The EFL Trophy is a tournament that has thrown up some memorable encounters for the Exiles over the years, but few are as exciting as our 7-4 away win over Cheltenham in the 2019/20 season.
63 Exiles made the trip to Gloucestershire on what was a cold Tuesday night in November. They were treated with an unforgettable performance that produced two hattricks and one of the highest-scoring games in our history.
The first of the game’s 11 goals was scored in the seventh minute, with Taylor Maloney picking up on an error from Rhys Lovett in the Cheltenham goal. Max Sheaf would then draw the hosts level, but their lead wouldn’t last long, with Matty Dolan scoring from the penalty spot to put back in control.
Tammy Abrahams then stepped up to grab his first of the evening, rounding Lovett and tapping into the net to make it three. The first-half action was far from over, though, with goals from Alex Addai and Sean Long pulling Cheltenham level.
Abrahams would grab his second of the half with a tidy half-volley finish just outside the six-yard box, and Maloney would join him on two goals minutes later, sending us into the break 5-3 up.
Maloney started the second half as emphatically as he finished the first, completing his hattrick with a lovely top-corner finish in the 52nd minute.
Not to be outdone, Abraham completed his own hat-trick in stunning fashion in the 67th minute, steadying himself on the edge of the area and hitting a powerful curling strike into the top corner to make it seven.
Ben Tozer flicked a free-kick from Chris Clements past Nick Townsend late in the game to make it 7-4, but the game was far beyond Cheltenham by this point and the Exiles came away with the win.
You can watch the Exiles tomorrow evening at the Completely Suzuki-Stadium buy securing your tickets here.