Cheltenham Town claimed a crucial result in the Robins’ fight for survival in League One, as Wade Elliott’s side registered a 1-0 victory over Fleetwood Town at the Completely-Suzuki Stadium on Saturday.
May scored the only goal of the match after 56 minutes, scoring an incredible volley from outside the box to give Cheltenham their first home league victory since November 19th, and extend the gap to the relegation zone to four points.
The first chance of the match fell to the travelling side as Fleetwood started their tried-and-tested aerial assault onto the Robins box. Lewis Harrington whipped in a dangerous free-kick into the box, but the danger was eased by the referee’s whistle, adjudging a foul inside the box.
Aidan Keena had the opening opportunity of the Robins when he tried his luck from a long-range free-kick, but his strike hit the bottom of the wall before the away side cleared.
What would turn out to be a first half lacking any real opportunity, the only real shot on target came the way of Liam Sercombe who could only find the welcoming hands of ‘keeper Jay Lynch.
The Robins were the architects of a drastic change in the pace of the game, link up play between May and Keena looked a promising change from the isolation they have had in recent weeks, whilst Ryan Broom and Will Ferry dominated the left flank.
Fleetwood’s occasional attacks came from the consistent running of Carlos Mendes Gomes, but the Spaniard was not able to alter the score line.
With the game looking to fizzle out with Cheltenham facing a third goalless draw in four games at the Completely-Suzuki Stadium, star man May came to the rescue once again by netting the only goal of the game.
Ferry’s hard work down the left-hand side saw his cross defected into the air with Aristote Nsiala heading the ball to the edge of the box, he could only watch as May flung his right boot as the ball, finding the net past a diving Lynch.
The forward’s goal meant he would hit double digits in the league this season, complementing his two goals in the EFL Trophy.
🤩 Magnificent @alfiemay #ctfc pic.twitter.com/UZ8iRnk6cS
— Cheltenham Town (@CTFCofficial) March 5, 2023
Cheltenham hung on to their crucial one goal lead with Luke Southwood’s goal receiving minimal threat, Jayden Stockley firing over the bar the closest Fleetwood came to their equalizer. A 12th clean sheet of the season coming for Southwood.
With 4 minutes of additional time added, Cheltenham could have wrapped the three points up as May went through on goal, but his attempt to take on Lynch was stopped by a good block from the keeper.
Wade Elliott’s men now have 36 points this season and move up to 18th in League One, extending their gap to four points above the relegation zone.
The Robins are next in action tomorrow, as they play Lincoln City at the Completely-Suzuki Stadium, with tickets available for as low as £1.
