Guinan's lucky strike gives Cheltenham final lift
Grimsby Town 0 - 1 Cheltenham
Cheltenham confounded the pessimists yesterday by claiming their place in League One next season. Ten months ago they were tipped to sink back into non-league football. The doubters cited the club's restricted finances, which include a weekly player wage bill of just £13,000, but next season they will mix in the same company as Nottingham Forest.
Steve Guinan's fortunate goal propelled them back into the league's third tier for only the second time in their history. "I'm thrilled," said their manager John Ward. "It's the best thing I've ever done. We've probably overachieved in a short space of time but I'm really looking forward to seeing these players in League One."
Clubs of this size rarely have the opportunity to play at such a prestigious venue and Grimsby's manager Russell Slade tossed away his trademark baseball cap to mark the occasion. The Millennium Stadium did its best to make them at home in the grand surroundings: the jagged turf was akin to that found in League Two, unrecognisable to the lush pitch that hosted the FA Cup final a fortnight previously.
Cheltenham were the first to acclimatise and should have gone ahead when Steven Gillespie leapt to beat the towering Grimsby centre-back Rob Jones to Shane Duff's long punt but the forward was unable to demonstrate similar poise when through on goal, allowing Steve Mildenhall to push his effort into the side-netting. Moments later nerves also afflicted Guinan, who cushioned his shot straight into the goalkeeper's arms when equally well placed.
Cheltenham were not helped by the loss of Gillespie through injury in the second half but they surprisingly produced the breakthrough moments after his departure. Mildenhall's hesitancy in clearing the ball prolonged their foray forward but, even when Guinan took possession on the corner of the area, there appeared little reason to worry.
His curling cross was dangerous enough but Mildenhall's crucial error, in presuming that Kayode Odejayi would connect with the delivery, offered the ball a free passage into the bottom right-hand corner of the net. "I'll hold my hands up: I didn't mean to score," Guinan admitted. "It was one of those things. It was lucky."
It sparked the game into life but Cheltenham were soon handed the opportunity to kill it off. Grant McCann sped clear of the offside trap and sidestepped Mildenhall but, as he was about to roll the ball into the net, Curtis Woodhouse bundled him to the floor.
A penalty was awarded but the drama did not end there. Mildenhall made amends for his previous poor judgment by leaping to his right to palm McCann's weak spot-kick to safety. It rejuvenated Grimsby but Shane Higgs reserved the game's best save to deny Gary Jones late on, somehow stretching to deflect his point-blank diving header wide.
In the midst of their celebrations Cheltenham should spare a thought for Grimsby, who were denied an automatic promotion place in the dying minutes of their final league game last month. "We're very disappointed," said Slade. "One, to miss out on automatic promotion and, two, to miss out again today."
Slade was further aggrieved at the referee's failure to award his side a penalty in the opening half after Gavin Caines's blatant trip on Andy Parkinson. "It was a penalty appeal that we felt strongly about," added Slade, keeping an admirable restraint on his anger. "Andy Parkinson is a very honest player and he said it was a stonewall penalty. Big moments change games and we felt that was a big moment."
The match represented Woodhouse's final big moment but he was unable to retire on a high. The 26-year-old midfielder bade farewell to football as he swaps his boots for gloves in pursuit of a career in professional boxing. He begins a three-year contract with Frank Warren's Sports Network tomorrow. What the future holds for Cheltenham is unknown but they will dominate the spa town's hectic sporting agenda for now.
Man of the match Shane Higgs (Cheltenham)
Grimsby Town (4-4-2) Mildenhall; Croft (Futcher, 75), Whittle, R Jones, Newey; Mendes (Goodfellow, 83), Bolland, Woodhouse ·, Parkinson; Reddy (Cohen, 27), G Jones.
Subs not used
Toner, Kamudimba.
Cheltenham Town (4-4-2) Higgs; Gill, Duff, Caines, Armstrong (Bell, 27); Wilson, Finnigan, Vincent (Spencer, 77 ·), McCann; Gillespie (Odejayi, 62), Guinan.
Subs not used Brown, Bird.
