Aloadofcobblers.blogspot.com was a year old in July and it was nice to have a look back on a good year of posting. It’s incredible to look back on the last twelve months and realise how many memories this blog stores up! Pre-season friendlies were keeping the Cobblers busy in July as we started counting down the days to the new season.
We helped move Dave and Martha into their new place at the end of the month on a blisteringly hot day involving heavy lifting, a dodgy lift and a more than welcome bean bag to rest on!
It was decided that the first road trip of August would be to Sixfields to take in the opening game of the season against Swindon. After helping Ti move in to her new place on the morning of the game, a random stop off just south of Oxford was made before trawling through the midsummer traffic to see the 1-1 draw with the Robins. I also made the trip to Brighton at the end of the month in a dismal display as we lost out 2-1.
September was my birthday month and I don’t think I’ve ever had a more eventful one! On the Friday evening I was met by a trashed flat and clues as to where to find my “kidnapped” friends. After watching a video containing hints at the first clue, my driver for the night, Liam, arrived and took me on a tour of Southampton to pick up clues. To arrive at Bar Risa to a massive bunch of my friends was a great moment and the festivities didn’t end there! A trip to Bournemouth the following day following breakfast of Weatherspoons brought perhaps the hottest day of the year as we went to the beach for a while before some of us went to the Bournemouth-Cobblers game and some stayed beachside. An entertaining 1-1 draw was taken in and then we headed back to party in the Frog and Frigate by night.
The birthday weekender was completed with a day trip to London as Ti had bought me tickets to the Globe Theatre for the evening production of The Merchant of Venice which turned out to be the best theatre show I’ve seen just for it’s attention to detail in recreating the Shakespearean times as we stood in the open air to witness the play.
October began with us and a couple of friends from No Saints winning the pub quiz for the first time as we took home a crate of beer for answering questions like “who is the smallest Teletubby?”
A midweek game at Millwall the following night was an experience in itself as we battled to make it in time for kick off only to get to the ground and see that the kick off had been delayed by fifteen minutes because our team bus was late! A 2-0 defeat followed and we trudged back home in dismay.
In mid-October Ti accompanied me to see Athlete at Southampton Guildhall as I stepped up my gig going to see a band that I’ve always wanted to see live.
The Cobblers were on a good run of form until Southend United beat us 1-0 in early November and we wouldn’t win again until December 21st!
We all had another fun road trip pencilled in for the start of the month as we went up to London Zoo before finishing the day in Camden Town and although we all came back extremely tired it was another successful day out.
On November 14th, after months and months of big defeats and frustrating games, No Saints were promoted following some good work in recruiting a couple of new players and by sticking to our basic battling principles and although it is “only a five-a-side team” it means a lot to us and promotion was a fantastic achievement for the lads.
I made a ridiculously long trip to Crewe in mid-November but despite the defeat I stopped off for a very nice couple of hours in Stafford to ease any pain that was about to occur just up the road!
Another road trip ended the month as I took the day off work to go to Salisbury with Ti. It was more of a rail trip as we figured it would be cheaper on the train and the weather held firm despite the early gloom to give us a sunny day to enjoy the lovely little town and eat lunch in the shadows of the glorious cathedral.
And so to December and as Christmas approached, we headed to Nottingham for the game at Forest and a superb game. We couldn’t quite hold onto our 2-1 lead as Forest equalised in stoppage time but still a positive step for the club. The Ryan Gilligan lottery kept us on tenterhooks until we forgot our game cards for the coach journey!
The day at Forest was followed by another trip to Brighton as we stopped for (yes, another one) a random stop off. This time it was the turn of Pease Pottage to welcome us into its arms and was a nice break before finishing the journey to Brighton to see the Kaiser Chiefs.
And so another year comes to an end and a thousand more memories are waiting at the other side of the turn of year I’m sure. It’s been one hell of a ride through 2007 and thanks to everyone for getting me through the fantastic times and for once again getting me through the bad times that life throws at us now and again.
As 2008 draws near and more undiscovered places appear on our radar I can look ahead with optimism as already on the horizon are another move, this time with Jamie and Ti, who’ll be joining the fun as we look for a bigger home, seeing the Foo Fighters at Wembley Stadium in June and hopefully a much hotter and sunnier summer this time around!
