
League 2, Saturday 20th March 2010
I don't like opposition goal keepers who wear orange kit. The last one (see 23rd January 2010) cast a 'fluence' on our strikers. This one stopped some shots but looked beatable; although admittedly it was only managed once.
Medy Elito bundled the ball over to bring the scores level. He says on his player profile that he's not so good at tracking back. Today he put in a good shift. He was all over the place and was flattened a couple of times by attempts to kick him out of the game. The first earned the opponent a yellow card and the second should have been a penalty; well it would have been very nice anyway.
Cheltenham were good value this afternoon and if they weren't sitting on the trap-door I could even have enjoyed the game. Port Vale were a tough physical side who worked well in attack, finding space and creating danger. At least that was the impression in the first half when after 10 minutes of absorbing a little pressure from Cheltenham's bright start they took the defence apart and scored what I thought would be the first of many. I would imagine that was what the visiting supporters were expecting after their goal fest at Chesterfield last Saturday.
Shane Duff and Michael Townsend renewed their partnership in central defence. After such a long lay-off this is not too soon. Townsend was not happy with Lescott's performance at left back. A striker called Almond took Elvis Hammond's shirt and made a good fist of it. I have no idea where he came from but he can stay. Thornhill looked like he really wanted a goal and he deserved one. The crossbar at the C&G end was nearly shattered by a fantastic early effort.
So honours even. Everyone happy and still four points and a game in hand over Grimsby who pulled off a hand assisted win (ref failed to spot that one). So anything can happen.......... and probably will
Cheltenham Town: S Brown; A Lescott, M Townsend, S Duff, D Andrew; D Bird, M Thornhill, M Pook, M Elito; J Richards, L Almond (J Alsop 65). Subs not used: L Ridley, A Gallinagh, D Hutton, M Watkins, W Puddy, B Hayles.
Port Vale: J Anyon; L Collins, J McCombe, G Owen, K Taylor; L Haldane (S Rigg 71), T Fraser (D Loft 71), A Griffith, R Taylor (L Dodds 61); M Richards, C Davies. Subs not used: A Yates, C Martin, S Richman, S Morsy.
Referee: G Ward.
Attendance: 3,503 (695 from Port Vale).





