Cheltenham Town v Harrogate Town

Jon Palmer · 13 Dec 2025, 13:28

Team news, live updates and reaction all here this afternoon:

https://www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk/s ... n-10701068

Shade · 13 Dec 2025, 14:44

Haks (as I shall henceforth be calling him until he leaves) up front. Could work very well if we get it into his feet for lay offs. Or the chance to beat his man. Or shoot.

What we have with Hutch, Archer, Thomas, and a now fit Haks, is a front four that should link up together pretty well. Quite exciting if it works out.

Also, Cotts said on the radio Tommy Taylor is injured, not frozen out, etc. Should be available in a week or two.

RS1978 · 13 Dec 2025, 14:58

Might be good for Bickerstaff to get pulled out of the firing line and have a bit of a sit - maybe bring him on to work as a two later if needed?

I assume that it's Haks up front and Archer/Thomas behind him?

HamTown · 13 Dec 2025, 15:31

Swindon away this is not

Shade · 13 Dec 2025, 15:51

All looked good for the first 10 minutes, but Harrogate are a lot more compact in the middle of the pitch than Swindon were. We needed half time, for sure, to regain some composure.

Always fancy us down the hill in the second half with the scores level.

Shade · 13 Dec 2025, 15:55

Might be a bit controversial to mention it in today's climate, I'm sure, but for "Her Game Too," why are the kids walking round with a pride/trans/all the other colours flag? All I mean is for "Her Game Too," surely all it would need is the female sign? Or have the girls had to cave in and have HGT represent "everyone," and not just the girls?

13 Dec 2025, 15:55

We could easily be 2-0 down.

Shade · 13 Dec 2025, 15:58

asl wrote: ↑13 Dec 2025, 15:55 We could easily be 2-0 down.

Yep. Day is person of the match so far. Let's not forget their keeper made a very important save to keep Haks out as well.

Shade · 13 Dec 2025, 16:14

I don't understand how Haks can be grabbed and held every time the ball is in the air and it's not a free kick, but as soon as he does it, it is a free kick.

Shade · 13 Dec 2025, 16:23

Surely that was a pen on Hutch?!

Shade · 13 Dec 2025, 16:29

Bickers you beauty

Ihearye · 13 Dec 2025, 16:34

Shade wrote: ↑13 Dec 2025, 15:55 Might be a bit controversial to mention it in today's climate, I'm sure, but for "Her Game Too," why are the kids walking round with a pride/trans/all the other colours flag? All I mean is for "Her Game Too," surely all it would need is the female sign? Or have the girls had to cave in and have HGT represent "everyone," and not just the girls?

No you are right it has feck all to do with her game, in fact quite the opposite. Women's sport should be for WOMEN

Shade · 13 Dec 2025, 16:38

The ref didn't see the one on Hutch but saw the one on their players. Figures.

CTFCfan99 · 13 Dec 2025, 16:54

Shade wrote: ↑13 Dec 2025, 16:38 The ref didn't see the one on Hutch but saw the one on their players. Figures.

Another clown show today. Several times our players were absolutely clattered late - no sign of a booking. Tomkinson then booked for I dont know what?

A fair result but frustrating nonetheless.

Basildon Robin · 13 Dec 2025, 17:00

Judging from the stats and the shots on and off target, I think Cheltenham can be happy with a point. Given the game was a bit of a six pointer it was important just not to lose today.

Shade · 13 Dec 2025, 17:01

Frustrating. A lack of sharpness after a big effort on Tuesday. But that's the way it goes.

Should have had two penalties, I think.

Basildon Robin · 13 Dec 2025, 17:12

If only Cheltenham could average more than just about one goal per game in the league! There’s been much chat about Bickerstaff being unable to score but what about Adelakun?

Garby74 · 13 Dec 2025, 17:41

Im very disappointed with the performance and lack of intensity.
Im sure SC will be too.
We won't play a poorer team at home all season.
Shite ref...
Only positive for me was Bickerstaff scoring.

With so many games coming up I hope SC doesn't make same mistake DC made and not rest or rotate players from the first 11

Ihearye · 13 Dec 2025, 17:42

Basildon Robin wrote: ↑13 Dec 2025, 17:00 Judging from the stats and the shots on and off target, I think Cheltenham can be happy with a point. Given the game was a bit of a six pointer it was important just not to lose today.

from a team below us we should not be happy with a point

art vandalay · 13 Dec 2025, 17:53

We were below par, the front players just couldn’t get a grip on the game. Poor decision making on our left for their goal though as we had a couple of players jump into challenges and over-commit. If they’d have held their ground they’d have stopped Harrogate breaking.

RegencyCheltenhamSpa · 13 Dec 2025, 17:53

Ihearye wrote: ↑13 Dec 2025, 16:34
Shade wrote: ↑13 Dec 2025, 15:55 Might be a bit controversial to mention it in today's climate, I'm sure, but for "Her Game Too," why are the kids walking round with a pride/trans/all the other colours flag? All I mean is for "Her Game Too," surely all it would need is the female sign? Or have the girls had to cave in and have HGT represent "everyone," and not just the girls?
No you are right it has feck all to do with her game, in fact quite the opposite. Women's sport should be for WOMEN

Lol the irony of two blokes trying to dictate what women from Her Game Too should be able to choose to do to represent themselves and Her Game Too at the designated Her Game Too match.