Ladles at the ready…Happy New Year to all the readers of this blog, however many there are!
Danny
Monday, December 31, 2007
Review of 2007...Part One...
As we head into 2008 tonight, the traditional look back on 2007 begins. It’s been a crazy year once again involving an immense amount of road trips, some classic moments that only we can make a joke out of and the usual roller coaster ride that is being a Northampton Town fan.
I ended 2006’s review by saying that 2007 had to be something special to beat the incredible year that was 2006. As far as that goes, there will never be a year like 2006 in terms of one off events but 2007 has been a very suitable follow up and involved a lot of awesome mini events that have made my year what it is.
It all began with a random shout of “ladle” to bring in the new year…
January began with a game of Outburst to see in the new year and I will always be reminded that I was screaming “ladle” as the clocks ticked over to midnight. That was a nice precedent as to how things would move on in the year and was followed quickly by the “J-Day Birthday Extravaganza Thingy” which was made by Ti and I to confuse Jamie, Martha and Dave on their birthdays. We led them to the New Forest where we’d set up and table of food and party apparatus and although it was immensely cold, we had a great time playing a childish game of pass the parcel where animal noises had to be made upon production of that animals’ sticker.
Jamie’s 22ns birthday up in London rounded the month of well with a superb curry in his home town.
February’s highlight was a trip to Brighton for Ti’s birthday and despite a rain and wind swept evening we still managed to get through it and watch on from the back of a makeshift Beatle as Martha danced with a lesbian. A walk on the beach the next day followed and a look around Brighton to take in the lanes and all the little random shops it houses was a nice and relaxing way to recover from the previous night’s activities that involved a shocking moment of sambuca drinking by all attending and a late, late game of “I have never” that revealed a few dark secrets about some members of the group!
March saw a few of us make the journey to Northampton to go to my Dad’s 50th birthday party and a stop off in Newbury to go to the best burger joint around, Rio’s, was most welcome before we checked into our hotel. It was a bizarre thing to be staying in a hotel in my home town but a special deal gave us discount and it was the sensible option as my parents only live in a bungalow! The night was rounded off by the traditional rows of “Oops Upside Your Head!”
March also saw the birth of No Saints, our five-a-side team and we started with just a few players and were being hammered every week but full credit to most involved for sticking at it and eventually getting the rewards- more on that later.
A busy month was ended with a random trip away to South Wales where I spent a couple of days alone after a period of down time in Southampton. Getting away did me the world of good and it was nice to come home and recall my adventures to my friends at the end of the weekend.
Early April saw a feast cooked up in Dave and Martha’s kitchen as I joined Ti and Jamie in making a lasagne and it also included a battle between a ladle and a whisk as me and Jamie fought to a tight finish as the bemused Stuart-Marquez’s looked on and Ti refereed.
The Easter bank holiday was action packed as I firstly travelled to Leyton Orient on the Saturday before a party for Anna took up the evening with a lovely buffet and a superb singing interlude from the guest of honour. Sunday involved a trip to Upper Bucklebury to visit Martha’s home and a thrilling game of tennis was halted when Martha threw a ball right in my eye! The journey home included some trance style moves from the back of Jamie’s car as Ti and I got into the hip hop spirit during the journey. Monday saw us go to Southampton Common for a picnic and the annual fun fair and I was forced to “chug” some fish substance that came with Jamie’s sushi!
It was planned that I would move in with Jamie in the summer so we began to flat hunt and amazingly found an ideal place in our first viewing so all that was sorted very early on.
And so to May and the beginning of the summer came about with another great weekender. Firstly, we donned doctors coats to travel up to Doncaster (via Worksop) for the final game of the football season in tribute to Cobblers loanee Kenny Deuchar and then returned on the Sunday for a very nice barbeque. Despite the forecast of rain, it all held off and a lovely sunny afternoon was spent with old and new friends.
May was a triumphant month for No Saints as we recorded our first ever victory at the tenth attempt by beating Stones 5-4 in a thrilling encounter at the start of a new season.
London was calling that weekend and as Ti and I went to her friends’ wedding reception, the others stayed at Jamie’s for a party and to watch the Eurovision Song Contest as we were getting back! It turned out that we also missed a piñata that took place at the party as we came back to find a destroyed paper dragon on the side.
