Palace end Robins Worthington cup dream!

By Peegs
October 2 2002

The Robins quite literally crashed out of what will now be called the "Worthless cup" after losing 7-0 to Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park. It was just 1-0 to Palace at half time.

Surprisingly the Robins fielded exactly the same team that had lost 4-1 at home to Notts County in the league on Saturday.

Palace fielded their strongest team, with the likes of highly rated teenager Wayne Routledge, ex Birmingham striker Dele Adebola, Scottish striker Dougie Freedman and ex Leeds full back Danny Granville.

Cheltenham's plans got off to the worst start after 12 minutes when Hugh McAuley pulled up with a ham string injury, he was replaced by Lee Williams who many fans think should be in the starting eleven anyway!

Cheltenham did actually have the first chance of note when on 15 minutes a cross from sub Williams arrived to Naylor around 8 yards out but he sent a half volley wide of the target.

For all their effort Cheltenham fell behind to a really really really soft goal! Freedman attempted a shot after being put through by Mullins, Book - who is losing support of the fans already - managed to fluff up his save and push the ball against the post, the ball rebounded and it was an easy finish for Adebola from 2 yards out.

Is the answer a new goalie? Post your thoughts on the message board.

The first half had few chances (which in the end was a good job). Derry fired a shot wide of Book's left hand post for Palace, Griffin flashed a shot over for the Robins and Victory headed over from a Milton cross 4 minutes before the half time break.

H/T 0-1

Whatever Trevor Francis said to his team at half time it certainly worked as they banged in 6 goals in the 2nd 45 minutes.

Palace came flying out of the traps and after only 2 minutes of the 2nd half had gone 2-0 up. Derry passed to Routledge who crossed with pin point accuracy to Hayden Mullins who headed in from 8 yards out.

It wasn't long before the Eagles extended their lead to 3 goals. On 53 minutes, Routledge won a corner, Butterfield crossed to the back post where Popovic unmarked - why was he unmarked? - headed into the net.

You guessed it another goal for Palace, just 2 minutes after going 3-0 up they made it 4-0. Micheal Duff - who's having an off spell - sent a stray pass to Hayden Mullins he played a simple through ball to Freedman who finished with the class of a striker with Premiership experience.

You could say things weren't going as Allner would have wanted! Lee Williams had the Palace keeper (I'm not going to attempt to write his name, he's the Greek one!) to strect to make a save but thats about as good as it got from the Robins.

16 minutes from time Palace made it 5-0. A corner from Routledge was met by the SECOND unmarked header by Adebola who claimed his 2nd goal of the night. Some work on defending from corners/set pieces this week please Graham.

The 6th goal was again something of a farce in a defence well short of confidence. Gray ran dwn the left, crossed the ball it hit Richard Walker, hit Book hit Walker again and rebounded into the net. It just about sumbed up the night!

But the goal scoring hadnt finished there. Dougie Freedma rounded Book with a minute left and slotted the ball home from close range.

So are Worthless Cup campaign of 2002 comes to an end and its an old cliche but were better off being out of it so we can concentrate on the league.

Confidence must be at a low point now after conceding 11 goals in two games so can allner play the same defence (inc Goalie) in our next fixture at Blackpool in the league? Your thoughts please on my message board.

Bring on the Blackpool.

F/T 0-7

CRYSTAL PALACE: Michopoulos, Powell (Austin 23), Popovic (Antwi 67), Mullins, Routledge, Butterfield, Derry, Granville, Freedman, Black (Gray 46), Adebola.

CHELTENHAM TOWN: Book, Griffin, Walker, Duff, Victory, McAuley (Williams 13), Yates, Finnigan, Milton, Alsop, Naylor.