Fans gave us that extra buzz, says goal hero Broom
RYAN Broom admits he fully deserved his yellow card for jumping into the crowd after his late winner against Bolton Wanderers on Tuesday night.
It was his first goal since returning to Cheltenham Town on transfer deadline day and it secured their fourth home league victory in succession, leading to some scenes of wild celebration in block one of the Colin Farmer Stand.
“I was slowly getting further and further into the crowd, so I thought I’d best make my way back to the pitch!” Broom said.
“It was a yellow card and rightly so, but it was a great atmosphere, a proper Tuesday night game and the fans were buzzing and they gave us that extra buzz and extra energy we needed. For us to get back-to-back wins is brilliant.”
Cheltenham had not beaten Bolton before in four previous league meetings and they had to be patient on Tuesday night, despite dominating long spells of the game.
The key moment was instigated by Dan Nlundulu, who played as the lone centre forward, with Broom and Christian Norton operating as number 10s in support.
“I caught a bit of eye contact with Dan and it was a great pass from him,” Broom said. “I took a good touch and slotted it in.
“The whole team worked hard, but I felt the front three especially, so I had a feeling we’d score a late goal and it was just a matter of who it was going to fall to.
“We know that Bolton are brilliant with midfield rotations and I had clear instructions on what to do and how to press. Thankfully the chance came to me and I put it away, so I am happy with that.”
Cheltenham have won four games and lost once since Broom returned to their starting line-up, having gone on from the bench for his second debut in the draw at Port Vale on September 3.
He feels his sharpness has returned and that returning to the club two years after leaving for Peterborough United was the right decision.
“I am starting to get there now sharpness wise and at the age of 26 I just want to be playing games and enjoying my football,” Broom said.
“It’s not been plain sailing since I left after initially starting well at my new club, but when things like that happen you don’t take anything for granted and I try to play every game like it’s my last.
“I owe this club a lot from giving me my chance to play regularly at 21 or 22 and am really enjoying being back.”
Cheltenham make their second ever visit to third-placed Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday.
“You couldn’t ask for more off the back of two good results,” Broom said. “We’ll go there trying to build on what we’ve been doing well, matching what we have done in the last two games or even bettering it.”
Cheltenham controlled most of the first half, with Ryan Jackson skewing an effort wide of the near post after Broom’s pass in the 15th minute.
Nlundulu then curled an effort just wide from the edge of the box and Taylor Perry forced James Trafford into a diving save low to his right.
The Robins continued to dominate in the second half and only a fine reaction save from Trafford denied Lewis Freestone, who met Perry’s cross with a firm downward header in the 67th minute.
Bolton threatened for the first time when Ricardo Santos headed over from a Jack Iredale corner in the 63rd minute, but they failed to register a shot on target.
Head coach Wade Elliott set the side up with a 3-4-3 formation without the injured Alfie May, who faces up to 10 weeks out with an ankle injury.
“I thought they were excellent, from one to 18, to a man. I think it was the right outcome,” said Elliott.
“They kept believing, kept pushing, never gave in and for all the chances we created, all the shots and crosses, they kept probing and asking questions. They justifiably got their reward.
“It was a really good goal and a bit of quality. Dan (Nlundulu) was good, holding the ball for us. Great run, great ball and a good finish.
“Broomy can do that and he has the energy to keep getting in the box and keep putting himself in situations where he can score goals, so I am pleased for him and for everyone.
“The game plan worked, but that’s testament to the players.
“You can set it out, but they are the ones that have to go and live it, enact it and the ones who came on slotted in. Iam really pleased with them and for everybody because it’s been a good night for the football club.
“That’s four wins in a row at home now and two clean sheets. We want this to feel like a difficult place for teams to come. Obviously, the last few results go a long way towards doing it.
“They are a really good side and they’ll be there or thereabouts at the end of the season.”
On May’s injury, Elliott said: “The estimate is about eight to 10 weeks. It’s obviously not what anyone wants, but these things happen. Players get injuries and we’ll work around it the best we can.
“I don’t believe he’ll need an op. There is a little bit of swelling to get down before we can fully ascertain what’s underneath.”
But the head coach stressed that it will give other players a chance, with Norton given the nod.
“He has pace to burn. He can go in behind and give them problems on turnover, which I think he did.
“We have players who have been waiting and champing. It’s a long season and it won’t be determined by one to 11, it’ll be the full crop of them,” said Elliott.
“They looked dangerous, but we have attacking options. You saw Alfie on Saturday was really sharp and bright. Of course we don’t want to be without him, but it happens.
“You get injuries in football and we do have a squad of 20-odd and we believe in all of them. It’s a good opportunity for other people now.” Cheltenham Town: Southwood; Long, Taylor, Freestone; Jackson, Sercombe, Perry (Bonds 79), Broom, Ferry (Williams 79); Nlundulu, Norton (Lloyd 84). Subs not used: Macdonald, Bradbury, Brown, Adshead.
Bolton Wanderers: Trafford; Aimson (Sadlier 61), Santos, Johnston; Jones, Williams, Thomason (Morley 72), Iredale; Dempsey (Afolayan 61); Charles (Kachunga 70), Bodvarsson (Bakayoko 70). Subs not used: Sheehan, Beck.