A late equaliser from David Mirfin denied the Cobblers all three points at Sixfields but we still go into the top half, for a few hours at least, on goal difference!
With Jason Crowe missing again, Danny May made his second start while Ian Taylor started for his final ever game in place of David Hunt. The only other change to the side that beat Chesterfield was Jordan Robertson coming in for Kenny Deuchar.
After a quiet opening, Danny May created the first chance of the game as his cross almost forced an own goal but visiting keeper Matt Glennon tipped the ball over. May went close himself just a few minutes later with a good effort that Glennon just got to before Simon Cox almost gave us the lead but after beating Glennon, Martin McIntosh made a last ditch clearance.
Luke Beckett had the visitors’ first chance of the game on the half hour with a curling shot just wide and then Mark Bunn was called into action to tip an Adnan Ahmed shot over the bar but it was goalless at the break.
Ian Taylor’s afternoon, and career, came to an end on the hour mark as he was replaced by David Hunt. Tayls received a standing ovation from Sixfields and said the final goodbye to his playing career.
Just a couple of minutes later and the Cobblers had the lead through Andy Holt, who latched on to a long throw from Hunt to head home off the bar. Bradley Johnson could have made it two just five minutes later but his powerful effort was well kept out by Glennon.
We were made to pay for that miss as Huddersfield grabbed their leveller with fifteen minutes to go, flicking a header past Mark Bunn from a free kick.
Kenny Deuchar replaced Jordan Robertson as the Cobblers looked to retake the lead but time ran out and it was honours even as the home campaign came to an end.
After an awful start to the season at Sixfields, the home form has turned around dramatically since Christmas and Stuart Gray has steered us to 6 home wins out of 11 games since taking over.
The Town now take up a top half place for the first time this season and even though it would take defeats for Port Vale, Gillingham and Crewe for us to stay there today, it’s still a great view for Cobblers fans this morning!
Saturday, April 28, 2007
Friday, April 27, 2007
Huddersfield Town (H) Preview...
And so to the final home game of the season and probably the first game that we’ve been involved with in years where nothing is at stake except for league placing! Huddersfield have had a tough season and below their high expectations but will still be a big test for the Cobblers who will go, temporarily at least, into the top half of the League One table should we get at least a point from tonight’s game.
Ian Taylor will draw the curtain down on his 15-year career and looks likely to replace David Hunt in midfield to make his final bow. Meanwhile, Jason Crowe and Andy Holt are both struggling to be fit so Danny May could once again play a part, with Pedj Bojic also in contention.
In what could be very good news for us, Huddersfield may be without Andy Booth who has a habit of putting one or two past us in previous meetings! Also missing for the Terriers are Danny Schofield, Aaron Hardy and Matthew Young while Gary Taylor-Fletcher also a doubt, meaning Luke Beckett and John McAliskey will provide the fire power up front.
The last time Huddersfield Town visited Sixfields it was in bizarre circumstances. Earlier in the season, the Cobblers were a goal up in the first half and cruising against their automatic promotion rivals before high winds tore down advertising hoardings, endangering supporters and causing the game to be abandoned. The Terriers won the return fixture and went on to finish in the League Two top three while the Cobblers lost out in the playoffs!
NTFC v Huddersfield Town…Last Six Meetings…
16/12/06: Huddersfield Town 1-1 Cobblers
20/04/04: Cobblers 0-1 Huddersfield Town
13/09/03: Huddersfield Town 3-0 Cobblers
01/03/03: Huddersfield Town 2-0 Cobblers
14/09/02: Cobblers 0-0 Huddersfield Town
23/03/02: Huddersfield Town 2-0 Cobblers
Ian Taylor will draw the curtain down on his 15-year career and looks likely to replace David Hunt in midfield to make his final bow. Meanwhile, Jason Crowe and Andy Holt are both struggling to be fit so Danny May could once again play a part, with Pedj Bojic also in contention.
In what could be very good news for us, Huddersfield may be without Andy Booth who has a habit of putting one or two past us in previous meetings! Also missing for the Terriers are Danny Schofield, Aaron Hardy and Matthew Young while Gary Taylor-Fletcher also a doubt, meaning Luke Beckett and John McAliskey will provide the fire power up front.
The last time Huddersfield Town visited Sixfields it was in bizarre circumstances. Earlier in the season, the Cobblers were a goal up in the first half and cruising against their automatic promotion rivals before high winds tore down advertising hoardings, endangering supporters and causing the game to be abandoned. The Terriers won the return fixture and went on to finish in the League Two top three while the Cobblers lost out in the playoffs!
NTFC v Huddersfield Town…Last Six Meetings…
16/12/06: Huddersfield Town 1-1 Cobblers
20/04/04: Cobblers 0-1 Huddersfield Town
13/09/03: Huddersfield Town 3-0 Cobblers
01/03/03: Huddersfield Town 2-0 Cobblers
14/09/02: Cobblers 0-0 Huddersfield Town
23/03/02: Huddersfield Town 2-0 Cobblers
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Wembley...Ten Years On...Part Five...David Rennie
Part Five in the look back at the Cobblers’ Wembley heroes features the most experienced member of that squad, David Rennie.
Partnering the superb Warburton and Sampson in defence, Rennie was a near-ever present in the 1996-97 season and his experience shone through to provide a brick wall like presence to our back line.
The Edinburgh-born defender began his career back in 1982 as an apprentice at Leicester City before Leeds United paid £50,000 for his services in 1986- a fairly high transfer fee in those days (I feel old now!). After three seasons at Elland Road, Rennie left the club to join Bristol City in a £175,000 deal. Three more seasons and over 100 games later, he was once again on the move, this time to Birmingham City, in February 1992.
Just a year later and Rennie continued his tour around the country with a £100,000 deal that took him to Coventry City where he finally settled and spent three successful seasons with the Sky Blues in the Premiership. At the start of the 1996/97 season, Rennie was seen as surplus to requirements at City and Ian Atkins swooped. The deal turned out to be a massive coup as Rennie made 51 appearances in all competitions in the season and helped the club to that memorable day out at Wembley.
An injury meant Rennie was taken off and he was replaced by good old Dean Peer but the role he played in the run to the twin towers was one of aggression and power to back up the qualities of Razor and Sammo.
It must have been a head injury he suffered because Rennie then left the Cobblers to join Peterborough United the following season and went on to turn out for Boston United and finally Burton Albion where he finally drew the curtain on a 20 year career in 2002.
Partnering the superb Warburton and Sampson in defence, Rennie was a near-ever present in the 1996-97 season and his experience shone through to provide a brick wall like presence to our back line.
The Edinburgh-born defender began his career back in 1982 as an apprentice at Leicester City before Leeds United paid £50,000 for his services in 1986- a fairly high transfer fee in those days (I feel old now!). After three seasons at Elland Road, Rennie left the club to join Bristol City in a £175,000 deal. Three more seasons and over 100 games later, he was once again on the move, this time to Birmingham City, in February 1992.
Just a year later and Rennie continued his tour around the country with a £100,000 deal that took him to Coventry City where he finally settled and spent three successful seasons with the Sky Blues in the Premiership. At the start of the 1996/97 season, Rennie was seen as surplus to requirements at City and Ian Atkins swooped. The deal turned out to be a massive coup as Rennie made 51 appearances in all competitions in the season and helped the club to that memorable day out at Wembley.
An injury meant Rennie was taken off and he was replaced by good old Dean Peer but the role he played in the run to the twin towers was one of aggression and power to back up the qualities of Razor and Sammo.
It must have been a head injury he suffered because Rennie then left the Cobblers to join Peterborough United the following season and went on to turn out for Boston United and finally Burton Albion where he finally drew the curtain on a 20 year career in 2002.
Saturday, April 21, 2007
Northampton Town 1-0 Chesterfield
There was a surprise inclusion for the Cobblers as youngster Danny May, who signed professional terms with the club on Friday, started his first game in place of injured Jason Crowe. Chris Doig shook off his injury though and started while Bradley Johnson returned after suspension kept him out of last weekend’s defeat at Blackpool.
May was involved with his first touch, a good cross just missing the head of Kenny Deuchar before Mark Hughes went close with his own flick which was saved by visiting goalkeeper Barry Roche.
Chesterfield almost scored with their first real attack of the game on 12 minutes. Colin Larkin latched onto a through ball and a mistake by Mark Hughes let the former Mansfield man in but his shot was saved by Mark Bunn. Bunn reacted quickly and got up in time to stop the rebound- a header from Paul Shaw.
The Speirites were getting more and more into the game and Larkin had a shot blocked well by Hughes.
The Cobblers hit back and a Bradley Johnson right-footed shot was followed by a run and shot by Chris Doig. Ian Taylor then replaced Andy Holt after the left back added to our injury worries in defence.
