Town 1 - 0 Cheltenham

Town put the pressure on to Northampton and Orient tomorrow (Saturday) with a magnificent fighting win over 5th placed Cheltenham.  It needed top class performances from all over the team to overcome an in-form Cheltenham side.  That included a flying save from Mildenhall that some compared to the Banks save against Pele in Mexico in 1970!

Michael Reddy was back in the Town line-up, and the game started in electric fashion. Cheltenham won the first corner after 2 minutes, but Reddy was on to the clearance though Town lost out when Crofty couldn't control the ball.

The atmosphere was electric, with the Town fans urging on their heroes, as Town won a free-kick with Rob Jones winning the header and namesake Gary just failing to connect.

Goodfellow found Gary Jones, with the ball going out for an away throw.

A foul on Gary Jones by Duff gave another free-kick to the Mariners, with all but Croft and Cohen at the Pontoon End.

Mendes then broke away, to Reddy and Bolland got the ball across with a defender blasting the ball out for a throw-in near the corner flag.

A free-kick was awarded against Gary Croft 10 yards outside the box in a dangerous position, and as Cheltenham probed for an opening, the linesman saw an offside to relieve the pressure for Town.

There was a good cross from Goodfellow, but Cohen was adjudged to have handled, and as Cheltenham took a quick free-kick, Cohen himself had raced back and put the ball out for a throw-in.

Crofty took Town's next free-kick won by Rob Jones, and Bolland received a kick in the chest as the ball went out for a goal-kick.

Cheltenham broke in numbers as a Town attack broke down with Rob Jones stranded upfield, but Gary Croft did a sterling job holding up the attack as Town got back in numbers.

Melligan handled the ball to give Town another free-kick and Jones powerful header was straight into keeper Higgs midriff.

Goodfellow found Gary Jones, then Mendes, but his cross was into the Pontoon.

Town won another free-kick, taken by Gary Croft, but Odejayi won the ball and cleared.

Reddy blasted the next free-kick goalwards but it was blocked almost in error to prevent the goal smacking the back of the Pontoon net.

Guinan got a shot in from a free-kick, but it was at the other end that the next chance came ...

Reddy took the ball forward and set up a gilt edged chance for Woodhouse, and with the Pontoon Stand ready to cheer the ball into the net, he skied the ball well over the bar.
Reddy then took on three men and won a corner on the right, with Woodhouse delivering deep, and Michael Reddy shot on the turn after a good downward header from Gary Jones, only to see Higgs palm the shot upwards and collect it at the second attempt.

Reddy was beginning to threaten the Cheltenham defence each time he recived the ball in the final ten minutes of the first half.

Woodhouse's free-kick found Cohen moving in at speed and as he was brushed aside there was a loud shout for a penalty which referee Laws ruled out.

Cohen was given a talking to by referee Laws after fouling one of the visitors, and after pressure Town conceded a corner on the right, which Town cleared.

There were two chances for Town as Woodhouse brought a great save from Higgs, and Reddy couldn't quite get his foot round the ball and could only find the side netting. Immediately afterwards the Mariners won a corner, Mendes drove low, but it was cleared to Croft.

Half-time: Town 0 - 0 Cheltenham

There were no changes at half-time. Cheltenham won a corner at the Pontoon End after ninety seconds, and it took a wonderful save from Mildenhall to keep the scores level, as Finnigan watched what he thought was a certain goal.

Woodhouse found Goodfellow but he hit it long and it was easy for Cheltenham to tidy up.

Reddy went away, brought in Mendes, and Jones went in with his head but the ball was too close to the keeper.

Goodfellow and Gary Jones combined before the ball was hacked away for a throw to Town. Then Cohen won a free-kick on the right, 22 yards out. Woodhouse and Bolland stood over the ball but it was Goodfellow who bent the ball round the wall to bring a great save from Higgs.

Town were pressurising Cheltenham during the first ten minutes of the second half, and Gary Croft's throw resulted in a claim for a penalty, and then a corner - the second being granted. Woodhouse curled it in, chipped back in by Bolland, and as the ball came to Reddy he couldn't quite get his shot off before the ball was again cleared for a Town throw.

The atmosphere was winding up further, as Mendes, Reddy and Cohen stroked the ball round, and Rob Jones shot goalwards as Referee Laws penalised Gary Jones.

Mendes ran forward and as Reddy was buffeted, he won a free kick in a dangerous position as "Mariners" rang round the old stadium. Unfortunately Reddy was penalised for a foul.

Woodhouse, Croft and Gary Jones combined well and gained another Town corner, but Whittle couldn't quite make contact.

Spencer replaced Guinan for Cheltenham.

Croft passed his man, found Reddy, and Bolland miscued when looking for a shot.

Goal!: 68:15: Gary Jones won a free-kick in a dangerous position again, and Jones and Whittle went up, but it was Gary Jones who got their first to delicately head over the advancing keeper, with the ground erupting in a torrent of noise.

Cheltenham replaced Milligan with Bird.

Reddy burst down the right hand side, and into the centre before getting his shot away with Higgs bringing off the save.

Town cleared their lines and Gary Jones was looking for a good cross from Gary Croft, but when it came over it was too close to the keeper.

Odejayi ran into Rob Jones and Mr Laws gave the free-kick to the visitors, which Town dealt with.

After 78 minutes, Reddy, playing with an injury was replaced by Parkinson, as the Irishman went off with his name ringing round Blundell Park.

Cheltenham won a corner, with just Parkinson staying up for Town, but Mildenhall plucked the ball from the air.

Mendes played up front with Jones in the Reddy role with Parkinson taking up the right wing position.

Jones won a corner for Town, Woodhouse took it left-footed, Goodfellow found Bolland and back to Woodhouse, but the ball went out for a Cheltenham throw.

Cheltenham brought on Ashley Vincent for Wilson.

Rob Jones conceded a corner with seven minutes to go, and Cheltenham pressing, Rob Jones headed clear, and Town broke away.

On 85 minutes, Goodfellow was replaced by Toner.

Bolland tried a shot from a long way out, but the ball bobbled as he struck the ball and it ended up on the Osmond Roof.

With 90 seconds of normal time to go, Parkinson won a free-kick, but as the ball came back Rob Jones was penalised midway in his own half. Mildenhall though claimed the ball and signalled to his colleagues to calm down.

The Town fans gasped in amazement as four minutes added time was signalled.

Parkinson won a corner, eating up more valuable seconds. Town left four back but Rob Jones went up, as Gary Jones asked for a short corner.

Parkinson, Mendes and Jones played passing football using up some more time, and won a time-consuming throw-in, and from that one Gary Jones won a second one, a third one, and a fourth one! Cheltenham though won the next throw, as Parkinson cleared.

With time now out, Whittle shepherded the ball out for a goal-kick.

Full-time: Town 1 - 0 Cheltenham