Rushden & Diamonds Summary 2001/02

May 31, 2002 Leave a comment

 

 

2001 / 2002        Nationwide League Divison Three

 

Sat 11.8    Away   York City                       Won  1-0    Patmore(27)                          4307

                                Turley, Mustafa, Underwood, Peters, Butterworth, Brady,

                                Jackson, Rodwell, Mills, Patmore, Talbot.

                                Subs used: Setchell for Talbot(60), Darby for Patmore(70), Carey for Mills(83).

 

Thu 16.8    Home  Lincoln City                    Drew 0-0     –                                      5018

                                Turley, Mustafa, Underwood, Peters, Butterworth, Brady,

                                Jackson, Rodwell, Carey, Gray, Patmore.

                                Subs used: Darby for Patmore(61).

 

Sat 25.8    Away   Macclesfield                   Drew 0-0     –                                      1950

                                Turley, Mustafa, Underwood, Peters, Butterworth, Brady,

                                Jackson, Rodwell, Carey, Gray, Patmore.

                                Subs used: Darby for Patmore(50).

 

Mon 27.8   Home  Plymouth Argyle               Lost 2-3      Darby(30/42)                         4414

                                Turley, Mustafa, Underwood, Peters, Butterworth, Brady,

                                Jackson, Darby, Rodwell, Carey, Gray.

                                Subs used: Setchell for Carey(64), Sigere for Jackson(72).

                                Plymouth goals 45, 51, 71.

 

Sat  1.9    Away   Oxford United                 Lost 2-3      Darby(85/89)                         6289

                                Turley, Mustafa, Underwood, Peters, Butterworth, Brady,

                                Jackson, Darby, Rodwell, Setchell, Carey.

                                Subs used: Solkhon for Jackson(52), Mills for Butterworth(61), Burgess for Setchell(61).

                                Oxford goals 51, 53, 69.

 

Sat  8.9    Home  Southend United               Lost 0-1      –                                      4583

                                Turley, Mustafa, Underwood, Peters, Brady, Darby,

                                Burgess, Rodwell, Carey, Mills, Patmore.

                                Subs used: Wormull for Brady(79), Sigere for Patmore(79).

                                Southend goal 75.

 

Sat 15.9    Away   Leyton Orient                  Lost 1-2      Hanlon(76p)                           5287

                                Turley, Mustafa, Underwood, Peters, Brady, Partridge,

                                Burgess, Carey, Hanlon, Sigere, Hunter.

                                Subs used: Pennock for Sigere(36), Mills for Brady(45), Sambrook for Mustafa(74).

                                Orient goals 17, 37p.

 

Tue 18.9    Home  Torquay United                Drew 0-0     –                                      3258

                                Turley, Peters, Butterworth, Partridge, Burgess, Carey,

                                Wormull, Hanlon, Sambrook, Sigere, Hunter.

                                Subs used: Duffy for Sigere(75).

 

Sat 22.9    Home  Cheltenham Town              Won  1-0    Sigere(47)                            4116

                                Turley, Underwood, Peters, Butterworth, Partridge, Burgess,

                                Wormull, Hanlon, Sambrook, Sigere, Hunter.

                                Subs used: Brady for Wormull(73), Duffy for Sigere(86), Rodwell for Underwood(90).

 

Tue 25.9    Away   Exeter City                    Drew 1-1     Hanlon(90)                            2622

                                Pennock, Peters, Butterworth, Partridge, Burgess, Setchell,

                                Wormull, Hanlon, Sambrook, Sigere, Hunter.

                                Subs used: Duffy for Sigere(66), Brady for Wormull(73).

                                Exeter goal 56.

 

Sat 29.9    Away   Darlington                      Drew 0-0     –                                      4365

                                Pennock, Peters, Butterworth, Partridge, Burgess, Setchell,

                                Wormull, Hanlon, Sambrook, Duffy, Hunter.

                                Subs used: Brady for Wormull(48), Sigere for Duffy(71).