On 36 minutes, Simon Cox caused problems in the Chesterfield defence and almost caused Reuban Hazell to score an own goal. The last chance of the half fell to Ian Taylor following a scramble in the visitors’ area but he hooked his shot wide.
So after a poor first half, the teams went in level at the break with neither side looking like breaking the deadlock.
The first chance of the first half fell to Chesterfield with Jamie Ward shooting wide before the Cobblers had the chance to take the lead. Simon Cox received the ball from Kenny Deuchar but held onto the ball for too long. Ryan Gilligan picked up the Reading loan-man’s pass but shot straight at the keeper.
Danny May’s debut came to an abrupt end on 55 minutes as he went off injured to be replaced by striker Jordan Robertson. Five minutes later, Jamie Ward again could have put Chesterfield in front after finding space but Mark Bunn pulled off a good save.
Andy Kirk replaced Kenny Deuchar who had a frustrating afternoon as neither side looked to have the firepower to go on and win the game. That was until 15 minutes from time as Simon Cox acted on quick thinking to score his third goal for the club. Referee Dermot Gallagher gave us a free kick but the Chesterfield players thought it was in their favour, making them stop in their tracks. Bradley Johnson put the ball down, took advantage of their slackness and played in Cox, who finished well to finally break the deadlock of a poor game.
That turned out to be the only goal of the game and though Chesterfield hit a post with ten minutes to go, they couldn’t find the equaliser and the Cobblers picked up three more points to confirm League One safety.
With all the injuries before and during the game, Stuart Gray will be delighted to get the points in the bag after a scrappy game and a couple of formation changes that won’t have helped. We can now look towards the final two games of the season with anticipation of even sneaking into the top half, which we are now just one point away from!
May was involved with his first touch, a good cross just missing the head of Kenny Deuchar before Mark Hughes went close with his own flick which was saved by visiting goalkeeper Barry Roche.
Chesterfield almost scored with their first real attack of the game on 12 minutes. Colin Larkin latched onto a through ball and a mistake by Mark Hughes let the former Mansfield man in but his shot was saved by Mark Bunn. Bunn reacted quickly and got up in time to stop the rebound- a header from Paul Shaw.
The Speirites were getting more and more into the game and Larkin had a shot blocked well by Hughes.
The Cobblers hit back and a Bradley Johnson right-footed shot was followed by a run and shot by Chris Doig. Ian Taylor then replaced Andy Holt after the left back added to our injury worries in defence.
On 36 minutes, Simon Cox caused problems in the Chesterfield defence and almost caused Reuban Hazell to score an own goal. The last chance of the half fell to Ian Taylor following a scramble in the visitors’ area but he hooked his shot wide.
So after a poor first half, the teams went in level at the break with neither side looking like breaking the deadlock.
The first chance of the first half fell to Chesterfield with Jamie Ward shooting wide before the Cobblers had the chance to take the lead. Simon Cox received the ball from Kenny Deuchar but held onto the ball for too long. Ryan Gilligan picked up the Reading loan-man’s pass but shot straight at the keeper.
Danny May’s debut came to an abrupt end on 55 minutes as he went off injured to be replaced by striker Jordan Robertson. Five minutes later, Jamie Ward again could have put Chesterfield in front after finding space but Mark Bunn pulled off a good save.
Andy Kirk replaced Kenny Deuchar who had a frustrating afternoon as neither side looked to have the firepower to go on and win the game. That was until 15 minutes from time as Simon Cox acted on quick thinking to score his third goal for the club. Referee Dermot Gallagher gave us a free kick but the Chesterfield players thought it was in their favour, making them stop in their tracks. Bradley Johnson put the ball down, took advantage of their slackness and played in Cox, who finished well to finally break the deadlock of a poor game.
That turned out to be the only goal of the game and though Chesterfield hit a post with ten minutes to go, they couldn’t find the equaliser and the Cobblers picked up three more points to confirm League One safety.
With all the injuries before and during the game, Stuart Gray will be delighted to get the points in the bag after a scrappy game and a couple of formation changes that won’t have helped. We can now look towards the final two games of the season with anticipation of even sneaking into the top half, which we are now just one point away from!
Friday, April 20, 2007
Chesterfield (H) Preview...
With just three games of the season to go, plenty of issues are being decided already and the Cobblers can once and for all guarantee safety with a win over Chesterfield at Sixfields.
Defeat for the Speirites coupled with wins for Orient and Cheltenham would send them into League Two so we’ll be in for a real battle in the final Saturday home game of the season.
Sean Dyche is likely be coming up against his old club thanks to injuries to fellow defenders Jason Crowe and Chris Doig and it’ll be tough for him to possibly play a part in relegating the club where he spent 7 years as a player. Dyche starred in Chesterfield’s run to the FA Cup semi-finals in 1997 and is well thought of at Saltergate.
Alongside Crowe and Doig’s injuries, Brett Johnson has been ruled out for the season, leaving us a bit short at the back. Stuart Gray could be forced to reshuffle the pack and put Alex Pearce or Mark Hughes to right back before bringing in Dyche. Another option may be to bring Skippy back in after his recent recovery from injury.
Despite starting the season with thumping wins over Bournemouth and Millwall along with a Carling Cup win over Wolves, our visitors slumped into the relegation dog fight in a bleak winter period culminating in a dreadful March where they fell to 5 defeats in 6 games during the month. Victory against Crewe and a draw at fellow strugglers Cheltenham followed but last weekend’s defeat to Gillingham keeps then in 22nd position going into the game.
Team news for Chesterfield indicates that defender Seb Grimaldi is out for up to eight months with a knee injury that requires surgery while Mark Allott is yet to return after a hamstring injury. Goalkeeper Barry Roche is a major doubt so teenager Michael Jordan will be on standby to deputise.
Current Form (Last Six)
Cobblers: LWWLLW
Chesterfield: LDWLDL
Previous Meetings
06/12/06: Chesterfield 0-0 Cobblers
26/12/02: Cobblers 0-1 Chesterfield
27/08/02: Chesterfield 4-0 Cobblers
23/02/02: Chesterfield 2-2 Cobblers
15/09/01: Cobblers 0-2 Chesterfield
03/05/99: Chesterfield 0-0 Cobblers
Defeat for the Speirites coupled with wins for Orient and Cheltenham would send them into League Two so we’ll be in for a real battle in the final Saturday home game of the season.
Sean Dyche is likely be coming up against his old club thanks to injuries to fellow defenders Jason Crowe and Chris Doig and it’ll be tough for him to possibly play a part in relegating the club where he spent 7 years as a player. Dyche starred in Chesterfield’s run to the FA Cup semi-finals in 1997 and is well thought of at Saltergate.
Alongside Crowe and Doig’s injuries, Brett Johnson has been ruled out for the season, leaving us a bit short at the back. Stuart Gray could be forced to reshuffle the pack and put Alex Pearce or Mark Hughes to right back before bringing in Dyche. Another option may be to bring Skippy back in after his recent recovery from injury.
Despite starting the season with thumping wins over Bournemouth and Millwall along with a Carling Cup win over Wolves, our visitors slumped into the relegation dog fight in a bleak winter period culminating in a dreadful March where they fell to 5 defeats in 6 games during the month. Victory against Crewe and a draw at fellow strugglers Cheltenham followed but last weekend’s defeat to Gillingham keeps then in 22nd position going into the game.
Team news for Chesterfield indicates that defender Seb Grimaldi is out for up to eight months with a knee injury that requires surgery while Mark Allott is yet to return after a hamstring injury. Goalkeeper Barry Roche is a major doubt so teenager Michael Jordan will be on standby to deputise.
Current Form (Last Six)
Cobblers: LWWLLW
Chesterfield: LDWLDL
Previous Meetings
06/12/06: Chesterfield 0-0 Cobblers
26/12/02: Cobblers 0-1 Chesterfield
27/08/02: Chesterfield 4-0 Cobblers
23/02/02: Chesterfield 2-2 Cobblers
15/09/01: Cobblers 0-2 Chesterfield
03/05/99: Chesterfield 0-0 Cobblers
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Wembley...Ten Years On...Part Four...Ray Warburton
Since I’ve began watching the Cobblers back in the dark days of 1993, there’s been many a captain leading the way. But none come too close to this weeks’ featured player from the Wembley heroes. Ray Warburton, in a Cobblers career that stretched over 4 seasons, held together the defence and built an atmosphere of fight and determination within the team that was the backbone of the Wembley success.
Born in Rotherham, Razor was taken on as an apprentice by his home town club but only made three first team appearances for the Millers before switching to York City on a free transfer in time for the 89/90 season. Warburton made over 100 appearances for the Minstermen and impressed the Cobblers enough to make a £35,000 swoop in February 1994.
