MATCHWATCH : Cheltenham Town (a)

[stealthpapes]

Looking at dates and I don’t know when this could be played.

Don’t know what the rules say, but would be good if the tie could be reversed and played tomorrow.

Last season, the round of 32 was mostly played on the 5th December but the last games were not completed until the 19th. Similarly, the next round had games on both the 9th and 23rd January. Different teams as well.

Life will, uh, find a way.

[Whore Jackie]

There’s been heavy, persistent rain in Cheltenham since late morning. No sign of a pitch inspection yet, but keep your eye on the social media if you’re travelling.

Games already off at Stourport, Wallingford & Crowmarsh and Evesham.

Altogether more amateur outfits perhaps but does confirm the level of rainfall that region is experiencing.

Got stranded in Evesham August bank holiday of 2020. Real 'you're not from around here' vibe from the locals. Red Lion was a solid wee pub but some of the others felt like a wild west brawl would kick off.

Yikes. Got a two-day walk in that manor this weekend. Think we’re starting in Evesham so hopefully the locals en-route to Cheltenham and then Stroud are slightly more welcoming.

[Hound]

I know i got bloody soaked playing 5 aside this evening. Seems to have rained non stop this last 18 months or so

This Game off if everyone didn’t already know

[Sutekh]

Good! Totally forgot about this game anyway.

[Clyde1998]

I’m home now - got an early night at least.

I checked a screenshot I took five minutes before tickets went offline and seems we’d have had 368 tonight (without anyone buying on the day) - 105 remained out of our 473 allocation.

I’ll double check tomorrow, but a lot of people seem to have bought late.

[Sutekh]

[stealthpapes]

In an Event of which group stage match has been postponed, the Postponed Group stage match will be rescheduled to no further date than the second Tuesday of November 2024.

Oh.

Basically means it has to be 5th November? 15th - international, 22nd - Exeter, 29th - Stockport, 12th - EFL 3rd group game

[72 bus]

Meanwhile back in1970's
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKHmqvJLnF4

[Snowflake Royal]

Meanwhile back in1970's
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKHmqvJLnF4

It's called progress, you should try it.

[Jerry St Clair]

Looking at dates and I don’t know when this could be played.

Don’t know what the rules say, but would be good if the tie could be reversed and played tomorrow.

20 November is the latest date for fulfillment of Group Stage fixtures.

Assuming it’ll be a Tuesday the only options look to be 15th Oct, 5 Nov, 19 Nov.

[Sutekh]

Meanwhile back in1970's
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKHmqvJLnF4

I can recognise more of those players than I can of the current West Ham and City players

Good days when the ball looked like a ball and not a coloured exercise in marketing

[Stranded]

Looking at dates and I don’t know when this could be played.

Don’t know what the rules say, but would be good if the tie could be reversed and played tomorrow.

20 November is the latest date for fulfillment of Group Stage fixtures.

Assuming it’ll be a Tuesday the only options look to be 15th Oct, 5 Nov, 19 Nov.

I would imagine they'll try and squeeze it in next Tuesday.

[Brum Royal]

We got as far as just before the M5 turn off to Cheltenham when we found, just hopped off the motorway, turned round and straight back on the road back to Brum. Only 45 minutes each way so not too bad overall. Was a pretty wet trip down the M5, although the rain eased off south of Worcester as we headed down. Was back home for half 6

[Brum Royal]

Looking at dates and I don’t know when this could be played.

Don’t know what the rules say, but would be good if the tie could be reversed and played tomorrow.

20 November is the latest date for fulfillment of Group Stage fixtures.

Assuming it’ll be a Tuesday the only options look to be 15th Oct, 5 Nov, 19 Nov.

I would imagine they'll try and squeeze it in next Tuesday.

Someone who I assume is the Cheltenham local journo was Tweeting the same last night that it could well be next Tues for the next go at getting it played.

[Royals and Racers]

20 November is the latest date for fulfillment of Group Stage fixtures.

Assuming it’ll be a Tuesday the only options look to be 15th Oct, 5 Nov, 19 Nov.

I would imagine they'll try and squeeze it in next Tuesday.

