FA Cup Third Round - 13/1/98 - Whaddon Road
The biggest crowd at Whaddon Road since 1957 gathered to see Cheltenham, then in the Conference, take on First Division outfit Reading in the FA Cup.
With previous wins over Thatcham Town, Merthyr Tydfil, Pauton Rovers, Sutton United, Tiverton Town and Boreham Wood, Cheltenham had already equalled their best ever performance in the FA Cup.
Cheltenham reached the Third Round in 1934, when they were beaten 3-1 by Blackpool, but Steve Cotterill had built a team that was to break numerous club records and his side pushed their full-time opponents to the limit.
Reading were struggling at the foot of their division and were clearly lacking in confidence. This was in stark contrast to a buoyant Robins side who looked as if they could give anyone a game.
Cheltenham were awarded a penalty after 23 minutes for a foul on Clive Walker. Dale Watkins scored emphatically from the spot to leave the home fans looking on in disbelief. It was difficult to tell which set of players were the professionals as the home side dictated long periods of the game.
Cheltenham held on to their lead for 50 minutes and more than matched the Royals, but an equaliser arrived for Trevor Morley. The tie had been postponed ten days earlier due to a waterlogged pitch and the surface was still sodden on a wet night. Former West Ham striker Morley's low shot squirmed agonisingly under the body of Steve Book in the mud to keep Reading in the tie.
Former Reading player Keith Knight had a late chance to win the game for Cheltenham, but his powerful shot screamed inches wide and Cheltenham would have to travel to Elm Park for a replay.
Morley was on target for the Royals again in the replay, but cup veteran Clive Walker scored an equaliser as Cheltenham gave another exceptional account of themselves. Martyn Booty broke Cheltenham hearts in the 72nd minute with a long range winner.
Steve Cotterill told his devastated players to hold their heads high after the game and assured them that they would be going to Wembley in the FA Trophy in May, which of course, they did.
Cheltenham Town (1) 1 (Watkins 23 pen)
Reading (0) 1 (Morley 71)
Cheltenham: Book, Duff, Victory, Banks, Freeman, Knight, Howells, Walker (Eaton 75), Smith (Benton 70), Watkins, Bloomer.
Reading: Hammond, Booty, Swales, Bernal, Davies, Parkinson, Bowen, Hodges (Caskey 84), Morley, Lovell (Meaker 80).
Referee: K. A. Leach (Staffs)
Attendance: 6,000