Cheltenham Town after thoughts and player ratings part I

CHELTENHAM TOWN MATCH REPORT

An easy journey down the road for me and a couple of nice seats next to the directors’ box and just in front of the Barnsley Chronicle kiosk from which I could watch the game.

Only one surprise in the line-up with Nicky Cadden getting compassionate leave to be with his wife, who is expecting their child imminently. That meant a start for Ziyad Larckeche at left wing-back. The bench saw a welcome return to first team action for Luke Thomas after several months out. Good to see him back in contention.

The first five minutes or so were infinitely forgettable, the ball being hoofed airwards by both teams and both back line defenders winning the ball with ease and no overall pattern emerging. With a fairly brisk wind blowing from behind the goal we were defending, this was not a good idea and I was fearing a stalemate of a game. Everything changed on seven minutes. We have developed a great tactic of superb diagonal balls delivered either from left midfield to right wing-back, or vice versa and this was the key which unlocked the Town defence again, although this time the simply wonderful pass was delivered by Herbie Kane with his right foot, rather than Liam Kitching with his left. Williams ran on into space, pulled back a centre which ran to Phillips, who unselfishly teed up James Norwood for a routine tap-in. Very good team goal. After that, we got the ball down and had Town chasing shadows with swift, first-time passes and good running into space off the ball. That this pattern of play continued throughout most of the ninety-three minutes tells you what a good performance this was by the Super Reds. The second and third goals were both from individual brilliance, rather than team play. Herbie Kane got the ball fully twenty-five yards from goal after a half clearance and simply lashed the ball into the top left and corner. I think that this came off his weaker, left foot, so even better. The third was a top-class free kick by Adam Phillips after Larkeche had been upended about twenty-five yards from. Perfect right foot delivery into the same top left corner as Kane’s shot earlier. The new Neil Redfearn? I wouldn’t bet against it with the two finishes in his last two games.

In the second half, Town competed more and we, maybe, contained a bit more, so the game became slightly more balanced, but, in truth, Town rarely looked like getting through our rock-solid back three, all of whom were immoveable on the day. Another lovely dinked pass from Kane, who was my man-of-the-match, set both Shaw and Williams free on the right hand side of the penalty area and Williams finished with a fierce right foot shot, which went in off the crossbar. Good intelligence by Shaw to leave it to the player in the better position. No more than we deserved and we saw the game out without too many alarms and diversions – just one save for Isted to make from Town’s only shot on target near the end.

A most professional and competence performance by the Super Reds. The structure is so solid and the patterns of play so well drilled into the players. Some of the slick passing in midfield was a joy to watch. Town fans were saying that we were the best side they had seen so far this season over these ninety-three minutes. Lovely applause for Duff from both sets of supporters as well.

 

Can't argue with any of that from my view from Andalucia, sat in the lounge conveniently near the downstairs toilet and fridge.

 

My pre thoughts were, am in forra good neet tneet, my afterthoughts are, I'm correct.

 

Yes I was a bit worried early on when the head tennis match was on court. We soon settled down though and scored three superb goals in that excellent first half. I wish we could have kept up the pressure right to the end though - it could have been a much bigger score.

No complaints though and a brilliant watch on iFollow.