Razor was an instant hit and his partnership with Ian Sampson was a highlight of the 1997 Wembley team. He could also score his fair share of goals as well and his late runs into the box produced many a towering headed goal from set pieces, a key instrument in Ian Atkins’ tactical box of tricks.
Warburton remains the only Cobblers captain ever to lift a trophy at Wembley stadium and although he was a part of the second successive playoff final team the following season, nothing will compare to the magic of 1997.
One of the bigger transfer shocks of the 1998/99 season came when Warburton left the Cobblers to then millionaires Rushden and Diamonds for an undisclosed fee in October. With a major figure gone, the Cobblers were relegated the following May and Warburton went on for four years at Nene Park, growing a few extra fingers and toes along the way I assume.
After seeing sense and moving away from Rushden, Razor joined Boston United for a single season before ending his career at Aldershot Town, helping them to promotion from the Ryman league and also bringing on promising youth players including Brett Johnson. If Johnson turns out half as good as his teacher, he’ll have a fantastic career ahead of him!
Warburton returned to Sixfields last summer, joining another Wembley hero, Sean Parrish, as a youth team coach.
Born in Rotherham, Razor was taken on as an apprentice by his home town club but only made three first team appearances for the Millers before switching to York City on a free transfer in time for the 89/90 season. Warburton made over 100 appearances for the Minstermen and impressed the Cobblers enough to make a £35,000 swoop in February 1994.
Razor was an instant hit and his partnership with Ian Sampson was a highlight of the 1997 Wembley team. He could also score his fair share of goals as well and his late runs into the box produced many a towering headed goal from set pieces, a key instrument in Ian Atkins’ tactical box of tricks.
Warburton remains the only Cobblers captain ever to lift a trophy at Wembley stadium and although he was a part of the second successive playoff final team the following season, nothing will compare to the magic of 1997.
One of the bigger transfer shocks of the 1998/99 season came when Warburton left the Cobblers to then millionaires Rushden and Diamonds for an undisclosed fee in October. With a major figure gone, the Cobblers were relegated the following May and Warburton went on for four years at Nene Park, growing a few extra fingers and toes along the way I assume.
After seeing sense and moving away from Rushden, Razor joined Boston United for a single season before ending his career at Aldershot Town, helping them to promotion from the Ryman league and also bringing on promising youth players including Brett Johnson. If Johnson turns out half as good as his teacher, he’ll have a fantastic career ahead of him!
Warburton returned to Sixfields last summer, joining another Wembley hero, Sean Parrish, as a youth team coach.
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
The great flat hunt begins...
...and ends! Yes, the first flat that Jamie and I saw we took. This was not a case of grabbing any old place though, just the simple reason that it was bloody nice for the price! Located in the superb Bannister Park area, it's close enough to Bedford Place to walk to but far enough away to avoid drunken student's late night antics!
So that's sorted and luckily apart from the admin fee, we pay nothing until we move in, meaning we have time to save and we know how much we need to save. So Doncaster away will be my one and only game left this season as I cut some costs but it'll be worth it as we start another chapter in our Southampton life!
We have our very own "Joey and Chandler" place woohoo! Now all we need is a chick and a duck to finish it off!
So that's sorted and luckily apart from the admin fee, we pay nothing until we move in, meaning we have time to save and we know how much we need to save. So Doncaster away will be my one and only game left this season as I cut some costs but it'll be worth it as we start another chapter in our Southampton life!
We have our very own "Joey and Chandler" place woohoo! Now all we need is a chick and a duck to finish it off!
No Saints 1-11 Fat and Weasy
No Saints were once again on the end of a dismal hammering from the side sitting at the top of the League Three table.
After last week's heroic 4-man display against Southampton Allstars, sprits were high in the camp despite injuries to key players Sean Sunderland and Stewart Howard, who suffered a freak frisbee inflicted injury over the weekend! Jake and Dan were recruited by Rich but they couldn't stop another heavy defeat.
After going a goal up early on, Jamie equilised but it was downhill from there as Weasy took controlled. We were outmuscled and played off the park but there was controversy this morning as the jdfives website showed a 16-1 scoreline rather than 11! This has now been cleared up thankfully but our goal difference is still -45!!
Following Fidistas win over Southampton Allstars, we're now 7 points adrift at the bottom and must win all of our final three games to avoid finishing bottom!
After last week's heroic 4-man display against Southampton Allstars, sprits were high in the camp despite injuries to key players Sean Sunderland and Stewart Howard, who suffered a freak frisbee inflicted injury over the weekend! Jake and Dan were recruited by Rich but they couldn't stop another heavy defeat.
After going a goal up early on, Jamie equilised but it was downhill from there as Weasy took controlled. We were outmuscled and played off the park but there was controversy this morning as the jdfives website showed a 16-1 scoreline rather than 11! This has now been cleared up thankfully but our goal difference is still -45!!
Following Fidistas win over Southampton Allstars, we're now 7 points adrift at the bottom and must win all of our final three games to avoid finishing bottom!
Saturday, April 14, 2007
Blackpool 4-1 Northampton Town
The Cobblers were without three key players going into the game with Bradley Johnson serving a suspension, Chris Doig injured and a late illness keeping Andy Holt out of the team. Mark Hughes was made captain while Brett Johnson, Sean Dyche and Sam Aiston coming in for starts. Simon Cox once again partnered Kenny Deuchar up front after an impressive Easter.
In the opening exchanges, Ryan Gilligan had a couple of efforts on goal, testing on-loan keeper Joe Hart in the first minute before shooting over from a Johnson pull back. Mark Bunn had a routine save to make from a Williams free kick at the other end before Simon Cox volleyed over for the Cobblers.
After an open start to the game, it fell a bit quiet until 25 minutes when a David Hunt corner was headed towards goal by Mark Hughes but Hart held well. Sam Aiston then had a run and shot saved before the home side took the ascendancy. Referee Mr Russell turned down a penalty claim for the Tangerines and then on 39 minutes Andy Morrell crossed but Claus Jorgenson’s header sailed wide.
The Cobblers clawed their way back into the game just before half time and were rewarded when good build up work by Aiston and Crowe ended with the opening goal. Crowe’s cross was sidefooted home by Cox for his second gaol in three games! We ended the half well and probably didn’t want the whistle but either way it was the Cobblers who had the lead on the break.
After the break, it all started to go horribly wrong. Blackpool came out strong and had an equaliser within five minutes of the restart. Chris Brandon, a half time substitute, hit a right footed shot past Bunn to level the scores and never looked back. After Keigan Parker shot over the bar, the Tangerines really came into the ascendancy and forced their way forward. Sean Dyche handballed inside the area and Wes Hoolahan slotted the penalty into the top corner to completely turn the game around within ten minutes of the second half!
A free kick on the edge of the Cobblers penalty area was shot over by Parker before the Cobblers had a chance to level. Brett Johnson got down the left hand side and his cross just missed the onrushing Kenny Deuchar at the back post.
Johnson then picked up an injury following his burst down the flank and hobbled off, leaving us temporarily down to ten men. Blackpool took advantage and made it 3-1, Brandon scoring his second of the game at the back post where Johnson would have been!
Jordan Robertson replaced Johnson before the Cobblers had what turned out to be their final chance of the game, Mark Hughes sending an overhead kick over the bar. Pedj Bojic replaced Sam Aiston late on while Andy Kirk came on for Cox but the Cobblers misery was compounded when Dychey’s nightmare afternoon came to a head as he bundled the ball into his own net!
Jason Crowe hobbled off late on and we had no subs left so had to play the final few minutes with ten men.
Blackpool could have made it five in stoppage time but Jorgenson’s header deflected wide but it certainly didn’t matter as the home side picked up three vital points to their promotion charge. From what I heard from the radio commentary, we seemed pretty safe at half-time but Blackpool came out of the traps in the second half and showed their class.
The result leaves us in 15th place in League One and we should finally confirm safety next weekend one way or the other. Good luck to Blackpool who sounded like they thoroughly deserved their win in the second half!
In the opening exchanges, Ryan Gilligan had a couple of efforts on goal, testing on-loan keeper Joe Hart in the first minute before shooting over from a Johnson pull back. Mark Bunn had a routine save to make from a Williams free kick at the other end before Simon Cox volleyed over for the Cobblers.
After an open start to the game, it fell a bit quiet until 25 minutes when a David Hunt corner was headed towards goal by Mark Hughes but Hart held well. Sam Aiston then had a run and shot saved before the home side took the ascendancy. Referee Mr Russell turned down a penalty claim for the Tangerines and then on 39 minutes Andy Morrell crossed but Claus Jorgenson’s header sailed wide.
The Cobblers clawed their way back into the game just before half time and were rewarded when good build up work by Aiston and Crowe ended with the opening goal. Crowe’s cross was sidefooted home by Cox for his second gaol in three games! We ended the half well and probably didn’t want the whistle but either way it was the Cobblers who had the lead on the break.
