10:00pm Monday 15th March 2010
By Paul Plowman
Saturday 15 March 1986: SWINDON TOWN 3 BURNLEY 1 After equalling a record of 13 consecutive home League wins – set back in 1924 – the chance to surpass it was a long time in arriving.
A lengthy spell of sub-zero weather conditions led to Town, under manager Lou Macari, completing no less than six successive League fixtures away from the County Ground.
The fact that all six ended in victory was a measure of how their season had been turned on its head, after they had occupied 21st position in the table at the end of September.
And so, 62 days after a 2-1 win against Southend, and on the anniversary of their famous League Cup win, Town were on the threshold of another outstanding achievement.
The Lancastrians frustrated the hosts for half an hour. But in the 36th minute David Cole hit a long diagonal ball to Colin Gordon who headed back into the centre for Charlie Henry to arrive and volley past visiting keeper Joe Neenan.
Town then almost doubled their lead inside a minute, when Dave Bamber’s header struck the outside of a post. But Burnley were on level terms before the referee could blow his half-time whistle. Cole was again involved, but this time he was caught in two minds and his attempted header back to Ken Allen fell to Les Lawrence who lobbed the stranded keeper.
Town were soon back in front, however, from a 57th minute corner. Leigh Barnard swung the ball in from the left and Bamber sent another header beyond Neenan and this time the woodwork could not save the Clarets.
With the crowd now urging them on, Swindon made sure of the points – and the record – with a third goal five minutes from time. Peter Coyne fed Dave Hockaday on the left and his cross was met by a spectacular diving header from Colin Gordon that flashed past the unfortunate Neenan.
Swindon Town: Allen, Chris Ramsey, Hockaday, Barnard, Cole, Colin Calderwood, Bamber (sub. Bryan Wade 88 mins), Henry, Gordon, Coyne, Chris Kamara.
Att: 7,212.
Burnley: Neenan, Hird, Hampton, Malley, Overson, Heggarty, Grewcock, Deakin, Taylor, Lawrence, Hoskin. Sub (not used) Devine.
© Copyright 2001-2012 Newsquest Media Group
http://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/trade_directory/