Hanks strike sees off Bury

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The hosts were among the pre-season favourites for the League 2 title but Hanks’ 42nd-minute strike proved enough to give the Robins a winning start.

The young midfielder replaced the injured Asa Hall in just the eighth minute yet the visitors still took charge early on.

Jason Taylor had a shot turned wide by Bury goalkeeper Shwan Jalal before Hanks volleyed too close to Jalal.

Bury replied with Tom Soares turning Chris Hussey’s low cross just wide, before Cheltenham’s new captain Matt Taylor had a goal disallowed for pushing on his debut.

But the Robins were not to be denied moments later as, after a spell of possession outside the Bury box, Byron Harrison laid off for Hanks to fire home from 20 yards.

The visitors sat back in the second half, allowing Bury to boss possession, and Andrew Tutte twice went close before Pablo Mills had a header saved.

Nicky Adams and Ryan Lowe then fired just wide but Bury’s hopes of breaking Cheltenham down were over as Trevor Carson tipped over Danny Mayor’s late strike.

Hanks strike sees off Bury

admin

The hosts were among the pre-season favourites for the League 2 title but Hanks’ 42nd-minute strike proved enough to give the Robins a winning start.

The young midfielder replaced the injured Asa Hall in just the eighth minute yet the visitors still took charge early on.

Jason Taylor had a shot turned wide by Bury goalkeeper Shwan Jalal before Hanks volleyed too close to Jalal.

Bury replied with Tom Soares turning Chris Hussey’s low cross just wide, before Cheltenham’s new captain Matt Taylor had a goal disallowed for pushing on his debut.

But the Robins were not to be denied moments later as, after a spell of possession outside the Bury box, Byron Harrison laid off for Hanks to fire home from 20 yards.

The visitors sat back in the second half, allowing Bury to boss possession, and Andrew Tutte twice went close before Pablo Mills had a header saved.

Nicky Adams and Ryan Lowe then fired just wide but Bury’s hopes of breaking Cheltenham down were over as Trevor Carson tipped over Danny Mayor’s late strike.