Tranmere Rovers 2-2 Northampton Town

The most agonising thing about following any football team is not being able to get to the games and being forced to listen on the radio or Internet, helplessly as your side goes about their business. Lack of funds has kept me away from both the home win over Huddersfield and today’s clash at Prenton Park.

It was to prove to be as distressing as ever as we finished with a point despite leading 2-0 at half time for the second time this season.

Stuart Gray stuck with the same eleven that saw off Huddersfield Town last weekend, with Alex Russell keeping his place in midfield following the extension of his loan spell from Bristol City today.

Gareth Taylor had the first real effort of the game on ten minutes for the home side but Mark Bunn palmed the shot away to safety.

In the Cobblers’ first attack, we were in front as Andy Kirk notched his sixth goal of the season. Andy Holt flicked on Bunn’s long goal kick and Kirk nipped in a header over John Achterberg to give us a surprise lead.

Paul McClaren went close mid-way through the half but his long-range effort went just wide of Bunn’s post. Tranmere were seeming the more likely to get back into the game but the Cobblers broke away and got a second goal six minutes before the break. Jason Crowe found space down the right hand side having been fed by Kirk and his cross was met by Poul Hubertz who headed home to give us a two goal lead!

Just before the break, Rovers should have halved the deficit but Chris Greenacre’s shot straight at Bunn after a pull back from Chris Shuker.

So the Cobblers went into half time two goals to the good but we must have been wary of the “Orient effect”. At the start of the month, we were 2-0 up at Brisbane Road before Orient came back in the second 45 to claim a 2-2 draw so nothing would have been being took for granted in the Cobblers dressing room.

The Cobblers began the second half defending deep but again waiting for the right moments to counter attack. Ten minutes into the half, we broke after a Tranmere attack and Hubertz had a chance at goal but his left footed effort went wide. Gareth Taylor seemed to be causing all of the problems for Tranmere with his ability in the air but we were holding firm at the back as we clung on to the lead.

Just before the hour mark, Brett Johnson came off the bench to replace Andy Holt as we went more defensive.

Mid way through the half, Chris Shuker beat Jason Crowe on the right hand side. The Rovers midfielder crossed a dangerous ball into the area but it just missed the outstretched leg of Gareth Taylor.

With 20 minutes to go, the home side got right back into the game. Alex Russell miscued a clearance and Shuker buried a finish past Mark Bunn. Minutes later, Bunn had to be alert to deny Chris Greenacre as we desperately tried to hang onto the now one goal lead.

Poul Hubertz had an effort saved by Achterberg as we tried to ease the pressure on the defence but there was still fifteen minutes to go. Stuart Gray switched to a 3-5-2 formation with Brett Johnson playing at left-wing back.

With ten minutes to go, the Cobblers had a break away. Andy Kirk set up Brad Johnson but Johnson’s shot was weak and Tranmere had possession back. At the other end, Chris Greenacre volleyed wide as the game came to a thrilling conclusion.

Ryan Gilligan replaced Poul Hubertz before Brad Johnson had another chance but headed wide of the post.

With six minutes to play, the Cobblers won a corner and the ball dropped to Andy Kirk who hit a good effort but Achterberg made a great save to deny the Cobblers striker.

Tranmere should have been level soon after as Mark Hughes made a poor back pass to Bunn and Rovers substitute Craig Curran nipped in but shot wide. Andy Kirk was taken off to be replaced by Ian Henderson but the game was finally brought level in agonising fashion as Gareth Taylor headed home at the back post. Taylor had been causing problems all afternoon and the big man nodded the home side level.

Right on 90 minutes, Brett Johnson headed wide at the other end as the Cobblers looked to regain the lead. Tranmere pressed late on and Mark Bunn had to push out another goal bound effort but the game came to an end as a 2-2 draw.

So a point that is in exactly the same vein as the Orient draw back at the start of the month. We would have certainly taken the point at the start of the game but to be 2-0 at half time and be pegged back is so painful, especially listening to the commentary rather than being at the game itself.

But it’s still an unbeaten September for the club and five games without defeat before the trip to Millwall on Tuesday night.

Tranmere Rovers (A) Preview...

In what is, on paper, the toughest looking game of the season so far, The Cobblers travel to second place Tranmere Rovers tomorrow as Stuart Gray returns to the scene of his first game in charge of the club. Back in January, Gray oversaw a 1-1 draw at Prenton Park and a similar result tomorrow would be a superb return.

The Cobblers welcome Joe Burnell back to the squad for the trip to Merseyside but the only change to the side that beat Huddersfield Town last weekend could be Ryan Gilligan coming in for Colin Larkin to add a bit more of a presence to the midfield.

Tranmere will give a late fitness test to goalkeeper Danny Coyne and goalkeeping coach John Achterberg is waiting in the wings should Coyne not make it. Calvin Zola is also a doubt with a hamstring problem while John Mullin is still recovering from an ankle operation.


THE STORY SO FAR…TRANMERE ROVERS IN 2007/08…

Tranmere are second in the table after a good start to the season and trail leaders Orient by just two points going into two home games in a week.

Rovers began the season as the first victims of the Leeds United backlash, losing out 2-1 at Prenton Park to Dennis Wise’s resurgent side. They bowed out of the Carling Cup to League Two Stockport County but recorded their first win of the season the following weekend as goals from Chris Greenacre and Steve Davies scored the goals to see off Gillingham at The Priestfield.

Brighton were then beaten by the same result as Tranmere got off the mark at home and then gained a last gasp draw at Yeovil thanks to an injury time equaliser from Davies, cancelling out Marcus Stewart’s opener.

Rovers were upset by Morecambe in the Johnstones Paint Trophy but the league form continued to gain momentum with a 1-0 win at Carlisle, Craig Curran with the goal.

A week later and another victory was forthcoming, this time 2-1 over Luton Town at home. Last weekend, Rovers claimed a point at Cheltenham Town to leave them in the top two going into the Cobblers clash.


PREVIOUS MEETINGS…

06/01/07: TRANMERE 1-1 COBBLERS

In Stuart Gray’s first game in charge, Scott McGleish gives us an 11th minute lead but John Mullin equalises with just three minutes to go.

16/09/06: COBBLERS 1-3 TRANMERE

Goals from Calvin Zola, Gareth Taylor and John Mullin give Tranmere the points at Sixfields. Scott McGleish grabs a late consolation but it’s not enough to stop Rovers forcing another home defeat on us at the start of last season.

21/04/03: TRANMERE 4-0 COBBLERS

In the game that confirmed our relegation back to the basement division, Tranmere hammer the poor Cobblers in a game that saw them score twice in injury time.

14/12/02: COBBLERS 0-4 TRANMERE

Simon Haworth grabs a brace and Ryan Taylor and Alex Hay one each in an easy away day for Rovers back in December 2002.

12/02/02: TRANMERE 2-0 COBBLERS

Second half strikes from Jason Price and Wayne Allison give Tranmere a comfortable victory.

13/10/01: COBBLERS 4-1 TRANMERE

Jamie Forrester and Richard Hope put the Cobblers in front before a wonder goal from Sean Flynn in first half stoppage time halves the deficit. But the Cobblers score twice in an excellent second half performance through Paul McGregor and Forrester again to gain a rare victory.

***See this weeks’ Golden Games for full details***


FOR THE RECORD: ROVERS v COBBLERS

GAMES PLAYED: 34
TRANMERE WINS: 13
DRAWS: 9
COBBLERS WINS: 12

A Gem in the midst of television boredom...

A rare outing for television discussion on this blog for a second, in fact this may well be the first time in over a year that TV has cropped up on here! But for some reason (probably boredom) I felt the need to sing the praises of a comedy that I hadn’t even seen a full episode of this time last year yet I am now hooked.

Step forward, Scrubs. Lord know why I spent so long without bearing witness to an episode of this fine piece of television but since I was lent the first season on DVD back in January, I’ve been hooked on enough to trawl through all five series that have been released in the UK so far.

Now entering Series Six on E4, Scrubs just keeps getting better and better and the recent events (for those who haven’t seen it, I won’t ruin the story!) have been a shining example of the sheer genius writing and performance of the show. Even in a sad storyline, it still has the quality of making you laugh before bringing you right back down to earth with a bang.

