By Peegs
November 25 2002

The Robins travelled to high flying Oldham Athletic and came away with a hard earned point. It may well have been the perfect afternoon for Cheltenham if Damian Spencer's second half header had gone in instead of hitting the cross bar. Town made one change to the team who had triumphed over Yeovil the previous weekend. Grant McCann taking his usual place in left midfield in place of Hugh McAuley who dropped to the bench.

Oldham's team included ex Tranmere defender Clint Hill and Canadian striker Carlo Corrazin. The bench included ex Leeds man Clyde Wijnhard.

On 5 minutes Grant McCann swung a corner into the box, it was headed clear by the Oldham defence and they broke away, Corrazin played a through ball to Murray but McCann (who had taken the corner) had charged back and intercepted the pass. We really have to buy him when the money become available.

John Brough who continues to deputise well for the injured Walker blocked a shot by Murray. With 13 minutes on the clock Paul Brayson had a shot saved by Oldham goalkeeper Les Pogliacomi after being put through by Grant McCann.

It was a half not littered with chances yet just after the half hour Oldham created an opening. Clint Hill sent a high ball over the Cheltenham defence, the pacy Carlo Corrazin tried to latch onto it but a combination of Brough and Howarth managed to crowd him out allowing Steve Book to clear. Howarth and Book were coming under criticism from supporters in the early season but both have now settled into Division 2 football.

A couple more chances of note happened before the half time oranges. Victory hooked a shot over the bar from another McCann corner and John Eyre had a long shot for Oldham that was held by "England's number one!" Steve Book.

Theteams went in with the scores level, Cheltenham had to be wary of Oldham's trump card of having Clyde Wijnhard on the bench.

H/T 0-0

No substitutions were made at half time. The Robins had the 1st chance of the second half, Victory crossed and Devaney headed wide. If Martin Devaney continues his recent performances for the remainder of the season he must be up for player of the season.

Brayson had a shot held by Pogliacomi 11 minutes into the second period but after an hour Oldham were handed a huge boast with the introduction of Clyde Wijnhard inplace of Carlo Corrazin. Graham Alner also made a sub bringing on Spencer to replace Brayson. The front paring was now Alsop and Spencer, a combination many fans want to be used. I personally think Brayson/Alsop is the best.

Soon after the substitutions Oldham - managed these days by Ian Dowie - nearly took the lead. Andrews pulled the ball back from the left and Chris Armstrong fired a shot that had Book scrambling to his right.

Cheltenham came so close to scoring on 68 minutes, Devaney got free on the right and crossed for Damian Spencer who powered a header towards goal. Unfortunatly for Cheltenham it crashed against the cross bar and bounced down the wrong side of the line. Still no luck for us! A couple of inches may prove the difference between us staying up or going down in this division.

Wijnhard nearly provided a moment of magic when he turned with that ball on the edge of the box and powered a shot wide of Book's post by a matter of inches. You have to pinch yourselves that Cheltenham are playing against players like this week in week out.

In the closing minutes both teams were doing there best to win the game and claim 3 points that would help in their very differing seasons. Devaney got clear again down the right, he laid the ball back to McCann who crossed, the ball arrived to Alsop at the back post but Pogliacomi was able to dive upon the ball before Alsop could make good contact.

Oldham were also having late chances. Armstrong headed over the bar from a goal scoring position and Wijnhard just failed to make contact with an Eyre cross with only Book to beat. A goal now would be sole destroying forTown after suc an immense effort.

The final act of the game happened deep into injury time and many Town fans must have feared the worst. Armstrong had the ball in the net, with the "Latics" fans celebrating the linesman raised his flag and the goal was chalked off.

The game ended 0-0 and the Robins left with a deserved draw. If Spencer's header had been inches lower we would have left with all 3 points. But it wasn't to be and to be fair thats 1 point more than mnay fans - including myself -thought we would leave with. And now maybe Allner will realise that Spencer needs more than a 10 minute run out in games!

F/T 0-0

OLDHAM ATHLETIC: Pogliacomi, Beharall, Hill, Armstrong, Murray (Lourenco 79), Baudet, Sheridan, Eyre (Duxbury 57), Eyres, Corrazin (Wijnhard 60), Andrews.

CHELTENHAMTOWN: Book, Howarth, Brough, Duff, Victory, Devaney, Finnigan, Forsyth, McCann, Brayson (Spencer 62), Alsop.

Attendance 6.575