A most disappointing result to the home supporters after Trowbridge had scored the first goal. Yet the Town can attribute defeat nobody more than themselves, for they missed some of the easiest scoring chances imaginable, in the second half especially. Have Grimason and Company never heard of sharp-shooting? It was just the thing for such a wet and boisterous afternoon, when a goalkeeper had the most difficult of jobs. Credit must be given Cheltenham for their victory, however. They were nippy and neat in much of their general team work, appeared be better trained, and certainly did not look like a side which had won but two league games previously. Both their goals were splendidly taken opportunities.
Despite the atrocious weather conditions the teams started well, and Tuck, sound as ever, headed away a great drive by Evans which looked booked for the back of the net all the way. Then Vince did well to pounce on a ball which deflected suddenly away from him after striking Hyde. Sutherland, again right back, looked to be troubled by the ankle he damaged at Glastonbury, and frequently Higgs' speed and clever turns beat him on the left wing. Once Higgs sent the ball right across the goalmouth, but it was rather fast and three inside forwards missed it. On the soggy ground Trowbridge did too much close work, with the result that many passes were intercepted when the ball stuck in the mud.
Six minutes after the interval Haddon gave an object lesson in sharp-shooting (not followed up), when he ran in to a left-wing pass and sent the ball past Nicholls at rocket speed. But the linesman's flag had gone up and after Referee G. Thorpe (Swindon) had awarded a goal he reversed his decision after speaking to the linesman, on the round that Haddon had been offside. Two minutes later, however, Trowbridge's disappointment was vindicated, for Hancock, in a goalmouth tussle, forced ball and goalkeeper over the line, and the Town were one up. Vince was almost caught napping when a ball bounced over him and dropped over the bar. Cheltenham equalised in 33 minutes, when Evans took a pass from Dean and calmly shot past Vince. After this, however, Trowbridge missed gilt edged opportunities of making the game safe. In the gathering gloom Grimason eluded three defenders and came out with the ball only a couple of yards from the open goalmouth, and then shot wide! Two minutes from time gloom descended completely on the Town and their supporters when Higgs (a clever inside left) scored when the Trowbridge defence were slow clearing their lines. Mr. Thorpe's excellent refereeing deserves a tribute.
Trowbridge team: Vince: Sutherland, Welch; Lovesey. Tuck, Marshall: Haddon. Greenland. Grimason. Hancock, Webb.
Report from The Wiltshire League
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