In an exhilarating match on Tuesday evening, Cheltenham Town edged past York City with a 3-2 victory, much to the delight of their manager, Steve Cotterill. Reflecting on the game, Cotterill described it as a “really good game,” emphasising the abundance of goals and attacking play that pleased both the team and their supporters.
Cotterill acknowledged York City’s strength, noting their cohesion and solid budget since promotion. “They are a good team; they’ve been together for a while and have a really good group of lads,” he commented, highlighting the challenge they presented.
Turning to his own squad, Cotterill expressed confidence and pride in his players. “I knew what I was getting when bringing these lads in,” he said, praising their ongoing improvement and particularly their strong first-half performance in attacking the away end, which is traditionally a challenging area.
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The manager touched on officiating decisions, mentioning a penalty awarded to Cheltenham and another potential penalty claim concerning Andi Weimann that went unheeded. He voiced disappointment with refereeing standards, saying, “I don’t think we are getting the rub of the green with referees at the moment,” but wished not to dwell excessively on the matter.
A star of the evening was loanee Jake Evans from Leicester City, who scored twice. Cotterill spoke highly of the 18-year-old talent, praising his character as well as his footballing ability. “He’s a great lad… down to earth and a brilliant lad. He is a right tough cookie and not a bad player either,” Cotterill enthused. Evans nearly scored a hat-trick, with his third effort saved by the goalkeeper.
Regarding tactical adjustments, Cotterill explained the switch to a back three at half-time as a strategic move to cover for injury concerns. “Ben Stevenson was probably still struggling a little with a hamstring,” he said, noting the need to protect key players while maintaining defensive solidity. He commended the team’s adaptability to an unpracticed formation, crediting the players’ commitment and understanding.
Charlie McCann played a crucial role by netting the decisive goal, bouncing back well after missing a penalty earlier at Barnet. Cotterill highlighted McCann’s professionalism and assured fans that penalty duties will be rotated.
Veteran player Andi Weimann also earned praise for his work rate and dedication, with the manager appreciating his contribution despite speculation on striker options. “He is a great lad… humble and the lads love him,” Cotterill remarked.
The resilience shown by Cheltenham Town was a key talking point. The team twice came from behind to claim victory despite moments of adversity, illustrating their evolving character under Cotterill’s guidance.
Cotterill reflected on the club’s progress, stating, “It’s been 11 months now since we stopped that rot of losing… everything needed to change here: the culture and everything.” He acknowledged the challenges faced during the transfer window and praised the squad for their attitude and determination.
When asked about Ryan Broom’s fitness, Cotterill revealed the midfielder had suffered a hamstring injury late in the game. “It’s a bit more hamstring tendon where there is never a good blood supply,” he explained, uncertain about the recovery time. Cotterill commended Broom’s excellent pre-season preparation and hoped he would soon be contributing fully alongside wingers like Evans.
Concluding, Cotterill described the night as a “quiet one,” with a busy day ahead for the club. The manager’s focus remains on building good habits and maintaining the momentum as Cheltenham Town navigate their challenging season ahead.