Cheltenham came from a goal behind at half-time to beat Town 2-1 at the Jonny-Rocks Stadium, their first ever victory over the Blues. Matt Penney’s brilliant first goal for the club gave Town the lead on nine and Macauley Bonne had a golden chance to make it should 2-0 during a dominant spell following the goal. However, Cheltenham were the better side in the second half and goals from Callum Wright and Will Boyle sealed a first League One win of the season for the Robins.

Vaclav Hladky was in goal with Janoi Donacien keeping his place but moving to right-back with Kane Vincent-Young dropping to the bench, one of three players who started on Saturday dropping to sub along with Louie Barry and Armando Dobra.

Penney was at left-back with Luke Woolfenden alongside one-time Robins loanee Cameron Burgess, making his Blues debut, at the heart of backline.

Skipper Lee Evans was again alongside Rekeem Harper in central midfield with Scott Fraser on the left, full debutant Kyle Edwards on the right and Macauley Bonne, making his first league start for the Blues, joining Joe Pigott up front.

Yesterday’s 16th new signing of the summer, Tom Carroll and, for the first time since joining the club on loan from Middlesbrough, Hayden Coulson were among the subs.

Cheltenham made three changes from the team which lost 3-1 at home to Wycombe on Saturday with club captain and long-throw expert Ben Tozer, Conor Thomas and Kyle Vassell, making his first start for the club, coming in for Matty Blair, Ellis Chapman and Alfie May, who dropped to the bench.

Prior to the game getting under way both teams and staff took a knee to applause from both sets of fans.

The home side should have gone in front in only the second minute. Hladky gave away a cheap throw on the right after a miscommunication with Woolfenden.

Tozer hurled into the area, the keeper failed to claim and Wright volleyed over at the far post with the ball having arrived quickly and at an awkward height. Nevertheless, it was a lucky escape for the Blues.

Town went ahead with their first serious attack of the game in the ninth minute. Edwards brought the ball forward and across the edge of the area from the left before feeding Fraser to his right.

The former MK Dons man worked himself space at a tight angle and hit a shot which was blocked by Sean Long in front of the line. The ball found its way out to Penney on the left from where the left-back slammed a superb powerful strike which keeper Owen Evans was only able to palm into the roof of the net.

Not only was it Penney’s first goal for the Blues, but his first in English football, having only previously netted in senior football for German side St Pauli, with whom he spent time on loan.

It should have been 2-0 in the 12th minute. Bonne lifted a ball which had been played down the middle and flicked on by Pigott over keeper Evans and it looked a formality that he would add the final touch with his head from just in front of the line. However, the on-loan QPR man misjudged the bounce, missed his header then scuffed the ball off the outside of the post and wide.

But despite the miss, which will get plenty of repeat viewings, Town kept up the pressure. Harper hit a deflected shot wide from the edge of the box, then on 14 Edwards scraped an effort past keeper Evans’s right post from 20 yards. Four minutes later, Blues skipper Evans curled a free-kick wide.

The Robins just about weathered Town’s post-goal pressure and won a couple of throws on the left which Tozer flung into the box, Burgess heading away the first and Hladky claiming the second with more confidence, although requiring treatment for a blow to the ear in the aftermath.

On 28 Town captain Evans was yellow-carded for a foul on Vassell as the home side countered after a Blues attack had broken down. A minute later, Wright joined him in the book for a foul on Edwards as the former West Brom man burst away on the halfway line.

The game had become a more even affair but on 35 Pigott curled a shot well wide from distance.

Cheltenham probably should have levelled in the 39th minute when the ball flicked off Charlie Raglan’s head and well wide from eight yards when he really should at least have hit the target from Liam Sercombe’s right-wing cross following a short corner.

Vassell headed wide at the far post from a left-sided Chris Hussey ball into the box in the final scheduled minute of the half, Penney and Burgess, who had had a dominant first half for the Blues at the back, having made it difficult for the former Rotherham man to get in a clean effort. The Town goalscorer required treatment following the incident but was OK to carry on.

Cheltenham were finishing the half the stronger of the two sides, but in the fourth minute of injury time Edwards made another blistering run forward before feeding Pigott to his left, However, the AFC Wimbledon man shot into the side-netting.

That was the last action of a half which really should have ended with the scoreline 2-0 to Town, like the midway point in all four of the previous games between the sides.

The Blues could well have put the game to bed in the spell after Penney’s brilliant goal, not least via Bonne’s missed opportunity. Edwards, pacy, tricky and deft of touch, had been unplayable in that period of the game.

However, Cheltenham will feel they should have scored before that through Wright and had another very good opportunity through Raglan and had ended the half on top.