After the break, it all started to go horribly wrong. Blackpool came out strong and had an equaliser within five minutes of the restart. Chris Brandon, a half time substitute, hit a right footed shot past Bunn to level the scores and never looked back. After Keigan Parker shot over the bar, the Tangerines really came into the ascendancy and forced their way forward. Sean Dyche handballed inside the area and Wes Hoolahan slotted the penalty into the top corner to completely turn the game around within ten minutes of the second half!
A free kick on the edge of the Cobblers penalty area was shot over by Parker before the Cobblers had a chance to level. Brett Johnson got down the left hand side and his cross just missed the onrushing Kenny Deuchar at the back post.
Johnson then picked up an injury following his burst down the flank and hobbled off, leaving us temporarily down to ten men. Blackpool took advantage and made it 3-1, Brandon scoring his second of the game at the back post where Johnson would have been!
Jordan Robertson replaced Johnson before the Cobblers had what turned out to be their final chance of the game, Mark Hughes sending an overhead kick over the bar. Pedj Bojic replaced Sam Aiston late on while Andy Kirk came on for Cox but the Cobblers misery was compounded when Dychey’s nightmare afternoon came to a head as he bundled the ball into his own net!
Jason Crowe hobbled off late on and we had no subs left so had to play the final few minutes with ten men.
Blackpool could have made it five in stoppage time but Jorgenson’s header deflected wide but it certainly didn’t matter as the home side picked up three vital points to their promotion charge. From what I heard from the radio commentary, we seemed pretty safe at half-time but Blackpool came out of the traps in the second half and showed their class.
The result leaves us in 15th place in League One and we should finally confirm safety next weekend one way or the other. Good luck to Blackpool who sounded like they thoroughly deserved their win in the second half!
Blackpool v Cobblers- The Line Ups!
Blackpool Hart, Southern, Jackon, Williams, Parker, Forbes, Morrell, Barker, Jorgenson, Hoolahan, Evatt
Subs: Coid, Brandon, Bean, Gillett, Gorkss
Cobblers Bunn, Crowe, Dyche, Hughes, Pearce, Holt, Hunt, Gilligan, Aiston, Cox, Deuchar
Subs: Dunn, Brett Johnson, Dolman, Kirk, Robertson
Subs: Coid, Brandon, Bean, Gillett, Gorkss
Cobblers Bunn, Crowe, Dyche, Hughes, Pearce, Holt, Hunt, Gilligan, Aiston, Cox, Deuchar
Subs: Dunn, Brett Johnson, Dolman, Kirk, Robertson
Friday, April 13, 2007
Blackpool (A) Preview...
A trip north to the seaside is next up for the Cobblers as we travel to Bloomfield Road to face high-flying Blackpool. As we look to build on the two wins over Easter, a victory would guarantee us League One safety, though it would take nothing short of a major slump for us to go down now!
Chris Doig is only rated as 50/50 for the Cobblers while Bradley Johnson is suspended following his sending off against Scunthorpe on Monday. Blackpool have completed the emergency loan signing of Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart after injuries to both of their first team stoppers.
Andy Morrell scored the equiliser for the Tangerines back at Sixfields in the 1-1 draw following Eoin Jess' opener and will be a major threat up front. Without Bradley Johnson and possibly Doig, we could see a change in formation from Stuart Gray going into the game.
Head to Head
November 4th, 2006: Cobblers 1-1 Blackpool
18th January, 2003: Blackpool 2-1 Cobblers
23rd August, 2002: Cobblers 0-1 Blackpool
5th March, 2002: Blackpool 1-2 Cobblers
25th September, 2001: Cobblers 1-3 Blackpool
6th February, 1999: Cobblers 0-0 Blackpool
Chris Doig is only rated as 50/50 for the Cobblers while Bradley Johnson is suspended following his sending off against Scunthorpe on Monday. Blackpool have completed the emergency loan signing of Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart after injuries to both of their first team stoppers.
Andy Morrell scored the equiliser for the Tangerines back at Sixfields in the 1-1 draw following Eoin Jess' opener and will be a major threat up front. Without Bradley Johnson and possibly Doig, we could see a change in formation from Stuart Gray going into the game.
Head to Head
November 4th, 2006: Cobblers 1-1 Blackpool
18th January, 2003: Blackpool 2-1 Cobblers
23rd August, 2002: Cobblers 0-1 Blackpool
5th March, 2002: Blackpool 1-2 Cobblers
25th September, 2001: Cobblers 1-3 Blackpool
6th February, 1999: Cobblers 0-0 Blackpool
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Wembley...Ten Years On...Part Three...Ian Sampson
Ian Sampson needs no introduction. A legend of Northampton Town Football Club, Sammo will be remembered as one of the greatest and most loyal men ever to play for the Cobblers. Sammo spent over ten years as a player with the Town and the highlight was his partnership with Ray Warburton in the centre of defence. In his fourth season here, Sammo helped to take the Cobblers to Wembley.
Joining the club from Sunderland for £30,000 in 1994 following an initial loan spell, Sampson went on to make 449 appearances for the club. Had we made the League Two playoff final in his final season before retirement back in 2005, Sammo would have made that magic number of 450 appearances but nothing can be said against what a great servant he was, and still is, to the Cobblers.
Sammo and Razor were part of the backbone of the playoff winning side in 1997, conceding just 44 goals on the road to Wembley. One of the most honest and solid players of that side, Sampson was a real player of the “Atkins” generation of winning ugly. He was a battler, a rock at the back and also chipped in with his fair share of goals himself.
Who was to know back in 1997 that Sammo would go on to become such a mainstay in the Cobblers line-up? Sammo spent ten glorious years at the club and I grew up watching him in a Cobblers shirt. Upon his retirement in 2004 and his well-deserved testimonial season, it was such a shock to see the Cobblers playing with Sammo in the line-up.
The pull of his beloved Cobblers was too much for him to resist though and Sampson stayed on, firstly as youth team coach and now as Assistant manager at the club where he grew and thousands watched him develop from the early days into the most loyal player of the last decade.
Forever a legend at Northampton Town, Ian Sampson will never be forgotten and it is only right that he was part of the greatest day in the club’s history.
Joining the club from Sunderland for £30,000 in 1994 following an initial loan spell, Sampson went on to make 449 appearances for the club. Had we made the League Two playoff final in his final season before retirement back in 2005, Sammo would have made that magic number of 450 appearances but nothing can be said against what a great servant he was, and still is, to the Cobblers.
Sammo and Razor were part of the backbone of the playoff winning side in 1997, conceding just 44 goals on the road to Wembley. One of the most honest and solid players of that side, Sampson was a real player of the “Atkins” generation of winning ugly. He was a battler, a rock at the back and also chipped in with his fair share of goals himself.
Who was to know back in 1997 that Sammo would go on to become such a mainstay in the Cobblers line-up? Sammo spent ten glorious years at the club and I grew up watching him in a Cobblers shirt. Upon his retirement in 2004 and his well-deserved testimonial season, it was such a shock to see the Cobblers playing with Sammo in the line-up.
The pull of his beloved Cobblers was too much for him to resist though and Sampson stayed on, firstly as youth team coach and now as Assistant manager at the club where he grew and thousands watched him develop from the early days into the most loyal player of the last decade.
Forever a legend at Northampton Town, Ian Sampson will never be forgotten and it is only right that he was part of the greatest day in the club’s history.
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Bank Holiday madness!
My lack of personal updates on here shows what a crazy weekender it's been but I've finally got around to chronicling the randomness that was Easter weekend 2007!
Thursday
Thursday night kicked things off with another night out at Lennons, where we came across some very peculiar dance moves and a group of girls dressed as pandas (aparantly one of them was called Pandora). Chicken Land, of course, followed and our good friend Fernando was at hand to perform his usual entertainment while serving chicken. The long walk home was accompanied by the usual songs and sillyness.
Friday
We decided that Friday would be the "chill out" day and so I met Jamie in the park and we searched for new flats, did some script work and I ate a Calippo and a tub of Tic Tacs. It was all very nice. I then met Ti for Pizza at Dave and Marti's house. They weren't actually in but had left us the keys in order to check on their hamsters, one of which proceeded to poo on me when I picked him up. That wasn't so nice. Chill out day was complete with more drinks, this time at the Hobbit where I experienced the fantasticly cool garden for the first time!
Saturday
Saturday was Orient v the Cobblers and a huge 2-0 win for the Town. For full match report see below!
In the evening we went to AnnaMaria's party to raise money for an orphanage in Hungry. Anna sang very well and also prepared a buffet equally as well to round the day off.
