Talking to Cheltenham fans before the match I thought this was our best possibility of an away win this season. They had only scored four home goals all season and conceded eight and in the words of one Cheltenham fan had been playing like a Conference side having failed to move up the gear required for third division football. What a rude awakening the 200 or so Blues supporters were in for. 6 min-early warning signs came when Freeman's free header went high over Ingham's bar, the first of many crosses young Michael failed to come out for. 10-Freeman again had a free header straight at Ingham. 14- we had our first real opportunity but Tracey blazed high over (pathetic really). 15-Tracey finally made an impact by whacking a ball out for a throw in straight at a Cheltenham supporter and getting booked for ungentlemanly conduct. 16-Another free header, this time for Victory, again straight at Ingham. 17-Cheltenham free kick from left, good delivery, Mark Freeman powering in the header, 1-0. Again Freeman had the freedom of the six yard box. Pathetic defending with Ingham again rooted to his line. 19-Cheltenham almost scored again when a powerful shot by Brough was well saved by Ingham. 21-Finally something to cheer. Barr freekick on left hit long to far post where Brightwell rose majestically to head back across goal for Scott Dobie to sweep home. Great goal. 31-Inghams saves well at feet of Victory. 34-a good Paul Harries cross was headed clear when danger threatened. 39-In quick succession Harries and Dobie both shot wide when they should have done better. 42-Prokas cleared a McAuley shot off the line . 43-Dobie shot blocked when in a good position. 44-Victory header wide, a let off for Carlisle closely followed by a Brightwell backheader which was almost an own goal, landing on top of the net with Ingham beaten. 45-Brough header (again no challenge from a Blue shirt) against the bar, rebound volleyed back by Freeman and well saved by Ingham. Half time 1-1. 49-Brightwell booked 50-Another free header for Jamie Victory (he is their left wing-back) and its 2-1. 51-Cheltenham well on top as McAauley shoots powerfully wide. 56-Soley on for Hopper, who was hurt towards end of first half. 57-Yet another free header, this time for McAuley and its 3-1 and exactly what Cheltenham deserved. Our defending was appalling. Move started when Dobie needlessly got caught in possession deep in his own half. 60-Inghams fingertips a cross away from the head of McAuley. 68-Soley booked for diving in midfield. Seemed a bit harsh to me as it looked a foul. 74-good Soley cross blasted disappointingly high and wide by Dobie. 80-Baker on for Tracey 84-Ingham saved well from Howarth. 86-Bowman header just wide. One of our rare attacks of the second half. 87-Whitehaed booked. Full time 3-1 This was an appalling performance, particularly the defending from dead ball positions against one of the poorer teas in the division. Does not bode well for rest of season. , Ingham-great shot stopping again but terrified to come for crosses. Could have come for 2 of the 3 goals. Bowman-Chased shadows most of the afternoon, failing to stop the flow of crosses into the box. Whitehead-very disappointing, his shortage of inches was exposed when defending aerial attacks. Brightwell-best of back four, continually verbally abusing Ingham for his indecisiveness. Barr-as Bowman. Failure to stop crosses cost us in the end. Dobie-sparkles on occasions. Good goal but often out of the game for long periods. Prokas-man of the match for me but hardly an accolade on this showing Hopper-Plenty of effort but does not appear to be match fit. Clarke-At start of match it was pleasing to see Clarke in midfield but he failed to deliver, being ineffective for most of the game Tracey-absolute garbage, even Baker might have been better. Worst player on pitch. Harries-did try, but little opportunity to shine. Certainly better than Tracey. Our current position reminds me of the Titanic, going down big time. I know a lot of you have stopped going to Brunton Park because of Knighton. However your team (forget Knighton) needs your support at the moment. We are not going to pick many points up away from home between now and the end of the season. This means that the home games are going to be doubly important, we have got to start winning them. If you all abandon your team in their hour of need you are going to be following them in the Conference next season. Spread the word and get your family and mates back to Brunton Park. Let's get the atmosphere back and make it difficult for the opposition, and just maybe we (the supporters) can create a platform for a better future. Mike Corry
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