The countdown to the end of the League Two season continues with the Robins penultimate away match of the season on Easter Monday (kick-off: 3pm).
It’s a trip to the Globe Arena to take on Morecambe for Michael Duff’s side, who are looking to build on their five-match unbeaten run at the end of the campaign with another positive result in Lancashire.
It’s all the way back in October since Cheltenham and the Shrimps came head-to-head, and the end of the Easter weekend sees them do battle once again after a Good Friday goalless draw with Oldham Athletic at the Jonny-Rocks Stadium extended the Robins fine home form.
Team news
Nigel Atangana, Tyrone Barnett and Alex Addai all miss out. There’s the possibility after Friday’s game that Michael Duff will opt to rotate some of his squad with the likes of Billy Waters, Jacob Maddox and Ryan Broom pushing for starting places.
Opposition
Friday saw Morecambe soundly beaten by automatic promotion chasing Mansfield, ending a small three game unbeaten run for the Shrimps, in what is the Lancashire outfit’s 12th consecutive season in League Two. They’re currently 20th, ten points clear of the relegation zone.
Under the guidance of Jim Bentley, one of the longest serving managers in the top levels of the English game, their squad features a number of individuals boasting vast experience of the Football League.
At the age of 40 Kevin Ellison has once again continued to show his importance to this Morecambe side this season, while the likes of veteran goalkeeper Barry Roche and much travelled New Zealand international Steven Old help make up the spine of a team also including a number of young talents.
Sam Lavelle, Luke Conlan and Welsh forward Aaron Collins are all big contributors despite being the younger members of the squad. They balance nicely with further Football League knowhow provided by the likes of Alex Kenyon, Vadaine Oliver and ex-Cardiff City midfielder Aaron Wildig.
The Globe Arena has played a positive role in their recent form. They are unbeaten on home turf in their last four games – a run that’s included victories over both MK Dons and Forest Green.
There’s one familiar face in the Shrimps squad Robins fans can expect to see. Defender Jordan Cranston lines up for them and scored the opening goal when the two sides met earlier on in the season.
Last meeting
Luke Varney popped up with a 94th minute equaliser in early October to help Cheltenham to a late point when Morecambe were the visitors to the Jonny-Rocks Stadium earlier on in the campaign.
The experienced forward had equalised in the first half for Michael Duff’s men after Jordan Cranston had given Morecambe the lead with a driven effort.
However Rhys Oates restored the away teams lead, only to see Varney score from close range, and subsequently jump into the crowd in the Speedy Skips Stand to celebrate right at the end.
Watch the highlights back from that game earlier on in the season:
Tickets
Morecambe have been running a special in advance ticket offer for the match and are expecting a large crowd. For fans who have chosen to buy on the day ticket prices are £21 for adults, £17 for concessions, £15 for 18-22-year olds, £6 for 11-17 year olds and free for under-11s when accompanied by an adult.
The Travel Club coach heading to the game leaves the Jonny-Rocks Stadium at 9.15am.
Coverage
Keep up to date with everything at the Globe Arena by following @CTFCofficial on Twitter. You can check out match updates, images and team news while there are also updates available on the club’s Facebook page too. After the match check out the club website for full reaction to the result from inside the camp and to read the match report.
You can listen to full match commentary by tuning in online via iFollow or on BBC Radio Gloucestershire.