Sunday
Road trip time! This time we were heading to Marti's home in Upper Bucklebury where we were invited to join her lovely family for a roast dinner. Marti's parents, Eddie and Elizabeth were very welcoming to us all and the dinner was followed by a few games of Tennis where Marti beat us all in singles competition and also threw a ball "accidently" into my face. A quick drink in the local pub was joined by humerous observations about silent but violent style farts and then we were on our jolly way back to Southampton, tired and weary...but there was still one day of the weekend left!
Monday
A long lie in on Monday was much needed and after lunch we all met up to sample the Bank Holiday funfair on Southampton Common and a picnic before hand. When it came to choosing someone to drink the fishy substance that came with the Sushi, everyone turned directly to me. With three camera pointing my way there was no real choice but to "chug" and so I did. It wasn't too nice. Proceeding to the fair itself, we caused mayhem on the dodgems and in the fun house.
The best way to end the weekend would have been with a No Saints victory in the 5-a-side league but unfortunately the Gods weren't smiling on us once again. With only 5 players to start with, there was no room for injuries so it was with great dismay that Sean went down with the opening 10 minutes. So with 4 against 5 we battle gallantly and even scored twice but eventually we lost 8-2 and remain bottom of the table. Although we lost it was a terrifc team effort to fight back with just 4 men and the team spirit shone through right to the end and we can all be proud of the efforts we gave.
And so the weekend comes to an end and it's been action packed and full of crazyness, probably the busiest bank holiday weekend I've had and I'm still in recovery right now!
Every weekend should have four days!
Northampton Town 2-1 Scunthorpe United
The Cobblers recorded a fantastic Bank Holiday victory at Sixfields to surely end any fears of relegation and to stop Scunthorpe from gaining promotion on this occasion.
Kenny Duchar came back into the starting line-up to partner Simon Cox in attack. Andy Kirk dropped to the bench for the visit of the league leaders, who knew a victory would seal promotion to the Championship should Nottingham Forest slip up against Rotherham.
Before the game, Cobblers fans had marched in their hundreds in protest to the latest council delays to the Sixfields redevelopment and Counciller Hadland didn't last long in trying to reason with the fans before being booed off!
On the pitch, the Cobblers started brightly and were rewarded on 15 minutes when Alex Pearce notched his first senior goal from a David Hunt corner. That's right, we SCORED from a corner! David Hunt replacing Brad Johnson on the set pieces paid immediate dividends and the Cobblers had the lead.
Kenny Deuchar could and should have made it two mid-way through the first half when Johnson's cross was met by the big Scot but he somehow missed from just a few yards out. Deuchar also had a header cleared off the line in an eventful first half that also saw Chris Doig limp off to be replaced by Sean Dyche.
So a half-time lead for the Cobblers and deservedly so as the visitors were stunned at Sixfields but it wasn't long before the Iron found a break through themselves. Prolific striker Billy Sharp stabbed home an equiliser to bring the teams level after Simon Cox and Bradley Johnson went close for the Cobblers.
With the teams level you usually expect us to crumble and that may well have happened just a few months ago but this is a gutsier side than before the turn of the year and we managed to keep up the tempo.
Andy Holt's header brought a good save from Crosby in the Scunny goal before Deuchar again went close with his own knock down. Ryan Gilligan went agonisingly close late on in a goalmouth scramble and it looked as though the points would have to be shared until the most dramatic of finales. Jordan Robertson's cross went right along the box and Bradley Johnson was at the far post to steer the ball home to spark jubilant scenes of celebration inside Sixfields. Johnson was given his second yellow card for overcelebrating but the game was over and the Cobblers had finally beaten a side gunning for promotion.
Scunthorpe were poorer than expected but full credit to the Cobblers for pulling this one out the bag. We can now guarantee safety with a win at 4th place Blackpool on Saturday and this win must surely instill the belief in the team that anything is possible!
Kenny Duchar came back into the starting line-up to partner Simon Cox in attack. Andy Kirk dropped to the bench for the visit of the league leaders, who knew a victory would seal promotion to the Championship should Nottingham Forest slip up against Rotherham.
Before the game, Cobblers fans had marched in their hundreds in protest to the latest council delays to the Sixfields redevelopment and Counciller Hadland didn't last long in trying to reason with the fans before being booed off!
On the pitch, the Cobblers started brightly and were rewarded on 15 minutes when Alex Pearce notched his first senior goal from a David Hunt corner. That's right, we SCORED from a corner! David Hunt replacing Brad Johnson on the set pieces paid immediate dividends and the Cobblers had the lead.
Kenny Deuchar could and should have made it two mid-way through the first half when Johnson's cross was met by the big Scot but he somehow missed from just a few yards out. Deuchar also had a header cleared off the line in an eventful first half that also saw Chris Doig limp off to be replaced by Sean Dyche.
So a half-time lead for the Cobblers and deservedly so as the visitors were stunned at Sixfields but it wasn't long before the Iron found a break through themselves. Prolific striker Billy Sharp stabbed home an equiliser to bring the teams level after Simon Cox and Bradley Johnson went close for the Cobblers.
With the teams level you usually expect us to crumble and that may well have happened just a few months ago but this is a gutsier side than before the turn of the year and we managed to keep up the tempo.
Andy Holt's header brought a good save from Crosby in the Scunny goal before Deuchar again went close with his own knock down. Ryan Gilligan went agonisingly close late on in a goalmouth scramble and it looked as though the points would have to be shared until the most dramatic of finales. Jordan Robertson's cross went right along the box and Bradley Johnson was at the far post to steer the ball home to spark jubilant scenes of celebration inside Sixfields. Johnson was given his second yellow card for overcelebrating but the game was over and the Cobblers had finally beaten a side gunning for promotion.
Scunthorpe were poorer than expected but full credit to the Cobblers for pulling this one out the bag. We can now guarantee safety with a win at 4th place Blackpool on Saturday and this win must surely instill the belief in the team that anything is possible!
Monday, April 09, 2007
Scunthorpe United (H) preview...
As the bank holiday draws to an end, we entertain top of the table club Scunthorpe United who will be looking to earn promotion to the Championship with a victory that combined with a Forest defeat would be enough for promotion.
For the Cobblers, aspirations are a little different with safety within touching distance and we'll be looking to build on the Orient win. For the most part this season we've fallen to teams higher up the table but Scunny's win over us at Glanford Park was thanks to a late penalty.
Jordan Robertson will be looking to return to the starting line-up, as will Kenny Deuchar while Simon Cox has a real case for his inclusion after a good performance on Saturday and of course the opening goal.
Cobblers v Scunthorpe...Last Six meetings
18/11/05: Scunthorpe 1-0 Cobblers
09/04/05: Cobblers 1-2 Scunthorpe
30/08/04: Scunthorpe 2-0 Cobblers
21/02/04: Scunthorpe 1-0 Cobblers
17/10/03: Cobblers 1-1 Scunthorpe
03/05/97: Cobblers 1-0 Scunthorpe
So not a lot in favour of the Cobblers in recent history with Scunthorpe winning all of the last four meetings. Our last win over the Iron put us on course for the 1997 playoffs with Sean Parrish's single winning the game on that occasion. A lot has changed since then and with the march before the game from the Guildhall to Sixfields and a 7,000 plus crowd expected, it should be a good atmosphere around the ground.
Sunday, April 08, 2007
Leyton Orient 0-2 Northampton Town
The Cobblers produced a solid battling display at Brisbane Road to move within touching distance of League One safety.
It seems engineering works have been taking place between Southampton and London for the last six months so I expected my latest train delays on my way up to the capital, heading out early to avoid a mad dash to Brisbane Road. Having just about made the 9:30 train from Southampton, I relaxed into the journey, trying to take in and recover from two nights out in a row (I know I’m getting old when going out on successive nights is a big thing!).
I arrived in London early despite the delays so took in some of the street entertainment on offer along the bank of the Thames near Waterloo station. Included in the performers were magicians, buskers, a street dancer who couldn’t work his CD player and far too many of those weird statue people who paint themselves in gold and only move if you drop money into their bucket. Tempting as it was to stay there all day and try to make them flinch, there was a game to go to and yet more detours ahead on the tube so I began the journey across London.
Arriving at 2:30, I found the usual crew from Sixfields Boys (www.sixfieldsboys.org.uk) already seated and Graham once again trying to take paparazzi style photos as I approached.
Brisbane Road is in the middle of a major transition and since our last visit in early 2006 the building work has begun on the North Stand of the ground. The Cobblers fans were as ever situated in the more run down stand with wooden seats but the atmosphere seemed a lot louder in our stand. I’m sure eventually work will begin on this stand as well but it will certainly take away some of the atmosphere when they do.