Referee P Taylor
From "The Guardian"
Grimsby Town 0 - 1 Cheltenham
Cheltenham confounded the pessimists yesterday by claiming their place in League One next season. Ten months ago they were tipped to sink back into non-league football. The doubters cited the club's restricted finances, which include a weekly player wage bill of just £13,000, but next season they will mix in the same company as Nottingham Forest.
Steve Guinan's fortunate goal propelled them back into the league's third tier for only the second time in their history. "I'm thrilled," said their manager John Ward. "It's the best thing I've ever done. We've probably overachieved in a short space of time but I'm really looking forward to seeing these players in League One."
Clubs of this size rarely have the opportunity to play at such a prestigious venue and Grimsby's manager Russell Slade tossed away his trademark baseball cap to mark the occasion. The Millennium Stadium did its best to make them at home in the grand surroundings: the jagged turf was akin to that found in League Two, unrecognisable to the lush pitch that hosted the FA Cup final a fortnight previously.
Cheltenham were the first to acclimatise and should have gone ahead when Steven Gillespie leapt to beat the towering Grimsby centre-back Rob Jones to Shane Duff's long punt but the forward was unable to demonstrate similar poise when through on goal, allowing Steve Mildenhall to push his effort into the side-netting. Moments later nerves also afflicted Guinan, who cushioned his shot straight into the goalkeeper's arms when equally well placed.
Cheltenham were not helped by the loss of Gillespie through injury in the second half but they surprisingly produced the breakthrough moments after his departure. Mildenhall's hesitancy in clearing the ball prolonged their foray forward but, even when Guinan took possession on the corner of the area, there appeared little reason to worry.
His curling cross was dangerous enough but Mildenhall's crucial error, in presuming that Kayode Odejayi would connect with the delivery, offered the ball a free passage into the bottom right-hand corner of the net. "I'll hold my hands up: I didn't mean to score," Guinan admitted. "It was one of those things. It was lucky."
It sparked the game into life but Cheltenham were soon handed the opportunity to kill it off. Grant McCann sped clear of the offside trap and sidestepped Mildenhall but, as he was about to roll the ball into the net, Curtis Woodhouse bundled him to the floor.
A penalty was awarded but the drama did not end there. Mildenhall made amends for his previous poor judgment by leaping to his right to palm McCann's weak spot-kick to safety. It rejuvenated Grimsby but Shane Higgs reserved the game's best save to deny Gary Jones late on, somehow stretching to deflect his point-blank diving header wide.
In the midst of their celebrations Cheltenham should spare a thought for Grimsby, who were denied an automatic promotion place in the dying minutes of their final league game last month. "We're very disappointed," said Slade. "One, to miss out on automatic promotion and, two, to miss out again today."
Slade was further aggrieved at the referee's failure to award his side a penalty in the opening half after Gavin Caines's blatant trip on Andy Parkinson. "It was a penalty appeal that we felt strongly about," added Slade, keeping an admirable restraint on his anger. "Andy Parkinson is a very honest player and he said it was a stonewall penalty. Big moments change games and we felt that was a big moment."
The match represented Woodhouse's final big moment but he was unable to retire on a high. The 26-year-old midfielder bade farewell to football as he swaps his boots for gloves in pursuit of a career in professional boxing. He begins a three-year contract with Frank Warren's Sports Network tomorrow. What the future holds for Cheltenham is unknown but they will dominate the spa town's hectic sporting agenda for now.
Man of the match Shane Higgs (Cheltenham)
Grimsby Town (4-4-2) Mildenhall; Croft (Futcher, 75), Whittle, R Jones, Newey; Mendes (Goodfellow, 83), Bolland, Woodhouse ·, Parkinson; Reddy (Cohen, 27), G Jones.
Subs not used
Toner, Kamudimba.
Cheltenham Town (4-4-2) Higgs; Gill, Duff, Caines, Armstrong (Bell, 27); Wilson, Finnigan, Vincent (Spencer, 77 ·), McCann; Gillespie (Odejayi, 62), Guinan.
Subs not used Brown, Bird.
Referee P Taylor
From "The Guardian"