Tuesday, August 29, 2006

Northampton Town 1-3 Bristol City

Well a huge disappointment in the end as the ten men of City took home their first away win of the season, condeming us to our third home defeat in three this season.

Andy Kirk put us ahead early on with a tap in after Adriano Basso spilled Crowe's deflected shot. City were soon level though as Chris Doig again gave away a penalty and it was converted by Phil Jevons. The first half after that was end to end and good entertainment before one of the most bizarre moments in Sixfields' history. Bradley Orr was sent off for the visitors for fighting with his team-mate and throwing his head at him (not literally, I mean as in a head butt, not by taking his head off and throwing it)!

So City came into the second half with only ten men but looked the more positive. Live in front of the nation and a man up, this is bad news in Cobblers Law. Cobblers Law states that:

a)If we're ever in a situation that we should come through, we very usually don't.

and

b)If our backs are against the wall and we're not expected to get anything, we very usually do!

And so it came to pass...

With about 20 minutes to go, Steve Brooker hit a deflected shot that crept agonisingly past the outstretched arm of Mark Bunn and into the corner of the net to the obvious joy of the blatantly pro-City commentary team. Kirk and substitute Pedjy missed golden chances at 1-1 but they were punsihed as City strolled on to finish us off with another dubious penalty late on that Dave Cotterill converted.

Overall a disappointing night and a game that shows how far we have to go to be a top side in this league. We missed the fight of Scotty who will return from his suspension at Rotherham on Friday night.

This could be a very long season...bring it on!

Keep believing.

Northampton Town v Bristol City- Live on Sky Sports 2!



Tonights' Line Ups:

Cobblers: Bunn, Crowe, Chambers, Dyche, Doig, Holt, Taylor, Burnell, Aiston, Kirk, Quinn

Subs: Harper, Jess, Bojic, Watt, Gilligan

City: Basso, Orr, Fontaine, Carey, Noble, Brooker, Jevons, Cotterill, Showumni, McCallister, Johnson

Subs: Brown, Keogh, Russell, Williams, Federici

Monday, August 28, 2006

Eastleigh 0-1 Havant and Waterlooville




We popped along to Eastleigh today to catch some non league football in the Conference South game. The Spitfires took on Havant and Waterlooville in a game that saw Havant's Rocky Baptiste score the only goal.

Former Cobbler Mickey Warner also played for Havant and it was a good afternoon out overall.

Friday, August 25, 2006

Bank Holday...and no game! What's going on?

Strange to be going into a bank holiday weekend with no game for the mighty Town. Usually we have at least one game over the holiday weekend to look forward to but this time around our game, against Bristol City, has been switched to Tuesday night for Sky Sports coverage!

So a free weekend and a hopefully relaxing one. I plan to buy my new camcorder tomorrow and get my suit cleaned and ready for Dave and Marti's wedding next Saturday!

Three lay ins in a row and then the game on Tuesday where I'll be trying to find a pub that's willing to show a lowly League One game!

Happy Bank holiday to one and all!

Tuesday, August 22, 2006

QPR v Northampton Town- Second Half as it happens!

FULL TIME: QPR 3-2 NORTHAMPTON TOWN
A hard fought game, gutted for the lads who so nearly forced extra time against the Championship side. Great fight back before the sucker punch at the end and the only bad thing to come was the result. Well played Town!

9:36pm 5 minutes of stoppage time to go!

9:33PM GOAL: QPR 3-2 NORTHAMPTON TOWN
3 minutes to go and QPR back in front with headed goal from substitute Ray Jones- sickening.

9:23PM GOAL: QPR 2-2 NORTHAMPTON TOWN
Ohhhhh Andy Kiiiiirk, Andy Andy Andy Kiiiiiirk. 2-2, get in goal from the Kirkster!

9:22pm Gallen off for QPR, replaced by Oliseh who's a defender. Push em back boys!

9:14pm Pedjy on for the other Johnson, go on skippy!

