Report: Robins 4-0 Chelsea U21s

13 December 2022

Cheltenham Town proved too good for Chelsea Under-21s, winning 4-0 to seal a place in the quarter-finals of the Papa John’s Trophy.

A brace from Charlie Brown and goals from Liam Sercombe and Ryan Broom helped the Robins at least equal their best ever progression in the competition, emulating the run of 2005/06.

The Robins didn’t have to wait long before opening the scoring. Sean Long’s long throw-in was flicked on by Dan Nlundulu, and Brown was able to nod home from close range.

After a quarter of an hour, the Robins nearly had their second after Nlundulu’s diagonal ball reached Alfie May. The forward cut inside onto his left foot and tried to bend the ball into the far corner, but Chelsea ‘keeper Eddie Bench got a strong hand to the ball.

Nlundulu went close himself later in the half. Having played a one-two with Broom, the striker’s shot curled away from the far corner.

Chelsea’s first clear sight on goal fell at the feet of Leo Castledine, but Shaun MacDonald was able to block with his legs from close range.

A darting individual run from Sercombe saw him with space 20 yards from goal and he tried to shoot for the bottom left corner, but he dragged the ball just wide of the post.

MacDonald was called into action again after substitute Harrison McMahon tried to bend a shot into the far corner, able to spring to his right and palm the ball clear.

The Robins sealed the result three minutes from time, after George Lloyd won the ball back inside Chelsea’s final third, before feeding it to Christian Norton. The Welshman turn one way and then the other, before sliding the ball into the path of Sercombe who was able to find the bottom right-hand corner of the net with a low shot.

Charlie Brown then piled on the misery for his former club to double his tally for the day. After Broom’s initial effort was saved by Beach, Brown picked up the loose ball and fired into the net.

Academy defender Cam Walters made it onto the pitch for the final for few minutes and made a crucial block to deny Derrick Abu a consolation goal. Broom then went up field again and after Norton miss-hit a shot from his squared ball, the Welshman curled the ball with his left foot off the far post and into the net to add an emphatic touch to the score line.

Robins: MacDonald (GK), Long (C), Raglan, Freestone (Walters 90’), Broom, Williams (Hutchinson 68’), Barkers, Sercombe, Brown, Nlundulu (Lloyd 68’), May (Norton 68’)

Unused: Southwood (GK), Bradbury, Bonds

Chelsea Under-21s: Beach, Brooking, Sturge, Casadei, Williams, Abu, Gilchrist (c), Mothersille, Castledine, Flower (McMahon 60’), McNeilly (Golding 13’)

Unused: Merrick (GK), Akomeah, Murray-Campbell, Dyer

Attendance: 1058 (134 away)

Referee: S Mather

Ticket News

Match Pack: Chelsea U21

12 December 2022

Cheltenham Town host Chelsea U21in the Papa John's Trophy Round of 16 tomorrow with the game kicking off at 7PM.

As it stands the game tomorrow against the Premier League 2 side is on, however the club have asked for volunteers to help clear the snow from the ground.

Supporters can arrive at the Completely-Suzuki Stadium from 10AM tomorrow to help, and we would greatly appreciate bringing your own shovels and wheelbarrows if you can. Hot drinks will be provided for anyone who can spare the time to join us in the main car park tomorrow morning.

For those of you still wanting to buy your tickets, you can and U-14 tickets are £1 until midnight. The full price list for the game can be found below, with prices rising tomorrow, so grab yours in advance whilse you can.

Adult: £5

Student/Senior/U-18: £3

U-14: £1

Fans can purchase tickets in the Paddock, HGV Drivers UK Stand and the Colin Farmer Stand.

A reminder that season tickets are not valid for cup competitions, including the Papa John's Trophy.

If you are buying tickets in person, you can use cash or card from the sales point in the main car park.

Fans should arrive early to avoid queues, and any ticket changes should be made a day in advance due to the time it takes to alter tickets.

If you are unable to make the match tomorrow evening, you can watch it online via our iFollow Match Pass.

You can find the details to get to the Completely-Suzuki Stadium down below.

On arrival and around the ground, you will see our new food pods. These are cashless, and only card payments are accepted. For today's match, you can find the food pods in the car park, HGV Drivers UK stand and the Colin Farmer Stand.

A new set of actions will be implemented across all English football leagues for the 2022/23 season and will be backed by the Football Supporters’ Association. They will target activity such as entering the pitch without permission, carrying or using smoke bombs or pyrotechnics and throwing objects - as well as drug use and discriminatory behaviour.