 

Fri  5.10    Home  Hartlepool Utd                 Won  2-1    og(Barron30), Hunter(67)            3929

                                Pennock, Underwood, Peters, Butterworth, Brady, Partridge,

                                Burgess, Lee, Hanlon, Sambrook, Hunter.

                                Subs used: Folan for Lee(59).

                                Hartlepool goal 45.

 

Sat 13.10   Away   Rochdale                       Drew 0-0     –                                      4345

                                Turley, Underwood, Peters, Butterworth, Partridge, Burgess,

                                Hall, Hanlon, Sambrook, Folan, Hunter.

                                Subs used: Mills for Partridge(45).

 

Sat 20.10   Home  Hull City                       Drew 3-3     Hanlon(9), Burgess(19/26)           4676

                                Turley, Underwood, Peters, Butterworth, Partridge, Darby,

                                Burgess, Hall, Hanlon, Sambrook, Hunter.

                                Subs used: Setchell for Burgess(56), Folan for Darby(76).

                                Hull goals 5, 47, 54.

 

Tue 23.10  Away   Shrewsbury Town              Won  2-0    Setchell(20), Darby(69)              4016

                                Turley, Underwood, Peters, Butterworth, Partridge, Darby,

                                Setchell, Hall, Hanlon, Sambrook, Hunter.

                                Subs used: Folan for Darby(80).

 

Sat 27.10   Home  Mansfield Town                Won  3-1    og(Hassell31), Burgess(35),

                                                                     Partridge(77)                         4937

                                Turley, Underwood, Peters, Butterworth, Partridge, Darby,

                                Burgess, Hall, Hanlon, Sambrook, Hunter.

                                Subs used: Setchell for Underwood(44), Folan for Partridge(87), Brady for Burgess(89).

                                Mansfield goal 5.

 

Sat  3.11   Away   Swansea City                   Drew 0-0     –                                      3970

                                Turley, Peters, Butterworth, Partridge, Darby, Setchell,

                                Hall, Hanlon, Sambrook, Talbot, Hunter.

                                Subs used: Folan for Partridge(73), Brady for Talbot(78).

 

Sat 10.11   Home  Halifax Town                  Won  2-1    Partridge(32), Thomson(72)          3883

                                Turley, Underwood, Peters, Butterworth, Partridge, Darby,

                                Burgess, Hall, Hanlon, Sambrook, Hunter.

                                Subs used: Thomson for Darby(45), Brady for Burgess(82).

                                Halifax goal 89.

 

Tue 20.11  Home  Scunthorpe Utd                Drew 0-0     –                                      3533

                                Turley, Underwood, Peters, Butterworth, Partridge, Darby,

                                Burgess, Hall, Hanlon, Sambrook, Hunter.

                                Subs used: Nil.

 

Sat 24.11   Away   Kidderminster Harriers        Lost 0-3      –                                      3014

                                Turley, Underwood, Peters, Butterworth, Partridge, Setchell,

                                Thomson, Hall, Hanlon, Sambrook, Hunter.

                                Subs used: Duffy for Thomson(64), Brady for Setchell(65), Talbot for Hall(82).

                                Kidderminster goals 28, 84, 85.

 

Sat  1.12   Home  Bristol Rovers                  Won  3-1    Partridge(2/46), Lowe(13)           4570

                                Turley, Underwood, Butterworth, Brady, Partridge, Rodwell,

                                Setchell, Hall, Hanlon, Sambrook, Lowe.

                                Subs used: Duffy for Hanlon(67).

                                Bristol goal 54p.

 

Sat 15.12   Away   Luton Town                    Lost 0-1      –                                      7495

                                Turley, Underwood, Peters, Butterworth, Darby, Burgess,

                                Hall, Hanlon, Sambrook, Lowe, Hunter.

                                Subs used: Partridge for Darby(58), McElhatton for Hanlon(85).

                                Luton goal 34.

 

 

 

Sat 22.12   Home  Carlisle Utd                    Won  3-1    Lowe(28), Hall(50), og(Whitehead83) 4142

                                Turley, Underwood, Peters, Butterworth, Partridge, Burgess,

                                Hall, Hanlon, Sambrook, Lowe, Hunter.

