Cheltenham Town vs Harrogate Town. Sky Bet League Two.
EV Charger Points Stadium.
Report as Cheltenham Town clinch the Sky Bet League Two title after a 4-1 victory against Harrogate Town at the Jonny-Rocks Stadium; Michael Duff's team had already secured automatic promotion - and a return to Sky Bet League One after 12 years away - on April 27
Saturday 8 May 2021 18:58, UK
Cheltenham secured the League Two title with an emphatic 4-1 victory over visitors Harrogate.
The Robins needed to match title rivals Cambridge United's result but clinched the silverware in style.
An early Harrogate goal from Jack Muldoon after just seven minutes spurred them into a dazzling spell starting with Liam Sercombe's 11th-minute equaliser.
Sam Smith's volley into the roof of the net edged Cheltenham into a 22nd-minute lead before Alfie May netted from close range after 34 minutes.
The visitors finished the half strongly with Brendan Kiernan rattling the crossbar and Robins keeper Josh Griffiths doing well to keep out a wayward header from team-mate Matty Blair that was heading for the bottom corner.
The second half failed to match the pace and excitement of the first, particularly after Callum Wright's first-time strike after 56 minutes effectively sealed the win.
Harrogate's Jon Stead, playing his 700th professional game, was applauded by players, officials and coaches when he was substituted late in the game before the title celebrations started on the final whistle.
"I said it last week in terms of realising what they've achieved and I think it's starting to sink in now, what they've actually done," said Cheltenham manager Michael Duff.
"The tinge of disappointment is supporters not being here.
"In 134 years the club hasn't been (automatically) promoted, they've broken the points record, crowned champions and have probably had the biggest game in the club's history with Man City. They deserve every bit of credit they get.
"Today, rounding it off the way we did, we could have scored seven or eight. We did every part of the game, first 10 minutes aside. We looked a threat from set-plays and could have scored from nearly every corner.
"It's a brilliant achievement, I'm really proud. The lads have made history."