Something that I personally havn’t seen in a sit-com since Friends and to a lesser extent Only Fools and Horses is the attention to detail of getting the emotional moments absolutely spot on. The characters have been made to perfection and each one can make you laugh in a completely different way. This, in turn, makes you care about the characters a lot more and by the time you’ve watched a few episodes you feel like you know them and that they’re your friends.

It’s an incredibly difficult skill to involve sadness and heartache in the middle of comedy and vice-versa but Scrubs gets it just right and with the summing up from JD at the end of each episode it certainly makes you think about life. It’s pretty much a guarantee that a lot of the issues faces by the characters over the last few years has in some way affected each and every one of us in day to day life and to reflect this in a quite brilliant way has lifted Scrubs from something I think of as just another sit-com to the status of must-see TV.

In a world of reality television, song contests and shoddy sit-coms, Scrubs is an absolute gem in a box of recycled waste and long may it continue to shine!

No Saints 4-2 Kashima Antlers

No Saints began the new era in style last night, recording an excellent 4-2 win over Kashima Antlers. The Antlers looked every bit a new side but with time they will certainly improve so it was good to get the win under our belt.

Donning our new White and Red kits, No Saints took the lead early on through goals from Andy and Abib before Antlers came back into the game, scoring just before and just after half time to draw level.

But the spirit of our side never faded and we gained a deserved win thanks to late goals from Andy and Abib again. It was an improved defensive display from Monday night and we really could have had more goals at the other end so hopefully with a couple of players returning next week we can really push on to a good points tally.

It’s always good to get off to a good start as we can be chasing everyone else for the whole season if we don’t so bring on next week when we take on The Closers in an early 7pm kick off!

No Saints vs Kashima Antlers Preview...

And so the new season and the new era begins tonight as No Saints begin the Wednesday league against Kashima Antlers. Without any knowledge of how good the teams in this league are (we’ve been placed in the bottom league), it’s an exciting new beginning.

With new kits to be donned we are desperate to make the transition from league underdogs to promotion challengers but that will only come in time as we assess the ability of the other sides and sort out our own form.

The team is now looking more and more like a unit and we’re getting the same people back each week for more which certainly helps to give us a good spirit. Talks of social evenings have also begun with Abib’s claims to be a “party animal” sure to be tested some time down the line!

So to tonight’s game and we have no idea what to expect from the Antlers but they will be in exactly the same boat going into the game. We can only hope that we can stand a good chance of getting back to winning ways and in one way it’s nice not having any sort of expectations going into the game.

The white army rises from the red mist tonight as the new era begins!

The Midweek Review 26/09/07

Four games unbeaten and a strike partnership that’s beginning to really gain momentum. Is this really the Cobblers that we’re watching? It almost seems to be too comfortable at the moment as we break into the top half of the League One table but confidence is high going into the clash at high flying Tranmere Rovers this weekend.

Now is not a time to be getting carried away. Cobblers fans have surely learned from the past never to get too excited about a run of form or a glimpse of the upper reaches of the table. We certainly can’t be shouting about that we’re about to make a surge on the playoffs or the top two. But to our credit, most opinions I’ve been hearing this week have been cautiously optimistic rather than overly optimistic. The fact that we’re now four points clear of the bottom four must be met with more delight than the issue of being two points from the playoffs.

I know that sounds a bit gloomy but realistically we need to be ensuring safety first and foremost this season. Then we can start looking ahead further up the table and begin to wonder if those playoffs aren’t too much of a big step away after all.

The win over Huddersfield was as impressive a result as you would find over this weekend in League One yet once again we are overlooked in the main headlines by the Leeds resurgence and the fact that Forest actually won a game to follow us up the table. The lack of coverage on the Cobblers could be welcome, though, and Staurt Gray isn’t the type of manager to jump into the public eye. I’m sure he’s happy to sit in the background and surprise one or two people as the season gets going.

Andy Kirk and Poul Hubertz once again combined well and both pitched in with a goal in the Huddersfield victory and long may their partnership flourish. I heard from a Millwall fan this week that whenever their striker, Ben May, got the ball at the weekend, fans were singing Hubertz’ name! It’ll be interesting to see Hoobs return to his old stomping ground at Millwall on Tuesday night.

The tribunal for the transfer of Giles Coke heard this week that we must pay Mansfield up to £70,000 for the midfielder. This could become a bargain purchase if Coke lives up to his billing on his return from injury, especially as only a small amount of the fee is payable immediately and the rest based on appearances. The 20% sell-on clause that Mansfield insisted on shows how highly they rate the player so let’s hope we see him in a Cobblers shirt sooner rather than later.

Looking ahead to the weekend and we face one of the toughest trips we’re likely to come across this season as we head to Tranmere. Rovers lie second in the table at the moment and are likely to stage their usual bid for the playoffs and beyond this season. If the Cobblers can come away from that game with the unbeaten run stretched to five game then we’ll have done extremely well.

So as September comes to an end we’re looking OK in mid-table and starting to perform like we did in the second half of last season. Ian Henderson and Joe Burnell look like they’re on the comeback trail so that can only help a Cobblers side looking to maintain that good run of form.

We all know that a couple of defeats this week could send us right back down the table and a couple of wins could catapult us from nosebleed territory to sheer heart attack territory of the top six but either way we shouldn’t be getting to downhearted/excited (delete as applicable) just yet.

Up The Cobblers!

Golden Games: Cobblers v Tranmere Rovers

This week in Golden Games, we look back on one of our finest performances of the 2001/02 season as we swept aside a Tranmere side that was, on paper, set to be one of our toughest opponents.

Northampton Town 4-1 Tranmere Rovers
13/10/01
Attendance: 4,636

It had been a poor start to the season for the Cobblers, who had finished the previous season in 18th place in Division Two (League One). With just two league wins (Brighton 2-0 and Port Vale 1-0) under our belt before the game with Tranmere, we were also coming off the back of a demoralising 2-0 defeat at London Road against Peterborough United.

We needed a performance to really make us forget the derby day the previous Sunday and the team provided just that.

Richard Hope was the first to give Tranmere an early scare as he headed the ball against the post of Rovers keeper Joe Murphy after Ian Sampson had caused problems from a free kick. It wasn’t long before the Cobblers were in front though as Jamie Forrester pounced on a cross from Chris Hargreaves in the 9th minute to give us the lead.

Hargreaves himself hit the post before Sam Parkin also went close to adding to the lead thanks to a last ditch challenge from visiting defender Graham Allen.

Cobblers keeper Keith Welch had to be alert with five minutes of the first half to go as he got to a well struck Jason Koumas free kick. On the stroke of half-time, the Cobblers were two goals to the good. Duncan Spedding swung in a corner that Ian Sampson headed back across goal, Darryl Burgess was quickest to react and his header hit the cross bar before Richard Hope fired home the rebound.

With the half-time whistle approaching, Tranmere stormed back into the game with a stunning strike from Sean Flynn who hit a shot into the top corner from 20 yards out.

The pace of the game didn’t stop after the break as the Cobblers regained the two-goal advantage. Chris Hargreaves put a good ball into the box and Paul McGregor was there to stab home at the far post after making a good run down the right hand side.

Jamie Forrester nearly grabbed his second of the game as he latched onto a through ball from James Hunt but after beating his man shot just wide of the post. Koumas hit the bar at the other end with another free kick before Welch saved well from a Gareth Roberts effort and picked himself up to deny Stuart Barlow twice!

The game was all over, though, on 72 minutes as Roy Hunter put a ball through to Forrester and the front man poked the ball past Murphy to round off the scoring.

Iain Hume should have scored a consolation with fifteen minutes to go but missed his kick when set up by Koumas and then James Hunt had his shot saved well by Murphy at the other end but the Cobblers had already done enough to secure the third win of the campaign.

The Cobblers went on to escape the drop by five points, finishing just a place above the relegation zone while Tranmere finished off the season in 12th place.

No Saints 2-8 Spot The Difference

No Saints ended the spell in the Monday leagues with a thumping defeat last night which was perhaps a fitting way to end a three season struggle.

Despite a couple of good results in previous weeks, we were up against a powerful Spot The Difference side who took a 2-0 lead before Aaron bundled in a goal back. STD went further ahead before I ended my personal goal drought with a finish after picking up the ball from a throw in.

But it wasn’t enough and STD proved too strong in the end despite a spirited second half that saw Dave, Jamie and Abib all go close to cutting the deficit. It was a good battle in the latter stages though and with six men compared to STD who seemed to have 8 or 9 in their squad, we put up a decent fight and now look ahead to the Wednesday league with hope.

