Ethon Archer celebrated a standout moment in his career after netting a sensational second-half winner for Cheltenham Town against Swindon Town on Tuesday. The 23-year-old midfielder’s powerful strike in the 59th minute secured a vital victory for Steve Cotterill’s side, lifting them to 19th place in the League Two table.
Archer, returning to the starting lineup in an advanced central midfield role due to Isaac Hutchinson’s suspension, made an immediate impact. His goal marked his first League Two tally of the season and surpassed his previous best — a match-winning effort against Notts County last April. Reflecting on the strike, Archer said, “I’d say it was better than Notts County, so this is probably number one.”
Despite a missed attempt earlier in the match, Archer seized the opportunity when the ball fell to him from over 25 yards out. “There was only one option: hit it and hope it goes in, and thankfully it did,” he added.
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Manager Steve Cotterill praised Archer’s spectacular goal, likening it to something worthy of a World Cup final. However, Archer quickly credited the team’s defensive resolve in the closing stages of the match for securing the clean sheet against Ian Holloway’s promotion-chasing side. “The boys worked really hard, especially defensively in the last 20 to 30 minutes… we properly dug in deep and put ourselves on the line,” Archer said proudly.
Comfortable in his central role—a position he has occupied intermittently in previous seasons—Archer emphasized his readiness to contribute goals and assists regardless of his position on the pitch. Since his £500,000 transfer to Luton Town in the summer, Archer has been back on loan at Cheltenham, dealing with an unpredictable start to the campaign. “It has been up and down, but I never stop working hard and I will always give my all,” he noted.
Looking ahead to January, Archer remains focused on Cheltenham’s progress, eager to carry positive momentum into his stint at Luton Town. “The aim is to go to Luton with a bit of momentum, but my focus is on the here and now as that’s all I can control,” he stated. The young midfielder also revealed that Luton has been supportive and involved in discussions about his future.
Cotterill also commended Archer for his composed demeanor following his brilliant goal, calling him “a cool cat” and praising his humility and work ethic. Under Cotterill’s guidance, Cheltenham has transformed their form, earning 16 points from the last nine games after a modest start to the season. Archer shared his enthusiasm for the manager’s influence: “The manager has come in, made a change and I feel me and all the boys are enjoying it. We are playing some good football and getting the results we deserve.”