10 seasons on from Wembley and The Cobblers have once again recorded a 1-0 victory over Swansea City with a defender on the scoresheet once again! This victory may not be as vital as John Frain's dramatic winner in 1997 under the gaze of the twin towers but in terms of this season's progression it brings huge relief as we finally record out first home win of the campaign.
James Quinn started the game after his late goal at Brighton last weekend while Ian Taylor came in for the injured Mitchell Cole. The midfield looked worryingly narrow with what seemed to be four central midfielders playing across the centre of the park.
The Swans came to Sixfields in 5th place and I was looking at the game more in hope than expectation of getting a result. Scott McGleish so nearly gave us the lead early on, his volley forcing a fine save from visiting keeper Willy Gueret. Swansea began to find their feet as the half wore on though and Mark Bunn once again reminded us, and Lee Harper, that he is the number one keeper at the club. Rory Fallon and Lee Trundle tested Bunn from range but he was more than up to the task on both occasions.
We were happy to go in level at half time and it had been a solid performance from the Cobblers with James Quinn impressing in his hold up play.
We started the brighter of the two sides in the second half and were rewarded when Luke Chambers latched onto a long David Hunt throw in from the right to volley home past Gueret with a finish that McGleish would have been proud of! We had something to hold on to and Sixfields, although tense, began to get right behind the side, desperate for that illusive first win at home. Swansea came more and more into the game and Bunn was once again called into action when Trundle curled a free kick in, forcing the 21-year-old to tip just over. We looked to be hanging on well enough to record the win but the Swans always looked a threat coming forward. In stoppage time, there was one final twist. Leon Britton seemed to dive in on Jason Crowe and Crowe reacted, shoving Britton over. Britton picked up his second yellow card and was sent packing but Crowe just picked up yellow which he can feel pretty fortunate about after raising his hands.
Five minutes of injury time later and the full time whistle went. You could feel the absolute relief ringing around Sixfields as that home win was finally achieved against one of the favourites for promotion.
Luke Chambers scored his first goal for the Cobblers after 133 games and he deserves it more than anyone else. Next up are Blackpool at home and hopefully the home form has completely turned around. We now know that a win against the Tangerines will propel us to the heady heights of the top half of League One! Get the tissues ready...I may have a nosebleed!
1 comment:
Keep up the good work. Its rare to see a cobblers fan that can actually see the game fairly and not be too one-eyed.
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