On the pitch, Kenny Deuchar and Jordan Robertson dropped to the bench to give Andy Kirk and Simon Cox the chance to state their case for a regular start. Cox did his cause no harm at all as he gave the Cobblers the lead on twelve minutes. Bradley Johnson’s chipped through ball was met by a brilliantly met volley from the Reading loan man that arrowed past O’s keeper Glyn Garner.
The Cobblers seemed happy to try and play the ball over the top of the Orient defence in order to break through and Cox always looked a danger going forward.
Mark Bunn wasn’t being worked an awful lot as the outstanding Mark Hughes marshalled the defensive line solidly once again. The first real effort of note for Orient was held well by Bunn, a long-range effort from Gary Alexandra. The home side were being reduced to long-rangers throughout the first half and the Cobblers were dealing with the threat well and breaking away when possible.
One of these breaks provided us with the second goal. Good work from Kirk and Cox ended with a scrambled goal at the far post from Jason Crowe just past the half hour.
A lengthy injury to an Orient player meant five minutes of stoppage time at the end of the first half and on the whistle, boos rang out from the home fans.
Martin Ling made a change at half time, bringing on a third striker in Jado Ibehre coming on to replace Aiden Palmer.
On the hour mark, Ryan Gilligan found space on the left and his cross shot looked like it was going right into the top corner but agonisingly swerved at the last second to keep the lead at two goals. Kenny Deuchar replaced Andy Kirk and Jordan Robertson took over from goal scorer Cox as the Cobblers kept things fresh through the second half. Ryan Jarvis rattled Bunn’s crossbar mid-way through the second half but that would be the closest the home side would come to reducing the deficit.
Kenny Deuchar could have added to the lead twice, firstly latching onto a long ball forward from Bunn and heading a good flicked effort towards goal that Garner did well to get to and then stabbing a close range effort towards goal late on.
Last season there were seven minutes of injury time at Brisbane Road with us 2-0 up before Orient scared us witless with a late goal but even with this seasons’ six minutes of time added on they didn’t look like scoring at all, handing us a massive three points in the bid for safety.
Mark Hughes was superb at the back and is going to be a massive part of the team we build for next season. Simon Cox did very well up front and will be pushing for a start tomorrow against Scunthorpe while Bradley Johnson again looked dangerous going forward.
The Cobblers now lie in 16th place in League One, eight points clear of the drop zone with fifteen points to play for. I would say that we’re one win away from guaranteeing our place in League One for another season but next up are top club Scunthorpe tomorrow afternoon as the season begins to reach its conclusion.
It seems engineering works have been taking place between Southampton and London for the last six months so I expected my latest train delays on my way up to the capital, heading out early to avoid a mad dash to Brisbane Road. Having just about made the 9:30 train from Southampton, I relaxed into the journey, trying to take in and recover from two nights out in a row (I know I’m getting old when going out on successive nights is a big thing!).
I arrived in London early despite the delays so took in some of the street entertainment on offer along the bank of the Thames near Waterloo station. Included in the performers were magicians, buskers, a street dancer who couldn’t work his CD player and far too many of those weird statue people who paint themselves in gold and only move if you drop money into their bucket. Tempting as it was to stay there all day and try to make them flinch, there was a game to go to and yet more detours ahead on the tube so I began the journey across London.
Arriving at 2:30, I found the usual crew from Sixfields Boys (www.sixfieldsboys.org.uk) already seated and Graham once again trying to take paparazzi style photos as I approached.
Brisbane Road is in the middle of a major transition and since our last visit in early 2006 the building work has begun on the North Stand of the ground. The Cobblers fans were as ever situated in the more run down stand with wooden seats but the atmosphere seemed a lot louder in our stand. I’m sure eventually work will begin on this stand as well but it will certainly take away some of the atmosphere when they do.
On the pitch, Kenny Deuchar and Jordan Robertson dropped to the bench to give Andy Kirk and Simon Cox the chance to state their case for a regular start. Cox did his cause no harm at all as he gave the Cobblers the lead on twelve minutes. Bradley Johnson’s chipped through ball was met by a brilliantly met volley from the Reading loan man that arrowed past O’s keeper Glyn Garner.
The Cobblers seemed happy to try and play the ball over the top of the Orient defence in order to break through and Cox always looked a danger going forward.
Mark Bunn wasn’t being worked an awful lot as the outstanding Mark Hughes marshalled the defensive line solidly once again. The first real effort of note for Orient was held well by Bunn, a long-range effort from Gary Alexandra. The home side were being reduced to long-rangers throughout the first half and the Cobblers were dealing with the threat well and breaking away when possible.
One of these breaks provided us with the second goal. Good work from Kirk and Cox ended with a scrambled goal at the far post from Jason Crowe just past the half hour.
A lengthy injury to an Orient player meant five minutes of stoppage time at the end of the first half and on the whistle, boos rang out from the home fans.
Martin Ling made a change at half time, bringing on a third striker in Jado Ibehre coming on to replace Aiden Palmer.
On the hour mark, Ryan Gilligan found space on the left and his cross shot looked like it was going right into the top corner but agonisingly swerved at the last second to keep the lead at two goals. Kenny Deuchar replaced Andy Kirk and Jordan Robertson took over from goal scorer Cox as the Cobblers kept things fresh through the second half. Ryan Jarvis rattled Bunn’s crossbar mid-way through the second half but that would be the closest the home side would come to reducing the deficit.
Kenny Deuchar could have added to the lead twice, firstly latching onto a long ball forward from Bunn and heading a good flicked effort towards goal that Garner did well to get to and then stabbing a close range effort towards goal late on.
Last season there were seven minutes of injury time at Brisbane Road with us 2-0 up before Orient scared us witless with a late goal but even with this seasons’ six minutes of time added on they didn’t look like scoring at all, handing us a massive three points in the bid for safety.
Mark Hughes was superb at the back and is going to be a massive part of the team we build for next season. Simon Cox did very well up front and will be pushing for a start tomorrow against Scunthorpe while Bradley Johnson again looked dangerous going forward.
The Cobblers now lie in 16th place in League One, eight points clear of the drop zone with fifteen points to play for. I would say that we’re one win away from guaranteeing our place in League One for another season but next up are top club Scunthorpe tomorrow afternoon as the season begins to reach its conclusion.
Saturday, April 07, 2007
Let the holidays begin!
And so the four day weekend brilliantly stratches out before us and I'm typically busy with travels, parties and funfairs to attend!
Already I've taken in two nights out, Thursday night at Lennons and Friday night at the Hobbit (including my first taste of its fantastic garden!) while tomorrow's plans take me to East London for the Orient-Cobblers crunch game. Sunday will see a trip to Newbury and lovely Upper Bucklebury for an Easter with the gang while Monday sees us visit Southampton Common for the funfair before heading off for No Saints' latest tusell in 5-a-side action!
Already we've met pandas in Lennons and random folk in the Hobbit who were looking for the best places to go for a night out in Southampton so the weekend has ofiicially begun! Good times ahead...I will report back soon!
Already I've taken in two nights out, Thursday night at Lennons and Friday night at the Hobbit (including my first taste of its fantastic garden!) while tomorrow's plans take me to East London for the Orient-Cobblers crunch game. Sunday will see a trip to Newbury and lovely Upper Bucklebury for an Easter with the gang while Monday sees us visit Southampton Common for the funfair before heading off for No Saints' latest tusell in 5-a-side action!
Already we've met pandas in Lennons and random folk in the Hobbit who were looking for the best places to go for a night out in Southampton so the weekend has ofiicially begun! Good times ahead...I will report back soon!
Friday, April 06, 2007
Leyton Orient (A) preview...
The Cobblers travel to Brisbane Road tomorrow looking to bounce back after last weekends' dreadful showing against Brighton. It's another game in a similar vein to the one against the Seagulls with the winners likely to be virtually safe.
Stuart Gray has hinted that he may switch things around during the Easter period to accommodate the two games in three days and this could mean a start for Simon Cox, who has come from the bench in the last two games since joining from Reading.
Orient will be looking to bounce back themselves after falling to a 2-1 reverse at fellow strugglers Cheltenham Town last weekend.
Last Six games
Orient
Cheltenham Town (A) 1-2
Scunthorpe United (H) 2-2
Oldham Athletic (H) 2-2
Chesterfield (A) 1-0
Swansea City (A) 0-0
Tranmere Rovers (H) 3-1
Cobblers
Brighton and Hove Albion (H) 0-2
Swansea City (A) 1-2
Bradford City (A) 2-1
AFC Bournemouth (H) 3-1
Bristol City (A) 0-1
Rotherham United (H) 3-0
Johnson pens new Town contract
Bradley Johnson has signed a new two-year contract with Northampton Town.
The midfielder, who has been in excellent form since returning from a loan spell at Stevenage Borough earlier in the season and has hit four goals for the club.
