By chelt_mad
January 9 2003

For the 1st game of 2003 it would have been nice to get a win but Cheltenham were handed another defeat by a team they haven't beaten since 2000.It had all started so well with an early own goal giving the Robins an early lead but it was all downhill from there as Plymouth hit back with 3 goals This is one trip many Robins hate (myself included) as we haven't won there for ages.Today was no different as Cheltenham threw away an early lead to lose 3-1 to Plymouth Argyle.

It had all looked so promising when an own goal by David Worrell from close range gave Cheltenham a 12th minute lead.The game had actually had its first chance 60 seconds in when Graham Coughlan had a long range effort which was parried by Steve Book.

Mark Yates went even closer in the 3rd minute with a 35 yard effort that smacked the woodwork.However the lead was to last only 10 minutes as Martin Phillips scored from 6 yard.

As Plymouth applied the pressure it became a question of when they would next score.This happened in the 35th minute as a David Worrell cross was turned in by Ian Stonebridge.

Plymouth then wasted 2 good opportunites as Phillips and Norris shot wide.

The 2nd half started with Damian Spencer shooting Cheltenham's first chance wide but on the 52nd minute the game was all but over as David Norris scored from close range.

There were very few chances after this with Plymouth having long range shots from Evans and Adams which were easily claimed by Book.Cheltenham's best effort was a close range shot from Julian Alsop which found its way over the bar.The result was a bad way to start the year but i'm sure that we will see better from Cheltenham

One last word from me

Our good friend Mr Cooper was in fine form today booking 5 Cheltenham players.The victims of bad refereeing were Hugh McCauley,Martin Devaney,John Brough,Mark Yates and Richard Forsyth.

F/T 1-3

PLYMOUTH ARGYLE:Larrieu, Worrell, Wotton, Coughlan, Aljolfree, Phillips (Friio 81), Bent, Adams, Norris, Evans (Keith 84), Stonebridge (Sturrock 77)

CHELTENHAM TOWN:Book, Howarth, M.Duff, Brough, Victory, Devaney, Yates, Forsyth, McAuley(S.Duff 46), Alsop, Spencer(Brayson 77)

Attendance 10,927