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30 Dec 2025
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30 Dec 2025
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Ian Holloway was delighted to see Swindon exact revenge on Cheltenham by recording a 2-0 away victory.
Cheltenham won 1-0 at Swindon when the West Country rivals met earlier in December.
But second-half goals from Aaron Drinan and Filozofe Mabete saw Swindon turn the tables as they moved up to second in League Two.
Swindon boss Holloway said: “Cheltenham look like a really good side, so well done to Steve (Cotterill), which I said last time we played them.
“I thought that we started really well, but we found it difficult to break them down and we found it difficult to create chances.
“Steve is very experienced and has got a very good team there. I think they are very organised and really difficult to get through.
“I had to calm everybody down at half-time, because you can’t always play really well or always do what you want, it is about digging in and fighting and battling for each other.
“We have got such a young team and Fil Mabete got his first league goal so I am so proud of him.”
Cheltenham had secured bragging rights at the County Ground on December 9 thanks to Ethon Archer’s stunning strike, but this time Holloway’s side were able to celebrate with their 1,054 travelling fans.
The deadlock was broken in the 57th minute when Drinan reacted quickest to nod in a rebound from close range for his 18th goal of the season.
Swindon made sure of the points through half-time substitute Mabete in the 75th minute.
Cheltenham boss Steve Cotterill admitted his team were second best on the night.
“The bottom line is they are a better team than us,” he said.
“There is no point is us thinking we are hard done by or whatever, they are better than us.
“Their squad is better than ours, that’s the bottom line, and we are a fair bit behind them.
“We did really, really well down there and we caught them. I think they were more ready for us tonight and I’ve spoken to the boys about that.
“Sometimes you just have to take it and I don’t like taking any defeat, but sometimes you just have to take it.”
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