It was a tough game to start the season with but the Robins worked hard to ensure they would travel home with a point against a strong Gillingham side.
The Robins scored the opener early on in the second half through Wesley Thomas but the introduction of Adebayo Akinfenwa changed the game and the Gills took control. It was a strong defensive display that won the point today but there were glimpses of the attacking Robins today and there is a strong cause for optimism.
2: Jeff Goulding was brought down on the edge of the box following some good footwork from the striker. Danny Andrew was the man to take Cheltenham's first strike of the new season and it was inches over the crossbar.
6: Cheltenham have started the stronger but the Gills are settling down and pushing their way forward a bit more.
8: Good play from Josh Low down the wing. Low danced his way past John Nutter on the right wing and dropped a good cross onto the head of Goulding but the striker couldn't direct it towards goal.
12: An Elliott back pass was a dangerous one and put Brown under extreme pressure but the Cheltenham number one managed to squeeze the clearance away from the oncoming Stefan Payne.
14: First real chance for Gillingham to score today. Barcham showed some outstanding pace on the right to bypass Andrew and play a decent pass back to Weston who was unmarked on the edge of the area. The midfielder struck his shot with precision but it glided over Brown's goal.
19: Barcham is causing Danny Andrew all sorts of problems down the wing. His pulled away from the young left back with ease and ran straight for goal on the angle. His shot wasn't good and it was an easy save at the near post for Brown but the warning signs are there.
20: Gillingham attack again but this time it was the quick thinking of Martin Riley that denied Stefan Payne. Elliott found himself wrong footed by the young striker but Riley was quick to close down the space and deny the striker an effort on goal following his run into the area.
26: Martin Riley has once again denied Gillingham a glorious chance at goal. The Gills strikeforce broke quickly and a last ditch sliding challenge from the former Kidderminster defender denied Stefan Payne a clean shot at goal.
32: Stefan Payne is having a very good game. Steve Elliott managed to shephard the pacy striker away from goal following a decent attacking run and cleared the ball for a corner but the linesman gave a goal kick. Odd decision because it was a clear corner.
36: Martin Riley is the player of the half for Cheltenham. Barcham just whipped in another low cross into the path of Stefan Payne but a sliding challenge from Riley made sure the danger was quickly nullified.
39: Snap shot from Jeff Goulding following some good build up play from the Robins but the effort was wide of the post.
43: Ambitious 20 yard strike from Jack Payne but the effort took a deflection off Elliott but Brown was quick to react and gathered up the loose ball.
45: Long ball from Jeff Goulding following a Gillingham corner. Wesley Thomas was quick to collect and fired a decent shot in at goal but it was comfortable for Julian.
Half Time: Gillingham 0-0 Robins
47: Best chance of the game for Cheltenham. Artus robbed Jack Payne of possession and played a through ball to Wesley Thomas. The striker only had the keeper to beat as he ran at goal from the left but his effort was just wide of the far post.
51: 20 yard strike from Curtis Weston but his effort was high and wide.
52: Nasty late challenge from Danny Spiller on Josh Low. The Gillingham midfielder had earlier lost his temper following a 50/50 challenge with Keith Lowe.
53 GOAL: Wesley Thomas scored the opening goal of the season with a simple effort from close range. The freekick was dropped right into the path of Thomas and he was able to keep control, turn and slip the ball past Alan Julian.
54 SUBSTITUTION: Adebayo Akinfenwa replaced Chris Palmer.
57: Akinfenwa just tried an overhead kick following a Gills corner but it was tame and collected easily by Brown. You won't find it a surprise that Elliot is the man to mark man mountain Akinfenwa.
58: Gowling came close to an equaliser with a decent header following the corner but it flew wide of the post.
63: Effort on goal from Goulding. It was Low's through ball that allowed the former Cherries striker a run at goal but his effort was dragged wide of the far post.
69 SUBSTITUTION: Gillingham made their second change of the afternoon with Luke Rooney replacing Stefan Payne.
71 SUBSTITUTION: Cheltenham made their first substitution with Dave Bird replacing Wesley Thomas.
72: Brilliant sliding block from Elliott to deny Akinfenwa an attempt at goal on the near post. The big striker was actually called offside when Barcham struck the low cross but outstanding defensive work from Steve Elliott.
76 GOAL: Adebayo Akinfenwa pulled Gillingham level with a simple header from the long throw.
82: Gillingham are causing all sorts of problems. A corner was pumped into the box but the clearing header didn't clear the danget. Brown was able to punce on the ball following a scramble.
82 BOOKING: Artus was booked for kicking the ball away.
83: Last ditch tackle from Smikle denied Weston a great effort on goal. The midfielder struck it from just outside the area but the Cheltenham winger was quick to respond to the danger.
85 SUBSTITUTION: On loan Coventry striker Shaun Jeffers replaced Jeff Goulding.
87: Half volley over the crossbar from Gillingham's Tony Sinclair.
89: Another golden opportunity for Gillingham. Barcham found himself free to shoot from just inside the area but a deflection off Martin Riley steered the ball wide.
90 SUBSTITUTION: JJ Melligan was brought on for Frankie Artus.
90+4 BOOKING: Shaun Jeffers was booked for grappling with a Gillingham defender.
Full Time: Gillingham 1-1 Robins
Gillingham FC (4-3-3): Julian (GK); Sinclair, Bentley (C), Gowling, Nutter; Weston, J. Payne, Spiller; Palmer (Akinfenwa 54), S. Payne (Rooney 69), Barcham
Substitutions: Cronin (GK), Jackman, Essam, Maher, McCammon
Cheltenham Town FC (4-4-2 Diamond): Brown (GK); Lowe, Elliott, Riley, Andrew; Low, Pook (C), Smikle, Artus (Melligan 90); Goulding (Jeffers 85), Thomas (Bird 71)
Substitutions: Lloyd-Weston (GK), Gallinagh, Watkins, Shroot
Referee: P. Crossley
Attendance: 5,655 (182 from Cheltenham)
Robins Star Man: Martin Riley - Outstanding display from Riley. He never stopped working and he made a number of important challenges.
James Brown from the KRBS Priestfield Stadium
