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Search forRobins defeated in FA Youth Cup
Wednesday, November 19, 2008, 21:00
It will be the Gills who make the trip to Fratton Park after having the better of a scrappy game devoid of clear cut chances.
The Robins youngsters were unable to replicate the fine attacking performance of the 4-1 first round win against Newport County and will now have to concentrate on the Puma Youth Alliance.
Gillingham, who defeated Eastbourne Borough 3-0 in the last round, included two players with first team experience in midfielder Jack Payne and striker Tom Murphy.
In a tight first half the Robins, who were without star performer Marley Watkins, had the better of the few chances on offer.
Theo Lewis, who like Watkins has been on the fringes of the first team this season, had the Robins' best chance of the early exchanges.
Put through in the left channel by good work by skipper Lewis Fathers, Lewis cut inside his marker and curled a shot just wide with Connor Quinn in the Gills goal beaten.
Midfielder Luke Rooney had the Gills'best chance, firing wide of Joe Perry's left hand post with three minutes left in the half.
Then in the final stages of the half, a short corner routine between two Josh's Emery and Quaynor presented Jake Lee
with a great chance in front of goal, but the Cheltenham striker was crowded out by defenders as the referee blew for half-time.
It was the Gills who made a bright start to the second half, and they almost took the lead in the 52nd minute after indecisive Cheltenham defending from a left wing corner.
Connor Essam volleyed the loose ball goalwards only to be denied by a fine save from Joe Perry in the Robins goal.
However the Gills did not have to wait long to take the lead when good work in the midfield from Dean Rance put Josh Sargeant clear down the left wing.
Sargeant got to the byline and crossed low into the danger area. Robins defender Ben Pattison reacted first to the ball but could only divert the ball past a helpless Perry and into the net.
The Cheltenham midfield struggled to come to terms with the industry and quality of the Gills unit, with Rooney running the show for the Gills.
With John Brough urging his side on from the bench, CHeltenham were unable to force clear cut opportunities despite seeing alot of the ball.
Substitute Dean Maynard rampaging run through the Gills back four ended with the Welsh striker finishing poorly from 18-yards and right back Kyle Haynes fired over from an acute angle as Cheltenham pressed.
Pattison had a chance to redeem his earlier error in stoppage time but saw his header from a left wing cross cannon clear from the woodwork as the Gills held on and progressed to round three.
Cheltenham Town Youth: Perry; Haynes, Pattison, Hoare, Quaynor; Emery, Durrant, Fathers, Barrett (72 Maynard); Lewis, Lee.
Subs not used: Barnfather,Tosh, Wood, Rawlings.
Gillingham Youth: Youth Quinn; Munday, Wybraniec, Essam, Daniel;Murphy, Rance, Payne, Rooney, Sargeant; Arnold-Smith
(Day 73).
Subs not used: Hawkes, Day, Stimson, Geering, Bartrum
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