By Peegs
December 2 2002

Julian Alsop claimed his 6th league goal of the season deep into stoppage time as 10 men Cheltenham claimed all 3 points at home to Brentford. The team was the same as what played Oldham last week.

Martin Devaney had a shot cleared off the line in the opening stages. He weill be missed when suspended in the FA Cup in a week's time.

With a crowd of just over 5000 watching the Robins created a number of chances around the 25 minute mark. John Finnigan - who is creating a good centre midfield partnership with "new boy" Richard Forsyth - had a shot turned behind by th massive Brntford Goalie - Smith. Then what is becoming a recurring occurance, Brayson beat a couple of players before having a shot blocked by a defender, McCann fired in a rebound but again was thwarted by Smith.

For all there effort and determination Brentford were finding it hard to brake down the back line of Cheltenham, the previos 2 games resulting in 2 clean sheets against Yeovil and Oldham. However Martin Rowlands did have an opportunity to shoot but his shot sailed over the C and G Stand.

The final chance of note for Cheltenham happened when Brayson got clear down the right, he crossed to the back post but 'keeper Smith grabbed the ball before Alsop could connect with a shot.

Considering there 7th place in the league Brentford hadn't caused Cheltenham too many problems in the first half.

H/T 0-0

No substitutions were made or were really necessary at the start of the 2nd period of 45 minutes. Paul Brayson nearly scored a wonder goal and Steve Book nearly got an assist! Book launched a huge kick and it avoided everyone apart from Brayson who crashed a shot from 20 yards from the angle but Smith saved with his legs.

Then Smith had to save a trade mark Grant McCann free kick, the on loan West Ham youngster cracked the shot from 25 yards with power and curl and Smith just managed to turn it round the post.

With an hour on the clock Brentford created there best chance of the afternoon. Kevin O'Connor broke free on the right, swung a deep cross that avoided everybody but arrived to Steven Evans who hammered his shot over the bar and into Whaddon Road! That should have given something for the Brentford fans to sing about.

Stepehen Hunt was involved again 2 minutes later as Brentford began to show why they are 7th in the Division. He swung in a cross that nearly dipped inside the post, it could have been a Seaman/ Barthez like errorr but fortunatly the ball sailed wide.

Then the incident to end all incidents happened! Grant McCann and Kevin Rowlands had a bit of argy bargy, hands were raised by both players and Rowlands even pushed the Ref, everyone was expecting 2 red cards, Grant McCann was shown a red bot for some un explainable reason Rowlands was only shown a Yellow. Mr Keith Hill the ref is a to**er and should be stopped from officiating League matches. We have heard nothing from the FA as to why Rowlands wasn't sent off, surely he has sent in his match report?

Roared on by the most passionate crowd of the season Cheltenham continued to create chances. Brayson twisted away from his marker in the box and struck a shot that Smith saved.

On laon Portsmouth Striker and Bees current top scorer Rowan Vien was brought on after 76 minutes, I cant understand why he wasn't playing from the start, maybe an injury?

Martin Devaney and Paul Brayson - who both had impressive games - combined to nearly give Cheltenham the lead. They exchanged passes down the left hand side, Brayson played the ball back inside to Devaney who only had the Goalkeeper to beat but he put his shot agonisingly wide. It would have been some goal if it had gone in.

Julain Alsop then had a looping header turned over by Smith who is one of the better keepers I have seen this season. The 4th official signalled 2 minutes of stoppage time and many fans probably thought we'd have to settle for a draw. How wrong they were!

Deep into stoppage time Martin Devaney received the ball on the right, with cries of "Skin him" coming from the C and G he kindly obliged sent in an inch perfect cross for Julian Alsop who had peeled inbetween 2 defenders and powered a header past Smith from 8 yards.

Although it was only a league game that has to rate as one of my best footballing moments, having been screwed by the Ref but battled on to claim the win was outstanding. The adrenalin rush incredible.

The game eneded 1-0 and desrevedly so on overall chances and possesion. The result lifted Cheltenham out of the relegation zone for the 1st time since December. Fingers crossed the rise can continue.

F/T 1-0

CHELTENHAM TOWN: Book, Howarth, Duff, Brough, Victory, McCann, Finnigan, Forsyth, Devaney, Brayson (Yates 88), Alsop.

BRENTFORD: P Smith, Dobson, Marshall, Sonko, Somner, Rowlands, J Smith, Evans, Hunt (Tabb 85), McCammon (Vine 77), O'Connor.

Attendance 5013