Connect with us

League Two

Graham Alexander felt Bradford should have beaten Cheltenham

Graham Alexander

Graham Alexander was left frustrated as Bradford’s three-match winning run was ended by a 1-1 draw at Cheltenham.

Neill Byrne put the Bantams ahead inside five minutes, but Luke Young smashed in a long-range equaliser 10 minutes later and Bradford did not regain control until after half-time.

They controlled much of the second period, but could not find a winner and missed out on a chance to climb into the top three in League Two.

“We are frustrated really after taking the lead,” Alexander said.

“We allowed Cheltenham to get back in the game by not doing the basics well and we were second best on a lot of duels at the front and the back, to be honest.

“Their competitiveness got on top of us first half and they will feel they deserved their equaliser because they had good opportunities.

“The second half was exactly what we wanted because it was completely dominant and we should have won the game, but we couldn’t find that elusive second goal.

“We had good opportunities, hit the bar and it was much better on a competitive level, which allowed us to show our quality.”

Match Action

Byrne nodded in Richie Smallwood’s free-kick for his second goal in two games.

But the Robins responded when Harrison Sohna rolled a corner to Young who tried his luck from 30 yards and although Sam Walker got a hand to it, he could not keep it out.

Cheltenham looked the more threatening until half-time, with Joel Colwill forcing a reaction save from Walker and Jordan Thomas also denied by the Bradford number one.

Bradford improved after the break, with Andy Cook’s header kept out by Joe Day in the 50th minute.

Bobby Pointon saw a shot hit the bar in the 55th minute and the same player drew another stop from Day seconds later.

Cheltenham’s best effort of the second half was a low shot from Ethon Archer that Walker turned around the post in the 79th minute as honours finished even.

Robins boss Michael Flynn felt his side were denied a perfectly good goal in the opening minutes, when George Miller found the net only to be flagged for offside.

“George is onside when the ball is played and we should also have had a penalty in the first half for handball,” Flynn said.

“Bradford were the better team second half and I am not taking away from that, but it was a really, really good performance first half. I thought we were excellent.

“Second half, they got on top, but we stuck to it and we’d have lost that game two weeks ago, so I am proud of the players.

“They’ve been clapped off today and that’s the minimum that I require from them.”

Tackle the News

- Sign Up for our weekly Football League Newsletter Today!
Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Best Betting Sites at Betinireland.ienew-UK-football-betting-sites-banner

More in League Two

  • Johnnie Jackson praises Myles Hippolyte after AFC Wimbledon win play-off final

    Johnnie Jackson believes Myles Hippolyte produced the best performance of his AFC Wimbledon career to help his side beat Walsall 1-0 in the League Two play-off final. The Dons were ahead at the break after Hippolyte fired an exquisite half-volley into the bottom-right corner of Tommy Simkin’s goal. Walsall came...

  • AFC Wimbledon reach League One at Wembley!

    Wimbledon are back in League One after Myles Hippolyte’s first half goal fired them to promotion against Walsall under the Wembley Arch. The former Stockport County man struck moments before half time with a stunning half volley to secure Johnnie Jackson a first promotion as a manager and send Wimbledon...

  • AFC Wimbledon seal promotion to League One with play-off final win over Walsall

    Myles Hippolyte scored the match-winning goal as AFC Wimbledon secured promotion to League One with a 1-0 win against Walsall in the League Two play-off final. The Dons went ahead on the stroke of half-time thanks to a thunderous strike from Hippolyte. Johnnie Jackson’s side had to ride their luck...

  • Sam Hutchinson had heart attack in sixth minute of match before scoring winner for AFC Wimbledon

    AFC Wimbledon midfielder Sam Hutchinson revealed he had a heart attack during the game where his goal later sealed a League Two play-off place. The 35-year-old has undergone surgery to place a stent in a blocked artery after he fell ill following his side’s 1-0 win at Grimsby on May...