Mansfield Town v Cheltenham Town
Division Three – 7/8/99– Field Mill
Neil Grayson’s powerful header earned Cheltenham their first win as a Football League club at Mansfield’s Field Mill. It was somewhat fitting that Grayson scored the landmark goal after the all-action forward’s goals had propelled the Robins to the Conference title the previous year.
It was important that Steve Cotterill’s side bounced back from their opening day defeat at Rochdale, where the Lancashire side were comfortable winners to spoil Cheltenham’s big day.
Cotterill named the same side that had performed admirably in the midweek League Cup defeat at Norwich City and Cheltenham faced dangerous right winger Lee Williams who was to become a Robins player two seasons later.
Mansfield, who had suffered a heavy opening defeat, looked like a useful side, but the Robins back line of Neil Howarth, Chris Banks, Mark Freeman and Jamie Victory held firm. The central midfield duo of Lee Howells and Mark Yates were also outstanding as the Robins were forced to soak up pressure and hit their opponents on the break.
The goal arrived after 64 minutes and was a classic piece of counterattacking. Mansfield had been on top, but from a Stags corner Hugh McAuley cleared and found Antony Griffin on the left. Griffin had acres of
space to charge down the flank and upon reaching the byline, he switched onto his favoured right foot. He had time to deliver a perfect cross, which Grayson met with perfection to beat Barry Richardson with a booming header.
Steve Book had to be on top form to preserve his side’s clean sheet, saving smartly from Michael Boulding. Book was then forced into the save of the
match from his own centre-half, as the outstanding Freeman almost deflected a long ball into his own net.
Neil Richardson and Tony Lormor also came close for the home side, but some heroic defending in the sodden conditions gave Cheltenham their historic win and the players and fans celebrated as if they had won the
league when the final whistle was blown.
Cheltenham went on to win their next two matches against Hull and Hartlepool to ride high in the early days of their league life.
Mansfield (0) 0
Cheltenham (0) 1 (Grayson 64)
Cheltenham: Book, Howarth, Banks, Freeman, Victory, Griffin, Yates, Howells, Devaney, McAuley, Grayson.
Division Three – 7/8/99– Field Mill
Neil Grayson’s powerful header earned Cheltenham their first win as a Football League club at Mansfield’s Field Mill. It was somewhat fitting that Grayson scored the landmark goal after the all-action forward’s goals had propelled the Robins to the Conference title the previous year.
It was important that Steve Cotterill’s side bounced back from their opening day defeat at Rochdale, where the Lancashire side were comfortable winners to spoil Cheltenham’s big day.
Cotterill named the same side that had performed admirably in the midweek League Cup defeat at Norwich City and Cheltenham faced dangerous right winger Lee Williams who was to become a Robins player two seasons later.
Mansfield, who had suffered a heavy opening defeat, looked like a useful side, but the Robins back line of Neil Howarth, Chris Banks, Mark Freeman and Jamie Victory held firm. The central midfield duo of Lee Howells and Mark Yates were also outstanding as the Robins were forced to soak up pressure and hit their opponents on the break.
The goal arrived after 64 minutes and was a classic piece of counterattacking. Mansfield had been on top, but from a Stags corner Hugh McAuley cleared and found Antony Griffin on the left. Griffin had acres of
space to charge down the flank and upon reaching the byline, he switched onto his favoured right foot. He had time to deliver a perfect cross, which Grayson met with perfection to beat Barry Richardson with a booming header.
Steve Book had to be on top form to preserve his side’s clean sheet, saving smartly from Michael Boulding. Book was then forced into the save of the
match from his own centre-half, as the outstanding Freeman almost deflected a long ball into his own net.
Neil Richardson and Tony Lormor also came close for the home side, but some heroic defending in the sodden conditions gave Cheltenham their historic win and the players and fans celebrated as if they had won the
league when the final whistle was blown.
Cheltenham went on to win their next two matches against Hull and Hartlepool to ride high in the early days of their league life.
Mansfield (0) 0
Cheltenham (0) 1 (Grayson 64)
Cheltenham: Book, Howarth, Banks, Freeman, Victory, Griffin, Yates, Howells, Devaney, McAuley, Grayson.