News
3rd October 2007
CHELTENHAM 2s 3 LANSDOWN 0
CHELTENHAM gained a convincing win in North Division One after overcoming a setback in the build-up.
Simon Kehoe tore an ankle ligament in the warm-up, which forced Cheltenham to change their preparation for the long-awaited match.
It started brightly for Cheltenham with some fantastic hockey being played and they had possession for large periods of play.
Apart from a few wayward shots from the Cheltenham forwards, the Lansdown goalkeeper made several excellent saves to keep the scores level.
Cheltenham's attacking play soon created chances for Lansdown as they broke quickly, but some excellent defending from Edwards, Mclesster and Fuller protected Cheltenham goalkeeper Rich Stevenson.
When Lansdown did force a shot, Stevenson made some fantastic saves himself.
Cheltenham's first goal came after good build-up play down the right from player of the match Rich Whitfield ended with Razor Cullimore firing home a first-time shot.
Cheltenham doubled their lead in the second half when Whitfield finished from close in.
The third goal came from a superb short corner routine which exposed the Lansdown defence.
Jonty Lawford found himself on the penalty spot with time for at least two touches before lifting the ball into the net.
LANSDOWN A 3 CHELTENHAM 3s 2
Lansdown took the points in a keenly contested match against their local rivals in the Severn Division.
Lansdown took the lead midway through the half when debutant Jonny Simpkins came off the bench to finish off a counterattack.
Simpkins added greater threat to Lansdown's attack and linked well with Chris Hooper and Pete Holdaway, but the Cheltenham goalkeeper was equal to their efforts.
Cheltenham equalised shortly before half-time with a flowing counter attack move excellently finished with a reverse stick shot.
The introduction of Dave Jones into the midfield bolstered Lansdown, who took the lead early in the second half.
The goalkeeper parried Pete Holdaway's deflected shot for brother Dave to put the rebound away.
Simpkins then scored his second following a strong run and shot by Mark Williams, which the keeper saved but Simpkins was on had to flick the rebound in.
Lansdown gave the ball away carelessly in midfield and allowed Cheltenham to counter attack.
A desperate tackle conceded a penalty corner which was excellently converted by Mark Gayler.
Cheltenham went close to equalising but strong defending particularly from Sid Ellis, Tim Postlethwaite and Mark Evetts kept the lead intact.
