The dream grows

From the Swindon Advertiser, first published Saturday 4th Mar 2006.

TOWN edged a step closer to the Premiership's promised land after toppling Tranmere Rovers amid rumours that Chelsea were keen to poach boss Glenn Hoddle, writes JON RITSON.

It was May 16, 1993 and the County Ground hosted the first leg of this play-off semi-final against the Wirral.

Tranmere were promptly sent packing 3-1, although Hoddle, who rebuffed all questions about his future with a no comment', warned the job was far from done.

Town took the lead with less than two minutes on the clock.

Nicky Summerbee whipped in a cross from the right and although Dave Mitchell was beaten to the cross at the near post, defender Steve Vickers only succeeded in prodding the ball past keeper Eric Nixon.

It was the best possible start and it got even better just 50 seconds later.

Ross MacLaren tried his luck with a skidding 25-yard shot. Nixon parried but was unable to hold on to the ball and Mitchell nipped in ahead of Dave Higgins to slide a shot just inside the post.

John Aldridge saw a goal disallowed for a push before the home side stretched their lead to 3-0 on 27 minutes.

Maskell started the move with a pass to Mitchell. The Australian advanced on goal but having committed the keeper, he unselfishly squared the ball for Maskell to apply the finishing touch.

There could and should have been more goals. Mitchell headed just wide and then saw a second half header thud against the crossbar.

Sadly, there was only one more goal in the match and it provided the visitors with a glimmer of hope in the tie.

On 58 minutes Kenny Irons found John Morrissey and he thumped the ball past Fraser Digby to make it 3-1.

It left Hoddle happy but far from complacent.

He said: "We are 3-1 up at half time but no way is it over with the likes of John Aldridge around.

"I'm very pleased with the way we performed. It was my first experience of the play-offs and while there was a lot of tension and we were very hyped up, we still managed to play some excellent football.

"But it is tinged with disappointment at giving away a goal which keeps them in touch.

"They would have been dead and buried if Dave Mitchell's header had gone in at the start of the second half.

"But the fact that it stayed out and they pulled a goal back has just added a bit of spice for Wednesday night.

"And that might be good for us in the long run because I fancy us to go up there and score goals.

"The twin towers are looming and there is no better incentive than that."

Goalscorer Craig Maskell added: "We've made a good start. The job is half done but we mustn't get complacent. They still have a chance which means we will have to get stuck in from the word go on Wednesday night."

Town: Fraser Digby, Nicky Summerbee, Paul Bodin, Glenn Hoddle, Colin Calderwood, Shaun Taylor, John Moncur (Micky Hazard), Ross MacLaren, Dave Mitchell, Martin Ling, Craig Maskell (Steve White).

Att: 14,230.

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