The climax of the 2001-02 Third Division campaign came at Cardiff's magnificent Millennium Stadium yesterday afternoon as Rushden & Diamonds and Cheltenham Town battled it out in the play-off final, both sides looking to clinch the final promotion spot to Division Two.
Cheltenham Town, appearing at the Millennium Stadium just four years after clinching the FA Trophy at Wembley, eventually secured a major stadium 'double', although perhaps the result had been pre-dtermined. Brian Talbot's Rushden side were allocated the south dressing room, they were the eleventh team to change there and and became the eleventh side to return defeated. Stoke City, and then Birmingham City - the first side to suffer the hoodoo - are next side's to occupy the jinxed dressing room.
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In what was a very evenly-matched first period Diamonds, searching a sercond successive promotion, started the brighter side, Scott Partridge's fourth minute shot eventually finding it's way to Onandi Lowe who saw a fierce effort blocked from the edge of the penalty area. A minute later Partridge swivelled before curling a shot at Cheltenham goalkeeper Steve Book from 20 yards.
Diamonds' shot stopper Billy Turley was brought to action for the first time not long after, hurting himself whilst diving bravely at the feet of giant on-rushing striker Julian Alsop.
A good run by Robins' winger Lee Williams took him into the danger area where he poked the ball into the path of Tony Naylor who back-heeled the ball straight at the recovered Turley.
Jamaican striker Onandi Lowe, a winter recruit from Kansas City Wizards, was undoubtedly the ace in Rushden's pack and caused Cheltenham all sorts of first half problems. Great skill by the huge frontman on the goal line saw a dangerous centre nodded out into the path of Tarkan Mustafa who lobbed the ball into the penalty area where Mark Yates did well to lump the ball away from Partridge.
Lowe was at it again on 13 minutes, picking the ball up 40 yards from goal before picking our Paul Hall with s superbly accurate pass, Hall played the ball across the area where Lowe was on hand to curl a shoot just over the crossbar. Two minutes later Diamonds' Stuart Gray did well to knock the ball out for a corner after the diving head of Yates had connected to a Williams' cross.
Cheltenham's quick-thinking striker Martin Devaney stroked a shot just wide from 15 yards before, at the other end, Stuart Wardley squandered a fantastic chance, stabbing Hall's cross into the arms of Book from close range.
The deadlock was finally broken on 27 minutes, Cheltenham grabbing the lead, Devaney's original shot hitting Garry Butterworth before falling back in his path. From a most acute angle, Devaney slipped a shot past Turley and inside the far post. Within 10 seconds of the restart however Rushden dramatically brought themselves back level, Paul Hall recieving the ball from kick-off before setting off on a marvellous run at the retreating Town defence which resulted in the Jamaican International slipping a shot out of the reach of Book from 12 yards.
As both sides looked to edge infront before the interval Antony Griffin's cross was met by the head of Devaney who produced the very best out of Turley. John Finnigan's cross was then diverted into the arms of Turley by accidental boot of Gray. Gray, trying to redeem himself sent a long range effort inches wide of the post minutes later.
Book did well to hold on to a powerful, low angled drive by Lowe, following some fine play by Lowe and Partridge. Book also had to be on his toes as half time approached, first having his hands stung by a 25 yard free kick from Gray before grasping a header from Andy Tillson.
Following a tightly-contested first half, all thoughts of such a close encounter in the second period were forgotten from the moment Cheltenham regained the lead just four minutes after the break. A great move was started by Williams, playing a one-two with Griffin before crossing to Devaney who's first time shot was parried by Turley, but only to the feet of Alsop who couldn't do anything but score, tapping the ball into an empty net from two yards. Four minutes later, as Town began to dominate, Alsop glanced a header wide from a Williams corner.
Pint-sized Cheltenham forward Naylor was brought down by Mark Peters in the 55th minute and Jamie Victory drove the resulting free kick straight at the ball before Partridge, in a now rare Rushden surge forward, curled a shot well over Book's crossbar from 15 yards. Naylor then re-directed a Devaney shot into the side netting.
Devaney, undoubtedly the man-of-the-match looped a header at Turley on 67 minutes, before Rushden briefly threatened again, Partridge fiercely shooting not far over before substitute Jon Brady's 30 yard free kick was well caught by Book.
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The final whistle brought Cheltenham fans and players together, but most importantly manager Steve Cotterill joined them on the pitch to celebrate what he has greatly helped achieve. Just five years ago Cheltenham were a Dr Marten's League side, it was then that Cotterill took the managerial reigns and he has now seen his side clinch their first Football League promotion.
Fireworks were fired across the Welsh Capital from the roof of the Millennium Stadium as Town collected their prize, an impressive silver and gold trophy. Unfortunately for Rushden, second place means nothing, there's not even medals for the losers in the play-offs.
CHELTENHAM:- Steve Book; Michael Duff, Jamie Victory, Richard Walker, Antony Griffin; Mark Yates, Martin Devaney (Neil Grayson 75), Joh Finnigan, Lee Williams; Julian Alsop, Tony Naylor. Unused subs - Neil Howarth, Martyn Lee, Nathan Tyson, Carl Muggleton. GOALS:- Devaney 27, Alsop 49, Finnigan 80.
RUSHDEN:- Billy Turley; Tarkan Mustafa, Paul Underwood, Mark Peters, Andy Tillson; Garry Butterworth, Stuart Wardley, Stuart Gray (Jon Brady 69), Paul Hall; Onandi Lowe, Scott Partridge (Brett Angell 69). Unused subs - Gary Setchell, Barry Hunter, Tony Pennock. GOAL:- Hall 28.
BOOKIINGS:- None
SENDINGS-OFF:- None
REFEREE:- Tony Leake (Darwen, Lancashire)
ATTENDANCE:- 24,368
Mark Wallis
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