Cheltenham Town 2 - 0 Morcambe

League 2: Saturday 20th February 2010

Hard working old pro's, beyond their best but with a few tricks up their sleeves. Julian Alsop was man of the match and scored a header from almost exactly the same spot as his previous goal........ now when was that? A long time ago.

On the previous occasion Jules ran off into the arms of Martin Allen to celebrate. This time he went to the stands where I imagine a proud Mrs. Alsop and the kids were sitting. He had just equaled the club record. Mrs. Alsop could feel justly proud and just a teeny bit apprehensive about the evening which awaited her.

Should responsible people put a good bottle of champagne into the hands of an over excited and physically exhausted man at that time of the day? The sun was not under the yard-arm. What will he be like at 3am? It's the neighbours I feel sorry for. He's fitter now than the last time he scored. He almost lasted to the end of this game. He could make it through to morning.

Meanwhile Julian's straight man tried a few tricks at the other end. At a chill but sunny Whaddon Road there was just a glimpse of a feeling that a corner might be turned. But it wasn’t that much of a glimpse to allow Barry Hayles to squander quite as many opportunities as he seemed to be doing. It was as if he was already retired and was showing a few lads what he was once capable of doing. A few flicks and tricks just so you got an idea of how good he had been. A stone lighter and five years younger and he would have had a couple of goals.

Not to worry young Thornhill made amends. He got hold of a ball which had been crying to be put away and the game was safe….. but only for certain at 94 minutes. The old pro’s had by then been replaced by the Hammond and Richardson who kept the Morcambe defense busy and maybe a bit confused. Were they a serious threat? Better not over commit going forward then.Too late, game over.

Not a vintage performance. There are still problems and gaps. No reason to relax or hit the town for a celebration unless you are Julian Alsop and he should show a bit of restraint for the sake of his family and neighbours.

Cheltenham Town: S Brown; D Bird, M Townsend, A Eastham, L Ridley; J Low, A Gallinagh, M Pook, M Thornhill (D Hutton 87); B Hayles (J Richards 81), J Alsop (E Hammond 85). Subs not used: M Watkins, W Puddy, T Lewis, D Andrew.

Morecambe: B Roche; A Parrish, W Haining, D Artell, D Adams; G Hunter, S Drummond, C Stanley (M Duffy 61), L Wilson (E Panther 81); P Mullin (W Curtis 78), P Jevons. Subs not used: D Moss, J Bentley, M Twiss, S Davies.

Referee: A Bates.
Attendance: 2,806 (120 from Morecambe).