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“What We Can Do Now Is Focus All Our Efforts On Staying In League One”- Cheltenham Town Manager Wade Elliott After Papa Johns Trophy Defeat To Plymouth Argyle

Cheltenham Town missed out on a trip to Wembley as they lost on penalties after a 1-1 draw to Plymouth at Home Park in the Papa Johns Trophy.

Alfie May missed the decisive spot kick, while Ryan Broom and Elliott Bonds also missed meaning Plymouth left 3-2 winners in the shootout.

File:Homepark2.png - Wikimedia Commons
Cheltenham nearly got their first win over Plymouth since the 2019-20 season.

May had given Cheltenham the lead in the match, with a good finish across goal just after half time, before Ryan Hardie equalised with a dinked finish 15 minutes later.

Plymouth also had two goals disallowed for offside as well as hitting the post in the final moments, while May almost scored from distance with the last kick of the game.

Cheltenham had impressed in front of the Sky Sports cameras, with Luke Southwood and Charlie Raglan putting in solid displays in goal and defence.

It was a stark contrast to their 4-0 defeat to Michael Duff’s Barnsley on Saturday, and a performance they will want to put in again with tough games as Portsmouth and Derby in their next two.

Cheltenham manager Wade Elliot on the missed opportunity: “I’m gutted I can’t give the fans Wembley, but what we can do is focus all our efforts into staying in League One.”

Plymouth manager Steven Schumacher said Cheltenham had given his side ‘three of the toughest games’ they’ve had when facing the Robins this season.

Sheffield Wednesday given stark Alfie May warning ahead of Cheltenham Town  clash - YorkshireLive
Alfie May scored in both games as Home Park this season

Elliott was also full of pride as his team nearly won at one of the best teams in League One: “They’ve given a good representation of who we are, hard-working, honest, committed with a sprinkling of quality.”

May’s 11th goal of the season was set up by new record signing Aidan Keena who Elliott is impressed with as he builds a partnership with Cheltenham’s star man:

“They are two very good footballers, who will enjoy playing with each other because they will find each other because they are aware of each others movements.”

Cheltenham head to Fratton Park on Saturday to take on an improving Portsmouth: ” We always endeavour to give the fans a performance to be proud of. I said before the game, we don’t have bags of money, but we have hard work commitment, and a team to be proud of.”

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