Town 3 - 2 Cheltenham

The Mariners took the lead twice, losing it each time to some poor goals, but a second goal from Michael Reddy gave Town a well-deserved 3-2 victory at Whaddon Road, in this Friday night match that sees Town leap from 17th to 10th in the league table.

Within 30 seconds Gritton had a chance, and as he struck the ball with his left foot the ball bobbed up on the hard surface. From the corner taken by Pinault, Rob Jones side footed it over the bar. Just 60 seconds had gone!

Reddy won a corner on 4 minutes after getting behind the Cheltenham defence, but despite Town pressure the keeper claimed the corner.

On seven minutes, the Mariners gained another corner, taken by Pinault. The ball eventually was played out to Coldicott whose centre was attacked by both Gritton and Reddy, though Higgs in the Cheltenham goal was able to win the ball.

Reddy put Higgs under pressure after the keeper had been short-changed with a poor back-pass.

Town's next corner was returned to Pinault who could only give Higgs an easy collect.

Goal!: 12:38 Reddy was persistent, and when the ball came right out to the touchline Terry Fleming hit the target from 35 yards with his right foot.

Goal!: 16:05 Against the run of play, Cheltenham gained the equaliser as Williams came out 12 yards for the ball, missed it completely, and presented an empty goal for the home side's Steve Guinan.

Jones lost the ball to Gillespie, but a great block by Ramsden saved the defender's blushes.

Williams redeemed his earlier error by bringing out a top-drawer save as the mid-way point was reached in the first half.

Pinault then set up Fleming, with Higgs just managing to get the ball away as Town threatened again.

Melligan's shot after 29 minutes only succeeded in clearing the stand behind Williams' goal.

Parkinson repeated the feat a couple of minutes later, emphasising the evenness of the game after half an hour.

Parkinson burst forward, Gritton pushed the ball to Pinault, and Town brought in several players before Cheltenham got the ball clear.

After 36 minutes, Town won another corner, taken by Pinault, and again Town brought in several players until McDermott's cross was collected by Higgs.

McDermott was the next man to have a shot - this time a header, with the ball being fielded comfortably by Higgs. Town were now passing well, and after Stacy had won the ball the Mariners played lovely football to set up Gritton for a shot. Unfortunately, the striker's shot cleared the stand.

Half-time: Town 1 - 1 Cheltenham

Parkinson handed Reddy the first opportunity within a minute of the restart, but the Irishman only found the safe hands of Higgs.

Reddy was brought down by Duff just outside the box, about 25 yards out. Pinault took the kick looking for Jones, with Cheltenham clearing the ball.

Pinault found Reddy, and he crossed for Gritton whose shot was saved at full stretch by Higgs. The corner came back to Pinault, but the Frenchman lifted the ball over the goal-line.

Ramsden was booked for a foul after 53 minutes.

Goal!: 55:39 Williams took a long ball, Reddy took the ball from Gritton, and slipped the ball classily past Higgs. Town needed now to make sure that the didn't concede immediately as in the first half, and against Lincoln in the previous game.

Ten minutes of midfield play followed the goal as Town did maintain their lead this time. After 66 minutes Town had another corner kick, and the ball was played all round the Town team, before Macca played in Pinault whose shot was saved low down by Higgs.

Spencer replaced captain Jeremy Gill for the home side on 68 minutes.

Reddy was pushed off the ball, just outside the box, about 25 yards from goal. Pinault spotted the keeper to the far side, and whipped a shot in towards the near post, missing the target by about a yard.

With 15 minutes left, John Ward, the former Town striker and now Manager of Cheltenham brought on Odejayi for goalscorer Guinan.

Goal!: 75:24 Jones and Williams missed the ball as Devaney's intended centre found it's way into the Town net.

Reddy broke again, spurring Town onto a period of sustained pressure. Town won a corner, and this time Pinault's kick was cleared at the far post.

Goal!: 84:19 Pinault found Reddy with an inch-perfect pass, and Michael Reddy spotted Higgs off his line, lobbing the keeper perfectly.

It was the third time Town had been in front in the game.

Cheltenham won a corner as normal time ran out, and Pinault hooked the ball away towards Reddy, who chased the ball all the way to Higgs.

Town played the ball into the corners to run down the time, and after 48 minutes of the second half, referee Warren blew up for another Town victory on the road!

Town 3 - 2 Cheltenham

Teams:
Town: Williams, McDermott, Jones, Forbes, Ramsden, Fleming, Coldicott, Pinault, Parkinson, Reddy, Gritton
Subs: Downey, North, Young, Crane, Hockless

Cheltenham: Higgs, Gill, Caines, Duff, Victory, Wilson, Bird, Melligan, Devaney, Guinan, Gillespie
Subs: Odejayi, Spencer, Brown, Fyfe, Ward