                                Subs used: Setchell for Hunter(45), McElhatton for Butterworth(90).

                                Carlisle goal 26.

 

Wed 26.12 Away   Southend Utd                  Lost 2-4      Butterworth(5), Partridge(35)       5878

                                Turley, Underwood, Peters, Butterworth, Partridge, Burgess,

                                Rodwell, Hall, Hanlon, Sambrook, Lowe.

                                Subs used: Setchell for Rodwell(79), McElhatton for Butterworth(79). Darby for Partridge(79).

                                Southend goals 50, 59, 67, 75.

 

Sat 29.12   Away   Plymouth Argyle               Lost 0-1      –                                      9503

                                Turley, Underwood, McElhatton, Peters, Butterworth, Partridge,

                                Setchell, Gray, Hall, Sambrook, Lowe.

                                Subs used: Bell for McElhatton(85), Darby for Gray(86), Mustafa for Sambrook(89).

                                Plymouth goal 81.

 

Sat 12.1    Away   Lincoln City                    Won  4-2    Lowe(5), Hall(16/74), Darby(80)    3170

                                Turley, Underwood, McElhatton, Butterworth, Partridge,

                                Setchell, Gray, Hall, Sambrook, Lowe, Hunter.

                                Subs used: Darby for Partridge(45), Burgess for Gray(71).

                                Lincoln goals 32, 38.

 

Sat 19.1    Home  York City                       Won  3-0    Darby(4), McElhatton(45), Lowe(87)     4605

                                Turley, Underwood, McElhatton, Butterworth, Darby,

                                Setchell, Gray, Hall, Sambrook, Lowe, Hunter.

                                Subs used: Partridge for Darby(67), Burgess for Gray(77), Hanlon for Butterworth(83).

 

Tue 22.1    Away   Carlisle                         Lost 0-3      –                                      2864

                                Turley, McElhatton, Warburton, Darby, Setchell, Gray,

                                Hall, Hanlon, Sambrook, Lowe, Hunter.

                                Subs used: Burgess for Gray(31), Douglas for Burgess(53), Dempster for Warburton(77).

                                Carlisle goals 24, 29, 65.

 

Sat 26.1    Away   Hartlepool Utd                 Lost 1-5      Duffy(90)                             3513

                                Turley, Partridge, Setchell, Gray, Douglas, Hall,

                                Hanlon, Sambrook, Wardley, Hunter, Carr.

                                Subs used: Mustafa for Sambrook(65), Dempster for Carr(66), Duffy for Douglas(82).

                                Hartlepool goals 29, 62, 64, 69, 78.

 

Tue 29.1    Home  Macclesfield Town             Won  2-0    Lowe(52), Wardley(90)               2771

                                Turley, Mustafa, Underwood, Darby, Setchell, Gray,

                                Hall, Hanlon, Wardley, Lowe, Hunter.

                                Subs used: Brady for Setchell(47), Partridge for Darby(64), Douglas for Lowe(90).

 

Sat  2.2    Home  Darlington                      Won  2-1    Hall(45), Lowe(78)                   4383

                                Turley, Mustafa, Underwood, Peters, Darby, Gray,

                                Hall, Hanlon, Wardley, Lowe, Hunter.

                                Subs used: Butterworth for Hanlon(59), Partridge for Darby(68), Douglas for Lowe(83).

                                Darlington goal 55.

 

Tue  5.2    Home  Oxford Utd                    Won  2-1    Lowe(36), Brady(80)                 4484

                                Turley, Mustafa, Underwood, Peters, Partridge, Gray,

                                Hall, Hanlon, Wardley, Lowe, Hunter.

                                Subs used: Brady for Mustafa(45), Douglas for Partridge(77), Darby for Lowe(89).

                                Oxford goal 74.

 

Sat  9.2    Away   Hull City                       Lost 1-2      Hanlon(77p)                           8825

                                Turley, Mustafa, Underwood, Peters, Partridge, Gray,

                                Hall, Hanlon, Wardley, Lowe, Tillson.

                                Subs used: Brady for Gray(45), Darby for Partridge(45), Douglas for Brady(79).