Into June and it was time to move house. Waving goodbye to Shirley and moving into a small flat in Banister Park with one of my best mates has been one of the better decisions I’ve made this year and good times have been had including Jamie dancing in full No Saints attire to the “The Clap Clap song” by the Klaxons. The video is hidden somewhere but I will find it one day.
It took time to fully settle in after Ikea failed to instruct us correctly of the silly beds we bought from them, meaning we were a vital part each missing but all was sorted in the end and within a few weeks it was all starting to feel like home.
I ended 2006’s review by saying that 2007 had to be something special to beat the incredible year that was 2006. As far as that goes, there will never be a year like 2006 in terms of one off events but 2007 has been a very suitable follow up and involved a lot of awesome mini events that have made my year what it is.
It all began with a random shout of “ladle” to bring in the new year…
January began with a game of Outburst to see in the new year and I will always be reminded that I was screaming “ladle” as the clocks ticked over to midnight. That was a nice precedent as to how things would move on in the year and was followed quickly by the “J-Day Birthday Extravaganza Thingy” which was made by Ti and I to confuse Jamie, Martha and Dave on their birthdays. We led them to the New Forest where we’d set up and table of food and party apparatus and although it was immensely cold, we had a great time playing a childish game of pass the parcel where animal noises had to be made upon production of that animals’ sticker.
Jamie’s 22ns birthday up in London rounded the month of well with a superb curry in his home town.
February’s highlight was a trip to Brighton for Ti’s birthday and despite a rain and wind swept evening we still managed to get through it and watch on from the back of a makeshift Beatle as Martha danced with a lesbian. A walk on the beach the next day followed and a look around Brighton to take in the lanes and all the little random shops it houses was a nice and relaxing way to recover from the previous night’s activities that involved a shocking moment of sambuca drinking by all attending and a late, late game of “I have never” that revealed a few dark secrets about some members of the group!
March saw a few of us make the journey to Northampton to go to my Dad’s 50th birthday party and a stop off in Newbury to go to the best burger joint around, Rio’s, was most welcome before we checked into our hotel. It was a bizarre thing to be staying in a hotel in my home town but a special deal gave us discount and it was the sensible option as my parents only live in a bungalow! The night was rounded off by the traditional rows of “Oops Upside Your Head!”
March also saw the birth of No Saints, our five-a-side team and we started with just a few players and were being hammered every week but full credit to most involved for sticking at it and eventually getting the rewards- more on that later.
A busy month was ended with a random trip away to South Wales where I spent a couple of days alone after a period of down time in Southampton. Getting away did me the world of good and it was nice to come home and recall my adventures to my friends at the end of the weekend.
Early April saw a feast cooked up in Dave and Martha’s kitchen as I joined Ti and Jamie in making a lasagne and it also included a battle between a ladle and a whisk as me and Jamie fought to a tight finish as the bemused Stuart-Marquez’s looked on and Ti refereed.
The Easter bank holiday was action packed as I firstly travelled to Leyton Orient on the Saturday before a party for Anna took up the evening with a lovely buffet and a superb singing interlude from the guest of honour. Sunday involved a trip to Upper Bucklebury to visit Martha’s home and a thrilling game of tennis was halted when Martha threw a ball right in my eye! The journey home included some trance style moves from the back of Jamie’s car as Ti and I got into the hip hop spirit during the journey. Monday saw us go to Southampton Common for a picnic and the annual fun fair and I was forced to “chug” some fish substance that came with Jamie’s sushi!
It was planned that I would move in with Jamie in the summer so we began to flat hunt and amazingly found an ideal place in our first viewing so all that was sorted very early on.
And so to May and the beginning of the summer came about with another great weekender. Firstly, we donned doctors coats to travel up to Doncaster (via Worksop) for the final game of the football season in tribute to Cobblers loanee Kenny Deuchar and then returned on the Sunday for a very nice barbeque. Despite the forecast of rain, it all held off and a lovely sunny afternoon was spent with old and new friends.
May was a triumphant month for No Saints as we recorded our first ever victory at the tenth attempt by beating Stones 5-4 in a thrilling encounter at the start of a new season.
