Just over a year ago, I joined a Cheltenham team intent on positivity and new beginnings. So, in keeping with that mindset, this match report will focus exclusively on our best moments and conveniently overlook the 17 goals that Reading supposedly scored.

You’re welcome.

Quarter 1: 1–0 (Real score: 1–6)

After a few close calls — and some excellent saves from a strong Reading goalkeeper — we finally managed to break the deadlock.

Tyler Rodberg decided that, both in the frequency of his spins and the general chaos surrounding him, he was the Tasmanian Devil. Rolling past three Reading defenders, he eventually slotted the ball past the keeper to open the scoring.

A spectacular finish. Slightly less spectacular was the celebration, which involved a lot of excitement and not an insignificant amount of personal space being invaded.

Quarter 2: 3–0 (3–11)

Matthew Parkes has clearly been practising his step-downs.

As the ball came across, Matt decided that the far top corner was his and absolutely launched the ball into it.

A brilliant finish, followed by an equally enthusiastic celebration.

Later in the quarter, Curtis Hibberd — who had taken over face-off duties for the day — burst through the middle, took the ball and bounced it past the Reading goalkeeper.

A brilliant goal from a brilliant man who was having a brilliant game.

Curtis then knee-slid in celebration, presumably because he’d seen it done on television and decided this was his moment. No judgement here!

Quarter 3: 3–0 (3–13)

No goals for us this quarter, but there was plenty to celebrate elsewhere.

James Cole continued to keep Reading’s Scottish feeder relatively quiet, while Curtis appeared to have decided that the face-off X belonged exclusively to him, putting together another excellent quarter.

Sometimes you don’t need to score to make an impact.

Quarter 4: 5–0 (17–5)

And then came the final quarter.

I, myself, finally managed to get on the scoresheet after a wonderful pass from Tyler Rodberg.

Tyler’s pass was apparently travelling at approximately the speed of a small meteor, but I managed to get hold of it.

As I cocked back for a left-handed step-down, a defender approached. A quick hitch-roll dodge later, followed by an extremely confident change of plan — “Oh yeah, I forgot, I’m right-handed” — and a bounced shot found the back of the net.

Four for Cheltenham.

Tyler then decided that one goal wasn’t quite enough and danced his way through for another, finishing off an excellent individual performance with his second of the afternoon.

After a 2–0 final quarter and a very respectable 5-goal contribution overall, we came away with our heads held high.

And, importantly, we’re choosing to remember the positive outcomes rather than the scoreboard.

Thank you Reading for a hard-fought first game and best of luck for the rest of the season!

? MOTM: Curtis Hibberd
Dominating at the face, excellent in GBs and grabbing himself a goal. A thoroughly deserved Man of the Match.

? DOTD: Joel Matthews
For making far too much sense during fines.
Some genuinely reasonable points were made...which frankly felt suspicious.

? Goals:
Tyler Rodberg — 2
Matt Parkes — 1
Curtis Hibberd — 1
Joel Matthews — 1

Five goals.

That’s the number we’re going with.