Cheltenham 0-1 Stevenage Four Things: toothless Robins

Joe Martin – thecomet.net

Joe Martin’s free-kick sent Stevenage up to second in League Two with a 1-0 win at Cheltenham Town. Here’s four talking points from the match.

Cheltenham’s pressure

Throughout the contest, the home side’s energy levels were high which allowed them to apply pressure for long spells. They got into good positions but the quality of the all-important final ball was low, Harry Pell firing wide on 14 minutes after a right-sided burst from Kevin Dawson. The lively Dawson’s inswinging cross eluded Danny Wright on 23 minutes in a move that encapsulated their final third struggles. Wright was often the target but he was dominated by Luke Wilkinson, while Stevenage’s organization meant Mo Eisa had no space to utilize his speed.

Stevenage more dangerous

The visitors’ attacks were briefer than those of their opponents, but they found it easier to get balls into their own players in the box. Tom Pett and Chris Whelpdale combined well on the right side, the latter’s 32nd-minute cross hit straight at the keeper by Matt Godden. The striker, who was at times unchallenged by Taylor Moore, had a couple of close-range snapshots that Scott Flinders was equal to. Harry Beautyman, who looked creative in spells, hit straight at the keeper from range while Danny Newton had untroubling headers at the beginning of both halves.

Key moments

Wright was gaining a little more possession in good areas midway through the second half. He produced the biggest test of the match for visiting goalkeeper Joe Fryer, on loan from Middlesbrough, who got down well at his near post on 62 minutes to deny the target man. Wright’s partner for the last half hour was Freddie Hinds, another willing runner lacking in finesse, who shaped to shoot before Pell stole his thunder, firing wide on 67 minutes. Godden shortly afterwards won a free-kick, which Joe Martin coolly slotted into the top right-hand corner, capping an excellent performance from the left-back. Stevenage’s centre-backs continued to stand firm, amid Cheltenham’s most forceful barrage of pressure in the closing stages.

In summary

The Robins are battling hard enough this season, which suggests they are in better shape than the forgotten class of 14/15. However, their limited end product means they are not making their pressure pay in the final third. With a League One calibre left-back, Stevenage have a healthy combination of hungry, up-and-coming players and more experienced performers of a high-pedigree, who make the difference at key moments.