9:09pm Andy Kirk's shot deflected safely into the arms of Cole in the QPR goal.

9:01pm GOAL: QPR 2-1 NORTHAMPTON TOWN
Jerome Watt scores on his debut! Run and a drilled shot to give the Town some hope!

8:58 Baidoo for QPR has a good run and sht but it's just wide.

8:55pm GOAL: QPR 2-0 NORTHAMPTON TOWN
Kevin Gallen hammers in a free kick for the home side for 2-0 and it's a long way back now for the Cobblers.

8:51pm Second half kicks off, a cuppa has been fetched during half time! Jerome Watt replaces Bradley Johnson for the second half for Town.

QPR v Northampton Town- First Half as it happens!

HALF TIME: QPR 1-0 NORTHAMPTON TOWN
Rangers sounded dominant until around 5 minutes before half time when The Cobblers picked up and hit the post. We're still alive in the game at least, come on Town!

8:30pm OOOOHHHHHH! Andy Kirk hits the post!

8:26pm Aiston forces a Cobblers corner but it's wasted.

8:21pm Gallen's shot is blocked on the line after another Rangers corner.

8:17pm Dextor Blackstock has a half chance but it's cleared by the Town.

8:11pm Cobblers under more pressure...this could be a long old night!

8:05pm GOAL: QPR 1-0 COBBLERS
Lee Cook puts the home side ahead, taking it past Dyche before hitting a deflected shot in at the near post.

8:02pm Kevin Gallen's header is just wide.

7:59pm Rangers' best effort so far as Lee Cook's free kick flashes wide.

7:53pm Quinn almost puts Cobblers in front but it's saved by Rangers keeper Cole and the ball goes out for the corner, of which nothing comes.

7:50pm Apparantly Andy Kirk has had a haircut since Saturday. Thank you to commentary team on Cobblers World for that vital information!

7:47pm Kick Off! Come on Tooooooooooooown!

QPR v Northampton Town- The Line Ups



QPR: Cole, Bignot, Rehman, Bircham, Gallen, Cook, Baidoo, Bailey, Stewart, Blackstock, Howell

Subs: Donnelly, Jones, Kanyuka, Oliseh, Jones

Cobblers: Bunn, Crowe, Chambers, Dyche, Brett Johnson, Brad Johnson, Jess, Aiston, Burnell, Quinn, Kirk

Subs: Harper, Bojic, Watt, Cross, Gilligan

QPR Preview

The Cobblers travel to Loftus Road for the Carling Cup 1st round tie this evening with a coubt over the fitness of Chris Doig.

Jerome Watt may come into contention for a first start since signing on non contract terms from Blackburn Rovers while Scott McGleish serves the second match of his 3 game suspension.

A tough night ahead and a bonus if we go through but it won't be too devastating should we not progress.

Full updates here from 7:45pm.

Harper wants first team games...

Goalkeeper Lee Harper has been put on the loan list after asking the Gormanator for a first team chance. The 35 year olf stopper wants to be playing week in week out and since Mark Bunn's impressive start to the season and his own howler against Forest, hasn't been able to get his place back.

Rumours are linking Harps with Bristol City and Gillingham at the moment.

Saturday, August 19, 2006

Gillingham 0-1 Northampton Town

A great day out, cool pub before the game, the right result and a woman with a bongo on the train home!

My day started early at 8am with my alarm blaring. It took me a few minutes to realise it was Saturday and then the old feelings began again, the anticipation and the excitement before a game. It was good to be back in the mood of football again and my fry up lined the stomach for the afternoon's proceedings.

I caught the train at 10am and headed for Waterloo, stuck with a snoring woman sat next to me. I really couldn't escape if I wanted to. She woke up just outside Waterloo and proceeded to take what seemed like half an hour to get to her feet and leave the train. Ten minutes later and I would have been headed back in the opposite direction!