RegencyCheltenhamSpa · 13 Dec 2025, 17:54

Ihearye wrote: ↑13 Dec 2025, 17:42
Basildon Robin wrote: ↑13 Dec 2025, 17:00 Judging from the stats and the shots on and off target, I think Cheltenham can be happy with a point. Given the game was a bit of a six pointer it was important just not to lose today.
from a team below us we should not be happy with a point

Agree. Especially after getting that goa we should have seen out the three points.

Basildon Robin · 13 Dec 2025, 18:06

That’s the nature of football though! You win a game you don’t expect to, then fail to win a game you think you should win! How many times does it happen and in every league and at every standard.

Shade · 13 Dec 2025, 18:14

RegencyCheltenhamSpa wrote: ↑13 Dec 2025, 17:53
Ihearye wrote: ↑13 Dec 2025, 16:34
Shade wrote: ↑13 Dec 2025, 15:55 Might be a bit controversial to mention it in today's climate, I'm sure, but for "Her Game Too," why are the kids walking round with a pride/trans/all the other colours flag? All I mean is for "Her Game Too," surely all it would need is the female sign? Or have the girls had to cave in and have HGT represent "everyone," and not just the girls?
No you are right it has feck all to do with her game, in fact quite the opposite. Women's sport should be for WOMEN
Lol the irony of two blokes trying to dictate what women from Her Game Too should be able to choose to do to represent themselves and Her Game Too at the designated Her Game Too match.

I think you'll find I asked a question. A typical response from those who think they're above others and know better - not giving an answer. Or unable to.

Garby74 · 13 Dec 2025, 18:16

Quality sides ...sides that make the play offs
Find a away to win games like today.
We are some way off that

art vandalay · 13 Dec 2025, 18:20

None of the current bottom 13 teams won today!!
And DC has been sacked by Bristol Rovers.

13 Dec 2025, 18:35

Basildon Robin wrote: ↑13 Dec 2025, 17:00 Judging from the stats and the shots on and off target, I think Cheltenham can be happy with a point. Given the game was a bit of a six pointer it was important just not to lose today.

That's definitely not the case we should have scored a couple early in first half and I think Day only made two saves all game plus we had two very obvious looking penalties turned down. It was certainly a lethargic display against a poor Harrogate team who were probably the worst team to come here this season though.

The pony tail midfielder for Harrogate marked Hutchinson out the game and then tugged him down as he was about to score only for the ref to miss it then subsequently he missed every foul on our players all game including the one on Stevenson in the lead up to their penalty. Truly awful officiating today.

13 Dec 2025, 18:44

CTFCfan99 wrote: ↑13 Dec 2025, 16:54 Tomkinson then booked for I dont know what?

Kicked the ball away to delay the restart.

13 Dec 2025, 18:47

Robin wrote: ↑13 Dec 2025, 18:35 The pony tail midfielder for Harrogate marked Hutchinson out the game

Tbh, I thought our general play today took our own midfield out of the game. Our play from the back generally led to a high ball for Archer or Thomas to try to win with their heads - alternatively, we passed it to one of their players. I don't think I've ever seen so many misplaced passes in one game...

Jerry St Clair · 13 Dec 2025, 18:55

Shade wrote: ↑13 Dec 2025, 15:55 Might be a bit controversial to mention it in today's climate, I'm sure, but for "Her Game Too," why are the kids walking round with a pride/trans/all the other colours flag? All I mean is for "Her Game Too," surely all it would need is the female sign? Or have the girls had to cave in and have HGT represent "everyone," and not just the girls?

Her Game Too are not exclusively about promoting equality for women. They have a broader objective about promoting diversity in football, hence the rainbow flags. “Football for all”.

13 Dec 2025, 18:59

It's probably somewhere between the two of us, they man marked Hutchinson so the defenders didn't have anyone in midfield to pass to, so we went from side to side then backwards a lot so we then started hitting it long which then started coming back at us.

Basildon Robin · 13 Dec 2025, 19:13

Robin wrote: ↑13 Dec 2025, 18:35
Basildon Robin wrote: ↑13 Dec 2025, 17:00 Judging from the stats and the shots on and off target, I think Cheltenham can be happy with a point. Given the game was a bit of a six pointer it was important just not to lose today.
That's definitely not the case we should have scored a couple early in first half and I think Day only made two saves all game plus we had two very obvious looking penalties turned down. It was certainly a lethargic display against a poor Harrogate team who were probably the worst team to come here this season though.

The pony tail midfielder for Harrogate marked Hutchinson out the game and then tugged him down as he was about to score only for the ref to miss it then subsequently he missed every foul on our players all game including the one on Stevenson in the lead up to their penalty. Truly awful officiating today.

You write, “I think Day only made two saves all game…”

One might always add, two exceptional saves that kept Harrogate down to one goal?

13 Dec 2025, 19:50

I would agree. Two outstanding saves from Day that looked a goal, all day long.

13 Dec 2025, 19:58

The one in the first half was poor finishing more than anything he more or less hit right at Day. The save in the second half was the other end of the pitch so I couldn't really see it.

Basildon Robin · 13 Dec 2025, 20:57

I bet Walsall and their supporters were disappointed not to beat Shrewsbury at home. Managerless Barrow surprisingly fought back for 2-2 at Gillingham. And I see Wolves are holding Arsenal 0-0 at half time. Probably Bristol Rovers will pick up points in their next match? I have long given up trying to predict footy matches, Cheltenham or otherwise!