Fireworks at Valley Parade

We left Whaddon Road at 9.50am via the Official double decker coach. I hadn'ttravelled on the Officials for some time. Maybe I began to realise why when Iwas quickly told  to "turn that down" from another passenger, asI watched a 60 second video on my mobile phone.

Anyway with the lunch box stocked up and some Wymans banter flying aroundthe trip wasn't too bad. We arrived at this beast of a stadium at 1315. Unfortunatelythere wasn’t a pub in sight but after a brisk 10 minute walk we found a small,local which showed the football. A few of the lads played a few games of poolwhich was actually very painful. A couple drinks later and we left for the AwayEnd.

We got into the ground at about 14.40, it seemed very empty but in fairnesspeople of Bradford quickly filed in, the attendance was eventuallyannounced as 9,600.

Cheltenham started very brightly and took the lead in the 8th minute viaKaid Mohammed after a free-flowing Cheltenham attack involving a clever dummyfrom Duffy. The early signs were very promising, further chances came and went.Most notably was Marlon Packs 25 yard curler which rebounded of the foot of thepost. Bradford however did come back into the game and enjoyed a succession ofcorners as the half came to an end at 1-0.

The second 45 saw Cheltenham dominate and control the game. Our onlyfrustration was despite plenty of opportunities to extend the lead, we couldn'tdo so. Marlon Packs 70 yard effort which was clawed off the line by theback-peddling goalkeeper was a whisker from winning the goal of the seasonaward. Thankfully Bradford were as bad as we were good, and they didn't troubleButland who enjoyed a quiet afternoon between the sticks. Bennett and Elliotwon their individual battles and never gave the Bantams a sniff of hope, inwhat was one of the most comfortable 1-0 victories I’ve ever witnessed.

After enduring 5 minutes of injury time the job was complete. The playersand staff came across to the visiting support for some fist clinching andclapping. The long haul back to Cheltenhamshire flew past with plenty morebanter; we arrived home at 2045 to a fireworks display in the Whaddon Road carpark. However, for the 124 that travelled to Yorkshire the fireworks happenedhours earlier at Valley Parade as Cheltenham climb to third!