November proved to be a fruitful month in the 2021/22 campaign.
Michael Duff's men went unbeaten across the whole month and also progressed into the second round of the FA Cup.
Dylan Watts recaps the fourth month of the campaign for the Robins in the third tier.
Matchday 22: Portsmouth 1-1 Cheltenham
Competition: League One
Date: 02/11/2021
Venue: Fratton Park
Attendance: 14322
Coming into November the two sides were only separated by goal difference, level on points with 19 each. The Robins looked to start the month as they ended the last with Matty Blair’s last-minute goal.
Cheltenham were put in front by defender Lewis Freestone after just six minutes. Freestone pounced on Portsmouth’s failure to clear from a corner and gave the visitors the lead.
The hosts cancelled out the Robins opener when Reeco Hackett looped the ball into the net after Scott Flinders’ punch landed at his feet. Kyle Vassell almost had Cheltenham back in front before the halfway mark but he couldn’t hit the target from close range.
Cheltenham were knocking on the door again and almost earned all three points but Dan Crowley’s volleyed effort was blocked by teammate Vassell.
Matchday 23: Gillingham 1-1 Cheltenham Town
Competition: FA cup
Date: 06/11/2021
Venue: Priestfield Stadium
Attendance: 2555
The Robins returned to the Priestfield Stadium for another cup competition, this time in the FA Cup first round. A game that saw Mattie Pollock’s first goal for the club would be replayed at the Jonny-Rocks Stadium later in the month.
A brilliant save from Scott Flinders kept out an effort from Danny Lloyd after he beat two Cheltenham defenders and tried to catch out the keeper at his near post.
The breakthrough was made by Cheltenham though, Pollock heading narrowly across the line despite the attempts from the Gills to keep it out.
Gerald Sithole equalised for his team on the hour mark, burying a volley past the outstretched Flinders. The sides couldn’t be separated by the final whistle taking the tie to a replay.
Matchday 24: Cheltenham Town 1-0 Gillingham
Competition: FA Cup
Date: 16/11/2021
Venue: Jonny-Rocks Stadium
Attendance: 2651
The replay came 10 days after the stalemate in Kent. The Robins hoped to overcome the Gills this time to the progress to the second round of the cup.
Cheltenham netted first again when Mattie Pollock was on target again, his second goal for the club.
The goal came from Chris Hussey’s corner and Kyle Vassell’s back post header across the goal, setting up Pollock to finish with his left foot.
Cheltenham failed to add to their advantage although they had the majority of the ball in the first half. The Gills had a chance deep in the first half but couldn’t find John Akinde who would have certainly scored.
Michael Duff’s side pushed for a second after the break which never came, the lack of threat from the visitors meant the goal was enough to send them into the next round.
Matchday 25: Cheltenham Town 2-1 Shrewsbury Town
Competition: League One
Date: 20/11/2021
Venue: Jonny-Rocks Stadium
Attendance: 3914
Steve Cotterill returned to Cheltenham with his Shrews side hoping to beat his hometown team. The manager had a successful time as Robins manager leading them to three promotions, however he now tried to defeat them.
Shrewsbury took the lead in the first four minutes of the match, Daniel Udoh finishing after a misplaced pass.
The game turned around when Shrews defender Elliott Bennett was shown a red card for handling the ball on the line. Conor Thomas made no mistake from the spot, dispatching it into the bottom left corner.
In the second period, the Robins completed the comeback when Dan Crowley’s shot hit the post but Kyle Joseph was in the right place at the right time to knock the ball into the net.
As Michael Duff celebrated a win against his old boss, the three points sent Cheltenham into 11th place.
Matchday 26: Gillingham 0-2 Cheltenham Town
Competition: League One
Date: 23/11/2021
Venue: Priestfield Stadium
Attendance: 3115
For the fourth time this season, Cheltenham would play the Gills this time in the League.
The Robins looked to keep their great form going whilst Gillingham wanted to bounce back from a disappointing defeat to bottom of the table, Crewe Alexandra.
Alfie May had the first chance of the match for the Robins but he couldn’t finish past Jamie Cumming.
Sean Long pounced on Gillingham's failure to clear, from a Chris Hussey corner, and struck the ball in from close range. His first goal of the campaign gave Cheltenham the lead going into half time. John Akinde should’ve equalised before the break but his effort was off target.
The visitors increased their advantage on the hour, Alfie May going past Jamie Cumming and slotting the ball in. The away win took the Robins into 10th.
Matchday 27: Bolton Wanderers 2-2 Cheltenham Town
Competition: League One
Date: 27/11/2021
Venue: University of Bolton Stadium
Attendance: 13145
Cheltenham Town could go unbeaten in all their fixtures in November if they didn’t lose in Bolton. A win for the Robins would secure their place in tenth.
Dan Crowley played in Alfie May for the opener who still had a lot to do. The striker cut inside and struck a low shot past the keeper at his near post.
Bolton were level 12 minutes later when Xavier Amaechi, who was handed his first start for the club, punished the visitors for not clearing.
May struck again for the Robins after a good through ball from Ellis Chapman. May put his team back in front in stoppage time of the first half when his well-placed finish found the bottom corner.
Cheltenham were pegged back level by Wanderers again when Elias Kachunga’s superb strike hit the right top corner from a tight angle. The hosts then pushed for a winner but it never came.
The Robins end off November with a well-deserved point and on good unbeaten form.
Make sure you are a part of Cheltenham Town's 2022/23 League One campaign by purchasing a season ticket. You can buy from the ticket office or anytime online. An instalment option is available.
