Cheltenham Town goalkeeper Owen Evans was the star as his side took a 2-0 advantage in their League Two play-off semi-final against Northampton Town. The Wigan Athletic loanee saved an early penalty from Ryan Watson before Charlie Raglan headed the visitors into the lead. The Cobblers improved after the break but a late second from Conor Thomas sees Michael Duff’s side take a healthy lead back to Gloucestershire.
Owen Evans Stars for Cheltenham Town Against Northampton Town
Young Goalkeeper Sparkles
Evans only joined Cheltenham in January having spent the first half of the season on loan at relegation-threatened Macclesfield Town. He has impressed in his short time at the club and tonight was no exception.
His first call to action was the tough task of saving a penalty was a clumsy challenge by Ryan Broom led to the referee pointing to the spot. Former MK Dons man Watson stepped up for Northampton but did not get a clean connection on the ball. Despite this, it looked to be tucked far enough into the corner before Evans’ left arm blocked the ball and he gathered it into his body.
The 23-year-old continued to dominate his penalty area in the first half while the resolute Cheltenham defence in front of him kept Northampton at bay. The Robins have conceded the fewest goals in the entire Football League and have the third-best defence in the country behind only Liverpool and Sheffield United. That was evident tonight as Keith Curle’s side rarely got near the goal.
James Olayinka had arguably the hosts’ best chance of the game when he worked some space on the edge of the box and sent a toe-poke goalwards, but his effort ended up going narrowly over the crossbar.
Raglan and Thomas Strike
Cheltenham took the lead not long after Evans’ heroics from the penalty spot. Northampton’s zonal marking system failed them as Charlie Raglan cut across the defence and got in front of Charlie Goode to glance home Jake Doyle-Hayes’ corner.
With time running down, it looked as though Duff’s side were content with their advantage. However, Sean Long’s effort was blocked into the path of Conor Thomas to steer home the rebound, and it now looks as though Cheltenham, with the home leg to come, already have one foot in the Wembley final.
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