Cheltenham Town FC

Report: Southport 0-4 Cheltenham

Cheltenham Town remained top of the Vanarama National League with a comfortable 4–0 victory over Southport on a damp afternoon.

 minute was drilled home by Harry Pell.^thA blistering start to the first half saw Cheltenham net three times in the first 15 minutes to shellshock Southport. A free kick for handball in the 4

The pressure from Cheltenham was unrelenting and Pell had another shot, only this time blocked. The second goal came through a mazy dribble from Waters and finish into the same corner Pell had struck his free kick.

 minute, Waters had his second goal and Cheltenham had their third. A rapid counter attack led to Storer teeing up Waters to finish from an acute angle, the game was as good as over.^th minute, Southport had a corner and a chance to get back into the game. In the 15^thIn the 14

Southport gradually fought back into the game manufacturing some chances of their own, and Phillips had to save smartly from a Blakeman free kick midway through the first half.

 goal of the season, and his hat-trick.^thThe first half ended quietly, although Crocombe saved well from Waters to deny him his 10

Cheltenham made it four early in the second half, a corner wasn't dealt with by Southport and Parslow finished emphatically.

With 'El Glosico' around the corner, boss Gary Johnson took the decision to take off Aaron Downes and Jack Munns, as James Dayton and debutant Ryan Jennings came on in their place.

 minute from a flicked header.^ndThe second half wasn't as high octane as the first half, but really the damage had already been done in the first 15 minutes. Phillips saved well from Charlie Joyce's long range effort, while Danny Wright nearly made it five but for his tame shot to be kept out by Crocombe. Crocombe denied Wright again in the 72

Mike Phenix missed a golden opportunity to score a consolation goal for Southport with the goal gaping, but he fired wide. James Rowe, on for the injured Dayton, thought he had extended Cheltenham's lead only for the linesman's flag to be raised.

Joyce fired over with just five minutes to go as 'We're top of the league' rang out from the travelling Robins. Jennings was denied a dream debut as Crocombe saved well down low.

This result sets the Robins in good stead for the all important game next weekend v Forest Green Rovers at the WoS Stadium.

Southport FC 0-4 Cheltenham Town FC

Attendance: 947 (169 Away)

Southport FC: Crocombe; Wright Thompson Foster Blakeman; Jones (Rutherford 61') Joyce Nolan Almond (Ryan 75') Phenix; Stockton (Bishop 75')

Cheltenham Town FC: Phillips; Dickie Parslow Downes (Dayton58' (Rowe 73')) McLennan; Storer Pell Munns (Jennings 61') Barthram Waters; Wright