New boy is Robins’ man of the hour

GARY Johnson hailed the impact of striker Mohamed Eisa after watching him score his fourth goal in three games to seal a first League Two win of the season for Cheltenham Town.

Eisa headed in Kyle Storer’s cross in the 38th minute to sink Crawley Town, who are still waiting for their first points under new boss Harry Kewell.

Former Greenwich Borough frontman Eisa scored on his debut at Morecambe last Saturday and followed it up with a brace, including a spectacular winner in the midweek Carabao Cup win over Oxford United.

He continued his dream start with the winner on his home debut.

“It was a great winning goal and Mo seems to be there when it matters at the moment,” Johnson said.

“He creates chances for himself and others, and people have to work hard to block shots from him.

“Arriving in the penalty like that and directing his header where he did was not easy because it was travelling.

“He’s looking a very good prospect at the moment.”

Johnson was also happy with the impact of Nigel Atangana, who went on from the bench in place of the injured Jerell Sellars after 28 minutes.

“That’s the first time he’s shown our supporters what I know he can do,” Johnson said.

“He is a good addition to us as well and I only rested him because he felt a bit tired after the Oxford game.”

Crawley chief Kewell said his side’s fortunes will soon change if they continue to create as many opportunities as they did at Whaddon Road.

“We played well and created 13 or 14 chances, so we need to be more ruthless, which will come,” he said. “It’s a different team, with a different way of playing and training, so it’ll take time for players to adapt, and silly mistakes have cost us so far.

“In football, you have to take your chances and we were positive, so I am sure we will get there.”

Eisa’s winner came in the 38th minute when he directed a powerful cross from Storer into the net from just six yards out.

Jon Flatt had been called into action several times to keep Crawley out.

The on-loan Wolves keeper denied Mark Randall, Lewis Young and Jordan Roberts.

Jordon Forster cleared off the line after a corner was met by the head of Mark Connolly, who saw another header bounce just wide as the Red Devils failed tofind a leveller.