London was calling that weekend and as Ti and I went to her friends’ wedding reception, the others stayed at Jamie’s for a party and to watch the Eurovision Song Contest as we were getting back! It turned out that we also missed a piñata that took place at the party as we came back to find a destroyed paper dragon on the side.
Into June and it was time to move house. Waving goodbye to Shirley and moving into a small flat in Banister Park with one of my best mates has been one of the better decisions I’ve made this year and good times have been had including Jamie dancing in full No Saints attire to the “The Clap Clap song” by the Klaxons. The video is hidden somewhere but I will find it one day.
It took time to fully settle in after Ikea failed to instruct us correctly of the silly beds we bought from them, meaning we were a vital part each missing but all was sorted in the end and within a few weeks it was all starting to feel like home.
Saturday, December 29, 2007
Crowe hands Cobblers Galpharm victory...Huddersfield Town 1-2 Northampton Town...The Match Report
Goals from Poul Hubertz and Jason Crowe gave the Cobblers only their second away win of the campaign this afternoon as we came from a goal behind at half-time to record our first ever win at the Galpharm Stadium.
Brett Johnson made a rare start at the Galpharm Stadium as the Cobblers set up in a 5-3-2 formation. Poul Hubertz partnered Andy Kirk up front and Dean Bowditch dropped to bench. Ryan Gilligan returned to the starting line-up in place of the Ipswich loan man.
Brett Johnson had the first effort on goal as his header from a Daniel Jones free kick was well saved by home keeper Matt Glennon. The home side’s first real attempt on goal came from Andy Booth but his shot on the turn went wide of Mark Bunn’s goal.
Andy Kirk had a good chance mid-way through the first half following a goalmouth scramble but his shot was well blocked by Robbie Williams.
Huddersfield came back strong and had a couple of good chances at the other end. Liam Dolman had to be at his best to produce a last ditch tackle to deny Phil Jevons before Robbie William’s shot was well saved by Mark Bunn.
The home side were in front deep into injury time of the first half as Booth headed home at the back post from a corner and sent the Cobblers into half-time a goal down.
The Cobblers began the second half well and Brad Johnson headed over the bar from a Jason Crowe cross before Kirk shot straight at Glennon. Andy Booth could have doubled his tally at the other end but his long range sailed wide.
Minutes later and we had a glorious chance to equalise and but for the cross bar and a goal line clearance would have been level. Crowe had his shot saved before Kirk’s follow up smashed the bar and Danny Schofield cleared the ball off the line!
Brad Johnson forced a corner in our next attack and finally the Cobblers had a leveller. Brett Johnson headed towards goal and Poul Hubertz knocked the ball in on the goal line to give us a well-deserved equaliser.
With five minutes to go, The Cobblers had the winner as Hubertz turned provider with a cross that was met by Jason Crowe at the far post to finish and suddenly we had a lead to hold on to.
A late, late corner threatened to end our hopes of taking home the points as keeper Glennon came up for it but the Cobblers defended it and held on to record a fine victory in our final game of 2007.
Brett Johnson made a rare start at the Galpharm Stadium as the Cobblers set up in a 5-3-2 formation. Poul Hubertz partnered Andy Kirk up front and Dean Bowditch dropped to bench. Ryan Gilligan returned to the starting line-up in place of the Ipswich loan man.
Brett Johnson had the first effort on goal as his header from a Daniel Jones free kick was well saved by home keeper Matt Glennon. The home side’s first real attempt on goal came from Andy Booth but his shot on the turn went wide of Mark Bunn’s goal.
Andy Kirk had a good chance mid-way through the first half following a goalmouth scramble but his shot was well blocked by Robbie Williams.
Huddersfield came back strong and had a couple of good chances at the other end. Liam Dolman had to be at his best to produce a last ditch tackle to deny Phil Jevons before Robbie William’s shot was well saved by Mark Bunn.
The home side were in front deep into injury time of the first half as Booth headed home at the back post from a corner and sent the Cobblers into half-time a goal down.
The Cobblers began the second half well and Brad Johnson headed over the bar from a Jason Crowe cross before Kirk shot straight at Glennon. Andy Booth could have doubled his tally at the other end but his long range sailed wide.