Our first game comes around quickly with a clash against Kashima Antlers tomorrow evening to start the season off!

In other news, the kit has arrived safely and we’ll be donning it in all it’s glory for the first time tomorrow night. Pictures will follow later!

Birthday Hostage Video...

As you may recall from last week, my friends made me a treasure hunt style run around Southampton. Before that, there was a video I had to watch in the build up to the said hunt. Well now it's up on Youtube for the world to see!

Enjoy...


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=icdXLu-gcao

Tribunal decides Coke fee...

A tribunal has heard that The Cobblers must pay a package worth up to £70,000 for midfielder Giles Coke, signed from Mansfield Town in the summer. Coke, who hasn’t appeared for the Cobblers as yet, rejected Mansfield’s contract offer but because he is under the age of 24, a fee had to be decided.

The Stags initially demanded £175,000 for the midfielder but we refused to meet that valuation initially. The tribunal package has now been decided with £15,000 being paid immediately and another £15,000 due by January 2008.

£40,000 will be added to the cost based on appearances at a rate of £10,000 for each ten appearances that Coke makes up to 40. Mansfield Town were also awarded a 20% sell on clause for the player.

Spot the Difference...

It’s the end of an era tonight as No Saints play the final Monday night game in our three season history. Before we begin our assault on the Wednesday league, we take on Spot The Difference tonight, a side we narrowly lost out to 2-1 last time around.

With a close to full squad to choose from and even three subs, we’ll be looking to round of the season in style and maybe even get off the bottom of the table.

It’s quite ironic that our final game of the Monday league is against a side called Spot The Difference as No Saints have come a long way and are a totally different side now to where we were way back on March 12th when we took on Southampton Allstars in our first ever game.

The first season was a struggle with an unbeatable three own goals from myself and a season full of defeats. But we came back strong in the second season and in the opening game gained our long awaited first victory, winning a tense game 4-3 against new boys Stones. The good form continued the following week with a win over Icy Retards before Liverpaul’s strong arm tactics helped them to a high scoring success to bring us back to earth.

Further defeats followed including a complete annihilation by now-Premier League outfit Pete F.C. before we were back on the winning trail against The Kickabouts in late June. That proved to be our final “real” win of the season as we picked up a couple of victories because the other sides didn’t turn up!

It’s this season, though, that has seen a huge transition from league whipping boys to genuine contenders. We started with a couple of defeats but claimed a point in an entertaining 4-4 draw with Unathletico. Spot The Difference beat us 2-1 the following week but defeats were on the way from TOAR and 88 Miles per Hour. The return against TOAR brought an improved performance and the debuts of Andy and Abib gave us more of a threat going forward. They helped us to wins over Unathletico and TBA United in the last couple of weeks and we now end the season this evening.

A big thanks to everyone that’s represented No Saints for the last three seasons and we wish Rich good luck as he departs for pastures new in Brighton. Sean remains injured from Season Two while Stewart and Kev are also unavailable at the moment. We’ve had over 20 players don the red shirt over the last three months so thanks to everyone who played for us!

We now head for the Wednesday league with a more settled squad and a team spirit that’s better than we’ve ever know it. Four original members remain with myself, Jamie, Dave and Aaron still around and added to that the new faces we’re well set up for the new season that begins in a quick turn around this Wednesday!

I think it’s going to be quite easy to spot the difference between the old No Saints and the new No Saints as we look to rise from the ashes of the previous three seasons.

Northampton Town 3-0 Huddersfield Town

The Cobblers gained an impressive Sixfields victory this afternoon as goals from Poul Hubertz, Andy Holt and a fifth of the season from Andy Kirk lifted us into the top half of the League One table.

Colin Larkin returned to the starting line-up following his goal after coming off the bench at Bournemouth while Liam Dolman kept his place in defence. Ian Henderson made the bench after featuring in the reserves’ win over Luton Town in midweek.

Huddersfield had the first effort of the game but Nathan Clarke’s header sailed wide. The visitors were having the better of the opening ten minutes but the Cobblers came to life after that as first Poul Hubertz and then Brad Johnson went close.

On 18 minutes, Jason Crowe did well down the right and crossed for Andy Kirk but the Northern Irish striker headed just wide. Hubertz had another good long-range effort saved by Huddersfield keeper Matt Glennon on 25 minutes before the best chance of the game fell to Brad Johnson. The midfielder was clear eight yards out but shot wide of the post.

Andy Holdsworth shot over Mark Bunn’s cross bar in a rare attack for Huddersfield on the half hour mark but it was the Cobblers who grabbed the lead with just two minutes of the half to go. Brad Johnson swung a corner in and Poul Hubertz nodded the ball in at the near post after getting in front of his markers and rising to hand us a deserved half-time lead.

The Cobblers had the first effort of the second half as we looked to pick up where we left off in the first. Poul Hubertz’s shot was deflected wide while at the other end, Andy Booth shot wide from an Aaron Hardy cross.

On 62 minutes, we had the crucial second goal. Poul Hubertz crossed for Andy Holt to head home his first goal of the season. With the comfort of the second goal, we were still looking for more to kill the game off and a third wasn’t far around the corner.

Andy Kirk picked up the ball on the right hand side of the penalty area and arrowed a shot past Matt Glennon into the far corner to make it 3-0!

It was strange to be this comfortable as the game drew to its conclusion as we normally are subjected to a narrow lead being frantically defended but it was the Cobblers who seemed the more likely to add a fourth goal of the game.

Ryan Gilligan replaced Colin Larkin before Ian Henderson made his return from injury in place of goal scorer Kirk with fifteen minutes to go.

With five minutes left on the clock, Luke Beckett had the visitors’ best chance of the game but somehow missed from just four yards out to sum up Huddersfield’s afternoon in front of goal.

Our final change came with a couple of minutes left as Alex Russell was replaced by young Alex Dyer.

Andy Booth beat two men before shooting straight at Mark Bunn in the final effort of note but it was the Cobblers who claimed an impressive Sixfields victory in front of just over 5,000 fans.

That’s four games without defeat now and a good return of eight points from a possible twelve since the defeat to Yeovil Town at the end of August. It’s also a fantastic way to set up next weekends’ visit to high flying Tranmere Rovers where any result will now be a great return for Stuart Gray’s side.

Huddersfield Town (H) Preview...

The Cobblers will be hoping to continue a mini unbeaten run tomorrow afternoon as Huddersfield Town are the visitors to Sixfields (3pm). The Terriers have lost their last three games but will always be a difficult side to play.

Stuart Gray will leave the naming of his squad until the last minute as he waits on the fitness of midfielders Joe Burnell and Ian Henderson, both of whom sat out of the 1-1 draw at Bournemouth last weekend. Daniel Jones and Danny Jackman are both thought to be close to recovery from their injuries but the game will just come too soon. Gray has hinted that both may be available for the trip to Tranmere Rovers next weekend though.

Huddersfield forward Danny Cadamarteri came through 90 minutes in the reserves in midweek along with Frank Sinclair and Nathan Clarke. All three should be on the bench on Saturday but Jon Worthington is still sidelined.


THE STORY SO FAR…HUDDERSFIELD TOWN IN 2007/08…

Huddersfield sit 10th in League One at this point of the season after a good start to their campaign. Recent results have dragged them away from the top places but they’ll be hoping to be there or there abouts come the final reckoning.

Their season began with a 1-0 win over Yeovil Town before Championship new boys Blackpool knocked them out of the Carling Cup by the same score line. Luke Beckett got the only goal as Town saw off Bournemouth at the Fitness First Stadium but they were beaten at home the following week as Carlisle won 2-0 to take the points.

Another good away win followed though as the side beat Millwall 2-1 at the New Den. Paul Robinson gave the home side the lead but Huddersfield hit back through Andy Booth and summer signing Malvin Kamara.

The last couple of weeks havn’t been so successful with defeats to Grimsby (4-1 in the JPT), Crewe (2-0) and Cheltenham (3-2) threatening to halt their season before it gets going.


RECENT MEETINGS

27/04/07: COBBLERS 1-1 HUDDERSFIELD

Ian Taylor plays the final game of his career in a Sixfields draw. Taylor plays an hour before being replaced by David Hunt and earns a standing ovation from four sides of the ground. A couple of minutes later, Andy Holt gives the Cobblers the lead but David Mirfin equalizes with 15 minutes to go.

