The Robins go in search of a much sought away victory on Saturday with a trip to Gresty Road to take on Crewe Alexandra (kick-off: 3pm).
Cheltenham have set the standard in League Two for their home performances in 2019, but it is on the club’s travels where the team are looking to reap the rewards for some of their travelling performances, though it’ll be another tricky outing against a team going into the weekend on the back of two impressive results.
Crewe have hammered Crawley and defeated high flying Mansfield in their last two games, so the club’s opponents from the 2012 play-off final at Wembley will stand in the way on Saturday.
Team news
A decision will be made on the fitness of Ryan Broom after he was substituted in last weekend’s win over Northampton. Billy Waters can be however recalled to action after the attacker was forced to miss the Cobblers win as he was unable to play against his parent club.
Alex Addai and Nigel Atangana are two definite absentees as they continue their recovery from injury problems.
Watch Michael Duff’s pre-match press conference:
Opposition
A 2-1 win last weekend over Mansfield at the Stags One Call Stadium home has helped Crewe to 12th in League Two. They are five points ahead of the Robins and eight points off the play-off spots with seven games to go.
Their squad boasts a vast number of graduates who have come through their widely renowned academy set-up. However it is one of their more experienced heads, 35-year-old Chris Porter, who is their leading marksman so far this season.
Porter leads a front line in a side that also includes former Aston Villa man Jordan Bowery up top, while academy graduate Shaun Miller, who is in his second spell at Gresty Road, is another they can turn to in their forward line as well.
The Railwaymen are managed by former Gibraltar international Dave Artell. A former defender in his playing days with the club, his squad balances youth as well as experience with the likes of former Bolton Wanderers full back Nicky Hunt another who has plenty of League knowhow, as well as former Republic of Ireland international Paul Green.
Energy provided by the likes of Ryan Wintle, James Jones and Motherwell loanee Aaron Taylor-Sinclair add to the older heads in their squad.
Last time out at home they hammered Crawley 6-1, however before that had suffered back-to-back home losses to Exeter and Northampton Town. Saturday’s game is one of four remaining home matches they’ve got scheduled, with the likes of Yeovil and Notts County still to visit.
Previous meeting
It was a goalless draw the last time the two sides met earlier this season, all the way back in September.
The final score line suggested it was far from being a classic, however it was a notable point in the campaign as it was boss Michael Duff’s first game after being appointed as manager.
Kevin Dawson and Ryan Broom both tested Crewe shot-stopper Ben Garratt, however it was the opposition who almost stole three points late on.
They were denied by a Scott Flinders stop however as he denied Ryan Wintle from close range to ensure the spoils were shared.
Watch the highlights back from that meeting earlier in the campaign:
Tickets
Tickets can be bought on the day at the match if you haven’t purchased in advance. Prices are:
Adult £22
Senior £17
Junior (12-16) £10.50
U11 £6.50
The supporters coach heading to the match leaves the Jonny-Rocks Stadium at 11am.
Coverage
For match updates, team news and pictures check out @CTFCofficial on Twitter. You can also view goal updates on the club’s Facebook page, while after the game read a match report and find out all of the reaction from the manager and a member of the playing squad to the result on the club website.
Listen to full match commentary on iFollow or by listening to BBC Radio Gloucestershire.