Cheltenham Town manager Michael Flynn expressed his frustration following his team’s latest defeat, with it marking their second consecutive loss in League Two.
Cheltenham welcomed AFC Wimbledon to the EV Charger Points Stadium in what was each team’s third League Two match of the 2024/25 campaign. Both sides were aiming to bounce back from recent league defeats, with both teams suffering defeat on the road last time out. Cheltenham lost to Grimsby Town, whilst Wimbledon lost at the hands of newly promoted Bromley.
New signing Sam Stubbs went straight into the mix for Cheltenham, with Wimbledon making a few changes from the side who took on Bromley in the League.
The Dons dominated possession in the first half, but without any real goal-scoring threat, and at half time both sides were still level. The Robins improved in the second half, having more of the ball, however, one moment of brilliance from both Ryan Johnson and Joe Pigott saw Pigott score his second goal of the season, with the away side taking a well-deserved lead. With not much time left on the clock, Cheltenham were pushing for that all-important equaliser, but to no avail, with Wimbledon coming away with all three points.
Talking to Gloucestershire Live, Flynn admitted that the afternoon had been a tough one
“Yes, especially the first half. For as bad as we were, we didn’t create anything and the gaps were too big, but I did think Wimbledon were excellent. They were solid, compact, a team of men. We did improve second half, which is not a great thing because it would have been hard not to improve, they have stuck together and it’s a lack of experience with the goal we’ve conceded. We switched off, allowing Joe Pigott to have a free tap-in. We regroup and go again, but the first half wasn’t good enough.”
Flynn further commented on what he said to the team at half-time, and how he viewed the overall game
“I asked them to improve, really. Get closer, not be as deep as a back three. Too many gaps in midfield. We just didn’t create anywhere near what I would have liked today. The free-kick at the end was a carbon copy of how Grimsby scored last week and how we lost. We decided to try something we haven’t worked on. You might ask why, but I want somebody to step up, take responsibility and say ‘I am putting this in the back of the net’. Unfortunately, we didn’t have that today. They gave their all and in the second half, we slightly edged it, but I would rather have been poor and nicked it.”
The result leaves Cheltenham 16th in League Two, with AFC Wimbledon climbing up to 8th.
Writer’s View
It was a frustrating afternoon for all involved at Cheltenham. The first half was extremely poor, with the Dons dominating. If Wimbledon could finish, it would’ve been game over by halftime. The disconnection between the backline and midfield was felt, with Johnnie Jackson’s team able to pass it around freely and with ease.
Yes, the Robins did improve in the second half, but it didn’t prove to be enough, with Wimbledon taking the three points home with them, and deservedly so. It is fair to say that Flynn’s side needs to improve if they want to be anywhere near the top half of the table by the end of the season.
The Dons, on the other hand, will be feeling pleased with that result and performance. As Flynn said, they deserve credit for being on it, compact, organised and being able to add that finishing touch when it mattered. They look to be coming together under Jackson, and could be a side we see fighting for promotion this season.
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