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.
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