cheltenham311

Goals
2 - Chris Banks (OG) - Andy Holt hit a shot from fully 40 yards which Book appeared to have covered, but the ball cannoned off Banks, leaving the Cheltenham keeper stranded as it rolled in to the back of the net. (1-0)
22 - Lawrie Dudfield - Matt Glennon's free kick was flicked on by Gary Alexander, and although the ball struck Dudfield in the face, he reacted quickest to double City's advantage. (2-0)
26 - Gray Alexander - Dudfield ran down the left wing, and managed to superbly get in a cross from the dead ball line for Alexander to head downwards past Book from close range. (3-0)
69 - Julian Alsop - A corner fell to Alsop at the back post and he volleyed through a group of players to pull a goal back for the visitors. (3-1)
77 - Theodore Whitmore - The ball fell to Theo on the edge of the area, and he comfortably beat a defender before cooly placing the ball home. (4-1)
81 - David Beresford - Beresford won the ball from Howarth on the edge of the area, adavanced on goal and hit a great volley in to the back of the net at the front post. (5-1)

Bookings
23 - Nicky Mohan - Foul
35 - Neil Howarth - Foul

Sendings Off
None

Attendance - 9,345

Match Report

Man Of The Match - Lawrie Dudfield
Another superb performance, caused them problems all game. Scored one and set up another. Superb form so far this season.

City produced a brilliant performance to demolish Cheltenham by 5 goals to 1 infront of another 9,000+ crowd at Boothferry Park. The scoring was opened less than only 2 minutes in, when Andy Holt's long-range shot was diverted past Steve Book by Chris Banks. It was a bizarre opener, but a welcome one! Lawrie Dudfield grabbed the second, latching on to a Gary Alexander flick on and poking the ball home, before the favour was returned four minutes later. Beresford fed Dudfield and he managed to pull the ball back from the by-line for Alexander to nod past Book. It was a terriffic opening 45 minutes by the Tigers, with superbly attacking play again at the fore.
The visitors attempted to step up their play after the break, but were increasingly blighted by woeful finishing. They did however grab a goal on 69 minutes, Julian Alsop firing past a crowded group of players from a corner. This sparked a slight revival for Cheltneham, but City soon re-established their grip on the game, aided by the substitute appearance of Ian Goodison. And Theodore Whitmore put the result beyond doubt with just over 10 minutes remaining, scoring an absolutely marvellous goal. He picked the ball up outside the area, turned one defender and knocked the ball round another, before shooting calmy past Book. It was a moment of magic from a player who can do wrong at the moment! The scoring was not finished though, as David Beresford opened his account for the club moments later, volleying the ball in at the near post from inside the area.
It was a wonderful display from the players, their best of the season yet. Cheltenham were restricted to few good chances, with Nicky Mohan impressing particularly. Their poor finishing put paid to any they did have. At the other end, City produced some brilliant attacking football. Beresford had a great game, probably his finest for the club yet, and the front pairing of Alexander and Dudfield are on fire. Their link up play and understanding is first class, and their finishing aint bad eiter! In the middle of the park, Julian Johnsson battled tremendously, and Theo complemented a good game with his moment of class! Generally, the team's tackling and covering was superb.