16/12/06: HUDDERSFIELD 1-1 COBBLERS

Joe Burnell fires the Cobblers in front on 16 minutes but Danny Schofield levels things up for the home side just after the hour to earn them a deserved point.

20/04/04: COBBLERS 0-1 HUDDERSFIELD

Andy Booth haunts the Cobblers again by scoring the only goal at Sixfields. Back in 2001, Booth had hit a hat-trick at the Cobblers’ home.

13/09/03: HUDDERSFIELD 3-0 COBBLERS

Towards the end of Martin Wilkinson’s ill fated time in charge, Jon Stead scored twice and Anthony Carss slotted home a penalty as the game was over by half time!

01/03/03: HUDDERSFIELD 2-0 COBBLERS

Two goals close to half time from Simon Baldry and a certain Martin Smith condemn the Cobblers to defeat.

14/09/02: COBBLERS 0-0 HUDDERSFIELD

A Sixfields stalemate in early season.


FOR THE RECORD…COBBLERS v TERRIERS…

GAMES PLAYED: 28
COBBLERS WINS: 10
DRAWS: 6
TERRIERS WINS: 12

No Saints 3-2 TBA United

Without me, Dave and Jamie, No Saints still claimed a superb victory last night as we continue to end the season in style!

In a tight game, we beat the league leaders TBA United who were aparantly complaining about our new signings running rings around them at the end of the game. But we really won't take any notice of that sort of rubbish...we've been in the doldrums for three long seasons and now it's our turn to, in true Embrace style, rise up and leave all the ashes behind.

A new kit is being organised and as we finish the season next week we can look forward to good times in the Wednesday league!

A year older…a year wiser?

So my birthday is now complete and I can now fill in the gaps of the birthday weekend between Saturday and Monday!

The match report for Bournemouth can be found below so I won’t go into more detail about that but there’s so much more of a story to tell from there. On the morning of the game we went for breakfast, obviously at Weatherspoons, and I received the first of my presents. Jamie and Anna kindly bought me tickets to see the Kaiser Chiefs in December at the Brighton Centre so that should be another great night to add to my list of gigs to see!

Also, Ti got me some tickets for Monday night to the Globe Theatre to see The Merchant of Venice which was another awesome gift and set up a day out in London yesterday. I was beginning to think that people were buying me tickets to things away from Southampton to get me out the way!

Before that though was Bournemouth and a nice sunny day was combined with a good game and ice cream on the beach! We then headed back for an evening in the capital of celebration huts, The Frog and Frigate. Hungover the next morning, I had a meeting in Hamble with the Hamble Players theatre group so with a heavy head I managed to make it and meet some of the members as they built the set for tonight’s play which I’m going to see.

With a relaxing Sunday evening behind us, we headed for London for the show. Unfortunately Ti couldn’t make it herself so Jamie came along instead and we had a good day before hand in brilliant Camden Town. I’d never been before yesterday and it’s well worth a day out…you can very easily get lost there and I loved the random little shops and stalls around the town.

So then it was on to the show and The Merchant of Venice didn’t disappoint. The Globe itself has been magnificently restored to keep the feel of its past glories and with a ticket in the standing area, it made for a genuinely unique theatre experience. A few years ago I went to see Hamlet at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford and though that was a good show, the Globe wins hands down in terms of all round entertainment. Take away all the fancy lights, sound effects and roof and you’ve got as close a thing to real theatre as you’ll find in the world today. It was an incredible show and I will very likely return.

They say you grow wiser with age so what have I learned from this weekend? Well not a lot really, I’ve just had a couple of things confirmed that I sort of already knew.

I’ve learned that theatre is well and truly the place I want to go with my writing. Coming away from the Globe last night with a smile on my face and seeing the genuine excitement of those around me made me confirm to myself that that’s where I want to be. I want to see first hand people laughing at my jokes (or “jokes” if you know me well enough!), I want to see them mesmerised as a plot takes a turn and I want to make people feel moved by something I’ve written. The quality of theatre is that it enables actors and producers to see the delight of the audience right away and that’s something I really want to one day see for myself.

I’ve also had it confirmed, though it didn’t need to be, that my friends are the best in the world. I know I sometimes get a bit cheesy in these blogs but you really can’t beat the feeling of having a group of people setting up a chase just for you around town before meeting you for a drink and pizza, coming with you to share in a passion, even though they probably wonder why you care so much about a football game, and just being around to make you feel so comfortable and happy in life.

It shouldn’t take a birthday to say this but thank you to everyone, not just for the amazing weekend, but for generally being around and changing me from someone who was just another quiet face in the crowd to being able to gain my own identity and be proud of it and not judged by anyone.

May there be many more years like this last one!

AFC Bournemouth 1-1 Northampton Town

AFC BOURNEMOUTH 1-1 NORTHAMPTON TOWN

On a baking hot day on the south coast, the Cobblers recovered from a Darren Anderton strike as Colin Larkin’s first goal for the club gave us a point at The Fitness First Stadium.

The game brilliantly fell on my birthday weekend so I managed to convince some friends of mine from Southampton to come along to the match while some others stayed on the beach, where we spent some of the morning. We arrived at the Fitness First Stadium in good time to have a wander about and a drink in the bar behind the away stand. The Cobblers regulars were all out in force as the sun beamed down on the claret army sat on the side of the pitch.

Stuart Gray didn’t have a great deal of numbers to work with but thankfully Chris Doig and Jason Crowe both made it after injury worries this week. Daniel Jones and Joe Burnell were the latest injury victims though and we switched to a 3-5-2 formation with Andy Holt dropping to left wing back and Crowe on the right.

The home side had the first effort of the game as a slip up from Mark Hughes let in Lee Bradbury but his dinked shot over Mark Bunn was caught just in time by the Town stopper. Just seconds later and we were testing Asmir Begovic at the other end. Alex Russell hit a glorious shot that looked all the way like it was heading into the top corner but Begovic tipped the ball wide for a corner.

Andy Kirk and Ryan Gilligan were both denied by Begovic as the game came to life early on before Bunn made a rare error at the other end. A bobbly backpass caused the Cobblers’ keeper some trouble and he miskicked, allowing Bradbury a chance at goal but Mark Hughes was there to block out any danger.

Bournemouth did have the lead though on 34 minutes as Darren Anderton collected a pass from Bradbury and finished into the bottom corner of the net.

The Cobblers should have levelled just before half time as Brad Johnson found himself with a clear shot at goal but he shot wide with Kirk in a decent position at the far post for a pass.

We showed enough in the first half to make us believe there was a way back into the game but were again lacking a killer touch.

Lee Bradbury tested Bunn again early in the second half as his header was tipped over well. Jo Kuffour was then sent clear and was one on one with Bunn and the pair collided inside the Town penalty area. Home fans and the ASBO stand to our left called for a penalty but referee Mr Mcdermidd said there was no offence.

Darren Anderton came close to adding a second for Bournemouth with 20 minutes to go but his free kick flashed narrowly over the bar.

Poul Hubertz hit the bar at the other end from close range before the Cobblers did equalise. Brad Johnson put in a deep cross from the left that missed everyone until substitute Colin Larkin met the ball with a sweet volley that beat Begovic and flew into the net.

From then on the game could have gone either way. A goalmouth scramble following another good Bunn save ensued in the Cobblers area but then we really could have won it on the break. Andy Kirk found himself one on one with the Cherries’ defender and Jason Crowe overlapped and was totally free on the right hand side. Either Kirk didn’t hear Crowe’s call due to the Claret army’s urges for him to pass the ball or he just didn’t see him but either way Kirk should have made the pass to give Crowe the one on one with Begovic.

But the draw was a fair result and we didn’t look a lot like getting the equaliser as the game wore on so it was a decent result looking at it from that angle. The point was just reward for a fantastic away crowd as the Cobblers’ band of fans outsung the Cherries from start to finish.

Huddersfield visit Sixfields next weekend and it would be nice to carry on the recent unbeaten run and start to move away from the sides at the bottom of the League One table.