Three minutes after the restart, Evans flicked a header wide from a Fraser cross from the right.

Town dominated the early stages of the half, stroking it around confidently, albeit without creating another opportunity.

On 56, a Robins free-kick routine from the right taken by Hussey flashed across the face of goal but without anyone there to add a final touch.

Cheltenham got back on top as the game reached the hour mark and on 62 they levelled. Burgess headed away a Tozer long throw from the right, rising highest among a tightly-bunched pack of players, but the ball was subsequently sent back into the box from the left by Boyle and Wright headed into the roof of the net.

Thomas was booked for pulling back Edwards as he broke forward on halfway, then on 66 the home side swapped Vassell and Andy Williams for Alfie May and George Lloyd.

Cheltenham continued to look the better side and the most likely scorer of the game’s third goal. On 72 Wright hit a well-struck shot which Hladky dived away to his right to save.

Three minutes later, Edwards, who had been quieter since the break, brilliantly turned away from his man and burst into the area before hitting a shot which deflected behind.

Town, who aside from Edwards’s chance hadn’t threatened since the early stages of the half, switched Pigott for Kayden Jackson in the 75th minute.

Two minutes later, Burgess, who had enjoyed a very assured debut at the heart of the defence, made a vital interception as Lloyd broke away towards goal. On 80 Cheltenham manager Michael Duff was booked for taking his complaints regarding a foul too far.

But the Robins boss will have forgotten all about that moments later when his side took the lead.

Town failed to deal with yet another long Tozer throw from the left, the ball ran loose and Boyle slammed it into the corner of the net.

Cheltenham, visibly growing in confidence, kept up the pressure with Tozer’s long throws remaining their main weapon. On 85, following one from the left which had been cleared, sub Ellis Chapman crossed from the left and Hladky tipped Boyle’s header over the bar.

Barry replaced Bonne in the 86th minute as the Blues desperately looked for an equaliser, something which wasn’t looking particularly likely. Carroll was introduced for his debut three minutes later but was unable to influence the game before referee Peter Wright brought the afternoon to a close to cheers from the home fans.

As on Saturday, Town really should have had the match won having been so dominant for a spell in the first half.

However, despite the Blues starting the second half strongly, Cheltenham were on top for the most part after the break with Tozer’s long throws always a threat and on the balance of the second 45 minutes they deserved to take the points.

Town once again showed signs of the team they want to be, with Burgess impressive at centre-half on his debut and Edwards putting in a very exciting display in the first half if much quieter in the second, but again mistakes, on this occasion at both ends, let them down.

Following back-to-back defeats in their first two away games, the Blues now face the MK Dons and AFC Wimbledon in successive games at Portman Road.

Cheltenham: Evans, Long, Hussey, Tozer (c), Raglan, Thomas, Sercombe, Vassell (May 66), Williams (Lloyd 66), Boyle, Wright (Chapman 85). Unused: Freestone, Blair, Perry, Flinders.

Town: Hladky, Donacien, Woolfenden, Burgess, Penney, Harper, Evans (c), Fraser, Bonne, Edwards, Pigott (Jackson 77). Unused: Holy, Vincent-Young, Coulson, Carroll, Dobra, Barry. Referee: Peter Wright (Merseyside). Att: 4,746 (Town: 995).

Photo: Pagepix

shakytown added 04:39 - Aug 18 Abysmal performance in the second half. Where was our managers tactical ability to make changes????? Cook needs to sort it out quickly or the season will have passed us by yet again.
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stormypetrel added 06:40 - Aug 18 My concern is that we are seeing Cooks shortfalls not being masked by a “Richardson” quality person and that the people he does have around him are not up to the task. Cooks record is a good one with comparable sets of circumstances. But there are plenty of ITFC experiences that are new to him and he is making decisions that typically he hasn't made before….I think he will be given ten/twelve games by the owners to show his mettle and he will be judged then…we are three games in

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raycrawfordswig added 06:56 - Aug 18 The new owners will not accept failure they will decide when he goes.
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jayceee added 07:01 - Aug 18 Pettabelieveit: "All those calling for Cooks head are probably the same that called for Micks" Not in my case. I liked MM and hated how fans treated him - I loved that he stood by his team despite fans turning against them. I'd rather the manager showed that level of passion and swore at his fans, that the listless excuses and player blaming that Cook does. But I'm saying Cook out now... He's rigid in his tactics, quick to try appease fans, but turns on players and constantly exudes insecurity - and has done so since day one. We've changed almost everything - only one thing left to fix...