Goalscoring left-footed midfielders are hard to come by these days and it's a massive boost for Stuart Gray as he looks to build his team for next season. Mark Bunn has already signed a new deal himself and Gray will continue to discuss terms with several out of contract players as the season draws to a close.
Wednesday, April 04, 2007
Wembley...Ten Years On...Part Two...John Frain...
John Frain’s name will live in Cobblers history forevermore after his 93rd minute free kick won the game at Wembley. On a day already steeped in history for the club, Frain topped it all by producing that moment of magic in beating Roger Freestone.
“John Frain in the 93rd” is still a chant that rings out whenever we play Swansea City. Ten years on and we’re still signing about the incredible finish to the Playoff Final of ‘97. No doubt the chant will live forever and the moment certainly will in the minds of every Cobblers fan. The free-kick memories will live on through generations and we’ll be telling our grandkids about the moment a small balding man sent us absolutely wild at the most famous stadium in the world.
Had it not been for the free-kick, Frainy may not have been anything more than a regular player in the club’s history. Joining from Birmingham City on deadline day of 1997, initially on loan, Frain was brought in to replace the injured Lee Maddison. The left-back played over 300 games for Birmingham after coming through their academy and joined the Cobblers with a strong reputation for set pieces. Little were we to know at the time just how crucial this attribute would become!
Just two months after signing for the Town, Frain was walking out at Wembley. After a solid game at the side of the now legendary defensive duo of Ray Warburton and Ian Sampson, Frain’s moment of glory came as he made himself the unlikely hero of the day.
I always remember the build-up to the goal and Dad screaming “Come on now John Frain” as he stood over the ball with Roy Hunter. After the initial block and encroachment by Jonathon Coates in the Swansea wall, Frain stepped up again and with one strike of the ball sent the tunnel end of Wembley into a scene of bedlam!
Frain went on to make over 200 appearances in a claret shirt before joining Moor Green, initially as a player but nowadays as Assistant manager of the club.
On the open top bus tour around Northampton town centre the Monday after Wembley, Frain’s fellow players sung from the bus roof, “He’s small, he’s round, he’s worth a million pound, Johnny Frain, Johnny Frain.” He perhaps wasn’t worth that sort of figure (look out for the Christian Lee special for a million pounds player!) but Frain’s Wembley goal was worth a whole lot more in the hearts of every Cobblers fan from then on.
“John Frain in the 93rd” is still a chant that rings out whenever we play Swansea City. Ten years on and we’re still signing about the incredible finish to the Playoff Final of ‘97. No doubt the chant will live forever and the moment certainly will in the minds of every Cobblers fan. The free-kick memories will live on through generations and we’ll be telling our grandkids about the moment a small balding man sent us absolutely wild at the most famous stadium in the world.
Had it not been for the free-kick, Frainy may not have been anything more than a regular player in the club’s history. Joining from Birmingham City on deadline day of 1997, initially on loan, Frain was brought in to replace the injured Lee Maddison. The left-back played over 300 games for Birmingham after coming through their academy and joined the Cobblers with a strong reputation for set pieces. Little were we to know at the time just how crucial this attribute would become!
Just two months after signing for the Town, Frain was walking out at Wembley. After a solid game at the side of the now legendary defensive duo of Ray Warburton and Ian Sampson, Frain’s moment of glory came as he made himself the unlikely hero of the day.
I always remember the build-up to the goal and Dad screaming “Come on now John Frain” as he stood over the ball with Roy Hunter. After the initial block and encroachment by Jonathon Coates in the Swansea wall, Frain stepped up again and with one strike of the ball sent the tunnel end of Wembley into a scene of bedlam!
Frain went on to make over 200 appearances in a claret shirt before joining Moor Green, initially as a player but nowadays as Assistant manager of the club.
On the open top bus tour around Northampton town centre the Monday after Wembley, Frain’s fellow players sung from the bus roof, “He’s small, he’s round, he’s worth a million pound, Johnny Frain, Johnny Frain.” He perhaps wasn’t worth that sort of figure (look out for the Christian Lee special for a million pounds player!) but Frain’s Wembley goal was worth a whole lot more in the hearts of every Cobblers fan from then on.
Wembley...Ten Years on...
In the first two of my series, I look back on the Cobblers heroes from May 24th 1997. First up, goalkeeper Andy Woodman...
Andy Woodman was one of my first "favourite players" at the Cobblers. Whenever kids at school went through their lists of their clubs favourite players and spouted such names as Eric Cantona, Ian Wright and Jurgen Klinnsmann, I was more than happy to confuse them by telling them my top players were Neil Grayson and 'Woody'.
Woody was a rare breed of footballers, especially in the modern game that played the game with a real energy and a smile on his face. I guess that's what I loved about Woody and why a lot of the claret army took him to our hearts during the glory years of the late 90's! Starting his career as a fresh faced 18-year-old at Crystal Palace, Woodman stayed with the Eagles for five seasons before moving on to Exeter City, where he endured a nightmare period of two quick red cards that saw the end of his Grecians' career. From Exeter, he moved to the Cobblers with a fresh start in mind and was a massive part of the team that reached two successive playoff finals in 1997 and 1998.Woody spoke fondly of his time at Sixfields in his book, Woody and Nord, (co-written with now Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate) and recalls the magical trips to Wembley with delight.
As the time came near for the 1997 Playoff Final, I even got the chance to meet the great man in a meet and greet at Northampton's WH Smith's store. I remember waiting for what seemed like hours to meet Woody and a couple of the other players and we were right in front of the queue. What you see was certainly what you got with him and the bubbly, happy man you see on the pitch was exactly the man that towered above me (I was only 12!) on that day and as a kid meeting Woody was better than meeting Peter Schmeichal!
Woody's personal Wembley memories will most likely be of the 1998 final after he saved a penalty against Grimsby Town but he was a major part in the winning side the year before. Swansea, and future Cobbler, Carl Heggs sent in a scorching volley early on and Woody was at full stretch to tip the ball over the bar in front of the 32,000 strong Cobblers contingent. Woody will forever be a cult figure at the Cobblers and his departure from the club in 1999 was sad to see, especially as Spilly Turley took over from him!
Woody left Sixfields to join Brentford after an initial loan spell and went on to make 60 appearances for the Bees. In 2001, Woody joined Colchester United before spending two seasons with Oxford United and finished off his career with short spells at Stevenage Borough and Rushden and Diamonds (we forgive you Woody!).
Whenever Woody played against the Cobblers for his various clubs it was apparent how much love he has for the club and the banter was always light hearted whatever the result on the pitch.Nowadays, Woody can be found at West Ham United where he's employed as youth team goalkeeping coach.
To a legion of Cobblers fans, Andy Woodman will forever be remembered as a cult figure and an absolute joy to have as part of the Wembley heroes.
Jess set for Town departure
Eoin Jess looks set to leave the Cobblers as his contract comes to an end.
Jess joined the club in the summer of 2005 and has scored twice including a memorable volley at Notts County last season. The news won’t be a real blow to the fans, who rarely saw the best of a player that has played at the top level in England and Scotland as well as the Scottish national side.
Rumours are flying around that he’s about to rejoin Colin Calderwood in a coaching role at Nottingham Forest.
Jess joined the club in the summer of 2005 and has scored twice including a memorable volley at Notts County last season. The news won’t be a real blow to the fans, who rarely saw the best of a player that has played at the top level in England and Scotland as well as the Scottish national side.
Rumours are flying around that he’s about to rejoin Colin Calderwood in a coaching role at Nottingham Forest.
Tuesday, April 03, 2007
Fat and Weasy 10-1 No Saints
No Saints remain rooted to the bottom of the table after defeat to top club Fat and Weasy.
Despite my early goal to stun the leaders, Weasy showed their class and skill to hammer 10 in return. The team once again showed signs of improvement but were no match for Fat and Weasy who's team name was certainly one to put people off the fact that they were so good!
Next up is a real bank holiday cracker as we take on fellow strugglers Fidistas. Fidistas are one place above us at the bottom with 4 points so we desperately want to get the win to close the gap and just to get some points!
Despite my early goal to stun the leaders, Weasy showed their class and skill to hammer 10 in return. The team once again showed signs of improvement but were no match for Fat and Weasy who's team name was certainly one to put people off the fact that they were so good!
Next up is a real bank holiday cracker as we take on fellow strugglers Fidistas. Fidistas are one place above us at the bottom with 4 points so we desperately want to get the win to close the gap and just to get some points!
Town fans plan Bank Holiday march...
Cobblers fans are set to increase the pressure on Northampton Borough Council’s further delays to the regeneration of Sixfields by marching in protest from the Guildhall to Sixfields on Bank Holiday Monday before the Scunthorpe game.
NBC have time and time again put deadlines for decisions back and the latest date that was stated last week said that a decision couldn’t be made until 2011! That’s a DECISION can’t be made.
