Countdown to Cheltenham: That Record

How does it happen? Some teams can’t beat the Grecians, and the Grecians can’t beat other teams. Cheltenham Town joined the football League in 1999. We’ve played them 9 times now, and the Robins have beaten Exeter City all 9 times, scoring 15 goals with Exeter replying with just 3 (goals for City being credited to Christian Roberts, Gary Alexander, and Jon Gittens). The actual record is:-

	2013/2014
	League Two	Thurs 26 Dec 2013		Cheltenham	1 – 0	Exeter
	2012/2013
	League Two	Sat  20 Apr 2013		Exeter	0 – 1	Cheltenham
	League Two	Sat  27 Oct 2012		Cheltenham	3 – 0	Exeter
	2001/2002
	League Div 3	Sat  9 Feb 2002		Exeter	0 – 2	Cheltenham
	League Div 3	Sat  20 Oct 2001		Cheltenham	3 – 1	Exeter
	2000/2001
	Div 3	Sat  3 Mar 2001		Cheltenham	1 – 0	Exeter
	Div 3	Sat  30 Sep 2000		Exeter	0 – 2	Cheltenham
	1999/2000
	Div 3	Sat  25 Mar 2000		Exeter	1 – 2	Cheltenham
	Div 3	Sun 26 Dec 1999		Cheltenham	3 – 1	Exeter

Can this season be considered different?

Cheltenham come into Saturday’s game in 13th place, well off the pace for a play off place. Last season they lost to Northampton Town in the play-off semi-finals and the previous season they lost in the final at Wembley to Crewe Alexandra. No wonder Mark Yates has said, after being defeated by Southend,  on the season:-

Maybe it is time to give one or two of the kids a game.

I can’t wait for this season to end. I want to play the next five games, get some points and see people playing for some pride.

I’ll take the blame for it, they’re my team, I get that. But the players have also got to stand up and be counted but they’ve let me and they’ve let the supporters down.

Cheltenham’s record for the last 8 games has been won 2 drawn 3, lost 3. Mind you they have some confidence going in to the game given their record against Exeter, on their website it says “help spur Mark Yates’ squad on as they look to make it win number ten”. Maybe over confidence could be their undoing?

What to expect? Exeter fans would have thought their season had turned the corner after stunning wins over Fleetwood Town and Plymouth Argyle. But their poor form returned against Accrington Stanley and Bury. A lack of creativity leading to very few goal scoring opportunities being their undoing.

With the Grecians struggling in their fight against relegation, this must be the best opportunity to dump this unwanted record.