Match Previews

Preview: Walsall

30 July 2021

Michael Duff has one final opportunity to see his team in match action on Saturday when Cheltenham Town host Walsall (kick-off: 3pm).

The League Two Saddlers will make the short journey down the M5 to Gloucestershire for the Robins last pre-season run out before the start of the League One season on 7 August.

It will also be the first opportunity for the fans to watch the team in the brand new away kit that was launched today for the first time.

Tickets for Saturday's game are available to buy online. Purchase before midnight to save money on matchday prices. You can pay on the day if you wish to at the ticket office with all turnstiles at the Jonny-Rocks Stadium now cashless.

Opposition

Walsall have had a very busy summer as they look to challenge in the forthcoming League Two campaign having ended last season 19th with an interim manager in charge.

Matty Taylor has been appointed as Head Coach and the Saddlers player recruitment has seen them bring in a number of new faces.

Most notably former Republic of Ireland international Stephen Ward has joined, while fellow new defensive recruits include Welshman Ash Taylor who has switched from Scottish Premiership Aberdeen, Manny Monthe from Tranmere, Zak Mills from Port Vale, Rollin Menayese in a loan from Mansfield and Danny Coogan has returned.

Former Cheltenham loanee Joss Labadie is a noteable addition from Newport County in midfield, while Brendan Kiernan has transferred from Harrogate Town. Jack Earling has made the step up from FC Halifax.

New attacking faces include Conor Wilkinson from Leyton Orient and Kieran Phillips on loan from Huddersfield.

Match information

Buy your tickets for the game online. Purchase before midnight on Friday to save £2 on the cost of matchday prices.

Pre-ordered tickets can be collected from 12.30pm. The ticket office will also be open separately for matchday sales for fans wishing to buy on the day. You cannot pay on the turnstiles as the club has gone cashless as of this season on the turnstiles.

Card payments are preferred due to covid-19 however if necessary you can pay with cash.

Though it is no longer mandatory to wear a face covering, the club are asking fans if they can do so when ordering drinks at the bar in the Robins Nest. They will not be needed when sitting down at tables in the venue.

Supporters are also asked if they can wear their face covering when moving around the stadium to their seats and standing positions, but they are not required to be worn during the game or when in your position in the stadium.

Coverage

Check out @CTFCofficial on Twitter for team news and updates throughout the game. Score updates will also be available on the club's Facebook page.

Following the final whistle you'll be able to visit the club website to read a match report and to see reaction to the team's final run out before the new season.

Match Reports

Report: Robins 2-0 Walsall

31 July 2021

Second half goals from Matty Blair and Charlie Raglan saw Cheltenham Town end their pre-season fixture schedule with a win over Walsall.

The Robins have recorded six pre-season wins from their seven warm up games before the new League One campaign, which gets underway next Saturday at Crewe Alexandra.

Level at half time, Michael Duff's charges controlled much of the second half, and after seeing Blair score early in the second period, Raglan headed in to secure a confidence boosting final win.

Under the management of new head coach Matty Taylor, the Saddlers are set for a better season this time around in League Two, and they started brightly when one of their summer recruits, Conor Wilkinson, got in behind and shot straight at Owen Evans.

Lively on the break, Emmanuel Osadebe went close approaching the midpoint of the half, while Will Boyle forced the visitors to clear for a corner when his looping header almost snuck in shortly after.

Alfie May saw an opportunity saved by Carl Rushworth ten minutes before a half time break where only seconds before referee Kevin Johnson's whistle the away side crashed a header against the crossbar through Kieran Phillips who had done well to reach a Conor Wilkinson cross.

Blair's goal only six minutes into the second half led to a dominant second half showing.

He picked up Ellis Chapman's diagonal ball and turned inside onto his left foot and found the bottom corner.

Good work from Liam Sercombe on 66 minutes created an opportunity for Andy Williams, but the experienced striker was thwarted at the last second by Manny Monthe's solid block.

Raglan doubled Cheltenham's lead a minute later. Hussey popped up on the right and crossed towards the near post and the half time substitute got across goalkeeper Jack Rose perfectly to head home.

May almost extended the Cheltenham damage when his curving shot dropped just wide of the woodwork, while Owen Evans was forced into action when Wilkinson's looping header almost dropped under his crossbar.

Determined to hold onto a clean sheet, the shot-stopper then produced a brilliant close-range save to deny Osadebe who looked set to halve the score line, only for Evans to stand tall and make the block.

ROBINS: O Evans, M Blair (L Freestone 77), C Hussey, S Long, B Tozer (C Raglan 46), W Boyle, C Thomas (E Bonds 76), L Sercombe, E Chapman, A Williams (G Lloyd 76), A May

Subs not used: S Flinders, G Horton, C Ebanks, D Barkers

WALSALL: C Rushworth (J Rose 46), H White, S Ward, A Taylor, M Monthe, L Kinsella, J Labadie, E Osadebe, B Kiernan (J Earing 67), K Phillips (J Willis 85), C Wilkinson

Subs not used: Z Mills, T Leak, R Menayese, S Perry

Attendance: 930

Referee: Kevin Johnson

Ticket News

Robins host Walsall on Saturday

28 July 2021

There's just one final pre-season friendly for Cheltenham Town ahead of the new League One season as Walsall visit the Jonny-Rocks Stadium on Saturday.

It will see the Robins wearing their brand new away kit for the first time which is being launched on Friday afternoon ahead of the weekend.

League Two Walsall will provide an excellent final warm up test at the end of pre-season before the season opener away at Crewe Alexandra.

Kick-off against the Saddlers is at 3pm and tickets for the game are available to buy online.

Fans are recommended to buy online as the club have gone cashless for the new season. You can also visit the ticket office during the week to buy in advance.

By purchasing in advance you can save £2 on matchday prices.

Prices in advance for Saturday's fixture are £12 for adults and £6 for concessions (65+ seniors, students and under-18s), and go up to £14 for adults and £8 for concessions on matchday.

You can buy at the ticket office on a matchday at the higher price if you wish to pay with cash or by card, however be aware there may be queues if choosing to do so.

The Speedy Skips Stand and Tunnel area will be closed for Saturday's fixture with the Paddock remaining open for supporters who wish to stand.