Michael Flynn hails ‘outstanding’ Cheltenham after convincing win over Rotherham

Posted Sunday, November 03, 2024 by PA

Michael Flynn is looking forward to continuing his magical relationship with the FA Cup after guiding Cheltenham to a 3-1 first-round victory at Rotherham.

The 44-year-old, who made a name for himself by twice steering hometown club Newport beyond the third stage of the competition, watched on as a Joel Colwill brace and Ethon Archer’s superb solo effort condemned Town’s League One opponents to defeat.

Cheltenham manager Flynn said: “I thought we were outstanding. We knew they were going to hit the diagonals and we fell asleep after we scored, when they got the equaliser quickly.

“After that we were outstanding. We played some good stuff and grew into the game.

“That is a fantastic win against a Rotherham team who are expected to be near the top of League One.

“Joel has not played a lot of football at first team level. The intensity of League Two is non-stop and relentless with the Saturdays and the Tuesdays.

“It’s tough to keep up the levels. I thought he was excellent today but I don’t care who scored because, for me, it’s about the team and the togetherness which can take you a long way.

“We’ve been a lot more consistent for the duration of a game, not just in one half whether it be the first, the second or 20 minutes here and there.

“We are a new team, a new squad and it’s going to take a lot of time to get to the finished article. We have only just started but we are in a good moment at the minute.”

A fumble by goalkeeper Cameron Dawson presented Colwill, on loan from Cardiff, with his opener before Mallik Wilks’ low drive immediately dragged Rotherham level.

However, Colwill’s header restored Cheltenham’s advantage on the stroke of half-time and Archer then made sure of the League Two side’s progress by powering a fine finish beyond Dawson after teasing the hosts’ rearguard.

The result means Rotherham have not beaten a team from the leading four divisions in the cup since 2013.

Millers assistant manager Paul Raynor said: “We didn’t see that coming. We looked bright and bubbly in training, felt good and the boys prepared really well.

“We told them all the pitfalls, about what can happen against lower league opposition. We told them that they would be very direct and that they were strong from set-pieces.

“That’s what happens if you disrespect the opposition. I hope it was only subconsciously. We huffed and puffed. Cheltenham worked incredibly hard. They got back into shape and put their bodies on the line. We didn’t.

“There are no excuses. We can’t sugarcoat it and there are no excuses because we didn’t do enough.

“We had a period in the first half when we got on the ball and it looked like it might be a comfortable-ish afternoon. But we gave them a goal and something to cling on to.

“Michael has done it a number of times against teams in the cup and today he’s done it to us. Congratulations to him and them because they deserved it and we didn’t.

“We got beaten by the better and more clinical side on the day.”