Waters double in vain after shootout defeat
CHELTENHAM Town were knocked out of the Gloucestershire Senior Cup by Slimbridge after a shoot-out at the Jonny-rocks Stadium.
The Swans led through Jamie Martin’s 20th minute goal after good work from ex-robins scholar Sam Mendes.
A late double from Billy Waters (79 and 88) looked enough to take the fulltime side through to the semi-finals.
But Martin’s fine cross set up Steve Jackson to nod in the Swans’ second goal of the night and take the tie to penalties.
Waters converted from the spot and Will Hawes made it 1-1.
Aaron Basford saw his effort well saved by Lewis Adams and Liam Smith made it 2-1 to the Southern Leaguers.
Will Dawes fired wide, with Christien Turner beating Rhys Lovett to make it 3-1.
Tom Handley pulled one back for Cheltenham, but Dan King stepped up to make it 4-2 and take Slimbridge through for a memorable scalp.
Striker Manny Duku made his comeback from injury for Cheltenham, playing a pre-planned 45 minutes before being replaced by Basford, while Alex Addai featured for 66 minutes.
Duku had been sidelined with tendo- nitis since returning from his three month loan spell at National League side Barnet.
He netted three goals in five league starts for the Bees.
His last appearance for Cheltenham’s first team was the 2-0 home defeat by Lincoln City on September 29.
His only goal for the Robins was the equaliser in the 1-1 at Macclesfield Town on August 21, just after recovering from a dislocated shoulder.
Meanwhile, Cheltenham Town striker Liam Mcalinden has agreed to join Kidderminster Harriers on an initial one month loan deal.
The 25-year-old has been at Brackley Town for the past month, scoring once.
Mcalinden joined Cheltenham on a two year deal in the summer after leaving Exeter City, and has made four starts and two substitute appearances in League Two for Cheltenham and his last outing was the 6-2 Check a trade Trophy group stage win over Arsenal Under-21s.
George Lloyd has returned to Hereford on loan until the end of the season.
The 18-year-old spent three months at the National League North club earlier in the campaign.
He returned to his parent club and has been among the substitutes for the last three matches.
Hereford are managed by ex-robins professional Marc Richards, while excheltenham goalkeeper Tim Harris is head of football at Edgar Street.
Lloyd started two first team matches for Cheltenham earlier on this term, including the 3-1 win at Northampton Town.
He netted twice in three starts towards the end of last season, scoring goals at Cambridge and Crewe.
Cheltenham also have left-back Josh Debayo (Dover) and midfielder Tom Smith (Bath) out on loan.