Free from the trappings of Madge (that's what I guessed her name was- she looked very like a Madge), I caught a couple of tubes up to Victoria (the station, not a person) and then onwards to Gillingham. My first impressions of the place weren't good in all honesty. Trying not to offend Gillingamtonians (well I don't knwo what a person from Gillingham is called!) but the place really doesn't seem a nice place to live. I walked up towards the away end and found families coming out of their houses giving me "evils" as I passed with the Claret shirt on. This was still early so I decided to try and find a pub.

This task was easy enough and I found a superb little place just down the road, where I found Gillingham and Cobblers fans mixing together with no sign of any trouble. This is what football should be about in my opinion and it was great to see Blue and Claret shirts mixing.

After a couple of drinky poos we headed to the ground and were seated half way up the temporary stand. Why it's still called a "temporary" stand I don't know because it's been there at least 3 years, since my last visit in a 2-1 Cobblers win in the Carling Cup.

On the pitch, Sean Dyche returned to the centre of defence and his experience shone through in a physical game. James Quinn partnered Andy Kirk up front in Scotty's abscence.

There wasn't a lot happening early on and Doig's header from an Andy Holt free kick was the closest either side came in a match that was being slightly affected by the wind. The breakthrough did come mid way through the first half. After a goal mouth scramble, Quinn had a shot cleared off the line but Kirky made no mistake and slotted home his second of the season!

Gillingham's best chance of the half fell to Dean McDonald. Bunn made a good save initially from a header but then pulled off a second stop to deny McDonald. Bunn was solid throughout and on this showing Lee Harper will have his work cut out in his attempts to get back into the side.

The second half was more of the same scrappyness. Ryan Gilligan came on to replace Quinn and looked sharp, making some good runs to give us a breather to the Gill's increasing pressure. Pedj replaced Sam Aiston while Doig limped off with a dead leg, replaced by Bradley Johnson.

We looked strong at the back and set for the win but there would be 5 minutes of stoppage time, lifting the home fans. They threatened with a few crosses into the area and a free kick that went narrowly wide but the Cobblers held out for a very good win.

A physical game and one in which we had to battle for the points rather than play pretty football- something that we had to do a lot last season.

Delighted with that and the day was rounded off with a woman on the train carrying a bongo. Nothing much more to say about that but it just made me think what a random thing to be carrying on a train. Now- who can beat that? If you can get a bongo into/onto/through a more random place than a train and prove it I will send you a free carton of Um Bongo. Get Bongoing people!

Gillingham Preview

The Cobblers travel to Gillingham tomorrow in search of their first win of the season. The Gills have won one and lost two so far, both of their defeats comign away from home.

It'll be a tough game at The Priestfield and the task will be made that bit harder by the absence of Scotty McGleish who is suspended. Mark Bunn looks set to keep his place in goal while James Quinn will be the favourite to replace McGleish after playing for Northern Ireland in midweek. Ryan Gilligan scored for the reserves in mid week and could feature.

My first game of the season tomorrow and I can't wait!

Thursday, August 17, 2006

Quinn helps Northern Ireland to victory!

Cobblers striker James Quinn played 52 minutes of Northern Ireland's 2-1 victory in Finland last night.

Quinn was booked before being substituted early in the second half and will now rejoin John Gorman's troops for the game at Gillingham on Saturday.

Tuesday, August 15, 2006

McGleish red card to stand

Scott McGleish's red card on Saturday against Nottingham Forest WILL stand after an unsuccessful appeal and the striker now faces a three game ban for the use of an elbow. Scotty will miss the game at Gillingham on Saturday along with the Carling Cup 1st Round at QPR and the Sky Sports live game at Sixfields against Bristol City on August 29th.

Monday, August 14, 2006

Town appeal Scotty's red

The Cobblers are appealing after Scott McGleish received a red card for suposedly elbowing a Nottingham Forest player during Saturday's 1-0 defeat at Sixfields. John Gorman is adamant that the sending off was harsh and it seems that the players' reactions were a major factor in the incident. Let's hope he's let off after the FA study the evidence.

