By Peegs
November 3 2003

Cheltenham battled hard but lacked the quality to beat a poor York side and needed an equaliser from Damian Spencer 5 minutes from time to cancel out a 45 yard thunderbolt from Jon Parkin. Although a Cheltenham legend many fans were surprised to see Lee Howells in the starting line up. Included in the back four was John Brough at centre back alongside Mike Duff with Darren Jones moving to right back, Dave Bird dropping to the bench.

The Robins were shooting towards the C and G End in the first 45 minutes of play. Without being overly boring the game lacked any clear cut chances until 25 minute mark when Darren Jones - looking much more comfortable at right back - sent in a cross to Bob Taylor who unfortunatly headed straight at ex Luton goalkeeper Ovendale.

York who had both their manager - Chris Brass - and assistant manager - Lee Nogan - in the starting line up thought they had taken the lead on the half hour mark when a shot by Mitch Ward took a deflection and could only be parried by Shane Higgs, highly rated midfielder Lee Bullock netted the re bound but the linesman infront of the celebrating York fans in the In2Print stand adjudged Bullock to have been off side as the original shot came in.

For the first time in a while the Robins were trying to pass the ball around and build on attacks instead of the hit and hope we had come accustomed to however York were playing some nice football to and nearly took the lead as the half time break neared. Lee Nogan sent through huge striker Jon Parkin, this time the offside flag stayed down but luckily for Town Shane Higgs pulled off a good save to deny Parkin.

H/T 0-0

My customary bet for the game this time was Paul Brayson to be the first scorer and I came close to claiming £7 winnings when he got clear in the left hand side fo the penalty area, cut inside and unleashed a shot at goal, but unfortunatly for Cheltenham and my bank balance Ovendale blocked the shot and the score stayed at 0-0.

My Man of the Match on the day was John Finnigan and he nearly broke the deadlock on the hour with a tenacious run forward and when 20 yards out he curled an effort at goal that must have missed the target by inches.

Although York passed the ball around nicely and had a fair share of possesion they hadn't created many chances in the second half and it was Cheltenham again who threatened the score sheet. This time Devaney whipped in a curling effort at goal that Ovendale seemed to tip around the post, however once again we had a few clowns officiating as not for the first time they pointed for goal kick when a corner should have been awarded.

Higgs hadn't had a single save of note to make in the 2nd half however the Minstermen were to take the lead with what has to be a candidate for goal of the season. Fully 45 yards out York forward Jon Parkin decided to unleash a volley at goal. Before Higgs had time to react the ball was over his head and nestled into the back fo the net. A great goal deserving of winning any football match.

Bob Bloomer wasted no time in bringing on a sub and replaced Taylor with Spencer. The ex Baggies man looked dissapointed with the decision but in all honesty had done little during the game. Moments later Luke Corbett a product of the Youth System was sent on for his football league debut and a deserved equaliser arrived with 5 minutes left to play.

Gloucestershire Echo Man of the Match Martin Devaney received the ball down the right hand side and sent in a pin point cross onto the head of Damian Spencer who planted a header into the opposite corner and earned a valuable point for the Robin who now find themselves down in 19th position.

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F/T 1-1

CHELTENHAM TOWN : Higgs, Jones, M.Duff, Brough (Corbett 82), Victory, Howells, Yates, Finnigan, Devaney, Brayson, Taylor (Spencer 78)

YORK CITY : Ovendale, Smith, Brass, Hope, Edmondson, Ward, Cooper, Bullock, Merris, Nogan, Parkin (Wood 83)

Attendance 3,431