Cheltenham Town manager Steve Cotterill lauded his team’s exceptional performance following their narrow 1-0 triumph over Swindon Town. “The boys were brilliant tonight,” Cotterill enthused. “After recent matches, we needed to put a marker down away from home — and we certainly did. Swindon are no accident at the top of the table; they have a very strong squad, but our performance was excellent from start to finish.”
The match’s deciding moment came from Ethon Archer, whose strike Cotterill described as “a goal fit to win any game, even a World Cup final.” Despite playing in an unusual position, Archer covered every blade of grass in midfield and delivered a moment of pure class that left fans and teammates in awe.
Defensive discipline was also key to the victory. Cotterill praised his back four and goalkeeper Ben Stevenson for completely shutting down Swindon’s attacks, noting that the visitors had “not even had a shot on target,” a testament to the unit’s cohesion and focus. “Robbie Cundy stepped up well, handling the physical threats of strikers Ollie Palmer and Drinan,” he added, commending the entire defense for their resilience.
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Cotterill acknowledged the team’s hard work without star midfielder Isaac Hutchinson, who is expected to return soon. He also discussed the upcoming busy fixture schedule, emphasizing the importance of rest and preparation going into the Christmas period.
When asked about recent changes, Cotterill confirmed that Harry Pell had amicably left the club to pursue other opportunities, wishing him well for the future.
Looking ahead, Cheltenham will face Leicester City at home in the FA Cup. Cotterill reflected on his brief history with the Foxes and spoke positively about the upcoming challenge as the team focuses on continuing their strong form.
The win marked a significant confidence boost for Cheltenham, moving them up to 19th place on the table. Cotterill concluded, “It’s all about points right now; where we rank on the table will follow.”