MATCH RATINGS…

MARK BUNN: One slip up but made up for it with another string of fine saves. (8)

LIAM DOLMAN: Coped well with the Bournemouth forwards. (7)

MARK HUGHES: Held the back three together well and made some vital late blocks. (7)

CHRIS DOIG: Missed a decent chance at one and but solid as ever at the back. (7)

JASON CROWE: Another strong performance in a more advanced position where he can use his undoubted attacking quality. (8)

ANDY HOLT: Looked more comfortable in a wing back role but needed to get forward a bit more. (6)

BRAD JOHNSON: Improved performance getting up and down the pitch. (7)

RYAN GILLIGAN: Could have had a goal but didn’t impose himself too much on the game. (6)
ALEX RUSSELL: Went close with a good effort early on and delivered needed calm to the midfield as we got back into the game. (7)

ANDY KIRK: Looks a new player now he’s started scoring again but really should have passed to Crowe late on! (7)

POUL HUBERTZ: Hit the bar with a close range header but otherwise a quiet game for the big Dane. (6)

COLIN LARKIN (SUB): Took the goal well and worked hard otherwise late on. (7)

BRETT JOHNSON (SUB): Only used for injury time. (6)

A tour of Southampton, Pizza and Wine!

So after figuring out the rules to my birthday challenge, I was ready to go and my driver turned out to be Liam after much confusion with me expecting Ti to turn up as she was the only one not mentioned on the previous video. But car trouble for Ti meant that Liam stepped in and despite some top notch acting skills, he finally revealed that he was in fact the driver.

So off we went and after my first clue was found under the door mat we were led to St Mary's Stadium with this riddle:

These heavenly people, eleven be
Play on the sixth day usually
With provident friends aiming for Championship best
Named after the church, the clue is under the crest

So Liam took control and took me to the stadium where our clue solving skills turned out to be spot on as under the big Saints logo was another red card containing another clue, plus our first clue letter of S. The letters on each clue would spell out the final meeting place later on. But first, riddle fans, we had to solve the next rhyme...

To waters edge your quest empower
Port number four near halls o' flowers
This triangular park, green lawn quality
The green grass fit for female royalty

At this point I must point out that we had a map of Southampton with several red dots spread around it, giving us a break down of all possible clue hiding places to make things a little easier. So having seen a dot near Queen's Park, we figured that was where the "grass fit for female royalty" came from and it's near my former halls of residence, the Lucia Foster Halls. Plus it's a triangular park. Great! Onwards to the monument in Queen's Park and I spotted two small figures running away from the scene of the clue. I thought nothing of it as Liam said "it's probably just kids" but it turned out later it was Dave and Kerry!

Anyway, the next clue was ready for collection and contained the letter A and the next riddle...

Party on this planet of free time
When the sun goes down it's in its prime
For the ex-employment of our Martha
This building puts the "i in vodka"

This one was a little trickier but I got it from the "ex-employment of our Martha" part having visited Leisure World a few times while Martha worked at the cinema. What I didn't see was the jumbled up "ikon diva" in the final sentence but we made it all the same, aparantly again narrowly missing some of the clue putter downers en route!

At Leisure World was the third red card of mystery, containing the letter I and the clue...

Back near to the start you now must race
A southwestern county in another place
Lucky for some the number resides
And old living space is set inside

This could be nowhere else but our old house at 7 Devonshire Road so a quick trip north was made for the final clue to be picked up. Picking the clue up outside our old place, one which contained the letter R, it read...

Now four clues you have, near is the end
The points of the compass will find your friends
Link North to South and then East to West
At find the bar to end your quest

Slightly confusing at first but this was where the letters on the back of the clues came in. Having drawn a line from all four points of clue pick-up, we found the point to be somewhere down the high street. But where?

Well...the four letters on the clues were...

S...A...I...R

Jumbled around and that makes....RISA!

So Bar Risa it was for the end of the quest and we arrived to find the gang around a table in the corner to welcome me with a round of applause and a drink, both very welcome!

The whole thing was superbly organised and set up and I loved every minute of the quest and the aftermath of pizza and wine at Dave and Martha's house!

I can't thank everyone enough for the whole evening and it really was a genius plan to start off the weekend with Bournemouth to come tomorrow and I feel priviledged to be a part of a group of so many awesome people (see group photo!).

So thanks to all involved and hopefully more fun times (and a Cobblers win!) tomorrow!

The quest begins...

So I get home and I'm met by a usb stick tied to the notice board and a living room that's had everything overturned and is in a right state. Now this is not unusual for the place to be in a tip but I was intrigued to know what was going on.

The usb stick had a note attached saying "Watch Me."

So I watched it.

Nothing happened so I plugged the usb stick in and watched what was on there instead. Notes get very boring if you watch them for too long.

The video on file was a lot more interesting, yet terrifying...it was Jamie on the video and he'd been captured and from what he said, so had my other friends as well. My main instruction was to wait until 7:15pm when a driver would come to pick me up and take me to a series of clues around the city of Southampton. I will then need to find these clues and solve them in order to take me to the place where my friends are being held captive and my birthday presents are waiting!

So I now wait until 7:15 for the next part of the evening...I hope I can make it in time...!!

The birthday weekend begins with strange happenings...

As my birthday weekend begins, the whispering that’s been taking place between my friends for the past couple of weeks is beginning to unravel itself.

Just now, in a routine check of my e-mails, I found the following message from “The Southampton Challenger”…

From: southamptonchallenger@hotmail.co.uk
To: southamptoncobbler@hotmail.com
Subject: HAPPY BIRTHDAY DANNY
Date: Fri, 14 Sep 2007 13:56:15 +0000

Remain in your seat. Do not leave your workplace. We have your friends. If you wish to see them again, you must accept the challenge. The challenge will commence at 5pm tonight. To accept this challenge, reply to this e-mail with the codeword.

The codeword is YOGHURT.


So I naturally wrote back with the code word, getting the following response:

From: southamptonchallenger@hotmail.co.uk
To: southamptoncobbler@hotmail.com
Subject: RE: HAPPY BIRTHDAY DANNY
Date: Fri, 14 Sep 2007 14:33:30 +0000

So be it. Come straight home from work at 5pm. Look for the instructions on the noticeboard.

Good luck.

Worried about my friends but slightly confused, I enquired back with a question that was on my mind…

From: southamptoncobbler@hotmail.com
To: southamptonchallenger@hotmail.co.uk
Subject: RE: HAPPY BIRTHDAY DANNY
Date: Fri, 14 Sep 2007 14:37:59 +0000

How does the Southampton Challenger know that I have a notice board at my flat?


And got the final response…

From: southamptonchallenger@hotmail.co.uk
To: southamptoncobbler@hotmail.com
Subject: RE: HAPPY BIRTHDAY DANNY
Date: Fri, 14 Sep 2007 14:50:26 +0000

Because he's broken in there to capture your flatmate, you tit.


So it looks like all will be revealed at 5!

AFC Bournemouth (A) Preview...

After our first league win of the season at home to Doncaster Rovers last Friday, we now head to the seaside to take on Bournemouth as the Cobblers look to build some momentum as the season kicks in.

Danny Jackman’s setback with his injury this week rules him out of the trip to the south coast while Giles Coke remains a long term absentee. Jason Crowe and Chris Doig are both fighting to be fit for the game but Liam Dolman could keep his place in any eventuality after impressing last week. Ian Henderson is struggling to make the squad while Joe Burnell picked up a knock against Doncaster and looks likely to sit out.

Bournemouth have no fresh injury worries from the side that lost at Orient last weekend. Gareth O’Conner remains on the sidelines with a thigh strain though and Marvin Bartley and Shaun Cooper are set to miss out. Sam Vokes comes back into contention after missing the last two games while on international duty but Steven Foley is a long term injury victim for the Cherries.


THE STORY SO FAR…BOURNEMOUTH IN 2007/08…

The Cherries sit in the bottom half of the League One table following a difficult start to the season.

Following a good point at Nottingham Forest on the opening day, they were knocked out of the Carling Cup by Championship side West Bromwich Albion by a solitary Craig Beattie goal. Bournemouth were beaten 1-0 again the following weekend as Huddersfield Town took the points from the Fitness First Stadium.

Their first win of the season came at Doncaster the next week though as goals from Gradel and Jo Kuffour helped them to come from behind and claim a 2-1 win at the Keepmoat.

Home form was not matching the good away performances though and Luke Rodgers sent Port Vale home with a 1-0 victory from the south coast before Bournemouth finally claimed their first home win, albeit in the Johnstones Paint Trophy against Walsall.

Last weekend, The Cherries were beaten by league leaders Orient as Adam Boyd grabbed the winner with 20 minutes to go.