                                Hull goals 12, 70.

 

 

Sat 16.2    Home  Rochdale                       Drew 1-1     Hall(88)                               4672

                                Turley, Mustafa, Underwood, Peters, Burgess, Douglas,

                                Hall, Hanlon, Wardley, Lowe, Tillson.

                                Subs used: Darby for Lowe(80).

                                Rochdale goal 90.

 

Sat 23.2    Home  Leyton Orient                  Won  1-0    Wardley(63)                          4507

                                Turley, Mustafa, Underwood, Peters, Burgess, Douglas,

                                Hall, Hanlon, Wardley, Lowe, Tillson.

                                Subs used: Partridge for Douglas(78).

 

Tue 26.2    Away   Torquay Utd                   Drew 1-1     Wardley(38)                          1709

                                Turley, Underwood, Peters, Butterworth, Burgess, Douglas,

                                Hall, Sambrook, Wardley, Lowe, Tillson.

                                Subs used: Darby for Lowe(77), Partridge for Douglas(80).

                                Torquay goal 71.

 

Sat  2.3    Away   Cheltenham Town              Drew 1-1     Lowe(40)                              4584

                                Turley, Underwood, Peters, Butterworth, Partridge, Burgess,

                                Hall, Sambrook, Wardley, Lowe, Tillson.

                                Subs used: Hanlon for Butterworth(78), Darby for Partridge(90).

                                Cheltenham goal 25.

 

Tue  5.3    Home  Exeter City                    Won  2-1    Burgess(31), Hanlon(34p)            3343

                                Turley, Mustafa, Underwood, Peters, Partridge, Burgess,

                                Hall, Hanlon, Wardley, Lowe, Tillson.

                                Subs used: Darby for Partridge(80).

                                Exeter goal 65.

 

Sat  9.3    Home  Luton Town                    Lost 1-2      Hall(49)                               5876

                                Turley, Mustafa, Underwood, Peters, Partridge, Burgess,

                                Hall, Hanlon, Wardley, Lowe, Tillson.

                                Subs used: Darby for Partridge(77).

                                Luton goals 58, 82.

 

Sat 16.3    Away   Bristol Rovers                  Won  3-0    Lowe(43/68), Hanlon(67)             5240

                                Turley, Underwood, Peters, Darby, Burgess, Hall,

                                Hanlon, Sambrook, Wardley, Lowe, Tillson.

                                Subs used: Setchell for Underwood(72), Brady for Sambrook(75), Duffy for Lowe(89).

 

Sat 23.3    Home  Shrewsbury Town              Won  3-0    Lowe(33), Hanlon(39), Mustafa(45) 5432

                                Turley, Mustafa, Underwood, Peters, Darby, Burgess,

                                Hall, Hanlon, Wardley, Lowe, Tillson.

                                Subs used: Mills for Hanlon (81), Partridge for Lowe(88).

 

Sat 30.3    Away   Mansfield Town                Won  4-1    Lowe(39/53/64), Angell(54)         5807

                                Turley, Mustafa, Underwood, Peters, Darby, Burgess,

                                Hall, Hanlon, Wardley, Lowe, Tillson.

                                Subs used: Angell for Darby(31), Partridge for Lowe(82), Brady for Hall(86).

                                Mansfield goal 49.

 

Mon  1.4    Home  Swansea City                   Won  4-0    Hall(2), Lowe(17/56), Angell(54)    4671

                                Turley, Mustafa, Underwood, Peters, Burgess, Angell,

                                Hall, Hanlon, Wardley, Lowe, Tillson.

                                Subs used: Partridge for Lowe(60), Setchell for Underwood(75), Mills for Peters(85).

 

Sat  6.4    Away   Scunthorpe Utd                Drew 1-1     Lowe(79)                              4794

                                Turley, Mustafa, Underwood, Peters, Burgess, Angell,

                                Hall, Hanlon, Wardley, Lowe, Tillson.

                                Subs used: Mills for Hanlon(68), Partridge for Angell(71).

                                Scunthorpe goal 44.

