By Peegs
August 28 2002

Cheltenham were beaten by a single first half goal by St Vincent International Rodney Jack 2 minutes before halftime against Crewe at Gresty Road. Cheltenham made 2 changes from the team that lost 2-1 to Plymouth at the weekend. Hugh McAuley and Russell Milton came in for John Finnigan and Damian Spencer.

The Crewe team included the likes of Rodney Jack, Rob Hulse and highly rated forward Dean Ashton. The team was absent of Nigerian International defender Efe Sodje.

The Robins had the 1st chance of the game when Russell Milton played the ball through to Paul Brayson but he shot straight at Crewe 'keeper Clayton Ince.

It didnt take long for Crewe to have their 1st chance when a header from Rodney Jack flashed wide from a Kenny Lunt cross. Crewe maybe should have taken the lead on 9 minutes when a mix up between Mike Duff and Neil Howarth allowed Dean Ashton to cross for Rob Hulse who put his header wide of the target.

The Gresty Road club continued to create chances, Dean Ashton flashing a shot wide from a Dave Brammer cross.

25 minutes had gone and the score was still 0-0. Cheltenham came so close to taking the lead in the match when a right wing cross from Lee Williams arrived at Paul Brayson who volleyed first time, the ball going agonisingly wide.

10 minutes later Dean Ashton robbed left back Jamie Victory of the ball and shot at goal, but he got to much power on it and it didn't threat Steve Book's goal.

2 minutes before half time the one moment of magic in the game resulted in the winning goal for Crewe Alexandra. Dave Brammer played the ball forward to Lunt, who cushioned the ball to the on running Rodney Jack, his pace took him inbetween centre halfs Duff and Walker and shot low past Steve Book. It was a goal worthy of his £650k price tag.

H/T 0-1

After the interval Jack had another decent shot saved by Steve Book. Cheltenham were passing it around nicely but without ever threatening to score.

Mid way through the 2nd half Ashton robbed Richard Walker of the ball mid way in the Cheltenham half but hit his shot wide of the upright of Steve Book's goal.

Late on in the game Graham Allner sent on pacey forward Devaney and midefilder John Finnigan for Williams and Milton.

Town had a number of half chances with soft shots from Brayson and McAuley but never really threatened getting the equalising goal. The match ended 1-0 to Crewe and the majority of the 5,488 Gresty Road crowd went home happy.

Once again Town matched quality opposition through-out the game but lacked a moment of quality infront of goal. We'll be hoping for Paul brayson to get his 1st goal for the club in the game against his former club Cardiff on Saturday.

F/T 0-1

CREWE: Ince, Wright, Walker, Foster, Vaughan, Jack, Brammer, Lunt, Rix (Bell 65), Hulse (Jones 81), Ashton (Miles 87).

CHELTENHAM TOWN: Book, Howarth, Duff, Walker, Victory, Williams (Devaney 70), Yates, McAuley, Milton (Finnigan 85), Naylor, Brayson.

Referee: Dermot Gallagher