Cheltenham 0 Grimsby 3

By: Mr Wonderful
Date: 16/10/2005

TOWN travelled nearly two hundred miles west of the Capital of Civilization. Cheltenham a town famous for its fine buildings, horse racing, posh people but not its football team.

Finding the ground was a task in itself, more signs need to be added (hoping your reading Cheltenham's Town Street Planner) to help us directionally challenged who do not have satellite navigation

Walking towards the ground we noticed a big culture difference, we heard one family use 'oh gosh' instead of the normal naughty word we are used to around Blundell Park, no dog poo on the foot path, this seemed too good to be true.

Whaddon Road is a ground that has seen a revamp, a new stand 'In2Print Stand' was new tidy and one of the nicest in the division, and housed the 400 excitable Town fans. I was delighted with the beautiful aroma of pie as I made my way through the turnstyle; 'need a balti my brain' screamed in my head, very tasty indeed, wow what a good start before the game could this great feeling last?

The Game

First half

Town defended the end currently being redeveloped. Cheltenham made the brighter start, looking to use their strength up front, making sure Town were up for the battle.

Town struggled to get into rhythm for the first ten minutes, giving the ball away too cheaply.

Jones had the first attempt shot, the ball seemed to strike the hand of a Cheltenham player inside his own penalty box, Town appealed, Mr Gary Lump Jones let fly a fizzing shot just over the bar.

On 16 mins Town went on to score with their first shot on target, Francis played a ball over the top, Cheltenham seemed so amazed with Reddy that they never noticed Bolland collect the ball, take the ball in the box and then score from 16 yards out. "YESSSSSSSSSSSSSS" Town fans jumped with delight "WE ARE TOP OF THE LEAGUE" we sang. I like this song it gives me an enormous sense of satisfaction, being able to rub opponents faces in it, the fact we are having a great time at the moment.

Cheltenham carried on attacking, putting crosses in but with no end product. Some stubborn defending keeping the ball away from our sticks. Cross after cross, bombed Towns back line, Lieutenant Jones, Captain Macca, Brigadier Whittle and Corporal Newey all sticking to their task not to concede.

The ref seemed to want to be the star of the show, giving some strange decisions against both teams, booking a Robins player for taking a free kick too quickly, which admittedly made me chuckle.

Half time came, with a sense of well being. Half the job done and another 45 needed to complete, let's continue.

Second Half

The game kicked off for the final 45 minutes, Cheltenham again played brightly, getting the ball wide and putting balls into the box. Town were certainly getting pinned back. Cheltenham hit the bar from close range, God knows how they failed not to score.

Nothing much changed, Town played some neat football but then to give it away in the final third. Cheltenham were growing stronger with each minute. Slade took off the hard-working Parky and replaced him with the speed demon Gary Cohen

64th minute arrived Mr (Ever) Reddy got the ball form the half way line, taking it into the 18 yard box, teasing the defender on the way, brushing past him like a bowling ball through a set of skittles, he raced towards the goal, slotting the ball past Higgs, the ball going in via the keeper's hand and in off the post, cue more delirious scenes (please don't break my glasses I need be able to see to drive home). Surely that must be game set and match. There surely couldn't be a stewards enquiry into this result.

Cheltenham continued to attack, surging forward looking to get a goal to give some hope of a result.When Town are in this mood there are two kind of hope: Bob Hope (he is married to Viv Windsor in Emmerdale) and no hope.

With just over 10 minutes to go, on came Gritton aka 'The Torquay Tramp'; he added another dimension to the Town attack.

In the last minute Gritts played the ball forward, the defender seemed odds on favourite to get the ball, Cohen stepped up to 5th gear, robbed the defender like a thieving bandit and placed the ball past the helpless Higgs. Party time now boys. No way we can't have won by three. Funny old game this football lark, we didn't deserve a flattering scoreline. But which Town fans complained? My guess none.

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