Minutes later and we had a glorious chance to equalise and but for the cross bar and a goal line clearance would have been level. Crowe had his shot saved before Kirk’s follow up smashed the bar and Danny Schofield cleared the ball off the line!
Brad Johnson forced a corner in our next attack and finally the Cobblers had a leveller. Brett Johnson headed towards goal and Poul Hubertz knocked the ball in on the goal line to give us a well-deserved equaliser.
With five minutes to go, The Cobblers had the winner as Hubertz turned provider with a cross that was met by Jason Crowe at the far post to finish and suddenly we had a lead to hold on to.
A late, late corner threatened to end our hopes of taking home the points as keeper Glennon came up for it but the Cobblers defended it and held on to record a fine victory in our final game of 2007.
Friday, December 28, 2007
Huddersfield Town (A) Preview
The Cobblers are on the road again tomorrow afternoon as we make the journey north to Huddersfield Town. Stuart Gray will be looking for an improvement from his players following the 2-0 reverse at Doncaster Rovers on Boxing Day in the final game of 2007.
Team News
Ryan Gilligan is available again after suspension for the Cobblers. The midfielder sat out of the Doncaster defeat with a one-match ban but is back in contention for a starting place at the Galpharm Stadium. But we’re still without Andy Holt, Giles Coke, Ian Henderson and Chris Doig through injury as Stuart Gray’s thin squad is tested with the second of three games in quick succession.
Frank Sinclair is back in the Huddersfield squad after completing a four game suspension by sitting out of their 1-1 Boxing Day draw with Crewe. Danny Cadamarteri is still missing with a knee injury though while Simon Eastwood and Luke Malcher are also still on the sidelines. Striker Andy Booth is 50/50 for the game after suffering a knock in the Crewe game so Luke Beckett stands by to replace him.
The Story So Far…Huddersfield Town in 2007/08
The Terriers go into the game in mid-table but having picked up seven points from nine over the Christmas period will be looking to make a push for the playoff places in the second half of the campaign.
Huddersfield won their opening two games of the season, taking three points from Yeovil at The Galpharm Stadium and away at Bournemouth, both wins coming by a 1-0 score. Their first defeat came at the hands of Carlisle United at the end of August as Daniel Livesey and Joe Garner struck the blows.
Town hit back in the first game of September as they beat Millwall 2-1 at the New Den but three defeats followed at Crewe (1-1), at home to Cheltenham (3-2) and at Sixfields as the Cobblers recorded a fine 3-0 win. Huddersfield ended the month with victory over Luton though to steady the ship.
October was a topsy-turvy month for the club as a draw at home to Nottingham Forest was followed by a 4-0 defeat at Walsall and a 2-0 loss at Doncaster. A home draw with Oldham didn’t do a lot to lift the spirits and October ended in a gloomy 3-0 reverse at Tranmere.
November saw the form turn with the Terriers winning four games in a row as Port Vale (3-1), Hartlepool (2-0) and Swansea (1-0) were beaten either side of a 3-2 win at Accrington Stanley in the F.A. Cup (3-2). November ended with a single goal defeat at home to promotion chasing Leyton Orient.
At the start of December, Town swept aside Grimsby, 3-0 in the F.A. Cup Second Round to set up a tie with Premiership side Birmingham City. There followed heavy defeats at Southend and Leeds, 4-1 and 4-0 respectively but stability has been restored of late with a good points haul over Christmas. Huddersfield beat Bristol Rovers 2-1 as Ronnie Wallwork and loan signing Phil Jevons on the score sheet before winning 2-0 at Cheltenham Town. On Boxing Day, they drew 1-1 with Crewe at the Galpharm Stadium as an Andy Booth equaliser cancelled out former Cobblers loan man Lee Barnard’s early goal.
Recent Meetings…
22/09/07: COBBLERS 3-0 HUDDERSFIELD
Goals from Poul Hubertz, Andy Holt and Andy Kirk eased the Cobblers to victory at Sixfields earlier on this season.
27/04/07: COBBLERS 1-1 HUDDERSFIELD
Andy Holt puts the Cobblers in front on 63 minutes but David Mirfin equalises with fifteen minutes to go in Ian Taylor’s final game in professional football.
16/12/06: HUDDERSFIELD 1-1 COBBLERS
Joe Burnell fires the Cobblers into the lead but Danny Schofield earns the home side a deserved point.
