FL2: Torquay Utd v Cheltenham 13 Sept 2011

I dont think safety is on our agenda to be fair. Just look at our fixtures to date, we are going to be knocking on the playoffs. My only concearn is the Toad at Crawley I hope he has had a good hard look at his contract

A good ninety minutes of football was enough to earn a hard fought draw against a strong looking Cheltenham side. The ref didn't do us any favours but two cracking left footed goals earned us that precious point.

The first two shots of the match both ended up in the back of the net. Cheltenham had a free kick in the middle of the pitch and receiving the ball on the edge of the area were able to pass the ball into the box for Low to run onto and hit pass an advancing Olejnik who then needed some treatment from the subsequent collision. The response was almost immediate and Bodin, making his home debut, received the ball on the right wing and was able to cut inside two or three players before planting a shot into the bottom left hand corner of the goal. A great piece of individual skill that was fully appreciated by the Plainmoor faithful but maybe not appreciated by the Cheltenham defence that someone with a sweet left foot will cut inside like that.

The game developed into a good quality match with both sides having chances. I think Cheltenham initially started out the stronger side but as the half wore on, we came right back into it and gradually got on top with the pick of the chances being a Howe shot which travelled like a bullet and only just cleared the top right hand corner. He also caught one of their defenders in possession earning a yellow card for him. So it was a bit of a shock to see Cheltenham score against the run of play right at the end of the half. They had a semi break and with our defenders occupied on the end of the area were able to slip Kaid Mohammed through to the left of the box to score almost a mirror image of the first goal. I thought their forward movement was good.

So onto the second half and the match continued to play at a high tempo and in a good spirit although the referee really started to get on the crowd's back with Cheltenham getting the majority of the decisions going there way. However, a Cheltenham goal was disallowed due to a good off side decision and it was again a carbon copy of the other two (apart from being off-side ) and something for the video analysis boys I think.

Ling changed things around taking off Morris and bringing on Lathrope and suddenly we were getting chances. A good firm Nicholson cross was prodded by Lathrope but not with any power and easily saved by their keeper. Eunan burst through the defence and forced the save of the match from their keeper. The goal was exquisite and up there with Stevens strike against Stevenage. From outside the area, Nicholson struck a sweet shot across the keeper that rang the base of the far post before deflecting in and maybe a contender for goal of the season!

With just under 20 minutes left there was a chance to take all three points and although there was some good play it was not meant to be. Positively, that was probably the best we have played at home this season and things are starting to fall into place!

thought it was a cracking game,and as said one of the better cheltenham sides for a while,a draw was just about right on the night,think both us and them are in for good season on this match

I'm still surprised with this Cheltenham side doing so well. Felt we deserved all 3 points and Nico unleashed another stunner. He don't score often but they are worth waiting for.. I'm actually more concerned that with low attendences the stewards are still going in the Pop and telling the crowd that any more bad language and they are kicked out. Not too much bad language was being used but if it was left to the Stewards in charge , we would have to watch in silence. The Stewards have to relax that a little cos being stared at by a group of over the top stewards ruins enjoyment IMHO .

Indeed, the fact that various idiots say "kids learn that language anyway" ranks as one of the poorer excuses ive heard.
Its the fact that kids are learning that that sort of language is acceptable in public (by the shameful example of people that obviously have a limited vocabulary) that I find quite appalling.

Mind you Aus, im sure your language was delightful to hear after todays Irish result