It’s the final Jonny-Rocks Stadium matchday of the season on Saturday when Cheltenham host Swindon Town (kick-off: 3pm).
Another League Two season draws to a close for the Robins on home soil with an exciting derby game to end home affairs ahead of next week’s final game of the season at Stevenage.
Michael Duff’s side will be going all out to end the season on a high at home and to keep up their excellent home form in 2019. It’ll be difficult though against a Swindon team who are up there as one of the best teams on the road in the league.
Saturday afternoon’s match is the first of a double-header at the Jonny-Rocks on Saturday. In the evening at 7pm Cheltenham Town Ladies take on Swindon Town Ladies in their final FA Women’s National League Division One South West game – entry to that match is free so it’s hoped that supporters will come along and support both Robins sides this Saturday.
The club’s end of season awards will be made on the pitch before kick-off. The presentations are taking place at 2.30pm and fans are being encouraged to head into the stadium early to find out who this year’s winning players are.
Team news
Sean Long, Chris Hussey, Kevin Dawson and Jacob Maddox are all in line for a potential return to the squad after they missed out on Monday.
Tyrone Barnett and Nigel Atangana miss out through injury, while Alex Addai is in contention after he was named as a substitute at Morecambe.
Watch Michael Duff’s pre-match press conference:
Opposition
A run of four straight draws has ruled out Swindon’s play-off ambitions. The Wiltshire side looked to be building momentum to claim a late place in the division’s top seven, especially after an eye-catching away win at Bury, however four consecutive draws and defeat at Crewe Alexandra on Monday means they’re set for another campaign in League Two next season.
Boss Richie Wellens has been in position since mid-November and is expecting a revamp of his squad for their 2019/20 campaign where challenging for promotion is once again a priority. For Saturday however he leads a team into battle at the Jonny-Rocks that lies two places above Cheltenham – seven points ahead.
Midfield man Michael Doughty is their leading goal scorer this season, and the 26-year-old is a vital cog in the way they play. He lines up in a midfield that also includes former Exeter City man James Dunne, plus a number of other options including Ollie Lancashire, Danny Rose and ex-Chesterfield man Jak McCourt.
Their front line will offer a threat with their speed and directness. Theo Robinson is well travelled in the Football League and Scotland, while they paid a six-figure fee to land the signature of Kaiyne Woolery, in the summer of 2017. Keshi Anderson and the experienced Marc Richards are other possibilities to lead the line.
Swindon boast one of the best away records in the division having picked up 31 points on the road this season.
Previous meetings
In six previous visits to the Jonny-Rocks Stadium in all competitions, Cheltenham have claimed five wins and drawn once when Saturday’s opponents have made the short journey into Gloucestershire.
One memorable clash came in November 2014 when a Swindon side in League One and managed by Mark Cooper visited for an FA Cup first round game against League Two Cheltenham, that saw them smashed 5-0.
Byron Harrison scored a hat-trick and further strikes from Terry Gornell and Matt Richards secured an FA Cup upset against Cooper’s team which included the likes of current QPR midfielder Massimo Luongo and current Wigan Athletic defender Nathan Byrne.
Watch the highlights back from that game in November 2014:
Tickets
Tickets are available to purchase online for Saturday’s match and from the turnstiles on matchday.
The ticket office will be open for collections, with season tickets and away tickets and travel for next weekend’s game at Stevenage also on sale.
The club shop is open before kick-off selling Robins merchandise and match programmes are also available at a price of £3 around the stadium.
Coverage
Keep up to date on matchday by following @CTFCofficial on Twitter. Goal updates and team news will also be available to view on the club’s Facebook page. Following the full time whistle you can check out the club website to read a match report and see reaction to the result.
Listen to radio commentary online by tuning in on iFollow, or on BBC Radio Gloucestershire.
Season tickets for the Robins 2019/20 campaign are now on sale. Get behind Michael Duff's team for next year's League Two season. Find out more online.