 

 

 

 

Sat 13.4    Home  Kidderminster Harriers        Lost 0-2      –                                      5478

                                Turley, Mustafa, Underwood, Peters, Burgess, Angell,

                                Mills, Hall, Wardley, Lowe, Tillson.

                                Subs used: Partridge for Angell(64), Brady for Burgess(75).

                                Kidderminster goals 52, 76.

 

Sat 20.4    Away   Halifax Town                  Won  4-2    Lowe(46/49), Wardley(62), Hall(76)     2699

                                Turley, Mustafa, Underwood, Peters, Butterworth, Partridge,

                                Burgess, Hall, Wardley, Lowe, Tillson.

                                Subs used: Pennock for Turley(78), Angell for Lowe(79), Setchell for Partridge(90).

                                Halifax goals 23p, 85.

 

 

Total           ( played 46, won 20, drew 13, lost 13    69 / 53    73pts ) – (6th Division 3 – Play-Offs)

 

 

 

Division 3 Play-Offs

 

Sat 27.4    Home  Rochdale (POSF/1st)          Drew 2-2     Wardley(34), Butterworth(73)       6015

                                Turley, Mustafa, Underwood, Peters, Butterworth, Partridge,

                                Burgess, Hall, Wardley, Lowe, Tillson.

                                Subs used: Angell for Partridge(84).

                                Rochdale goals 8, 57.

 

Tue 30.4    Away   Rochdale (POSF/2nd)          Won  2-1    Lowe(67), Hall(76)                   8547

                                Turley, Mustafa, Underwood, Peters, Butterworth, Partridge,

                                Burgess, Hall, Wardley, Lowe, Tillson.

                                Subs used: Gray for Underwood(68).

                                Rochdale goal 65.

 

Sat  6.5    CMS   Cheltenham (POF)              Lost 1-3      Hall(28)                               24368

                                Turley, Mustafa, Underwood, Peters, Butterworth, Partridge,

                                Gray, Hall, Wardley, Lowe, Tillson.

                                Subs used: Brady for Gray(69), Angell for Partridge(69).

                                Cheltenham goals 27, 49, 80.

 

 

 

 

 

FA Cup

 

Sat 17.11   Away   Worcester City (1)            Won  1-0    Hanlon(66)                            3313

                                Turley, Underwood, Peters, Butterworth, Partridge, Darby,

                                Burgess, Hall, Hanlon, Sambrook, Hunter.

                                Subs used: Setchell for Underwood(65), Duffy for Darby(71), Brady for Burgess(85).

 

Sat  8.12   Away   Brighton & HA (2)             Lost 1-2      Hanlon(59p)                           5647

                                Turley, Underwood, Peters, Butterworth, Brady, Partridge,

                                Hall, Hanlon, Sambrook, Lowe, Hunter.

                                Subs used: Burgess for Brady(45), Thomson for Sambrook(82).

                                Brighton goals 6, 50.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Worthington Cup

 

Tue 21.8    Away   Burnley (1)                     Won  3-2    Peters(5), Mustafa(50),

                                                                     Darby(75)                             4398

                                Turley, Mustafa, Underwood, Peters, Butterworth, Brady,

                                Jackson, Rodwell, Carey, Gray, Patmore.

                                Subs used: Darby for Patmore(60), Mills for Carey(80).

                                Burnley goals 55, 84.

 

Tue 11.9    Away   Crewe Alexandra (2)           Lost 0-2AET –                                      4807

                                Turley, Mustafa, Underwood, Peters, Brady, Burgess,

                                Rodwell, Carey, Mills, Patmore, Sigere.

                                Subs used: Hanlon for Mills(47), Duffy for Patmore(110), Wormull for Sigere(110).

                                Crewe goals 108, 112p.

 

 

 

 

LDV Vans Trophy

 

Tue 16.10  Away   Cardiff City (1)               Lost 1-7      Hall(73)                               2052

                                Turley, Underwood, Peters, Rodwell, Mills, Lee,

                                Hall, Hanlon, Sambrook, Talbot, Folan.

                                Subs used: Burgess for Lee(45), Bell for Folan(45), Setchell for Underwood(69).