Sunday, August 13, 2006

It's a kind of Maaaaaagic!





Dave's stag do was superbly organised yesterday and well done to best men Badoona and Steve for the grand organisation of the BBQ, Neil Armstrong and Len the magician who called himself "The Honest Deceiver". A good time was had by all as we watched Len's trickery and then relaxed to watch a big screen showing of Terminator 2.

We later went out into Newbury to the Hog's Head and tried to get in "Liquid" but Dave's shoes were deemed not to be good enough for their establishment- even though a dude just behind us in the queue walked right in with flip flops on!

Another relaxing day today as well celebrating Roopa's birthday in Old Orleans in Reading and I'm totally full up from the glorious BBQ Chicken melt...MMMMMMM!

So another top weekend in all!

Cobblers 0-1 Forest

Another 1-0 home defeat and this time including an own goal by former Forest man Chris Doig and a Scott McGleish sending off so a pretty dismal day all round up at Sixfields!

1 point from 9 isn't a great start but we have to keep plugging on. I hear the moaners have started already but this is League One and we were never going to be top challengers. Patience my Cobblers, patience!

Friday, August 11, 2006

Nottingham Forest preview


It's incredible to think that we'll be running out with former European Champions Nottingham Forest tomorrow in a League One game!

The game of course has added spice as Colin Calderwood returns as Forest boss. A lot of people are slagging CC off and saying that they'll give him a bad recpetion at Sixfields tomorrow but for a man who has taken us up to League One, I certainly don't think it's justified.

CC gave us some awesome nights like Field Mill in 2004, Rotherham in the FA Cup to set up the tie with Manchester United and last season alone giving us memories like Orient, Oxford and Chester. I for one thank Colin for the work he did here and wish him all the best in the future...after Saturday of course!

As for the game itself, Tyson is missing for Forest but they still have fire power in the likes of Jack Lester and Grant Holt and are the favourites to take the League One title. Another massive test for this Cobblers side awaits as we look for our first win of the season.

John Gorman has promised that we'll attack Forest from the off and let's just hope Calderwood uses his defensive style against us!

This is the final game that I'll miss before I start on my personal League One journey at Gillingham next week!

Thursday, August 10, 2006

Watt a signing...

Jerome Watt has joined the Cobblers on non-contract terms from Blackburn Rovers. Watt, who scored twice in pre-season games, is a former England Under 19s international. He'll be hoping to impress John Gorman in the short term to gain a longer deal.

Meanwhile, Tom Bonner is set to join Nuneaton Borough on a month's loan.

Tuesday, August 08, 2006

Northampton Town v Brentford LIVE SECOND HALF- As it happens!

So a disappointing night in the end for the Cobblers in the opening home game of the season and one mistake is punished by Brentford. Sounded like a poor second half compared to the high tempo of the first and we now look to Colin Calderwood's return with Nottingham Forest on Saturday. Welcome to League One Town!

FULL TIME: NORTHAMPTON TOWN 0-1 BRENTFORD

9:34pm Free Kick for the Cobblers but straight into the wall by Johnson.

9:30pm Bradley Johnson on for the Cobblers as we search for an equiliser.

9:25pm Quinn's cross almost met by the outstretched boot of Kirk. Come on the town!

9:24pm Goal scorer Chris Moore replaced by Alex Rhodes.

9:21pm Ian Taylor replaced by James Quinn for the Cobblers while Pinault is off for Griffiths for the visitors.

9:18pm Bojic's cross finds Kirk who forces a corner, thought that was in from the commentary! I was on my feet!

9:16pm GOAL: NORTHAMPTON TOWN 0-1 BRENTFORD Lee Harper makes a balls up of a bouncing ball and Chris Moore gives Brentford the lead. Balls!

9:11pm Chris Moore misses a glorious chance after Chambers argues that he was fouled. Best chance of the game goes begging and Cobblers are let off. Chris Doig is booked for argueing about the push on Chambers.

