By Peegs
July 28 2002

Pre season continued for Cheltenham at Whaddon Road. 2 very different performances gave Graham Allner food for thought for the season ahead. Load this page for Cheltenhams latest results. Cheltenham continued their pre-season campagin with 2 home games against division 1 opposition

On Tuesday night the Robins played a Palace team which included the likes of Dougie Freedman, Curtis Fleming, Tommy Black, Matt Clark and Danny Granville. The visitors however were without Ade Akinbiyi and Clinton Morrision which was too the dissapointment of a healthy crowd.

Still Palace's team was full of pace and quality on the ball but it was Cheltenham who took the lead. An inswinging free kick from Russell Milton was headed towards goal by Mark Yates, the header lacked power and found its way to Naylor at the back post who smashed the ball in from little over 5 yards.

Palace didnt panic however and it wasnt long before the large contingent of away fans seated in the In2print stand. Tommy black mis hit a shot which fell nicely to ex Nottingham Forest striker Douggie Freedman who scored ferom 8 yards passed the desparing dive of keeper Steve Book.

The extra class of Palace began to show and shortly before half time they took a deserved lead again through Dougie Freedman. Tommy Black again was ther provider as he threaded a ball between Duff and Banks, Freedman collected the ball and placed it past book and into the back of the net.

There wasnt much action in the second half apart from a a third goal by Palace this time by Black. He played a one two with Williams before slotting the ball past the on rushing Book.

Even though the score line suggests this was a bad game for the Robins, many positives can be found. Trialist Damien Spencer looked dangerous and strong upfront. I persoanlly hope we sign him. Milton hasnt lost his ability over the summer to put in a dangerous set piece. Mike Duff justs gets better and better and rumours say scouts are watching are friendlies.

Saturday saw the visit of Walsall. The match started 20 minutes late as the Walsall coach was stuck in traffic!(they have no consideration for us fans!)

New signing Paul Brayson was on the bench along with last years top scorer Julian Alsop. Amongst the starting 11 was Richard Kear - a young striker - and Ryan McCann who played at right back in his 3rd game on trial with the club. The most notable absentee was trialist Damien Spencer who took a knock on the ankle versus Palace.

Whereas against Palace Cheltenham didn't perform, they played some fantastic stuff against the Saddlers. Notably young forward Richard Kear who is being giving valuable experience in these games showed some niced touches and skills. He is definetly a player who will make the 1st team at some point.

Cheltenham had alot of the early possesion but fell behind to a cracker of a free kick. David Zdrilic was allegedly fouled on the edge of the box (only the ref thought it was a free kick!). Up stepped Steve Corica who swept the ball over the wall and into the top corenr of the net past a helpless Book. It could have been Beckham on show, it was that good.

Cheltenham didnt let there heads drop despite going behind. Richard Kear ran onto a mis hit back pass befoe unselfishly squaring the ball to Naylor who fluffed his shot. Then a Milton corner found its way to Victory 10 yards out but he put his shot just wide.

Graham Allner changed things around at the break. He mayed 4 subs at half time and 2 were heavily involved in the Cheltenham equaliser. Neil Howarth made a cross field run and was brought down on the edge of the box. Mark Yates squared the resulting free kick to substitue Martin Devaney who smashed an unstopable shot past James Walker in the Walsall goal.

After 60 minutes Allner mayed a further 2 substitutions which were popular with the Cheltenham faithful. The introduction of Alsop and a debut for Paul Brayson. We saw flashes of what Brayson could do wityh a couple of clever runs and a couple of shots, one near the end which powered just over Walker's crossbar.

All of Cheltenham's good work against higher class oppostion could have gone to waste in the dying seconds. A curling shot by Darren Bazely had to be expertly tipped over and around the bar by Goalie Steve Book. It was a truly amazing save. We'll be needing lots more of them from you please Steve in the season ahead.

The Robins can be happy with the progress they have made over the 2 matches. In the ned of te day that is what pre-season is all about, making progress as a team unit and that is what we have done.

Finally I must end my piece with many thanks to jorge Leitao who kindly signed my program today whilst he was warming up ready to go on. A true gent! Shame he got injured 5 minutes after going on!