20/04/04: COBBLERS 0-1 HUDDERSFIELD
Andy Booth scores the only goal of the game as Huddersfield make a giant leap towards automatic promotion from League Two.
13/09/03: HUDDERSFIELD 3-0 COBBLERS
Two goals from Jon Stead and an Anthony Carss penalty tie up the points for Huddersfield before half time.
01/03/03: HUDDERSFIELD 2-0 COBBLERS
Simon Baldry and Martin Smith both score in two minutes leading up to half time to ease the home side to victory.
For The Record…Terriers v Cobblers
Games Played: 29
Huddersfield Wins: 12
Draws: 6
Cobblers Wins: 11
Team News
Ryan Gilligan is available again after suspension for the Cobblers. The midfielder sat out of the Doncaster defeat with a one-match ban but is back in contention for a starting place at the Galpharm Stadium. But we’re still without Andy Holt, Giles Coke, Ian Henderson and Chris Doig through injury as Stuart Gray’s thin squad is tested with the second of three games in quick succession.
Frank Sinclair is back in the Huddersfield squad after completing a four game suspension by sitting out of their 1-1 Boxing Day draw with Crewe. Danny Cadamarteri is still missing with a knee injury though while Simon Eastwood and Luke Malcher are also still on the sidelines. Striker Andy Booth is 50/50 for the game after suffering a knock in the Crewe game so Luke Beckett stands by to replace him.
The Story So Far…Huddersfield Town in 2007/08
The Terriers go into the game in mid-table but having picked up seven points from nine over the Christmas period will be looking to make a push for the playoff places in the second half of the campaign.
Huddersfield won their opening two games of the season, taking three points from Yeovil at The Galpharm Stadium and away at Bournemouth, both wins coming by a 1-0 score. Their first defeat came at the hands of Carlisle United at the end of August as Daniel Livesey and Joe Garner struck the blows.
Town hit back in the first game of September as they beat Millwall 2-1 at the New Den but three defeats followed at Crewe (1-1), at home to Cheltenham (3-2) and at Sixfields as the Cobblers recorded a fine 3-0 win. Huddersfield ended the month with victory over Luton though to steady the ship.
October was a topsy-turvy month for the club as a draw at home to Nottingham Forest was followed by a 4-0 defeat at Walsall and a 2-0 loss at Doncaster. A home draw with Oldham didn’t do a lot to lift the spirits and October ended in a gloomy 3-0 reverse at Tranmere.
November saw the form turn with the Terriers winning four games in a row as Port Vale (3-1), Hartlepool (2-0) and Swansea (1-0) were beaten either side of a 3-2 win at Accrington Stanley in the F.A. Cup (3-2). November ended with a single goal defeat at home to promotion chasing Leyton Orient.
At the start of December, Town swept aside Grimsby, 3-0 in the F.A. Cup Second Round to set up a tie with Premiership side Birmingham City. There followed heavy defeats at Southend and Leeds, 4-1 and 4-0 respectively but stability has been restored of late with a good points haul over Christmas. Huddersfield beat Bristol Rovers 2-1 as Ronnie Wallwork and loan signing Phil Jevons on the score sheet before winning 2-0 at Cheltenham Town. On Boxing Day, they drew 1-1 with Crewe at the Galpharm Stadium as an Andy Booth equaliser cancelled out former Cobblers loan man Lee Barnard’s early goal.
Recent Meetings…
22/09/07: COBBLERS 3-0 HUDDERSFIELD
Goals from Poul Hubertz, Andy Holt and Andy Kirk eased the Cobblers to victory at Sixfields earlier on this season.
27/04/07: COBBLERS 1-1 HUDDERSFIELD
Andy Holt puts the Cobblers in front on 63 minutes but David Mirfin equalises with fifteen minutes to go in Ian Taylor’s final game in professional football.
16/12/06: HUDDERSFIELD 1-1 COBBLERS
Joe Burnell fires the Cobblers into the lead but Danny Schofield earns the home side a deserved point.
20/04/04: COBBLERS 0-1 HUDDERSFIELD
Andy Booth scores the only goal of the game as Huddersfield make a giant leap towards automatic promotion from League Two.