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Saxonblue74 added 07:33 - Aug 18 Posts from last night, same person: 19.18 "in Paul we trust". 21.54 "his Management and system were shocking". How fickle the football fan can be! A very disappointing start to the season but the quality of individuals is apparent. Think I'm going to switch off for a while and come back when the points start rolling in!
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64Towmman added 07:59 - Aug 18 He we go again like just like last season same crap as before can't win games and Paul Cook you talk a load of Rubbish you should get sack or resigned so we can get a decent manager who knows how to run a football team
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MickMillsTash added 08:17 - Aug 18 How are we going to score goals ?- Cheltenham know how they score goals- I do not think we do. They looked dangerous from crosses / throw ins in the first half and could easily have been 1-0 up. So at half time we have to say stop giving away throw ins- easier said than done but I suspect it may not have been said Bizarre substitutions - We need to find a way of getting our better players on the ball - and that may mean the centre backs, midfield 2 taking more responsibility on the ball. Full backs not good enough on the ball, I note Coulson looks like he is 9 stone so not going to be much use vs Cheltenham when defending the back post onslaught We looked good vs Morecambe but they played really narrow and gave the full backs space, good vs Burton in the send half but did not create, good in the first half last night but it could have been 2-2 at half time. Too early to hit the ejector seat button but time to review, learn and improve. Last night would have been worse with last years team

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chalky added 08:29 - Aug 18 4 wins in 20, and no shots in the second half yesterday are very worrying stats. What is Cook's solution? He'll probably sign another 16 players. I live in Cheltenham and could have predicted that Ben Tozer's long throws would cause trouble. Did Cook do any pre-match preparation against this? End the pain now. Knock on George Burley's door and beg him to come back.
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Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 08:54 - Aug 18 Of course, it's far too early yet to begin to talk about Cook's removal. But the "time to gel" line is beginning to wear a bit thin. Surely we have the players to compete in this league. But last night, we seemed to have gone backwards in terms of tactics. In fact, what were the tactics? There is something to be said for playing one's own system and letting the opposition worry about adapting, but no team is so superior that it does not also sometimes need to adapt itself. These teams with limited resources but a straightforward approach (Cheltenham, Burton) seem to be successful against us. Perhaps a bit of old-fashioned 4-4-2 or 4-3-3 might be effective. I think we are rather predictable at the moment, and I'd like to see us alternate between driving up the middle and some decent wing play. There were some positives last night - Edwards especially, and Burgess. But in the cold light of dawn, we didn't win, we didn't draw, we lost. Let's hope for better things soon, or I fear the ITFC support, worn down by years of false dawns, will begin to moan. Away support has been fantastic so far. Let's have a big turnout Saturday and turn the corner. COYB!

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grumpyoldman added 09:11 - Aug 18 Steve ITFC Sweden. If you hadn't noticed supporters have already started to moan! I enjoy reading some of the comments then checking back on their previous comments. Prime example one after three games says “time is up for Cook”, previous stated they would “give Cook 10-15 games”. People need to get a grip, after over 50 years supporting the town I have grown to expect nothing and enjoy the triumphs.

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December1963 added 09:26 - Aug 18 Although we didn't really deserve anything after a poor second half am I the only one to question where some of those long throws were being taken from, for the second of there goals there was a thought on radio Suffolk that it was a corner the ball went out that close to the flag yet the throw was allowed to be taken 10 to 15 yards further up the pitch giving the thrower a better angle.

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legoman added 09:36 - Aug 18 We are going to be brilliant.
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Ipstones added 09:37 - Aug 18 Why do we seem to be in a groundhog day style loop. This already has the feel of the Paul Hurst short era, whole new team and hopeless. Though i have a bit of hope for the current crop! We need to find a style of play and stick to it. 2 up front please every game got to get on the front foot and stay on it. My patience is low as the 'time to gel ' line gets overused. Only my team Ipswich could make this new era so hard to get off the ground. Other teams let alone Norwich must be laughing their socks off at our plight! I do have one burning serious question.... Is there a team that we can beat anwhere in the football league ? Though i'm still vaguely positive it is not a stretch to actually see us drop into league 2 and yes i know its early days but i would put money on us not winning 3 games in a row all season. Paul Cook sort this out please it is your job not mine, not the other thousands of fans, not the press, it is your team now make it purr like a Roller!

