By Peegs
September 18 2003

Oxford and Cheltenham battled out a 0-0 draw at Whaddon Road infront of 5,300 fans, however Mike Duff was sent off in the 88th minute. Not the worst ever 0-0 I have seen and probably a useful point seeing as though Oxford are the only unbeaten team in the division and have now only let in 4 goals in 8 games.

Lee ‘Archie’ Howells made his first starting appearance since his awful injury sustained at the Memorial Stadium 2 seasons ago, he replaced Frenchman Bertrand Cozic, Richard Forsyth came into the team inplace of the injured Graham Fyfe.

I decided for the first time to put a bet on at a game, I had my money on either Bob Taylor or Grant McCann to score first.

Although far from boring the game was void of chances in the early stages. McNiven volleyed over the C and G stand after 3 minutes and it took the Robins until mid way through the first half until they fathomed an opening. Grant McCann tapped a short free kick to Amankwaah who cleverly had run behind the wall set up to defend a free kick, he charged forward before delivering a cross which Odejayi just failed to direct goalwards.

Incidentally good news for Robins fans with the renewal of Bristol pair Amankwaah and Jones’s loan deals for an extra month.

Oxford had the best chances in the game and nearing half time Shane Higgs was called upon to pull off 2 world class saves. Firstly a loose ball on the edge of the box was volleyed at goal by ex Southampton striker Steve Basham, Higgs used all off his height to dive to his right and palm the ball wide for a corner kick.

From the resulting corner Higgs was called upon again to perform heroics. The corner was swung ion and ex Hibs man Derek Townsley headed towards goal, somehow Higgs reacted and again deflected the ball away from goal. Undoubtedly Higgs is now are number one but will Gould baffle us all again and stick Book back in goal?

The closest Cheltenham came to scoring arrived moments before half time, a clever move involving Victory and Amankwaah sent the speedy Bristolian free down the right flank, his cross was met my Odejayi who sent a glancing header inches wide with Bob Taylor lurking.

H/T 0-0

No half time subs were made by Bobby Gould, infact he made none during the game which baffled many supporters, we had options in the likes of Devaney and Brayson on the bench but we chose not to utilise them.

Archie who had a steady game for his comeback sent a volley over the bar early on in the second half but it felt good to see the Aussie back on the Whaddon Road turf.

I nearly claimed my winnings in the second half when Grant McCann had a couple of free kicks. Twice he sent set pieces over the bar and into the C and G End. How I could have done with that money.

The Robins were on top in the first half of the 2nd half (thats the 3rd quarter of the game to those who got confused) and Bob Taylor came close to scoring, the ball broke to him in the box however just as he was about to pull the trigger an Oxford defender got in a last ditch block.

Rememeber the Cobblers game when Higgs got assualted for their first goal? Well lightning nearly struck twice when Higgs came to claim a high ball, he was challenged by the Oxford forward and the ball fell from his grasp, the loose ball fell to Steve Basham however he somehow hit the ball over the bar and into the travelling Oxford fans in the Whaddon Road End.

I though my quest for a winning bet had come true late in the 2nd half, many fans in the C and G thought the referee had pointed to the spot for a Cheltenham penalty, great I though McCann will step up and I will win my money, however the ref had pointed for an Oxford free kick for a foul by Darren Jones.

One of the main talking points of the game happened in the 89th minute, Mike Duff was left exposed at the back after a poor bit of play by Grant McCann, Whitehead hit the ball past Duff and the 2 players collided, a ruckuss of players converged as the Oxford players were demanding Duff to be sent off (tossers!) and Duff was given a straight red card). Hopefully the sending off will be for a professional foul and will only result in a one game ban.

Cheltenham had one last chance to snatch all 3 points, from around 40 yards out McCann blasted a free kick at goal, unfortunately for my bank balance it went inches wide of the goal.

The final whistle went and I think we can view this as a good solid point against an organised Oxford team who will be up there at the end of the season.

F/T 0-0

CHELTENHAM TOWN : Higgs, Amankwaah, Jones, M.Duff, Victory, Howells, Yates, McCann, Forsyth, Odejayi, Taylor

OXFORD UNITED : Woodman, Ashton, Crosby, Bound, McNiven, Townsley (Hunt 75), Wanless, Whitehead, Robinson, Basham (Hackett 90), Rawle (Scott 76).

Attendance 5,390