RECENT MEETINGS…

10/03/07: COBBLERS 3-1 BOURNEMOUTH

Jordan Robertson gives the Cobblers a first half lead before Mark Wilson equalises for the visitors. The relegation battle is settled late on though as Kenny Deuchar and Andy Kirk net the vital goals.

(See this weeks’ Golden Game for full details!)

06/10/07: BOURNEMOUTH 0-0 COBBLERS

In an entertaining draw, Scott McGleish hits the post with a header as the Cobblers get a deserved point.

09/03/02: BOURNEMOUTH 5-1 COBBLERS

In a forgettable day on the south coast, Warren Feeney gives Bournemouth the lead before the Cobblers’ left back Duncan Spedding is sent off. With ten men, the Cobblers equalise on the stroke of half time through Paul McGregor but a second half blitz gives the home side an emphatic win. Goals came from Jason Tindall, Derek Holmes, Feeney again and Stephen Purches.

15/12/01: COBBLERS 1-0 BOURNEMOUTH

Jamie Forrester nets the only goal of the game with ten minutes to go.

28/04/01: BOURNEMOUTH 2-0 COBBLERS

In our final away game of the season, Wade Elliot and Claus Jorgenson get the goals to sink the Cobblers.

11/11/00: COBBLERS 0-3 BOURNEMOUTH

Steve Fletcher gives the Cherries a first half lead before a second half double from a young loanee named Jermain Defoe sealed the win. Wonder whatever happened to him?!


COBBLERS v CHERRIES…FOR THE RECORD…

GAMES PLAYED: 96
COBBLERS WINS: 35
DRAWS: 23
BOURNEMOUTH WINS: 38

Golden Games: Bournemouth v Northampton Town…a match from the archives…

In a new feature starting this week we look back on a classic encounter between the Cobblers and our weekend opponents. This week we don’t need to go back very far in the vault as we look back on the vital clash between the sides towards the end of last season.

Northampton Town v AFC Bournemouth
Date: 10/03/07
Attendance: 5,921
Venue: Sixfields

Following defeat to promotion chasing Bristol City a week prior to the game, the Cobblers remained in trouble at the wrong end of League One. Bournemouth were in the relegation mix as well and it made for a nervy 90 minutes for both sides.

Loan signings Kenny Deuchar and Jordan Robertson started up front for the Cobblers while Ian Taylor began the game in midfield.

Danny Hollands had the first real effort on goal for the visitors but his volley sailed over Mark Bunn’s crossbar. Brad Johnson had an effort ruled out for offside on ten minutes before Hollands again shot over at the other end.

The Cobblers had the lead shortly after though as Jordan Robertson continued his good form by sweeping home Sam Aiston’s cross. Kenny Deuchar and Brad Johnson went close as we looked to double the lead before Jason Crowe forced Cherries’ keeper Neil Moss into a good save as we ended the half on top.

Bournemouth began the second half the better side and Mark Bunn had to save well from a James Hayter header. It wasn’t long, though, before they had found an equaliser as Hayter’s next effort was cleared off the line before Marc Wilson finished the rebound past Bunn.

The game was well poised as time began to run out and the relegation battle was well and truly on. Deuchar’s header was well saved by Moss mid-way through the second half before Andy Kirk replaced Robertson in the Town attack.

With fifteen minutes to go, we scored one of the most important goals of our season as Andy Holt’s cross was met by the good doctor Deuchar who powered a header past Moss. Michael Standing had a shot deflected wide as Bournemouth looked for a quick response but it was the Cobblers who wrapped up the points with five minutes to go. Ian Taylor’s header from a Brad Johnson cross was flicked home from close range by substitute Kirk.

So that was that and the Cobblers ran out 3-1 winners in an entertaining afternoon at Sixfields. The win meant it was three wins from four games and daylight then began to show between us and the relegation zone.

Let’s hope for more of the same on Saturday afternoon!

Striker Quinn retires from football

Cobblers’ front man James Quinn has today announced his retirement from the game at the age of 32. Quinn has struggled to get into the plans of Stuart Gray with his last goal for the club coming way back in October of last year at Brighton.

Quinn, who was signed by John Gorman in the summer of 2006, made 22 appearances for the club following previous spells at Bristol City and Peterborough United. The forward spent the second half of last season on loan at League One champions Scunthorpe United but wasn’t in Stuart Gray’s plans for the new season as he remained on the transfer list.

After winning 50 caps for Northern Ireland, Quinn brings the curtain down on a long career and told the BBC website, “"I knew playing for Northampton wasn't good enough to earn me a place in the international team. If I can't play for Northern Ireland then I would rather quit football and become a fan and cheer the lads on to qualification.”

The club are currently in negotiations to cancel Quinn’s contract.

Old School Dream Team Update...

The first point of the Old School Dream Team competition was gained on Sunday evening as Sky Sports News covered the finals of the “Masters” tournament- a 5-a-side for the former professionals.

The anticipation was high as we awaited the coverage, knowing that somewhere hidden in the five minute news story could be an old pro that’s included in one of our old school dream teams.

So I was delighted when a goal was shown from LEE SHARPE, my left midfielder so I go 1-0 up in the game! There’s still a long season ahead but finally the first point is scored!

Old School Dream Team: Brothers 1-0 Shoesmith

No Saints 7-2 Unathletico

No Saints recorded their first win of the season last night with a thumping 7-2 victory over second bottom Unathletico. The win was marred by an injury to Phil who was playing just his second game for the side and it turned out he has a broken collar following a nasty fall five minutes into the game!

But the Red Giants stormed back from the set-back and were 4-0 up by half-time as new boys Abib and Andy slotted in nicely to the side and we scored some superb team goals to race into the lead.

The second half was tougher with Unathletico coming back into the game but a cheeky goal from Abib put us clear and ended up giving us a very good win.

We’re still bottom of the table with 4 points but now chase Unathletico who are on 5 with two games to play. With the short term target to get off the bottom of the table we can also look ahead with optimism as the new season on Wednesday nights appears over the horizon.

We dedicate the win to Phil and hope he recovers soon!

Northampton Town 2-0 Doncaster Rovers

Goals from Ryan Gilligan and Andy Kirk gave the Cobblers a much needed first league win of the season last night as Doncaster Rovers were beaten at Sixfields. Mark Bunn made some good saves to keep the visitors out but we managed to hold on this time and claim a big victory.

Stuart Gray brought in Liam Dolman for the injured Chris Doig while Joe Burnell started in place of Ian Henderson. Andy Kirk returned to the starting line-up and again partnered Poul Hubertz up front.

In front of a Friday night crowd of just over 5,200 the Cobblers made a bright start with Hubertz and Kirk both going close in the opening ten minutes. Joe Burnell was forced off through injury after just 22 minutes with Ryan Gilligan replacing the former Wycombe man in midfield.

After a quiet first half, it was Gilligan who put the Cobblers in front five minutes after the break as he flicked the ball up before chipping Doncaster keeper Neil Sullivan from the edge of the area. Mark McCammon and Brian Stock both brought good saves from Mark Bunn as Rovers pressed for an equaliser before James Hayter was also denied by the Cobblers keeper with a close range header.

The saves turned out to be vital as the game wore on and Andy Kirk made it safe with just under twenty minutes to go. Jason Crowe’s shot was helped in by the in form striker who claimed his fourth goal of the season.

Poul Hubertz went close late on but two goals were enough this time around and thankfully there was no repeat of the Orient collapse!

So after the weekends’ other games in League One we’re up to 13th place in the table so relief all round as those vital first three points are gained before next weekends’ trip to Bournemouth.

Gig Review: Ben's Brother (Unit 22, Southampton)

Ben’s Brother
Unit 22, Southampton
6th September 2007

It’s not often I take a gamble on an album when I’ve only heard two songs from it but a few weeks ago something told me that Ben’s Brother and their debut album, Beta Male Fairytales was worth a listen. I’m always cautious about downloading loads of tracks from an album in case the previously released singles are just a flash in the pan.

But from the moment I moved on from Rise and Let Me Out onto more “unknown” songs I started to realise that this was a band who were about to hook me.

The incredible and possibly unique thing about music is that it has a quality to relate to each individual in a different way and certain songs will be favourites for many people for completely different sentimental reasons. As I continued to gain more of Beta Male Fairytales, it incredibly lifted me up in a brief down time for me and the lyrics were spot on for the time that I was getting through personally. I can think of nothing else that has that effect on people on such a level and it’s the same for every single person on the planet. Bands will come and go but the albums and songs that come into our lives and we remember will be with us forever.

