the only people not happy with the news were the Board of directors who promptly slammed the local Media for driving Bobby out of the club. Why are they unhappy? They now don't have to pay off the inept manager from Portishead!

In the long run the defeat to Rochdale may be good for the club as we can now get in a manager with PROPER contacts in the game and one who seemingly has a game plan, not just hit and hope. Front runners for the job are Steve Parkin, Lawrie Sanchez, ex Wolves assistant John Ward and Nigel Clough. In the mean time Bob Bloomer takes charge of Tuesday nights game versus Darlington.

Again there will be no Man of the Match vote for this game as no player deserves this accolade, check back the site Monday to see pictures of fans reactions on hearing the news of Bobby's sacking

F/T 0-2

CHELTENHAM TOWN: Higgs, Jones (Dobson34), M.Duff, Victory, Amankwaah, Finnigan, Yates, McCann, Fyfe (Taylor 69), Spencer (Cleverley 82), Devaney

ROCHDALE: Edwards, Evans, Griffiths, Grand, Simpkins, Bertos, McClare (Beech 23), Brannan, Shuker (Doughty 80), Townson (Antoine-Curier 83), Patterson

Attendance 3,105