                                Cardiff goals 6, 12, 33, 41, 70, 79, 80.

 

 

 

 

Conference Shield

 

Tue 13.11  Home  Chester City                   Drew 2-2AET Talbot(52), Rodwell(64)             937

                                                      (won 4-3 pens – McElhatton/Rodwell/Grant/Thomson)

                                Turley, Mustafa, Peters, Brady, Partridge, Rodwell,

                                Carey, Setchell, Thomson, Hall, Hanlon.

                                Subs used: Pennock for Turley(45), Talbot for Hall(45), Dempster for Peters(90).

                                McElhatton for Hanlon(45), Grant for Partridge(64).

                                Chester goals 33, 57.

 

 

 

 

Maunsell Premier Cup

 

Tue  6.11   Home  Northampton Town (SF)       Won  2-1    Brady(62/90)                         1867

                                Pennock, Mustafa, McElhatton, Brady, Rodwell, Carey,

                                Mills, Setchell, Thomson, Solkhon, Grant.

                                Subs used: Dempster for Solkhon(45), Duffy for Grant(45), Talbot for Setchell(60),

                                Bell for McElhatton(79).

                                Northampton goal 31.

 

Wed 12.12 Home  Peterborough Utd (F)          Lost 1-4      McElhatton(38p)                      696

                                Pennock, Mustafa, McElhatton, Brady, Darby, Burgess,

                                Rodwell, Mills, Setchell, Solkhon, Talbot.

                                Subs used: Carey for Mills(55), Dempster for Mustafa(67), Bell for Darby(67).

                                Peterborough goals 49, 58, 65p, 80.

 

Advertisement

Filed under RDFC Matches

2001-02 Cheltenham v RDFC Play Off

May 6, 2002 Leave a comment

By Steven

Rushden & Diamonds have suffered play-off heartache this afternoon but they can be mightily proud of their performance as the fell to a 3-1 defeat at the Millennium Stadium.

It was brave performance from Brian Talbot’s team but at the end of the day, Cheltenham created the better chances and are now promoted into the Second Division.

The players could still be proud of a marvellous effort and at the final whistle the Diamonds fans done their club proud by cheering the lads at the full-time whistle, something they thoroughly deserved.

There was sunshine in the air prior to kick-off as they fans poured through the turnstiles. The roof was open and the players went out for their pre-match warm-up.

Brian Talbot was forced to make one change to his side that beat Rochdale on Tuesday evening. Stuart Gray, who has not started a first-team game since February, was recalled to the starting line-up with Andy Burgess out through suspension.

Despite being forced off during the 2-1 win over Rochdale, captain Paul Underwood was fit while Scott Partridge and goal scoring machine Onandi Lowe started in attack.

For Cheltenham, they included Julian Alsop and Tony Naylor in attack while experienced striker Neil Grayson was named amongst the substitutes.

The atmosphere was electric as both teams began their pre-match warm-ups. There were, understandably, more Cheltenham fans but the Diamonds support made sure they made their voices heard.

There was plenty of build up to the game with a mini penalty shoot out between the teams, an opera singer and music and fireworks. Both sets of players were introduced to the match sponsors, Nationwide and Football League officials prior to the match.

So all the talk was over and the match got underway. Cheltenham seemed to have made the brighter start, as they looked confident on the ball putting the Diamonds defence under some early pressure.

But Diamonds slowly got into their stride and Onandi Lowe showed his power and strength to get past two Cheltenham defenders however his shot was blocked.

There was a nasty moment for Diamonds on six minutes when a long through ball over the top meant Martin Devaney ran towards goal and clattered into goalkeeper Billy Turley.

Diamonds were now starting to open the Cheltenham defence and Tarkan Mustafa’s shot across the face of the goal had to be dealt with and the Robins cleared their lines.

But Diamonds created their best effort on 12 minutes. A delightful through ball by Lowe put Hall in the clear and after skipping past two defenders he scooped his shot over the bar from inside the six-yard penalty area.

