A Robins reserve side have drawn 2-2 with Bristol Rovers this afternoon.
A Cheltenham reserve side and their Bristol Rovers counterparts played out a 2-2 draw at Rovers' training ground this afternoon.The two evenly matches sides provided an entertaining ninety minutes with Rovers shading the opening period and their visitors on top after the break.
Rovers raced into a two goal lead thanks to strikes from Fabian Broghammer and Eliot Richards, but Jeff Goulding pulled a goal back for Cheltenham on the stroke of half time and Adam Powell scored a deserved equaliser on 81 minutes.
Both sides made a bright start and Broghammer went close early on but saw his shot parried by Cheltenham keeper Connor Roberts. At the other end Conor Gough did well to keep out a deflected drive from Joe Hanks before beating away a free kick taken by Danny Andrew.
The opening goal arrived after only 14 minutes when Broghammer hit an angled drive past Roberts from out on the left. Gough saved again, this time from Sam Deering, as Cheltenham strived to get back on level terms straight away, but Rovers increased their lead just two minutes after going ahead. This time Broghammer turned provider, pulling the ball back to Eliot Richards who stroked the ball home from 12 yards. Josh Southway was unlucky not to add a third Rovers goal when his volley was deflected by a visiting defender on to the crossbar, but Cheltenham hit back strongly and Gough saved from Darryl Duffy at his near post before conceding a goal a minute before half time. Andrew's corner from the left was met by Goulding, who powered a header into the net.
The second half saw Cheltenham create a number of opportunities, while Rovers struggled to create anything up front. Gough saved from Goulding while Bagasan Graham hit the upright with a fierce drive and Goulding hit another effort over the bar. Gough saved a tame effort from Duffy before the equaliser arrived when Graham crossed to the back post and substitute Powell was on hand to head past Gough.
Bristol Rovers Reserves: Conor Gough, Michael Smith, Pat Keary, Tom Lockyer, Lee Brown, Josh Southway, Seanan Clucas, Ollie Norburn (Trey Anderson, 60), Mitch Harding, Eliot Richards (Ellis Harrison, 60), Fabian Broghammer (Alefe Santos, 60)
Cheltenham Town Reserves: Connor Roberts, Kieran Thomas, Danny Andrew, Joe Hanks, Spencer Hamilton, Sido Jombati (Ed Williams, 56), Lawson D'Ath, Sam Deering (Adam Powell 75), Darryl Duffy, Jeff Goulding (Marshall 90), Bagasan Graham
Report written by Keith Brookman of Bristol Rovers