Page 31 - TEST BRIT AIRWAYS - 2019-20 Season

following two seasons, only for Swans to lose being won without a goal being conceded,
to Barnet 1-0 in 1969-70 and Telford United a record never to be equalled. Dave Bassett,
5-2 in 1970-71, both games being played at Willie Smith and Roger Connell also had the
the Lane. The runners-up spot in the League honour of playing for the England Amateur
was achieved in both those campaigns and side. The following season Brian Clough
the Surrey Senior Cup came back to Stom- brought his Brighton & Hove Albion side to
pond Lane in 1970-71, Woking being defeat- Stompond Lane in the FA Cup First Round,
ed 3-0 in the Final. Election to the Isthmian and following a goalless draw, Swans pulled
ranks followed, with third place attained in off a sensational result in the replay at The
the first season, 1971-72. Goldstone Ground, a Clive Foskett hat-trick
Wembley at last included in a 4-0 win. Sadly, when Batsford
Then followed the most memorable sea- left for Wimbledon the following season the
son in the club’s history, 1972-73. The FA fine team broke up, the crowds drifted away,
Cup First Round barrier was overcome for and relegation soon followed in 1975. The FA
the first time with Exeter City being defeat- Cup First Round was surprisingly reached
ed 2-1 amid tremendous excitement at the in 1975-76, and a young side put on a bat-
Lane, only for visitors Margate to win by the tling performance at Selhurst Park against
only goal in the Second Round. Kingstoni- Malcolm Allison’s Crystal Palace, only going
an were beaten 2-0 in the Surrey Senior Cup down 1-0 to a late goal. Barren years fol-
Final and the runners-up spot achieved in lowed, with the club several times being close
the League. Then on the 14th. April 1973 the to extinction. In the mid 1980’s the club was
ultimate prize was gained at Wembley when proud to have Sir Stanley Matthews as Presi-
41,000 people saw a last-minute Roger Con- dent, but sides flattered to deceive and only a
nell goal against Slough Town bring the FA draw in the final game of the 1986-87 season
Amateur Cup to Stompond Lane, the trophy prevented relegation to Division Two.