Young Robins made to struggle
A Cheltenham team made up of U19s players were put to the sword by a North Leigh side, managed by former Robin John Brough, in tonight's friendly as they succumbed to a 7-2 defeat.Playing up a steep slope in the first half, Cheltenham failed to get their passing game going and didn't help themselves with mistakes at the back.
Callum McNish put the hosts 1-0 up when poked home from close range after nine minutes. The ball had dropped to him when Cheltenham keeper Lewis Clayton was beaten in the air.
As North Leigh started to dominate the game, Jamie Cook very nearly doubled the lead with a fine solo goal but after beating several defenders his shot was inches wide.
The lead was extended in the 21st minute by a fine team goal. On the counter attack from their own box, North Leigh got the ball to Aaron Woodley who cut inside and smashed home from 20 yards.
It was then 3-0 three minutes later, McNish again capitalising on mistakes and despite chances for both teams, the half ended 3-0 to the hosts.
Hopes of a comeback where dashed in the first minute of the second half as Jamie Cook made it 4-0 after great work from Woodley down the left.
After that the Robins started to grow into the game and pulled one back through James Hancocks who slotted home from the edge of the box for 4-1.
Several more chances for the away team came and went before North Leigh increased their lead Cook finished off another fine team effort to make it 5-1 on the hour.
The game really opened up as both teams grew tired and Australian trialist Gez McGarry, off the subs bench scored another for the Robins with a stunner from 25 yards.
However North Leigh hit back immediately as McNish rounded off a fine hat-trick from 10 yards, 6-2.
The scoring was rounded off in the 84th minute as McNish made it four for him and seven for North Leigh, again the benefactor of Cheltenham mistakes.
It was a great learning curve for the U19s against a much older and more experienced team, look out for more reports from their matches throughout the season on www.ctfc.com!