The Cobblers were cruelly beaten at Sixfields this afternoon as Lloyd Owusu’s injury time winner sent Yeovil home with all three points in a game that we could and should have won ourselves.
Travelling from the north this time around following a week off and a visit to a friend in Leeds, I was stuck with the usual delays and leaving early for games has become a good tactic to deal with the trains that either get cancelled for no apparent reason or are delayed because of engineering works, bad weather or sheep on the track.
When I eventually got to Sixfields and the blistering heat that had enveloped the town on a brilliantly sunny afternoon, it was obvious that a drink was needed to cool down with so the usual routine of the pre-match beverage went down well despite a couple of heavy nights oop north!
Danny Jackman was ruled out of the game through injury so Daniel Jones came in as a makeshift left back while Joe Burnell replaced Ian Henderson in midfield, pushing Ryan Gilligan into his more favoured right sided position.
We could have been in front within the opening couple of minutes as Andy Holt headed a ball back across goal but Brad Johnson’s right footed effort sailed just wide of the post. Lloyd Owusu looked his usual dangerous self from crosses and his header went just over Mark Bunn’s crossbar in a lively opening to the game.
The tempo to the game was high and the Cobblers seemed on the front foot until Justin Cochrane lost his marker and fired a right footed shot past Bunn at his near post. Brad Johnson again shot wide as we looked for a response before Poul Hubertz grabbed the equaliser and his first goal for the club. Andy Kirk did well to grasp the ball from his marker and Hubertz coolly slotted home past Steve Mildenhall. Kirk went close with an overhead kick before half time but the sides went in level at half time following an entertaining first 45.
The second half started in a more subdued manner and it took until the hour mark for the game to really get going again. Andy Holt hit the crossbar following Kirk’s good work and cross from the right before Brad Johnson sent two free kicks sailing over- the second being a retake following encroachment by Craig Alcock.
Mid-way through the half, Ryan Gilligan got involved with a Yeovil midfielder and from my position looked to swing a punch at his man. Referee Mr Taylor booked Gilly but nothing more came of it. From my angle he was lucky to stay on the pitch if he did throw a punch.
Colin Larkin replaced Kirk for the final ten minutes and the former Chesterfield man almost scored with his first touch but his deflected effort hit the post and rolled away for a corner. Larkin was again close five minutes later. After missing with an initial effort, Larkin collected the ball and curled it against the other post!
With the game looking like ending in a frustrating draw, Yeovil countered and Lloyd Owusu got away from his man before sending a right-footed shot past Bunn and inside the post.
So another disappointing defeat to another side who are no better than us in all honesty. As with Brighton last weekend we failed to convert our chances against an average side and were made to pay. Yeovil will do well to repeat their playoff showing of last season but from our point of view it’s a massive three points missed out on.
Ian Henderson should have started on the right, as Gilligan couldn’t ever provide the width needed while the midfield was again lost at times. Brad Johnson had a real off day while Kirk was frustrated in his attempts to score his fourth in four games.
It gets no easier as early league leaders Leyton Orient welcome us to Brisbane Road next weekend.
PLAYER RATINGS...
MARK BUNN: May be a little disappointed with the first goal but could do nothing with the winner. (6)
JASON CROWE: Again looked in a different league at times and we’ll be looking back soon very thankful that he signed a new deal in the summer. (7)
MARK HUGHES: Solid as ever in the air but let himself down a little with marking. (6)
CHRIS DOIG: Lost Owusu for the winning goal. (5)
DANIEL JONES: Ironically his best performance in a Cobblers shirt comes when he’s played out of position. Linked up well with Holt down the left. (7)
RYAN GILLIGAN: Didn’t give enough width on the right. (6)
JOE BURNELL: Battling performance but needs to add creativity to his game. (6)
BRAD JOHNSON: Misfired on numerous occasions with strangely wayward shooting. Hopefully just an off day for the midfielder. (5)
ANDY HOLT: Still not sure whether he’s a left midfielder. Needs to get forward more and deliver. (6)
ANDY KIRK: Frustrating afternoon for the front man. (6)
POUL HUBERTZ: Battled hard all afternoon and deserved his first goal for the club. (8)
LIAM DOLMAN (SUB): No time to make any difference. (5)
COLIN LARKIN (SUB): Played final ten minutes and could have had two goals. Unlucky to hit the post twice and added a bit of pace to the attack. (6)
No comments:
Post a Comment