By Peegs
September 8 2002

The Robins visited Layer Road the home of Colchester United in undoubtedly their best chance of getting 3 points out of an away fixture this season. Cheltenham lined up with the same team that claimed a 1-1 draw with Cardiff City. The Colchester line up included Kemal Izzet, brother of Leicester and Turkey International Muzzy Izzet, ex Ipswich player Mick Stockwell and prolific lower league goal scorer Scott McGleish.

Cheltenham had the 1st chance of the game when tall frontman Julain Alsop rose high to head a corner from Russell Milton straight at Mckinney.

12 minutes into the game Steve Book was called into action. Neil Howarth handled the ball on the edge of the area. Dean Morgan hit the resulting free kick but Book in the Cheltenham goal saved comfortably.

Midway in the 1st half two experienced attackers on the Colchester side combined. Mick Stockwell crossed for fellow frontman Scott McGleish to head wide of Steve Book's upright.

5 minutes before the interval Northern Ireland Under 21 International 'keeper McKinney was stretched to the full by Alsop. A cross by Victory was met by the head of "big Jules" who directed the ball into the corner but McKinney was up to the test as he made a marvelous save.

As time in the 1st half came to an end Colchester defender Joe Keith smashed a dangerous looking free kick into the Cheltenham wall (why couldnt Plymouth's free kick strike the wall!?!?).

2 minutes into added on time Cheltenham Town took the lead. A free-kick on the left taken by Hugh McAuley reached the near post where it was met on the run by Tony Naylor who poked the ball home for his second and Cheltenham's fourth goal of the campaign to date.

H/T 1-0

The Robins needed to build on the lead given to them on the stroke of half time. Both Naylor and Yates had shots for Town but there efforts didn't threaten the Colchester goal as the ball went high over the bar on both occasions.

On the 58 minute mark disaster struck the Robins. Thomas Pinault of Colchester collected the ball on the left hand side of the area, across came Richard Walker with a sliding challenge and he absolutely wiped out the Colchester man. Referee B.Curson had an easy decision to make and pointed to the spot. Up stepped Joe Keith who struck the ball hard to the left of Steve Book.

Cheltenham now had to keep their composure which is somethin McKinney in the Colchester goal wasnt doing. Russell Milton hit a shot which he managed to fumble round the post for a corner when it should've been a regulation save.

Graham Alner sent on Lee Williams for Paul Brayson with 20 minutes to go to try and win the game but in the end it was Colchester whoi came closest to getting the winning goal. Kevin Rapley - who played two games for the reserves 2 years ago - crossed the ball from the flank and Lloyd Opara came within inches of getting a touch that would have converted the ball into the net, Stockley collected the ball and smashed a ball goalwards but it was superbly blocked by Richard Walker.

The ref blew for full time and the Cheltenham supporters in the 2845 crowd had to be satisfied with a point yet at one point we did have 3 in our hands.

With all of the games played this year there wasnt much difference between the two teams. It has been said that in this divsion you are punished for your mistakes and undoubtedly it was a mistake that Richard Walker dived in when he did to give away the penalty.

Cheltenham moved off of the bottom of the table with the point earned and Peterborough now prop up the table. Being off the bottom has to be good psychologically and we hope this is the start of a run that will see us lie in mid table.

F/T 1-1

COLCHESTER UNITED: McKinney, Keith, Pinault, Johnson, Warren, McGleish (Rapley 65), Izzet, Morgan (Opara 66), Bowry, White, Stockwell (Stockley 74).

CHELTENHAM TOWN: Book, Howarth, Duff, Walker, Victory, Brayson (Williams 69), Milton, McAuley, Yates, Naylor (Devaney 86), Alsop.

Ref: B Curson