FA Cup 2001/2002

The season 2001/2002 will always be remembered as the best season the club has ever had (so far?). Promotion to the 2nd Division would have been enough in any ones eyes, but to have the kind of FA Cup run the club had was more than just icing on the cake.

The best the club had ever achieved up until now was to reach the third round twice, once in the late 1930's when they lost 3-1 to Blackpool, and again in the late 1990's losing narrowly to Reading in a replay after a draw at Whaddon Road.

17/11/2001 - Round 1 - Kettering Town 1 Cheltenham 6
This tie, when made had 'banana skin' possibilities. Only a few seasons back these two sides had locked horns at the top of the Nationwide Conference, and when Craig Norman put the Northamptonshire side in front after just 4 minutes, Cheltenham hearts in the 2,942 crowd sank. If that was not bad enough the Poppies went on to dominate the opening half hour and should have doubled their lead when much travelled striker Darren Collins missed a sitter. However by half time Cheltenham had edged back into the game when first Tony Naylor (38) and then Julian Alsop (43) struck. Nerves had been visibly settled and in the end Cheltenham went on to put a flattering look to the scoreline with further goals in the second half from Naylor (62) , Alsop (73), Howells (87) and substitute Devaney a minute later.

8/12/2001 - Round 2 - Hinckley United 0 Cheltenham 2
The Robins were handed another away game against non-league opposition and their recent experience in non-league circles held them in good stead again as the polished off the 'minnows' from Middlefield Lane with a thoroughly professional and clinical performance. Fears of an upset were soon removed when Naylor latched on to a header from Neil Grayson after good work from Alsop. He took his time and drove a low shot past the home keeper. The large part of the now flourishing partnership grabbed the second four minutes into the second half. This time Naylor provided an inch perfect pass wide on the left to Victory and Alsop headed home from close range. The goal was missed by BBC cameras so Alsop often describes it as a 30 yarder!.

06/01/2002 - Round 3 - Cheltenham 2 Oldham 1
It was a case of third time lucky for the Robins, as they got past the third round for the first time ever in their 110 year history. Previous attemps against Blackpool and Reading had both ended in failure, but Oldham were to become their biggest scalp (so far!), as a crowd of 5,801 watched in disbelief as the home side put on a classic display to beat their Division 2 opponents. Tony Naylor was a doubt before the game, but he was passed fit just before kick-off, and what a contribution the little man was to make!. He started off with a 25th minute opener, and again Alsop was the provider with a flick on from a long clearance by keeper Steve Book. The ex-Port Vale man turned inside defender Balmer before placing a shot wide of Kelly into the net. Oldham fought back and were level by half time thanks to a goal by Eyres. In the second half however the Robins regained the lead when Naylor nodded home at the far post after a lon looping cross from Williams eluded the visitors defence. The Robins held on for a historic win. Dreams of a 'big name' were again dashed however when the Robins were given a 'nothing' tie against Division 1 Burnley.....

27/01/2002 - Round 4 - Cheltenham 2 Burnley 1
A packed Whaddon Road (7,300) witnessed a Cheltenham performance that eclipsed anything that had gone before when their illustrious opponents were outfought and outplayed in every department almost right from the kick-off. Although Burnley rallied in the second half they failed to break down a resolute Cheltenham defence and a place in the fifth round was assured. All of the goals came in the first pulsating 30 minutes. Burnley had won the FA Cup 3 times in their history, yet Cheltenham were playing Dr Martens football only 5 years ago, and it was the Robins who drew first blood in maybe fortuitous circumstances. Burnley lost their keeper Michopolous after 17 minutes when he failed to recover after falling to stop a snap shot by Milton. His replacement , the hapless Cennamo (who made his first and only appearance for the club in this match), had only been on the pitch a few minutes when he was picking the ball out of the net. Mark Yates was fouled on the edge of the area, and from the resulting free kick dead ball specialist Milton curled one round the wall past the despairing right hand of the reserve keeper (23 mins). 1-0 to the Robins, the fans were in dreamland. If that scoreline was hard to take in imagine the feeling only 4 minutes later when Milton crossed from the left and the towering Alsop nodded home to make it 2-0 to the home side. Moore nicked a goal back 2 minutes later and it was game on. Burnley huffed and puffed but could not knock the Robins house down as the 3rd Division club drew on all of their experience to ensure their defence was not breached again, and although both sides had further chances the score remained 2-1. The Robins were now hoping for a big name and a televised game, but again sadly it was not bo be when they were paired away to West Brom.

16/02/2002 - Round 5 (yes FIVE) - West Brom 1 Cheltenham 0
It was inevitable that the Robins run ended at West Brom, who were promoted to the Premiership at the end of the season thanks mainly to a string of single goal victories. Cheltenham's best chance came when Jamie Victory had a header cleared off the line, but the tie was settled when Dichio rose to head home Ballas' right wing cross after 64 minutes. Cheltenham could hold their heads high and the 5,500 Cheltenham fans amongst the 27,179 crowd (biggest crowd to see a Cheltenham Town game) sang their hearts out. It was yet another fabulous day out in the magical mystery tour that still had another few stops to go.......