El Glosico: The intense rivalry behind the biggest football match in the county.

The tension in the air could be felt along the high street. Police presence kept the fans under control, as chants from clusters of boys and men broke out in a verbal battle of attrition. It was 'El Glosico' day, and Forest Green Rovers had invaded Cheltenham.

The build up to a Cheltenham football match is typically quite reserved, with a welcoming atmosphere felt along Whaddon Road. However today, those who wanted to stay out of the way did, with a purposeful shuffle towards the stadium.

Police on horseback reinforced the severity of the situation, there is a history between these two football clubs... and it is a less than friendly one.

With the players ready in the changing rooms, set to explode out onto the pitch, there was a literal explosion ten feet away from the stands. A Cheltenham fan had thrown a flare onto the pitch which engulfed the penalty area, and caused the metallic smell of gunpowder to blow towards the spectators.

The supporters jeered their approval as the stewards could only watch, as the canister engraved itself into the penalty area like a smoking tattoo.

Warnings of lifetime bans for anyone who is caught with explosives, bellowed over the intercom, before the players emerged to a thunderous ovation. Every name announced was either met with a “hooray!” for Cheltenham, or a shunning “boo!” for the Rovers.

The matches' pantomime villain was Forest Green's Carl Winchester. The former Robin's captain received a downpour of abuse for every touch of the ball he made. Winchester fired his shot after he ditched the red and whites for green and black stripes. A move which provoked a gang mentality from the home fans, out of total disrespect.

Innovative chants directed at one another heated the atmosphere up to boiling point. A Rovers player was lying faced down due to injury, which prompted a chorus of "You're eating our grass, you vegan b*sterds, you're eating our grass!"

Rovers took the lead, which was not well received. Jack Aitchinson’s tidy finish came after some solo technical brilliance, but the goal was tarnished by the playground goading antics of the Green Devils.

Officials forced the celebrating players away from the Cheltenham supporters, who were hostile in response. Forest Green’s second goal from Elliot Frear just before half time, received a similar reaction, as frustrations grew for the home fans.

Robins faithful Luke Varney narrowed the deficit with a blistering header. He rose above the green and black wall and capitalised on the goalkeeper’s parried save. There were ecstatic cheers from three quarters of the ground and murmurs of: “comebacks on here lads”, as Cheltenham raced back to restart the game.

The optimism grew to insatiable levels, as five minutes of added time flashed a neon green ray of hope. The motivational reaction to that lifeline seemed louder than the cheers for Varney’s earlier goal.

Yet sadly for the home side, it was to no avail. As the Cheltenham supporters marched away into the cold November night, pockets of hooligan fans began to target the away supporters, and tried to rush past the security. However, a luminous orange barrier of guards enforced there stand on the troublemakers, sending them away gesturing into the dark.

The dramatics surrounding the supporters didn’t overshadow the football, it was exciting to see two sets of fans so animated about their hometown clubs, with players on both sides equally as passionate to wear the badge on their shirt. 'El Glosico' truly is the highlight in the Gloucestershire football calendar.