FA Cup 3rd Round - 6/1/02 - Whaddon Road
Cheltenham caused an FA Cup upset and made it through to the fourth round for the first time in their history with a deserved victory over second division highfliers Oldham Athletic.
With wins over non-league outfits Kettering Town and Hinckley United in the earlier rounds, Cheltenham entertained the former Premiership club in fine form after a productive Christmas period for Steve Cotterill's promotion chasing side.
Russell Milton and Julian Alsop had early chances for Cheltenham but it was diminutive forward Tony Naylor who opened the scoring after 25 minutes, after passing a fitness test on the morning of the game. His striker partner in crime Alsop flicked on a goal kick from Steve Book and Naylor rounded defender Scott McNiven before slotting the ball in at the near post from 15 yards.
Despite struggling for much of the first half, Oldham equalised two minutes before the break through David Eyres. Defender Darren Sheridan, brother of midfielder John, supplied John Eyre down the right flank and his cross was finished by Eyres from close range to put the Latics back in the tie.
Cheltenham came out for the second half full of confidence and Naylor and the impressive Lee Williams saw efforts blocked as Cheltenham belied the difference in divisions between the two clubs.
The home side were rewarded for their almost constant pressure with an hour gone as Naylor claimed his second goal of the afternoon. A looping cross from Williams on the right was met by the head of the former Port Vale marksman at the far post and after a deflection the ball hit the back of the net to restore Cheltenham's one-goal advantage.
The Robins back four of Antony Griffin, Jamie Victory, Chris Banks and Michael Duff defended solidly throughout and Oldham were reduced to 10 men five minutes before the final whistle. Darren Sheridan was shown a second yellow card and this seemed to end any hopes of the Latics snatching a late leveller and the whistle blew to confirm a heroic triumph for giant-killing Cheltenham.
A healthy crowd had witnessed a groundbreaking result for the Robins and arguably their best FA Cup win ever. They were paired with Burnley of the old first division in round four, where Steve Cotterill's boys caused another major upset against the club Cotterill is now in charge of.
Cheltenham Town (1) 2 (Naylor 25, 60)
Oldham Athletic (1) 1 (Eyres 43)
Cheltenham: Book, Griffin, M.Duff, Banks, Victory, Williams, Yates, Howells, Milton, Naylor (Grayson 90), Alsop.
Oldham: Kelly, McNiven (Baudet 68), Beharall, Balmer, Murray, Duxbury, J. Sheridan, D. Sheridan, Eyre (Tipton 68), Smart (Dudley 74), Eyres.
Referee: M.J. Brandwood (Staffordshire)
Attendance: 5,801 .