9:07pm Dangerous free kick given away by Aiston but the cross is missed by everyone as Brentford step up the pace.

9:04pm Cobblers break and Aiston and Burnell both have shots blocked.

9:03pm Excellent defending from Doigy to deny the Bees twice after Jason Crowe's slip.

8:54pm Pinault for Brentford hits a shot just wide.

8:52pm Joe Burnell hits a right footed shot over the bar after good work from McGleish.

8:50pm The Second half begins...more of the same please lads!

Northampton Town v Brentford LIVE FIRST HALF- As it happens!

8:34pm HALF TIME: NORTHAMPTON TOWN 0-0 BRENTFORD

8:31pm Brentford's Jo Kuffor attempts a lob past Harper but doesn't get enough elevation.

8:25pm Pedjy agonisingly misses a cross from Holt.

8:18pm First decent effort on goal from the Town as Andy Holt blasts just over. Town upping the momentum.

8:15pm The Cobblers begin to get into the game and Aiston and Bojic seem to be linking up well as we look for the opening.

8:10pm First booking of the game goes to The Cobbler's Sam Aiston, who was also booked at the weekned against Crewe.

8:07pm No real chances as yet as the game remains goaless mid way through the half.

7:55pm Andy Kirk has the ball in the net but he's offside.

7:53pm Two more corners for The Bees but former Cobblers target Thomas Pinault miscontrols inside the area.

7:49pm First corner of the game goes to Brentford but a scissor kick is safely defended.

7:47pm The season at Sixfields begins! Come on Town!

7:37pm So here we go, the first game at Sixfields this season and I'm absolutely gutted that I'm not there. Still, I'm there in spirit!

Line ups announced and Kirky's shaken off a knock he picked up on Saturday and partners Captain Scotty up front.

Northampton Town v Brentford LIVE


NORTHAMPTON TOWN V BRENTFORD
TUESDAY, AUGUST 8TH 2006 FOOTBALL LEAGUE ONE
LINE UPS
The Cobblers: Harper, Crowe, Chambers, Doig, Holt, Bojic, Taylor, Burnell, Aiston, McGleish, Kirk
Subs: Quinn, Dyche, Bunn, Jess, Bradley Johnson
Brentford: Nelson, O Conner, Heyward, Frampton, Charles, Tomlin, Skulason, Pinault, Tillen, Kouffer, Moore
Subs: Ide, Rhodes, Brooker, Masters, Griffiths

Monday, August 07, 2006

Brentford Preview


So after the excellent point at Crewe we quickly turn to the opening game at Sixfields of the 2006/2007 season against a Brentford side that will be looking to bounce back from playoff defeat last time out.

The Bees lost Martin Allen in the summer but have started with a 1-0 home win against Bretford. Lloyd Owusu's abscence die to injury should help our cause a little but I expect a very strong Brentford side to arrive at Sixfields in what should be a big test.

Full updates will appear hear from 7:45pm tomorrow night as I listen through the medium of Cobblers World. Once again, gutting to miss the first home game of the season, the first time I think I've missed it for around 10 years! But tune in here tomorrow night if you don't have Cobblers World and want to know the up to the minute news from the game!

Sunday, August 06, 2006

Crewe Alexandra 2-2 Northampton Town

While I was rocking on in the west end, the mighty Town were playing out what sounded like a superb opening game of the season.

Super Scotty cancelled out Ryan Lowe's opener before David Vaughn gave Crewe the lead once more. Then a goal that Andy Kirk needed so much, his first in a long, frustrating period of games which seemed to have stemmed the flow of his usual free scoring ability.

Excellent result in the end and all of the reports I've heard were very positive and we now head to Sixfields for our first home game of the season against Brentford on Tuesday night. I'll have to settle for Cobblers World commentary for that one!

We were, We were...rocked!

