So, Cheltenham returned to the stadium where they memorably booked their place in the League 2 play-off final last season, again on a Tuesday night, and fans were hoping for some more magical performances from the Cheltenham Town elite.
We took the lead around the twenty minute mark following a real poachers effort by Shaun Harrad. A corner was wipped in from the left hand side and was headed back towards the near post by Harry Hooman. Harrad then managed to nip in front of the Torquay goalie to head home. I think that Shaun Harrad can be a great piece of business for us this season and I believe he can get around 20 goals for us this season. He can poach goals as he has shown in his first two games for Cheltenham, but he can also create chances and finish them himself. Provided he gets the service he will show that he is a natural finisher.
Cheltenham then found themselves behind in the space of two minutes as two headed efforts beat Scott Brown in the Cheltenham net. There was an air of defensive frailty in these two goals. This is probably due to the centreback pairing of Elliott and Hooman who have not played many games together. Also, Elliott is not as mobile as he used to be which means players can beat him on the run and the fact that Hooman is inexperienced means that from time to time he will find himself out of position. This is something which will improve over time, but Cheltenham cannot afford to let in sloppy goals too often if they wish to be fighting around the play off places.
Chris Zebroski scored the equaliser in the 80th minute and it was a well taken goal. He outmuscled the defender and then managed to poke the ball into the far corner from the left hand side of the box. I have heard reports from the game that Zebroski didnt do much in the game apart from the goal. This isnt a bad thing however as a sign of a good player is that he can score the small amount of chances he is provided with. Although I do feel that Chris does need to get involved in and around the box more as he is naturally a striker, even though he has played on the left in the last two games, and will score goals if he gets in the right positions.
At the end of the day a oint from this game is something that I would have taken if offered before kick off. Plainmoor is somewhere where we dont normally win, apart from the play-off semifinal in May, so a draw is a good result. Torquay is also a team that will be in and around the playoffs come the end of the season so to not lose is a bonus, however players and fans will be saying what if those sloppy goals were not conceded. But lets look ahead to Saturday away to Aldershot, which will be a tough game too but one which is certainly winnable.
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