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Linkboy13 added 09:48 - Aug 18 Harper and Evans are both good players at this level but both lack pace and the ability to break from midfield making us look very rigid. Playing Fraser in his favoured number 10 position would help this. Surely this is why we purchased him in the first place. Ive never understood why managers play players out of position just so they can squeeze them into the team.
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yorkieblue62 added 10:18 - Aug 18 Ouch....punishment by long throw takes me back to Millmoor in the noughties. Some hand wringing and gnashing of teeth is understandable. Its painful to lose to anyone, let alone teams who have never beaten us or we have never played in the League. However two wins and yr half way up the league, two more and yr near the top. So put on your crash hat, pretend you are on the Isle of Man TT circuit nearing the end of a first dangerous lap, say 10 to 12 matches and then you can make a balanced assessment of where we are. Remember for the past two years we have started fast only to slow down drastically in later laps. Better to start slowly and then accelerate past the other teams when the engine has been fine tuned......hopeless optimism??11

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Billysherlockblue added 10:23 - Aug 18 My 11 going forward?? Hladky..burns Edmondson burgess coultson evans harper carroll edwards. Piggott fraser 4.3.3.
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barrystedmunds added 10:27 - Aug 18 Less than two weeks ago the anticipation and expectation levels were throu the roof. Three games in, without a win and with some new “lows” being achieved along the way browsing Division 3 table makes for depressing reading. Am I calling for Cooks removal? No, but out all the factors involved in turning our great club around, he increasingly looks like the weakest link. Hope I'm wrong……..

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Billysherlockblue added 10:34 - Aug 18 Or 4.4.1.1 fraser behind piggott. Then when this not working. Bring on bonne and jackson for pace last 20 mins and play 4.4.2 just my thoughts. Super blues forever 💙
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TimmyH added 11:28 - Aug 18 Londontractorboy - still harping back to MM days? what he and some of the 'numpties' as you put it which wanted him out has to do with the current situation with new owners, new manager, practically new squad is beyond me? If you had your way we'd still be bored to death scraping to stay in the Championship...give this group of players some time (I know patience is wearing thin) but you'd just love to see Town continue to struggle to push your increasingly dull point!

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Nobbysnuts added 11:47 - Aug 18 Until we have officially gelled maybe we should just concede the game and save on travelling expenses.....
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DeJaBlue added 11:54 - Aug 18 With each passing debacle it is now clear that Cook is not up to the task of transforming our fortunes on the pitch where it really matters. His CV has relied upon his sidekick Richardson and without him Cook has been found out tactically. You have to be deluded if you honestly believe that this man can take us to where we want to be! Now that the dust has cleared on all the new signings I would go hell for leather to headhunt Chris Wilder and bring him in asap. He has the experience, pedigree and tactical nous to drive our club forwards. He performed miracles at lowly Northampton and then Sheff Utd who were in much the same sorry mess as we are now! Back to back promotions and keeping them in the Prem is one hell of a record. We are the same size as Sheff Utd and we have the same ambitions. A marriage made in heaven as far as I can see. COYBS

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ITFC62 added 12:01 - Aug 18 To the growing number of impatient doubters on here, maybe you should take a quick look at Paul Cook's managerial record on Wikipedia. While doing this, keep in mind that his successes were achieved without anything like the backing that he has now....
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DavoIPB added 12:09 - Aug 18 If anyone wants to understand how Cheltenham beat us from it looking like we would hit 4 or 5 past them they should read their managers post match interview. He knew what system we were going to be playing and experimented during the game ways of combating that. He worked out that we had an overloaded midfield and were able to pass it from one side to the other, so what did he do, he moved five into midfield stopped us playing from one side to the other and took edwards out of the game. Why did Cook not realise this, why did we try to play the same way? As the cheltenham manager said, it wasn't genius level tactics just a few tweaks here and there that helped them win the game.

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BcarefulwhatUWish4 added 12:10 - Aug 18 Very splintered support here and very interesting comparing this report and the report entitled something like "cook says players need time to gel". Almost two different forums! People who are showing support for Cook here are picking up loads of minuses (needs more time posts) whilst those who are critical are getting loads of up votes. Look at the other post and the exact opposite is happening! Londontractorboy= I supported MM through to the end but his time was up. There were only a handful of fans in the end who believed he should carry on. Past is past, we move on. Results haven't been great but we are 3 league games in. Plenty of time to turn this ship around.

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DeJaBlue added 12:13 - Aug 18 From Day 1 Cook has looked and acted like a rabbit caught in the headlights! I had serious misgivings when he was appointed and nothing he has done since has convinced me otherwise. He came across from the start as simply being grateful to be here! I don't agree with others who say we should give him 10 or 15 games before passing judgement! Why? He has had 20 odd games already and has only won 4 of them! If its not working which it clearly isnt then you get rid. We are not nice and easy Ipswich Town anymore and for those who are happy to meander along accepting the same old garbage that we have been doing for the past 20 years need to wake up fast!

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