Countdown day 5: City 2-1 Cheltenham

We’re counting down to the big match on Saturday by looking back at 5 previous times that City were the centre of of attention in Gloucester, kicking off with a Boxing Day encounter against a familiar foe…

Gloucester City 2-1 Cheltenham Town

26th December 1996

Attendance 2145

Beazer Homes Premier Division

City made history on Boxing Day 1996 when they recorded their first Meadow Park league victory over local rivals Cheltenham Town in front of over 2000 spectators.

Leroy Rosenior’s men would go head to head with the Robins over the course of the season, but it was this encounter which gave City first blood.

However, the result was far from a formality. City had their regular goalkeeper Steve Mildenhall recalled by parent club Swindon Town, and so the responsibility between the posts was put on the shoulders of 18 year old Steve Phillips who had been brought in on loan from Bristol City.

It was the visitors who made the breakthrough on 70 minutes when Jamie Victory’s wayward cross beat Phillips. For seven minutes it looked like bragging rights were on their way up the other end of the Golden Valley. That was until Dale Watkins capitalised on a loose ball to hit home an equalizer.

It wasn’t over yet though. With just minutes to spare, Watkins was the hero again when he fired a 25 yard lob over Ryan Gannaway to send the T-End into raptures and give City the three points.