After 15 minutes: Diamonds 0 Cheltenham 0

Cheltenham created their best chance of the match of 16 minutes when Devaney skipped past Mustafa but saw his shot go inches past Turley’s right hand post.

On 20 minutes, Lowe headed a free-kick past the post from Hall’s delivery as this match continued to be evenly contested.

The Diamonds thought they had taken the lead on 25 minutes when Hall delivered a beautiful cross into the penalty area but Stuart Wardley, who slid into the penalty area, saw his effort saved by Cheltenham goalkeeper Steve Book.

But the deadlock was broken on 27 minutes as Cheltenham took the lead. Devaney skipped past Mustafa on the right flank to squeeze the ball past Turley from an acute angle.

But that lead lasted just one minute as Diamonds got themselves back on level terms. Hall picked up the ball in the middle of the field and skipped past three defenders to lift the ball over Book.

The place erupted and Diamonds were back in the game. On 30 minutes, Devaney nearly had a second when he headed at the far post but Turley was equal to his effort.

After 30 minutes: Diamonds 1 Cheltenham 1

Both teams were now enjoying the open space of the Millennium Stadium pitch and Gray’s effort from 30-yards went inches over the crossbar.

This was an exciting game and Diamonds were slightly edging the better chances than their opponents, although Cheltenham were looking strong in attack.

Diamonds continued to look strong and on 42 minutes, Gray fired a free-kick straight into the arms of Book.

Tillson saw a header well saved from the Cheltenham goalkeeper a minute later and although both teams had chances towards the end of the half, a draw was a fair reflection.

At half-time: Diamonds 1 Cheltenham Town 1

Cheltenham started the better side in the second-half as they put early pressure on the Diamonds defence as they attacked the goal towards where their fans were situated.

Cheltenham began to carve openings in the Diamonds defence and on 49 minutes Alsop had the easiest job to tap home from close range after Tillson failed to clear his lines.

The goal sent the Cheltenham fans wild and it was a disastrous start for Diamonds. Brian’s team reacted strongly to that incident and Lowe nearly fired a header on target.

Cheltenham should have extended their lead on 52 minutes when Alsop’s powerful header flew past the post.

After 60 minutes: Diamonds 1 Cheltenham 2

Steve Cotterill’s side began to put more pressure on Diamonds and Alsop went close one more time but Turley reacted quickly to stop the danger.

Partridge fired over on 67 minutes and that was going to be his last action of the game as he was substituted and replaced by Brett Angell. Jon Brady replaced Gray also.

Brady nearly marked his appearance with a goal as he sent a curling free-kick towards goal but Book done well to stop the danger.

The pressure was on now for Diamonds to produce the goods and on 74 minutes Wardley should have connected with Hall’s cross but the ball rolled harmlessly to Book.

After 75 minutes: Diamonds 1 Cheltenham 2

But despite all the pressure, Cheltenham extended their lead on 79 minutes and had almost certainly booked their passage into the Second Division. A thunderbolt shot from Grayson struck the post but John Finnigan was on hand to curl the ball past Turley.

It was a fantastic goal and Turley had no chance but to their credit, Diamonds continued to push everybody forward and Lowe’s presence was causing some confusion.

Wardley should have got Diamonds back into the game on 87 minutes but somehow managed to drag a shot past the post – it certainly wasn’t Diamonds’ day.

Diamonds continued to throw men forward but the season ended on a flat note when Cheltenham were confirmed as the winner at the full-time whistle.

At full-time: Diamonds 1 Cheltenham 3

Diamonds: Turley, Mustafa, Underwood, Peters, Butterworth, Partridge (Angell 69), Gray (Brady 69), Hall, Wardley, Lowe, Tillson.

Subs not used: Pennock, Setchell, Hunter.

Bookings:

Cheltenham: Book, Duff, Victory, Yates, Griffin, Walker, Devaney (Grayson 75), Alsop, Naylor, Williams, Finnigan.

Subs not used: Howarth, Muggleton, Lee, Tyson.

Bookings:

Referee: Mr Tony Leake.

Attendance: 24,368

See here for a Video of Paul Hall’s goal.

Filed under RDFC Matches Tagged with

%d bloggers like this: