The Robins U18s were well beaten at the weekend by Exeter City.
The young Robins suffered a massive blow this weekend going down 5-1 at the hands of Exeter.
Cheltenham had hoped to match the glorious weather with a top notch performance against Exeter, but it took the away side under 10 minutes to race into the lead. A determined run by the Grecians forward, who rounded the robin’s keeper to tap in from 5 yards. This great start gave Exeter the confidence to push on, and they nearly doubled their lead on 17 minutes, a one-two on the edge of the Cheltenham penalty area needed a calm finish but instead, it was over the bar.
Before the half hour mark, Exeter went 2-0 up after a fine piece of individual skill. The away midfielder picked the ball up on the left hand side, cut in on his right foot, unleashing a shot from 18 yards, which nestled into the Robins' goal. Cheltenham were rocked at this point, but a mad first half did not end there. Exeter made the home team pay again, a low centre from the right hand by-line causing a Robins' defender to deflect the ball into his own net.Â
The home side did end the first half with a goal of their own however with the ever running Jamal Lawrence crossing in for Kirkpatrick-Jones to slam home from eight yards.
After a forgettable first half, the Robins took the game to Exeter in the second period, an abundance of possession and half chances raising the mood of the staff on the side-line but with the home side pushing men forward, the opportunity for the Grecians to catch Cheltenham on the counter attack was always there. Exeter ended the game with two goals in five minutes, a simple tap in at the back post and a delightful through ball calmly finished from 12 yards.
It was a day to forget for Russell Milton's players and plenty of lessons to learn.
Full Time: Cheltenham Town U18a 1 – 5 Exeter City U18