Cheltenham Town defender Tom Bradbury feels ‘flat’ and ‘frustrated’ following his side’s 1-1 draw against Grimsby Town in League Two at the EV Charger Points Stadium.
After the game, Bradbury was visibly emotional about his side: “We’re frustrated and I don’t think we really got going. First-half we did okay and second-half it felt like we couldn’t really get up the pitch and felt like we were defending for most of it.
“It feels like an annoying day really – we really wanted to win the game and we know how big of a game it was. They’re directly above us in the table and we need to close the gap, the games are running out and we really need to close that gap.
“I feel flat but if we go and win on Tuesday then you can argue it’s a good point – we’ll do our best and keep trying. “
The result sees Cheltenham sit 12th in the table on 46 points; while Grimsby sit three points off the play-off places, with 52 points.
Ethan Williams gave the hosts the lead through a well-worked set-piece routine, but they were pegged back by a goal from a Grimsby long throw early in the second-half.
Michael Flynn’s Robins are now on a four-match unbeaten run, and the side remain unbeaten at home this calendar year but they will feel disappointed to drop crucial points at home against fellow play-off rivals.
“(Their equaliser), It’s (a) definite handball – the ref had a poor game in my opinion. I think it’s his first game in the EFL and I obviously wish him well but I think he got a few too many decisions wrong and the goal is one of them.
“It’s just an annoying day, I feel very frustrated at the moment but we’ve just got to move on now, onto Bradford.
“We need more clean sheets, a clean sheet today wins us the game. I’m so desperate to get into those play-offs and just so desperate to get this club back into League One.
“Rather than have it slip through our fingers, I want us to have a real go and a real chance.”
Bradbury has been with the club for three seasons, after joining from National League side Halifax Town at the conclusion of the 2021-22 season.
The 27-year-old has played 34 times for Michael Flynn’s side this season, scoring once and assisting four while maintaining a 7.0 average match rating.
Cheltenham Town travel to Bradford on the back of a 3-0 win in Newport on the last away outing. Meanwhile, the Bantams will be looking to extend their impressive unbeaten home record; having not lost since November 9th at Valley Parade.
