Swindon staged a late second half surge to steal a point in a County Ground classic.
A wonderful Will Wright free kick ensured the two teams went in at the break level pegging. Cheltenham seized the momentum with two quick fire strikes in the second half. However, a second yellow for Tom Bradbury offered Town a lifeline.
Kabongo Tshimanga halved the deficit with a penalty, and then skipper Ollie Clarke struck late on to share the spoils.
Town made three changes to the team which drew at Doncaster. Botan Ameen made his league debut replacing Joel Cotterill. Captain Ollie Clarke came in for Ryan Delaney, and Danny Butterworth replaced Nnamdi Ofoborh.
Town made three changes to the team which drew at Doncaster. Botan Ameen made his league debut replacing Joel Cotterill. Captain Ollie Clarke came in for Ryan Delaney, and Danny Butterworth replaced Nnamdi Ofoborh.
Just three points separated the teams. Michael Flynn, once of the Swindon dugout, saw his Cheltenham team claim an impressive away win at AFC Wimbledon on Tuesday night.
The team from the home of jump racing got off to a fast start as they applied the early pressure. Cheltenham would soon be rewarded with a ninth minute strike. Jordan Thomas had space to dribble before pulling the trigger from the edge of the box, his curling left-footed effort was executed to perfection as it wound past everyone finding the bottom corner.
Swindon were certainly not at the races, lacking aggression to get a foothold in the contest. Harry Smith registered Town’s first shot on target in the 20th minute as he took the ball into his stride and fired a low right-footed effort which Joe Day was equal to.
As we reached the half-hour mark it appeared that the early kick off had Swindon still napping. There was a notable lack of energy both on and off the ball. Despite boasting an array of attacking talents, it wasn’t happening for Town. The benched Nnamdi Ofoborh appeared a miss, with Swindon lacking an enforcer in midfield to get on to the front foot.
The team from the home of jump racing got off to a fast start as they applied the early pressure. Cheltenham would soon be rewarded with a ninth minute strike. Jordan Thomas had space to dribble before pulling the trigger from the edge of the box, his curling left-footed effort was executed to perfection as it wound past everyone finding the bottom corner.
Swindon were certainly not at the races, lacking aggression to get a foothold in the contest. Harry Smith registered Town’s first shot on target in the 20th minute as he took the ball into his stride and fired a low right-footed effort which Joe Day was equal to.
As we reached the half-hour mark it appeared that the early kick off had Swindon still napping. There was a notable lack of energy both on and off the ball. Despite boasting an array of attacking talents, it wasn’t happening for Town. The benched Nnamdi Ofoborh appeared a miss, with Swindon lacking an enforcer in midfield to get on to the front foot.
In the final minute of the first half a spectacular Will Wright free kick ensured that the teams went in level. The defender did brilliantly to whip his set piece over the wall from 21 yards, leaving Day helpless. It was Wright’s sixth goal of the season and second against Cheltenham.
The second half got underway with everything to play for. It was the visitors who began on the upper hand with Timothee Dieng firing Cheltenham into the lead after just three minutes. The midfielder was quickest to react, as the ball bounced in the box following a set piece, poking home from close range and punishing a static Swindon.
The second half got underway with everything to play for. It was the visitors who began on the upper hand with Timothee Dieng firing Cheltenham into the lead after just three minutes. The midfielder was quickest to react, as the ball bounced in the box following a set piece, poking home from close range and punishing a static Swindon.
Michael Flynn’s side would seize the momentum, doubling their lead seven minutes later. Ethon Archer was allowed to drive to the byline and flash a ball across the face of goal. It would take an unfortunate deflection off Will Wright as it ricocheted into his own net.
Five minutes after the hour mark Swindon were offered a lifeline. Harry Smith was pulled down in the penalty area by Tom Bradbury. It would reduce Cheltenham to 10 men, with their captain shown a second yellow and offer Swindon a chance to half the deficit from the spot. Kabongo Tshimanga did just that with a stuttering run up and a chip down the middle.
So, a game of defence against attack began. Swindon would go all out with Joe Westley replacing Gavin Kilkenny, leaving Town without a holding midfielder. Will Wright stung the palms of Day in the 82nd minute with a long-range free kick.
Three minutes from time Swindon levelled the contest courtesy of their skipper Ollie Clarke. Harry Smith cut the ball back to Clarke in the box who then calmly arrowed home. It would set up a grandstand finish.
Five minutes after the hour mark Swindon were offered a lifeline. Harry Smith was pulled down in the penalty area by Tom Bradbury. It would reduce Cheltenham to 10 men, with their captain shown a second yellow and offer Swindon a chance to half the deficit from the spot. Kabongo Tshimanga did just that with a stuttering run up and a chip down the middle.
So, a game of defence against attack began. Swindon would go all out with Joe Westley replacing Gavin Kilkenny, leaving Town without a holding midfielder. Will Wright stung the palms of Day in the 82nd minute with a long-range free kick.
Three minutes from time Swindon levelled the contest courtesy of their skipper Ollie Clarke. Harry Smith cut the ball back to Clarke in the box who then calmly arrowed home. It would set up a grandstand finish.
Paul Glatzel came close in stoppage time, flicking a header over at the near post from a corner. It would be the closest Town came to a winner, with both teams having to settle for a point, in another enthralling early kick off at The County Ground.
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