Someone who I assume is the Cheltenham local journo was Tweeting the same last night that it could well be next Tues for the next go at getting it played.

Seems a sensible date- if not with no FA Cup replays from round 1 Tuesday 5th November is free.

[Wycombe Royal]

We got as far as just before the M5 turn off to Cheltenham when we found, just hopped off the motorway, turned round and straight back on the road back to Brum. Only 45 minutes each way so not too bad overall. Was a pretty wet trip down the M5, although the rain eased off south of Worcester as we headed down. Was back home for half 6

I got as far as having my dinner early. Luckily I hadn't walked out my front door to catch the 94 bus to Cheltenham.

Messed up my evening completely. I was hungry again by 9pm.

[Clyde1998]

Looking at dates and I don’t know when this could be played.

Don’t know what the rules say, but would be good if the tie could be reversed and played tomorrow.

20 November is the latest date for fulfillment of Group Stage fixtures.

Assuming it’ll be a Tuesday the only options look to be 15th Oct, 5 Nov, 19 Nov.

I'd probably guess it will be the 5th November, if those are the three dates available. The 5th would be the Tuesday immediately after the FA Cup first round.

I'd be surprised if they're able to rearrange it for the next Tuesday, as they'd have to get the relevant club staff to work at short notice as well as getting match officials assigned. I imagine it would be easier for Cheltenham to simply have the game on the 5th November, as that's open for both sides.

I don't think it will be 19 Nov, as Cheltenham play on the Friday that week; I doubt they'd want to play Sat - Tue - Fri.

[Clyde1998]

Confirmed as moved to Tuesday 5th November, with a backup date of Wednesday 6th November should either side play their FA Cup first round game on the Sunday: https://www.readingfc.co.uk/news/2024/o ... nged-date/

[Mr Angry]

Those FA Cup games at Whaddon Road were also in heavy rain (iirc).

I might go to the rearranged game; I work in Brizzel so its a short hop up from there, especially if its pay on the gate.

[Sutekh]

When : Tuesday November 5 2024, 7pm
Where : Whaddon Road, Cheltenham, GL52 5NA
Capacity : 6,700

Next up is a second attempt to play this first ever Trophy visit to Gloucestershire.

Cheltenham disappeared from the 3rd tier fixtures after failing to finish above 4 other teams in the old third division last season. Their season restart at the lower level hasn't exactly been too bright either given they sit 16th in their new division, however their form has picked up after a poor start and they are now unbeaten in 5 games in all competitions (winning 4 and drawing 1) including the impressive dumping out of the cup of Rotherham on Saturday.

Most points have arrived courtesy of home games and we all know how wonderful it is to be able to support Reading when they go on their travels, even when they're obvious favourites #kiddy #eastleigh

The game will have to be "concluded" on the night, there will not be any extra time though, it will go to penalties if it's all square at full time. Reading need to win to more or less guarantee progression to the knock out bit, but defeat wouldn't be the end of the world with the home fixture v Newport still to come next month. Cheltenham have won both their previous games in the competition and are themselves pretty much assured of qualification.

After the non atmospheric cup win over Fleetwood, Reading are likely to make even more changes. WiFi, Abrefa, Dorsett, Smith etc. remain out so Osho, Kanu, St Louis, Akande may get starts as Selles looks to save options for the tricky league visit to Stevenage on Saturday.

Referee

James “son of Paul” Durkin

Previously

No previous games

Historically

Reading have won 4 of the previous 6 games against Cheltenham in all competitions with the other 2 games ending as draws so this fixture sees a record you'd want to keep intact. 4 of those previous games have been in the FA Cup so this game is a return to the more usual fare between the two sides. Reading have only won once at Whaddon Road (back in 1956) and never lost but Cheltenham will fancy their chances if it's Charity FC that turn up on Tuesday.

How to follow the game

1. Get a ticket and travel to the game
2. Listen to Radio 5 Live and/or a myriad of other radio stations for score flashes
3. Ring/text a mate for updates
4. Sky button thing
5. Use a RoyalsTV subscription
6. BBC Radio Berkshire (FM : 104.4, 104.1 or 95.4 depending where you are in the area)