Goals from Bradley Johnson and Andy Kirk ensured that The Cobblers progress into Round Two of the Carling Cup with a 2-0 victory over Millwall.
The Cobblers made just one change from the side that drew with Swindon Town at the weekend as Poul Hubertz was brought in to replace Colin Larkin to face his former club.
Hubertz was immediately involved in two strong challenges from Millwall defenders as the visitors made their mark on the big forward early on in the game. Ryan Smith went close for Millwall with the first real chance of the game on ten minutes but Mark Bunn was equal to the shot. Andy Kirk had the Cobblers’ first effort on goal ten minutes later but his left footed shot sailed over the bar.
Jason Crowe shot over on the half hour mark before Bradley Johnson had to clear off his own goal line following a dangerous corner that caused confusion in the Town defence. Another ball into the Cobblers’ area just minutes later missed three Millwall players and Neil Harris should have done better at getting a connection to the ball.
On 37 minutes, we had the breakthrough. Bradley Johnson lined up a free kick and powered his shot through Chris Day in the Millwall goal to give the Cobblers a 1-0 lead.
Just before the break, a goalmouth scramble ensued in the Town area but Chris Doig managed to scramble the ball away for a corner so that we headed into the break in front.
There was a quiet start to the second half before Johnson again tested the resolve of Chris Day from long range but this time the visiting goalkeeper held the ball comfortably. On the hour mark though, we had doubled our lead as Andy Kirk scored a carbon copy of his opening day goal against Swindon from a Poul Hubertz cross.
Just five minutes later, Kirk could have had a second but his shot hit the post and bounced away to safety. Hubertz was then substituted as Brett Johnson came on to replace the big man.
With 20 minutes to play, Andy Holt had to clear the ball off the line after Mark Bunn flapped at a cross and missed the ball, not for the first time in the night. Ian Henderson had a goal ruled out for offside before Daniel Jones replaced Danny Jackman on the left hand side.
Henderson could have made it three with ten minutes to go when he was put through by Bradley Johnson but he dragged his shot wide of the post.
Danny May had Millwall’s final chance as his header flashed wide in stoppage time but the Cobblers held on to progress into Round Two. We’ll find out our opponents on Thursday night following the completion of the Rotherham-Sheffield Wednesday game on Sky Sports.
The Cobblers made just one change from the side that drew with Swindon Town at the weekend as Poul Hubertz was brought in to replace Colin Larkin to face his former club.
Hubertz was immediately involved in two strong challenges from Millwall defenders as the visitors made their mark on the big forward early on in the game. Ryan Smith went close for Millwall with the first real chance of the game on ten minutes but Mark Bunn was equal to the shot. Andy Kirk had the Cobblers’ first effort on goal ten minutes later but his left footed shot sailed over the bar.
Jason Crowe shot over on the half hour mark before Bradley Johnson had to clear off his own goal line following a dangerous corner that caused confusion in the Town defence. Another ball into the Cobblers’ area just minutes later missed three Millwall players and Neil Harris should have done better at getting a connection to the ball.
On 37 minutes, we had the breakthrough. Bradley Johnson lined up a free kick and powered his shot through Chris Day in the Millwall goal to give the Cobblers a 1-0 lead.
Just before the break, a goalmouth scramble ensued in the Town area but Chris Doig managed to scramble the ball away for a corner so that we headed into the break in front.
There was a quiet start to the second half before Johnson again tested the resolve of Chris Day from long range but this time the visiting goalkeeper held the ball comfortably. On the hour mark though, we had doubled our lead as Andy Kirk scored a carbon copy of his opening day goal against Swindon from a Poul Hubertz cross.
Just five minutes later, Kirk could have had a second but his shot hit the post and bounced away to safety. Hubertz was then substituted as Brett Johnson came on to replace the big man.
With 20 minutes to play, Andy Holt had to clear the ball off the line after Mark Bunn flapped at a cross and missed the ball, not for the first time in the night. Ian Henderson had a goal ruled out for offside before Daniel Jones replaced Danny Jackman on the left hand side.
Henderson could have made it three with ten minutes to go when he was put through by Bradley Johnson but he dragged his shot wide of the post.
Danny May had Millwall’s final chance as his header flashed wide in stoppage time but the Cobblers held on to progress into Round Two. We’ll find out our opponents on Thursday night following the completion of the Rotherham-Sheffield Wednesday game on Sky Sports.
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