I may be going off on a tangent here but I just thought I’d set the scene for the gig that I found a couple of weeks ago as Ben’s Brother were advertised to play Unit 22 in Southampton, so naturally I had to be there. I persuaded Jamie and Ti to come along for the ride and I think by the end of it they were equally impressed.

Set in the intimate surroundings that is Unit 22 and as the sun set on Southampton Town Quay we were given a treat right away as support band Dlugokecki warmed up the already sweltering crowd in style. With lead vocalist Ben Dlugokecki providing the humour between songs, his laid back approach shouldn’t be ignored. Dlugokecki eased through a good half hour set full of emotional rock and ballads and really set the tone for the rest of the evening.

After a brief pause, Laura Welsh took to the stage as the second support act. I don’t think the crowd expected anyone else to be supporting as everyone surged to the front after Dlugockecki’s set! But Welsh, although seeming a little nervous, did well and with a bit more confidence and experience could go places in the future.

And so to the reason why most people were at Unit 22 and Ben’s Brother made to the stage and kicked off their superb set with Find Me An Angel. Rolling through their debut album with style including Home, Carry On and God By Another Name the band showed that this type of small venue won’t be on their radar for much longer. Emotional album track Bad Dream was written when singer Jamie Hartman had a harrowing experience as his mother went into a coma after a car crash. Everything was OK in the end but it shows again how music can be a comfort in even the worst times for listeners and performers alike, something I’ve realised my writing is to me as well.

Following the single Rise, the band returned for an encore of I Am Who I Am before a brilliant cover of The Killers’ Read My Mind.

So all in all a quite brilliant evening by the south coast and personally a night that I won’t forget in a hurry. To see a top 20 band that close up is a rare treat but even without the chart success the band would have been top of my lost of bands to see. As I say, they won’t be playing these cheaper venues for too much longer as I’m positive that big things are ahead for Ben’s Brother. So get down to see them if they’re visiting a venue near you during this tour…ironically they’re in Northampton at the Soundhaus this evening!

Doncaster Rovers (H) Preview...

As we continue to search for our first league win of the season, tonight sees the visit of Doncaster Rovers to Sixfields in a game switched because of tomorrow’s England game.

Chris Doig is set to miss out for the Cobblers after picking up a groin injury during the 2-0 reverse at Luton on Tuesday night so that could mean a first league start of the season for Liam Dolman. Andy Kirk should return to the starting line-up to partner Poul Hubertz up front while Alex Russell could start after an impressive debut at Kenilworth Road. Giles Coke and Danny Jackman remain long term absentees from the squad.

Doncaster are set to name an unchanged side for the visit to Sixfields with only Brian Stock and Mark McCammon minor doubts. Jason Price is back in contention after being out since April with a ruptured Achilles tendon.


THE STORY SO FAR…DONCASTER ROVERS IN 2007/08…

A mixed start to the season sees Rovers in 13th place in League One going into the game.

Following a goalless draw on the opening day of the season against Millwall at the Keepmoat Stadium, Rovers hammered Lincoln City 4-1 in the Carling Cup. They were beaten by newly promoted Hartlepool United and strugglers from last season Bournemouth as the league season got off to a poor start.

The Carling Cup run was ended at Championship side Plymouth Argyle as goals from Sylvain Ebanks-Blake and Luke Summerfield saw the Devon side through.

But the first league success of the campaign was gained last weekend with a terrific win at Swansea. Jason Scotland gave the Swans a first half lead but a second half double from Ritchie Wellens gave Rovers a much needed victory.

The Swansea win was followed by an emphatic 5-1 success over League Two side Bradford City in the Johnstones Paint trophy First Round as Doncaster look to defend the trophy they won last time around.


RECENT MEETINGS…

05/05/07: DONCASTER 2-2 COBBLERS

On the final day of last season, Town fans paid tribute to loanee Kenny Deuchar by donning doctors’ coats for the trip north. With neither side having anything but league places to play for, it was an entertaining game as Jason Crowe cancelled out Craig Nelthorpe’s early goal on the brink of half time. Gareth Roberts gave Donny the lead again on 59 minutes but Mark Hughes gave us a point with a header five minutes later.

09/12/06: COBBLERS 0-2 DONCASTER

Paul Heffernan and Lewis Guy score to give Rovers a win at Sixfields.

30/01/04: DONCASTER 1-0 COBBLERS

Paul Green’s early strike is enough to give Rovers the points at the old Belle Vue ground.

30/08/03: COBBLERS 1-0 DONCASTER

Lawrie Dudfield scores late on as the Cobblers make it three wins from three games in early season.

22/02/07: COBBLERS 2-0 DONCASTER

As the Cobblers made the charge towards Wembley, goals from Mark Cooper and Neil Grayson gave us a vital win.

19/11/96: DONCASTER 1-2 COBBLERS

Ray Warburton gives the Cobblers the lead in the first minute of the game before John Schofield equalises. On-loan midfielder Matthew Rush seals the win, though, in the second half.


HEAD TO HEAD…ROVERS v COBBLERS

GAMES PLAYED: 49
COBBLERS WINS: 17
DRAWS: 11
DONCASTER WINS: 21

Doig set to miss Donny clash...

Cobblers captain Chris Doig is set to miss Friday night’s clash with Doncaster Rovers after picking up a groin injury in last nights’ 2-0 reverse at Luton in the Johnstones Paint Trophy.

Doig was replaced by Jason Crowe mid-way through the first half and Stuart Gray confirmed that the defender is struggling to be fit for the visit of Doncaster on Friday. Gray told the club’s official website:

“Chris Doig has tweaked his groin a little bit and he probably won’t be able to play against Doncaster on Friday. I didn’t want Jason Crowe to play for as long as he did but in the end I had no choice.”

Gray will now have to decide on how to deal with the injury with Liam Dolman the obvious replacement with the transfer window now closed and the loan window not open again as yet.

Luton Town 2-0 Northampton Town (JPT Round One)

The Cobblers were beaten tonight in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy First Round as goals from experienced duo Don Hutchison and Paul Peschisolido were enough to send Luton through.

The starting line up saw a number of changes for the Cobblers ahead of Friday’s League One encounter at home to Doncaster Rovers. Liam Dolman and Danny May came in at the back while Alex Dyer returned to the midfield. Alex Russell was handed his debut and Colin Larkin partnered Poul Hubertz up front.

On six minutes, Luton had the first real effort on goal as former Rushden man David Bell shot just over the bar. Just a minute later, young Danny May had our first effort of the game, curling wide from range.

The Hatters took the lead on 12 minutes following a corner. Calvin Andrew’s header was blocked but the ball was turned in by veteran midfielder Don Hutchison. Andrew again caused problems from Luton’s next corner and Mark Bunn had to save well from his header, pushing the ball onto the post as the home side took command early on.

On the half hour mark, Jason Crowe replaced Chris Doig in what looks like an injury to the former Forest man. Poul Hubertz and Alex Dyer both went close before half time but it was the home side who went into the break in front.

Just a couple minutes into the second half and it was 2-0 to Luton as half time substitute Paul Peschisolido broke free from the Cobblers defence and finished past Bunn with ease. Poul Hubertz had claims for a penalty turned down straight from the kick off but was instead booked for diving as the Cobblers were frustrated at the start of the second 45.

Andy Kirk came off the bench for Hubertz with around half an hour to go but he couldn’t help us find a way back into the game. Instead it was Luton who threatened more and Peschisolido shot just wide from long range.

Jason Crowe made a good run with about twenty minutes to go and hit the Cobblers’ best effort of the game wide.

With five minutes to play, Ryan Gilligan forced a good save from Luton keeper Dean Brill and from the resulting corner Crowe volleyed over the bar from just four yards out!

But we couldn’t find a way through and it’s another early exit from the JPT following last seasons’ first round defeat to Brentford. Attention now turns to the League One clash with Doncaster Rovers on Friday night at Sixfields.

Luton Town (A) Johnstones Paint Trophy Preview...

A trip to Kenilworth Road is next on the agenda as we begin our Johnstones Paint Trophy campaign this evening. With a place at Wembley at stake for the finalists this season there’s that little bit of extra incentive and Stuart Gray will be hoping to get over the first step of the road to the famous stadium tonight.

