Cheltenham Town manager Steve Cotterill reflected on a hard-fought 1-1 draw away at Harrogate Town, praising his team’s honesty and effort despite a demanding schedule and a lengthy journey.
“We’re happy to get a point,” Cotterill said. “In the second half, they put us under pressure, especially after equalizing, which was disappointing. We could have managed that period better. However, our goal was outstanding and probably the best moment of quality in the game.”
Cotterill acknowledged the challenge posed by the opponent, who made eight changes from their previous meeting, noting, “They were a different team compared to when we played at home. Traveling such a long distance on the day of the match took its toll—it’s not ideal to start a game more than 12 hours after waking up. I would’ve preferred it to be on a Saturday for better preparation.”
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Despite some players appearing fatigued, Cotterill emphasized the players’ determination: “They may have looked a bit leggy, but the effort was never lacking. Our only real lapse was just before the equalizing corner. Other than that, the team showed great spirit.”
Holding the lead proved tough. “If we’d managed to keep a clean sheet for another 10 minutes, I think they wouldn’t have had that surge at the end. That moment was key.”
Goalkeeper Joe Day was also singled out for his composure: “Joe made some important saves. He’s solid and reliable—nothing caught him off guard.”
Cotterill praised the contributions of young players like Harry Ashfield, who played a key role in the goal alongside Jake Bickerstaff. He also highlighted midfielder Ben Stevenson’s resilience despite feeling unwell at halftime. “Ben did so many interceptions, and when I asked if he could keep going, he said yes. That personal commitment helps build team spirit.”
The manager noted the team’s current form, saying, “We’re unbeaten in four now, which is positive. When I joined, results fluctuated—winning a few and losing a few—but we need to stabilize and turn draws into wins.”
Regarding new signing Mo Faal from Wrexham, Cotterill said, “We’re still in talks. He’s rehabbing and not quite ready yet. We’ll see how it goes, but we aren’t planning any training sessions with him at the moment.”
Cotterill also addressed concerns about illness within the squad, mentioning Jordan Thomas and Ben Stevenson. “There might be some colds circulating after our recent travel. Hopefully, with the weekend off, the boys can recover.”
In closing, Cotterill commended his team’s effort under tough circumstances: “Considering the long bus journey and early start, the lads put in an incredible shift. Some players travel even further from Bristol, so it’s been a tough day all round. That point was hard-earned and well-deserved.”