- 1969 Anglo-Italian League Cup
The 1969 Anglo-Italian League Cup was a football cup competition held between clubs in
England andItaly won by Swindon Town. It was the inauguralAnglo-Italian League Cup competition.Pre-match
The competition was set up at the same time as the
Anglo-Italian Cup in 1969, but this competition was solely contested by the winners of the League Cup in England and theCoppa Italia in Italy, over two legs. ["Rothmans Football Yearbook 1970-71" Peskett,R/WIlliams,T: Queen Anne's Press, 1970 ISBN 0362000719 p203]Swindon Town had won the 1969 League Cup Final against Arsenal whilst
A.S. Roma won theCoppa Italia 1968-69 competition to qualify for the final.cite web |url=http://www.swindon-town-fc.co.uk/Achievements/1970AngloItalianLCWCWinners.asp |title=Anglo-Italian League Cup Winners' Cup Winners 1969/1970 |accessdate=2007-01-25 |publisher=swindon-town-fc.co.uk ]The final
The final was played over two legs, with A.S. Roma drawn to host the first game in
Rome . The second leg was played in England.1st leg
Roma relied on attacking tactics in the early stages of the game, forcing Swindon to defend and rely on counter-attack moves to break the dead-lock. The first half was characterised by the many attempts on goal by Roma's centre-forward Enzo saved by Swindon goalkeeper Downsborough.Cite web|url=http://www.swindon-town-fc.co.uk/Achievements/Reports/Report19701001_01.asp|title=Swindon make it tough for the Italians|accessdate=2007-01-25|publisher=
Swindon Advertiser |author=Clive King]In the 12th minute Roma were denied a penalty. Peiro had fed a pass through to Cappellini and, as the inside-right cut into the
penalty area , he appeared to be sent full-length by a tackle from Harland. Instead of the expected penalty, English referee Kevin Howley gave Swindon a free-kick.Cite web|url=http://www.swindon-town-fc.co.uk/Achievements/Reports/Report19701001_01.asp|title=Swindon make it tough for the Italians|accessdate=2007-01-25|publisher=Swindon Advertiser |author=Clive King]Shortly before half-time, Elvio Salvori, the Roma half-back, dived over the outstretched leg of Roger Smart.Cite web|url=http://www.swindon-town-fc.co.uk/Achievements/1970AngloItalianLCWCWinners.asp|title=Anglo-Italian League Cup Winners' Cup Winners 1969/1970|accessdate=2007-01-25|publisher=swindon-town-fc.co.uk] A penalty was awarded, which Fabio Enzo converted. Just two minutes later, the half-time whistle sounded.
Then, as Salvori broke into the penalty area, he literally threw himself over the outstretched leg of Smart. Much to the dismay of the Town players, the referee immediately awarded a penalty from which Enzo scored.Cite web|url=http://www.swindon-town-fc.co.uk/Achievements/Reports/Report19701001_01.asp|title=Swindon make it tough for the Italians|accessdate=2007-01-25|publisher=
Swindon Advertiser |author=Clive King]The second half was more evenly contested, and Swindon equalised through
Peter Noble who sliced a chipped free-kick from John Smith just out of the grasp of the Roma goalkeeper, Alberto Ginulfi.Cite web|url=http://www.swindon-town-fc.co.uk/Achievements/Reports/Report19701001_01.asp|title=Swindon make it tough for the Italians|accessdate=2007-01-25|publisher=Swindon Advertiser |author=Clive King] Roma responded with a period of concerted attack and were rewarded when Renato Cappellini headed home a cross from a corner, which proved to be the winner. Swindon pressurised the Italian defence for the final 10 minutes of the game but could not equalise,Cite web|url=http://www.swindon-town-fc.co.uk/Achievements/1970AngloItalianLCWCWinners.asp|title=Anglo-Italian League Cup Winners' Cup Winners 1969/1970|accessdate=2007-01-25|publisher=swindon-town-fc.co.uk] A.S. Roma won 2-1.2nd leg
For the second leg, Roma attempted to hold onto their lead with a defensive formation [Cite web|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/12/16/ncapello116.xml|title= Swindon a humbling factor for Fabio Capello |accessdate=2007-12-17|date=2007-12-16|publisher=
Sunday Telegraph |author=Patrick Sawyer] . It took Swindon fifteen minutes to pull level on aggregate, whenArthur Horsfield volleyed home a cross from John Smith. The game remained at 1-0 until the 70th minute, when Horsfield added his second and Don Rogers scored the third two minutes later.Cite web|url=http://www.swindon-town-fc.co.uk/Achievements/Reports/Report19701002_01.asp|title=Swindon outplay Italians to win cup|accessdate=2007-01-25|publisher=Swindon Advertiser |author=Clive King]With Roma pushing forward to get back into the game, Horsfield completed his hat-trick in the 89th minute - meaning Swindon Town had won 4-0 on the night, and 5-2 on aggregate.Cite web|url=http://www.swindon-town-fc.co.uk/Achievements/Reports/Report19701002_01.asp|title=Swindon outplay Italians to win cup|accessdate=2007-01-25|publisher=
Swindon Advertiser |author=Clive King]Post game
Impressed with the competition and spirit of both fans and clubs, the Italian FA organised another Anglo-Italian competition for later the same season.Cite web|url=http://www.swindon-town-fc.co.uk/Achievements/1970AngloItalianLCWCWinners.asp|title=Anglo-Italian League Cup Winners' Cup Winners 1969/1970|accessdate=2007-01-25|publisher=swindon-town-fc.co.uk] This was to be the
1970 Anglo-Italian Cup , a competition that Swindon Town won. A.S. Roma were later Anglo-Italian Cup champions in 1972.References
External links
* [http://www.rsssf.com/tablesa/angloitleagcup.html#69 Anglo-Italian League Cup 1969] at
RSSSF
* [http://www.swindon-town-fc.co.uk/Achievements/1970AngloItalianLCWCWinners.asp Anglo-Italian League Cup Winners 1969/1970] - swindon-town-fc.co.uk
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.