I entered the County Ground quite apprehensive on Saturday afternoon but nothing I predicted about the upcoming game was correct apart from the fact that we won.
As the minutes ticked down to kick off goosebumps slowly appeared and it finally set in as today is they day we get what have we have deserved for so long after this entirely memorable season. The four stands slowly filled and the atmosphere grew.
The teams walked out and we knew we were 90 minutes away from being Champions of League Two. The game itself started slowly with both teams unable to create any clear cut chances until the 17th minute when Ritchie shot over.
In truth there wasn't much action until ten minutes before the half time interval when Aden Flints back pass was smartly intercepted by Vale forward Marc Richards but young Robins keeper Foderingham produced a remarkable tackle to roll the ball out for a corner.
But then the match sprung into life when John Bostock (whos been impressive in the past two games) smartly passed it back to Ritchie on the edge of the box who fired a ferocious shot into the far top corner to send the Swindon fans into a frenzy and sparked scenes that the County Ground have missed for too long.
After the interval Swindon started as they finished they first half and soon added a second when Simon Ferry back heeled it to Paul Benson who causally chipped the ball over the Vale keeper to spark mass celebrations.
Bostock looked as he'd made it three but for a great goal-line clearance but the third eventually as Lee Holmes, who has excellent in recent weeks, did well well to get round his defender and send a cross into the box that Benson slotted home. It was soon turning into a rout and goal number four quickly followed as Aden Flint nodded in Ritchie's corner. Then the match was rounded off with top-scorer Alan Connell getting on to the end of Jonathan Smiths shot and making it five.
The full time whistle blew to mass celebrations, an amazing pitch invasion took place as we knew that Swindon Town were Champions. These after-match celebrations topped off a memorable day and Ferry running around partly naked gave everyone a great laugh, this was a day I am sure no Swindon fans will forget in a hurry and I hope for many more in the near future.
We wouldn't have done it without Paolo Di Canio who has been an amazing manager during the past season, and I am sure all Swindon fans would like to say a big thank you to him for fighting through the pain of the death of both of his parents to gurantee his first piece of silverwear as Robins manager. What a season it has been for the Robins, bring on League One!
Swindon Town, League Two Champions.
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