Cheltenham Town were beaten 4-0 by Barnsley after a difficult afternoon at the Completely-Suzuki Stadium.
Three first half goals gave Michael Duff’s side a comfortable advantage before capping the display with a fourth in the second period.
The Tykes took the lead with their first dangerous attack of the afternoon. Jordan Williams was given space to run into on the right wing before cutting the ball back to Adam Phillips. The midfielder opted against shooting, instead laying the ball off for the James Norwood who scored from close range.
The visitors then doubled their lead with a wonder goal courtesy of Herbie Kane. The ball fell kindly for the midfielder after the Robins half-cleared a corner, and he struck the ball on the bounce, firing it into the top corner from the edge of the box.
Taylor Perry almost halved the deficit after a piece of individual brilliance saw him nutmeg Williams before trying to beat Harry Isted at his near post, but could only find the side-netting.
Barnsley then scored a third ten minutes before half time, with another well-taken goal. After Elliot Bonds felled Ziyad Larkeche 20 yards from goal, Phillips curled the resulting free-kick right into the top corner, with Luke Southwood helpless once more.
Norwood very nearly grabbed a fourth for Barnsley. After beating Sean Long to a 50-50, he ran down the left wing before driving inside the box and trying to find the far post with the outside of his boot, but the ball trickled wide.
Slobodan Tedić had a chance in the second half to increase the lead, trying to deftly flick a header towards the back post, but the ball bounced just wide.
The Tykes did eventually get their fourth, courtesy of Williams who ghosted in at the back post to slam a firm shot in off the crossbar.
The Robins had a couple of late chances when Ryan Broom let fly from the lefthand corner of the penalty area drawing a smart save from Isted, before Alfie May’s attempt at a rebound was skewed wide.
Robins: Southwood (GK), Long ©, Taylor, Baggott (Raglan 72’), Jackson (Olayinka 72’), Broom, Bonds (Barkers 72’), Sercombe (Ferry 60’), Perry, Brown (Keena 60’), May
Unused: MacDonald (GK), Norton
Barnsley: Isted (GK), Williams (Cotter 77’), Kitching, Andersen ©, Kane, Norwood (Shaw 67’), B Thomas, Larkeche, Phillips (L Thomas), Cole (Tedić 57’), Connell
Unused: Searle (GK), Russell, Martin
Referee: D Bourne
Attendance 4626 (1021 away)
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