Golden Games: Cobblers v Port Vale

This weeks’ Golden Game is a trip back to the 2002/03 season as the Cobblers produced a fine home performance against Saturday’s opponents Port Vale to make it three straight victories in the league.


Northampton Town 3-1 Port Vale
23/11/02
Attendance: 4,357

After a difficult start to the season, the Cobblers were in a poor league position going into the game but recent form had seen renewed hope being installed into the season. Prior to the Vale game, the Cobblers had won their last two league games against Luton Town (3-0) and QPR (1-0) plus a 3-2 win over Boston United in the F.A. Cup.

Jerry Gill made a return to the Cobblers line-up after missing the Boston cup-tie while Darryn Stamp was on the bench after finally recovering from the knee injury he picked up on the opening day of the season.

Marco Gabbiadini had the first Cobblers effort of the game as he shot from the edge of the area but Vale keeper Mark Goodlad was equal to it. Gabbiadini was involved again just minutes later as he headed a Paul Harsley cross just wide of the post. The Cobblers had started the game on the front foot with Paul Harsley and Jamie Forrester also going close early on.

Billy Paynter fired a warning shot for the visitors, shooting over the bar from twelve yards before Mark Boyd shot inches wide of Lee Harpers’ goal in a thrilling start to the game.

It was the Cobblers who took the lead though as Marco Gabbiadini picked the ball up and produced a glorious lob over Goodlad to put us in front. Jamie Forrester saw his own long range effort pushed away a few minutes later and then Ian Sampson headed a Paul Trollope corner over the bar.

So a thrilling first half at Sixfields ended with the Cobblers a goal to the good but Vale threatening well at the other end when given the chance.

Derek Asamoah began the second half on fire as he set up chances for Gabbiadini and Harsley but neither could finish off good moves and add to our lead. It was 2-0, though, soon after Harsley’s effort as Gabbiadini and Forrester combined well to give the former a chance at goal. Gabbiadini duly obliged and finished well into the bottom corner.

Gabbiadini went close to his hat-trick when teed up by Forrester before Vale looked to get back into the game but John Durnin was denied by Lee Harper.

Jamie Forrester rounded off the game in style as he produced a clever chip over Goodlad to seal a 3-0 victory and to score his 50th goal for the club.