Alex Russell is expected to make his first Cobblers start at Luton after signing on loan from Bristol City on deadline day while Alex Dyer could also be recalled to the side after missing out at Orient. Danny Jackman and Giles Coke will both definitely miss out again.

Competition rules mean that teams must field at least six players that have featured in 50% or more games so far this season so there will be some first team regulars in the side.

Luton are without summer signing Dave Edwards who is on international duty with Wales Under 21’s while Kevin Blackwell may also choose to rest Matthew Spring, Darren Currie and Paul Furlong.


THE STORY SO FAR…LUTON TOWN IN 2007/08…

A mixed bag of results has left Luton in 7th place in League One at this early stage of the season. Following an opening day victory over Hartlepool United, The Hatters were beaten 2-1 at Swindon.

Goals from David Bell, Paul Furlong and Matthew Spring gave them their second league victory though as Town saw off Gillingham at Kenilworth Road. Last weekend Kevin Blackwell returned to his former club Leeds but came away empty handed as Tresor Kendol grabbed the only goal.

Luton have already had cup success this season as they’ve made Round Three of the Carling Cup. After seeing off Dagenham and Redbridge, they upset Premiership new boys Sunderland in an emphatic 3-0 victory last week.


RECENT MEETINGS…

15/02/03: LUTON 3-2 COBBLERS

Darryl Burgess gives the Cobblers a 23rd minute lead but we are soon pegged back as Paul Hughes and Kevin Nicholls put the home side in front. Richard Johnson levels from the spot but Hughes strikes again late on to win it for The Hatters.

02/11/02: COBBLERS 3-0 LUTON

Two goals from Jamie Forrester and one from Marco Gabbiadini help the Cobblers to an easy Sixfields win.

10/02/01: COBBLERS 0-1 LUTON

In Joe Kinnear’s first game in charge of Luton, a Stuart Douglas header just 4 minutes in is enough to hand him a victory.

09/09/00: LUTON 0-2 COBBLERS

Jamie Forrester and future Luton striker Steve Howard win it for the Cobblers.

10/04/99: COBBLERS 1-0 LUTON

A rare win in our relegation season as Carlo Corazzin nets the winner.

20/10/98: LUTON 1-0 COBBLERS

Graham Alexander condemns the Cobblers to defeat at Kenilworth Road with a 20th minute goal.


HEAD TO HEAD…HATTERS v COBBLERS

GAMES PLAYED: 74
COBBLERS WINS: 26
DRAWS: 14
LUTON WINS: 34

No Saints Update...

It’s been a while since an update on the mighty No Saints but after being flooded with one request on our progress I thought I would give a bit of a run down on what’s been going on!

After starting a new season we picked up just one point from the opening five games but with players dropping out due to later kick off times we were down to the bare bones and could only field five players most weeks. Week Six last Monday saw a better turn out but we were still beaten convincingly by the top club, 88 Miles Per Hour F.C. despite a fantastic effort in the second half.

Last night we came up against T.O.A.R. whom we lost 8-2 to a couple of weeks ago. This time, with new players drafted in and a squad of seven we were only just edged out 4-3. After taking a 2-0 lead, we were pulled back to 2-3 before the break. A goal from new boy Mark looked to have given us a point but a late winner for T.O.A.R. unfortunately meant we went home pointless.

But with new players in now and Dave to come back next week from holidays, there’s an excellent team spirit amongst the squad and in a few weeks we’ll be switching to Wednesday nights so hopefully the fresh start will do us good!

Leyton Orient 2-2 Northampton Town

The Cobblers were pegged back yesterday as Leyton Orient came from two goals down to rescue a point at Brisbane Road. Poul Hubertz and Chris Doig gave us a half time lead but the league leaders hit back through Adam Chambers and Tamika Mkandawire in the second half to leave us still searching for that illusive first win of the season.

It was nice again to travel to an away game that’s so close to my Southampton base and the short journey was welcome after all of last weekend’s travelling up and down the country!

I always enjoy the trip to Orient. It’s got a feel of the good old days of football about it, which is quite a rarity in the modern game. With all new stadiums being built all the time, it’s refreshing sometimes to go back to a place like Orient where instead of moving to a new ground they’ve just built up their old one, keeping the feel of days gone by whilst progressing on the pitch at the same time.

I’ve become quite a regular to the Brisbane Road fixture over the last few seasons as our paths have crossed both in Leagues One and Two meaning that I’ve made it to our last five visits including yesterday.

The new South Stand is now complete so the ground is finally neat and tidy after the development work with just the West Stand that houses the visiting fans still in need of a bit of repair!

Stuart Gray started the game with Ian Henderson on the right of midfield the only change from last weekends’ defeat to Yeovil.

Henderson’s inclusion was paying off early on and he seems a much better option than Gilligan in midfield in terms of getting the ball forward.

Brad Johnson had the first effort of the game but his right-footed shot sailed over before Daniel Jones hit a stinging shot just wide as the Cobblers pressed well in the opening ten minutes. The early pressure paid off when Poul Hubertz rose to meet a Jones corner on 15 minutes and nodded the ball past the reach of Orient keeper Stuart Nelson.

Incredibly for us, we managed to score another from a corner…that’s right, TWO in one game…as poor marking allowed Chris Doig to steal in at the back post and guide the ball home with his left foot.

So 2-0 up away at the league leaders and it was all looking far too comfortable. Adam Boyd should have halved the deficit on the half hour mark but Bunny produced a brilliant save one on one with the striker. Wayne Gray also found himself clear with five minutes of the half to go but Bunn again stood up and made another good stop before the ball was cleared to safety.

Right on the brink of half-time, Adam Chambers fired yet another warning that the game was by no means over when his shot hammered against the post as the half luckily came to an end!

There were plenty of murmurings amongst the claret faithful at the interval that we all know that with us anything can happen and I’m sure not one of the hundreds of away fans would have confidently said that the game was over, especially with the late dominance that Orient showed at the end of the first half.

Those worries would soon be shown to be valid as the home side came storming out of the blocks in the second half.

On 52 minutes, Bunn pushed away an effort from Jason Demetriou but Chambers made no mistake this time and finished into the open net. The momentum was well and truly with the home side and the inevitable equaliser followed just four minutes later. After Bunn had saved well twice from Paul Terry and Adam Boyd, Orient finally levelled as Tamika Mkandawire scrambled the ball home as Hubertz laid injured in the area.

Colin Larkin replaced Henderson while Liam Dolman came on for Andy Holt and Ryan Gilligan took the place of Joe Burnell as we searched for a winner late on.

With about five minutes to go, the Cobblers won a free kick but Brad Johnson’s low shot was held easily by Nelson.

So the game ended in a draw and it’s hard to know whether to look at it as a good point against the league leaders or two points thrown away. Early on we looked controlling and confident going forward but we once again lacked the experience to keep our nerve as Orient came back into the game.

It’s difficult to comprehend with the type of football we’re playing that we had more points at this stage last season than we do this time around but despite the league position of 22nd place things should even out eventually and hopefully that decisive first league victory is just a few days away!


PLAYER RATINGS…

MARK BUNN: Kept us in the game and without doubt we would have lost all three points without his man of the match performance. (9)

JASON CROWE: Started brightly but his influence decreased as we were put on the back foot in the second half. (7)

MARK HUGHES: Nothing getting past him in the air but will be disappointed with the goals conceded. (7)

CHRIS DOIG: Took his goal well but, like Hughes, should be looking to avoid the sloppy goals. (7)

DANIEL JONES: Looked absolutely shattered in the final ten minutes but a good effort and full of running at left back. (7)

IAN HENDERSON: Justified his recall and gives us something more in midfield going forward. Unfortunate to be replaced. (7)

JOE BURNELL: Battled well in the middle of the park. (6)

BRAD JOHNSON: Worked hard but distribution not always up to scratch. (6)

ANDY HOLT: Had a better game but still not convincing. (6)

ANDY KIRK: Didn’t get a lot of the ball, which can often lead to him seeming like he’s out of the game. (6)

POUL HUBERTZ: Well-taken goal and is settling in very well. Gives us something different up top and could well be a key player this season. (7)

COLIN LARKIN (SUB): Worked hard as usual but still can’t find a goal scoring chance. (6)

RYAN GILLIGAN (SUB): Never going to change a game from midfield. (6)

LIAM DOLMAN (SUB): Worried a lot of us with his lack of pace against the quick Orient sub but made the defence more solid in the final few minutes. (6)