By Peegs
August 13 2003

Woeful finishing cost the Robins as 10 men QPR showed their class and left Whaddon Road with a 2-1 victory after losing striker Paul Furlong in the first half after 2 bookings. They progress deservedly into the 2nd round hat. The Robins announced their team in the morning which I found strange as we cannot gain anything from doing this whereas QPR could plan tactics to counter the revealed team and formation.

The team read as follows: Book, Griffin, Brough, M.Duff, Victory, Fyfe, McCann, Yates, Bird, Odejayi and Spencer.

The QPR team included huge defender Danny Shittu, highly rated midfielder Richard Lnagley and experienced forwards Kevin Gallen and Paul Furlong.

It all started so well for Cheltenham when Grant McCann reminded the Robins faithful what he could do with a fine goal after 4 minutes. Odejayi collected the ball in the box and laid it back to Graham Fyfe - making his competitive debut at left wing back, he had a fairlygod game - he played the ball back to Grant McCann who smashed the ball in over the keeper's head from 25 yards, a fine goal by who we know is a fine player, but who has been under performing.

On the quarter hour many important incidents in the game occured, a somewhat dubious free kick was awarded 25 yards out, QPR players claimed that some Cheltenham players were encrouching the kick, Mr Tapp the ref became tired of the dissent and booked Paul Furlong - who would later come to regret the gaining of this card.

Finally with all the moaning over Paul Furlong struck a low free kick which Book parried but unfortunately for Cheltenham Gareth Ainsworth was the quickest to react and poked the rebound home, it was touch and go whether the rather large linesman on the in2print side should have raised his flag.

The Robins were playing well early doors but 1-1 was probably about the right score at this stage but the Whaddon Road would see it's first sending off of the season, and what a silly one it was. With Mike Duff sheperding the ball out infront of the c and g stand, Paul Furlong stupidly slid in with a challenge knowing he was on a booking, the ref was left with no choice but to show Furlong his second yellow and send him to an early bath. For some strange reason QPR player Steve Palmer thought the decision was harsh but then again he was 40 yards away and biased!

Cheltenham weren't really making the extra man count too much and persisted with long balls, a few from Mark Yates - who in my opinion had a poor game - flew towards youngster Graham Fyfe who is about 5ft tall at the most! One such cross however did make its way to Jamie Victory 10 yards out but he sent his header into the QPR fans in the Whaddon Road end, fair play to QPR who brought lots of fans for a Tuesday night game.

Mike Duff - who once again had a fine game with a couple of key blocks from shots - was on hand 5 minutes before the break to clear a shot of the line, a scramble in the box lead to the ball coming to Richard Langley 15 yards out, he struck the ball at goal but found the Northern Irish international well placed to put in a block.

H/T 1-1

The scoreline of 1-1 was probably a fair reflection, Gould decided to take off Dave Bird at half time but leave on his pal Mark Yates who I thought tried hard but again wasn't up to the standard. Frenchman Bertrand Cozic came out at half-time and warmed up and would take the place of Bird in midfield.

Early in the second half the Robins came out of the traps quick - why couldn't the whole of the 2nd half be like this! - and Odejayi found himself clear through on goal but his touch was too hard and he was forced to rush his shot and Day in the goal managed to save, the rebound fell to youngster Graham Fyfe but his shot drifted wide. On the night I was disappointed with Odejayi but I quite liked the look of Fyfe, both player can undoubtedly raise and improve their performances.

Another chance would follow soon after for the Robins as for one of the rare moments in the game they would use the spare space to their advantage. Odejayi used his strength to get clear off a QPR midfielder, Bertrand Cozic - who looked lively and should start against Swansea - was in acres of space on the inside right, Odejayi layed him the ball, he went forward a few yards and shot but it was a basic save for Day, the ball came out again to Cozic but his rebound effort drifted wide of the target infront of the C and G to the disappointment of the Robins fans.

Steve Book - who's absolute crap kicking annoyed Town fans during the night - reedemed himself with an absolutely stunning save midway through the second set of 45 minutes. A Marc Bircham cross somehow made its way to an unmarked Richard Langley 6 yards out, he hit the ball towards goal but somehow Steve Book flung himself in the way of the ball and goal and deflected the ball clear. If only he could kick straight and claim crosses he would be a quality 'keeper however i'd pick Higgs in goal for Swansae on Saturday.

Even though QPR were down to ten men they had long periods of possession in the final 25 minutes of the game. Cozic entered the book after what one fan described as 'him showing too much French passion in that tackle'. McCann came so close to re gaining the lead for the Whaddon Road men with a 25 yards dipping shot from a Fyfe pass, the ball inches over the C and G end goal.

However the 3000 or so Cheltenham fans in attendance were not to go home happy as a moment of Division 2 class sealed the game. A throw in on the left was passed a cross field by the QPR attacking players to Langley in a central position, he hit a curling shot first time into the top left hand corner of Steve Book's net, it was 2-1 to QPR and they would progress into the 2nd round of the Carling Cup.

So that's are League Cup adventure over before it had really begun. A couple of observation from me, why oh why with a man advantage did we bring every player back for set pieces, there was a strong case for leaving one or perhaps 2 men forward for a quick break. Also I think everyone knows this but the signing of a new striker - Bob Taylor most likely - is essential as a combination of Odejayi, Spencer and Brayson just isn't good enough.

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F/T 1-2

CHELTENHAM TOWN: Book, Griffin, Brough, M.Duff, Victory, Fyfe, McCann, Yates, Bird (Cozic 46), Spencer, Odejayi (Devaney 63, Brayson 90).

QUEENS PARK RANGERS: Day, Forbes, Carlisle, Shittu, Padula, Ainsworth, Bircham, Palmer, Langley, Furlong, Gallen (Sabin 90)