Well what can I say? "We Will Rock You" certainly delivered its title's promise. From start to finish, an over the top, spectacular performance that also delivered in its fantastical and funny plot line.

I arrived to meet Lee for a quick drink at a nearby public house in Tottenham Court Road before we made our way to the Dominion Theatre, handily placed right outside the tube station. Our seats were 4 rows from the front, an ideal place to sit because looking at it I think the front couple of rows may have caused an obscured view.

It was a packed house inside the theatre, a historical venue in London's west end. I had no idea what to expect having never been to a musical before but I was very pleasantly surprised.

The story is set years in the future as all rock music and musical instruments are banned and the charts are made up soley by boy and girl bands. The evil Killer Queen (Mazz Murray) leads the world of robots and Ga-Ga-girls (basically air headed, cheerleader type characters) in the right against any form of rock music.

Step forward the aptly named Galileo Figuro (Peter Johansson) and Scaramouche (an awesome perfoarmance from Jenna Lee James). Galileo and Scaramouche lead a group called the Bohemiams in the fight back against the all pop, robotic world and set out to rediscover the time of rock bands, a time they call the Rhapsody. The journey leads them through the seven seas of Rhye up to the ruins of Wembley Stadium where the answers to the Bohemiams' questions are answered in a spectacular finale involving all of the characters from the story.

Overall, an absolute rock fest. The production included a giant screen at the back of the stage where characters and places popped up to take the story on while the raised platform at the front of the stage revolved over the top of the audience for a couple of songs which looked amazing.

You don't realise how incredible these performers' voices are until you witness something like this live and the world depicted in the story is a sure mockery of today's culture of downloads and manufactured "bands".

The stand out performance for me was Jenna Lee James as the sarcastic Scaramouch character though every single performance was spot on. Peter Johansson and James have a superb chemistry on stage and it makes their sub plot of a love story that bit more believable.

Incredible show overall, definately recommended to anyone, even non Queen fans will love it, only slightly dampened by the moaning woman next to me who was critical of everything that happened!

Friday, August 04, 2006

So here we go again...

Finally it's here!

The football season has crept up on us quicker than ever and I can't wait! Although I won't be at Crewe tomorrow or at Sixfields for the two games nest week, the excitement has really got to me already. I'll be getting text updates tomorrow while I'm rocking out to Queen classics in the west end so there may well be a random cheer coming from the Dominion Theatre tomorrow afternoon if we can pick something up at Gresty Road!

So here we go, it all starts again...COME ON THE TOWN!

Wednesday, August 02, 2006

Cobblers capture Boro man Quinn

The Cobblers have just announced the signing of Northern Ireland international striker James Quinn, 31, from local rivals Peterborough United, subject to a medical.

Not a natural goal scorer but certainly something different to what we have at the moment. We know Scotty and Kirk can bang in goals when on form, so hopefully Quinn can give them a helping hand in the air and add a few himself.

Although formerly of Boro, I welcome James, you've escaped just in time lad!

Hemel Hempstead 1-1 Northampton Town XI

More warm ups and still no wins! Though this was, to be fair, a youth and trialists only game, hence the name "Northampton Town XI".

Young trialist and Blackburn Rovers midfielder Jerome Watt scored our only goal in his second game in two days.

In other news John Gorman will hold his first open forum tonight at Sixfields, most likely with the usual raffle involving amazing prizes such as wine, wine, chocolates...and wine (no cuddly toys in sight). 8pm start for that one for anyone interested in going and Jim Barron and Sammo will also be in attendance.

Tuesday, August 01, 2006

RIP Joe Kiernan


Northampton Town were today sad to announce the death of former player Joe Kiernan.

I've heard a lot about him from my Dad and Grandad and he seems to be a real Cobblers legend. Joining the club in 1962, Kiernan eventually went on to make 308 appearances for Northampton Town and currently stands as 5th highest in the number of league appearances for the club.

My condolances to the family and friends of Mr Kiernan at this time.