David Cardoza has been patient for long enough and slammed the latest setback, saying that words are no consolation at this point. Ground sharing with the Saints and even Franchise F.C. have been mentioned if Sixfields delays continue but we don’t want to lose our home of just over ten years because of a useless council. The football club is at the heart of the community but these delays are getting longer and longer.
The fans have tried protests before, most notably at Stevenage in the FA Cup last season with the “red card” campaign and more recently at the live Sky game with Bristol City back at the start of the season.
Whether or not the latest demonstration will come to anything is debateable but it will at least show the council once again what the club means to the fans.
For anyone wanting to join the march, it begins at Northampton Guildhall at 1pm.
NBC have time and time again put deadlines for decisions back and the latest date that was stated last week said that a decision couldn’t be made until 2011! That’s a DECISION can’t be made.
David Cardoza has been patient for long enough and slammed the latest setback, saying that words are no consolation at this point. Ground sharing with the Saints and even Franchise F.C. have been mentioned if Sixfields delays continue but we don’t want to lose our home of just over ten years because of a useless council. The football club is at the heart of the community but these delays are getting longer and longer.
The fans have tried protests before, most notably at Stevenage in the FA Cup last season with the “red card” campaign and more recently at the live Sky game with Bristol City back at the start of the season.
Whether or not the latest demonstration will come to anything is debateable but it will at least show the council once again what the club means to the fans.
For anyone wanting to join the march, it begins at Northampton Guildhall at 1pm.
Monday, April 02, 2007
No Saints vs Fat and Weasey
No Saints face their toughest test yet tonight as we prepare to face top Club Fat and Weasey in the latest 5-a-side adventure. Weasy have a 100% record from their first four games and will be a stern test for our bottom of the table heroes.
Stewart Howard is out with an injury picked up in training while Sean Sunderland returns to the side after his absence last week.
The Saints looked stronger last week and we’ll at least be looking to build on that performance as we go looking for what would be the upset of the season!
Stewart Howard is out with an injury picked up in training while Sean Sunderland returns to the side after his absence last week.
The Saints looked stronger last week and we’ll at least be looking to build on that performance as we go looking for what would be the upset of the season!
Cooking up a treat!
Last night we dangerously prepared a vegetable lasagne for our hosts Dave and Marti. The one provision for going to their place this week was that we all did the cooking and after deciding on which ingredients to bring (I was left to provide cheese and desert- a superb Roulade from Sainsbury’s) we got going.
Ti began proceedings by bunging all of our prepared vegetables into a pan but we soon realised that it was never going to fit so the emergency pans came out. Lentils were happily boiling away on the side but we put them on far too early and they didn’t look healthy so they were thrown out! Jamie joined us mid-preparation and added his stirring skills to the mix before we decided to entertain ourselves with a dual of kitchen utensils. I went, obviously, for the ladle (see New Years Eve post if you don’t know why this was my choice!) while Jamie chose the whisk. In a battle to the end, I think it ended as a draw after Ti distracted us with her photo taking!
Back to the meal and we just had a feeling that something spectacular was about to happen. We weren’t let down as the cheese sauce came to the boil and spilled over the pan, creating a mesh of cheesiness on Marti’s hob. Dave looked on from the lounge with suspicion at what on earth was going on but he let us get on with it.
The end result was in fact very good and cooked to perfection. Marti made some home-made lemonade and we saw in Sunday night with the usual laughter and fun. It’s going to be awesome when we all live in the same area next year...that was without doubt one of the best times I’ve had while cooking and every meal should provide this much jovial activity!
Ti began proceedings by bunging all of our prepared vegetables into a pan but we soon realised that it was never going to fit so the emergency pans came out. Lentils were happily boiling away on the side but we put them on far too early and they didn’t look healthy so they were thrown out! Jamie joined us mid-preparation and added his stirring skills to the mix before we decided to entertain ourselves with a dual of kitchen utensils. I went, obviously, for the ladle (see New Years Eve post if you don’t know why this was my choice!) while Jamie chose the whisk. In a battle to the end, I think it ended as a draw after Ti distracted us with her photo taking!
Back to the meal and we just had a feeling that something spectacular was about to happen. We weren’t let down as the cheese sauce came to the boil and spilled over the pan, creating a mesh of cheesiness on Marti’s hob. Dave looked on from the lounge with suspicion at what on earth was going on but he let us get on with it.
The end result was in fact very good and cooked to perfection. Marti made some home-made lemonade and we saw in Sunday night with the usual laughter and fun. It’s going to be awesome when we all live in the same area next year...that was without doubt one of the best times I’ve had while cooking and every meal should provide this much jovial activity!
Sunday, April 01, 2007
Northampton Town 0-2 Brighton and Hove Albion
The Cobblers crashed to a Sixfields defeat to keep us in the relegation fight. Bas Savage's double strike for the Seagulls was enough to give Brighton the points on a blustery afternoon.
Stuart Gray made one change to the side that was beaten at Swansea last Saturday with Ian Taylor replacing David Hunt in the starting line-up.The Cobblers were playing with the wind in the first half and looked the better side in the early going. Jordan Robertson had the first real effort on goal, latching onto Kenny Deuchar's knock down but his shot was off target.The game was as frustrating as the game between the sides at the Withdean Stadium back in October with chances few and far between. Jason Crowe attempted to use the wind to his advantage with a deep cross but visiting keeper Scott Flinders did well to hold it.
At half-time the game was goalless and deservedly so, with both sides proving their league positions are right at the moment! The Cobblers looked settled but probably too settled, as if they thought safety was secured already.Brighton came out the stronger side in the second half and seemed to want to win more than we did and this eventually proved to be the difference between the sides.Bradley Johnson summed up our frustation early on with a right footed shot that sailed over the bar before Kenny Deuchar latched onto substitute Simon Cox's ball before firing over the bar and into the travelling fun fair at the top of the bank from six yards!
Brighton were looking the more dangerous side coming forward and were given the lead on the hour mark as Bas Savage found space in the box to fire home from close range before "treating" us to a well drilled dance routine and moonwalk.Just minutes later and the Seagulls had doubled their lead, Savage again the scorer after Mark Bunn had been left stranded by a Jake Robinson header. We knew it was all over at that point and if we'd have played all night we still wouldn't have scored.
Andy Kirk and Sam Aiston came on to try and spark us into life but there was no chance that we'd be getting back into this game.Nothing summed it up more than the late goal mouth scramble involving Kirk and Brad Johnson that was somehow kept out by Flinders.
So all in all a desperately disappointing day for the Cobblers and a defeat that keeps us involved in the relegation fight. Cheltenham's victory over Orient puts Bradford City into the drop zone and we now sit seven points clear, with a trip to Orient up next.
The players were playing like it was all over and it certainly isn't...we all know with the Cobblers that things can always turn sour pretty quickly and go right to the wire!
Stuart Gray made one change to the side that was beaten at Swansea last Saturday with Ian Taylor replacing David Hunt in the starting line-up.The Cobblers were playing with the wind in the first half and looked the better side in the early going. Jordan Robertson had the first real effort on goal, latching onto Kenny Deuchar's knock down but his shot was off target.The game was as frustrating as the game between the sides at the Withdean Stadium back in October with chances few and far between. Jason Crowe attempted to use the wind to his advantage with a deep cross but visiting keeper Scott Flinders did well to hold it.
At half-time the game was goalless and deservedly so, with both sides proving their league positions are right at the moment! The Cobblers looked settled but probably too settled, as if they thought safety was secured already.Brighton came out the stronger side in the second half and seemed to want to win more than we did and this eventually proved to be the difference between the sides.Bradley Johnson summed up our frustation early on with a right footed shot that sailed over the bar before Kenny Deuchar latched onto substitute Simon Cox's ball before firing over the bar and into the travelling fun fair at the top of the bank from six yards!
Brighton were looking the more dangerous side coming forward and were given the lead on the hour mark as Bas Savage found space in the box to fire home from close range before "treating" us to a well drilled dance routine and moonwalk.Just minutes later and the Seagulls had doubled their lead, Savage again the scorer after Mark Bunn had been left stranded by a Jake Robinson header. We knew it was all over at that point and if we'd have played all night we still wouldn't have scored.
Andy Kirk and Sam Aiston came on to try and spark us into life but there was no chance that we'd be getting back into this game.Nothing summed it up more than the late goal mouth scramble involving Kirk and Brad Johnson that was somehow kept out by Flinders.
So all in all a desperately disappointing day for the Cobblers and a defeat that keeps us involved in the relegation fight. Cheltenham's victory over Orient puts Bradford City into the drop zone and we now sit seven points clear, with a trip to Orient up next.
The players were playing like it was all over and it certainly isn't...we all know with the Cobblers that things can always turn sour pretty quickly and go right to the wire!
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