13/09/03: HUDDERSFIELD 3-0 COBBLERS
Two goals from Jon Stead and an Anthony Carss penalty tie up the points for Huddersfield before half time.
01/03/03: HUDDERSFIELD 2-0 COBBLERS
Simon Baldry and Martin Smith both score in two minutes leading up to half time to ease the home side to victory.
For The Record…Terriers v Cobblers
Games Played: 29
Huddersfield Wins: 12
Draws: 6
Cobblers Wins: 11
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Doncaster Rovers 2-0 Northampton Town
The Cobblers were beaten on Boxing Day as first half goals for Doncaster ended any hope of a Christmas bonus for Stuart Gray. Goals from Mark McCammon and Adam Lockwood won the game for the home side and the Cobblers never looked like getting back into the game.
Alex Dyer was called up to the Cobblers bench as Ryan Gilligan was suspended for the game while Dean Bowditch, Andy Kirk and Poul Hubertz all started.
The Cobblers had the first effort on goal of the game as Brad Johnson played a quick one-two with Daniel Jones from a corner before picking up the ball and hitting a shot into the side netting.
But it was the home side who were ahead early on with their first shot on goal. A cross from the right hand side was met by Mark McCammon who lost his markers and finished well past Mark Bunn to give Doncaster the lead on ten minutes.
Five minutes later, Brad Johnson lost possession in the middle of the park and McCammon collected it, crossed into the area and Jason Price forced Bunn into a fine save down to his left hand side.
McCammon was causing all the early problems for the home side and he headed over the bar from a Doncaster free kick around ten minutes after his goal. Andy Kirk then had a rare effort on goal for the Cobblers at the other end but his shot was easily saved by Neil Sullivan in the Doncaster goal.
But it was 2-0 just before the half-hour mark as McCammon headed down for Jason Price to hit a deflected shot wide for a corner. From the resulting corner, Adam Lockwood rose and headed home at the near post to double the home side’s advantage.
Paul Green shot over the bar from long range before McCammon headed wide from a James Coppinger cross. Coppinger had the final effort of the first half that was saved by Bunn and Doncaster were comfortably in front at the break.
At the start of the second half, a cross from Joe Burnell was met at the back post by Dean Bowditch but the Ipswich loan man could only head into the side netting.
At the other end, Doncaster won a corner and McCammon flicked on for Neil Roberts to head onto the crossbar and then Paul Green followed it up and the bar was rattled once again as the Cobblers had a lucky escape.
The home side kept up the pressure as Jason Price headed wide five minutes into the second half. Brad Johnson came close to putting the Cobblers back into the game but Sullivan was off his line quickly to deny the midfielder.
But the second half died out with few chances at either end and the Cobblers couldn’t prevent Doncaster from going away with all three points.
Alex Dyer was called up to the Cobblers bench as Ryan Gilligan was suspended for the game while Dean Bowditch, Andy Kirk and Poul Hubertz all started.
The Cobblers had the first effort on goal of the game as Brad Johnson played a quick one-two with Daniel Jones from a corner before picking up the ball and hitting a shot into the side netting.
But it was the home side who were ahead early on with their first shot on goal. A cross from the right hand side was met by Mark McCammon who lost his markers and finished well past Mark Bunn to give Doncaster the lead on ten minutes.
Five minutes later, Brad Johnson lost possession in the middle of the park and McCammon collected it, crossed into the area and Jason Price forced Bunn into a fine save down to his left hand side.
McCammon was causing all the early problems for the home side and he headed over the bar from a Doncaster free kick around ten minutes after his goal. Andy Kirk then had a rare effort on goal for the Cobblers at the other end but his shot was easily saved by Neil Sullivan in the Doncaster goal.
But it was 2-0 just before the half-hour mark as McCammon headed down for Jason Price to hit a deflected shot wide for a corner. From the resulting corner, Adam Lockwood rose and headed home at the near post to double the home side’s advantage.
Paul Green shot over the bar from long range before McCammon headed wide from a James Coppinger cross. Coppinger had the final effort of the first half that was saved by Bunn and Doncaster were comfortably in front at the break.
At the start of the second half, a cross from Joe Burnell was met at the back post by Dean Bowditch but the Ipswich loan man could only head into the side netting.
At the other end, Doncaster won a corner and McCammon flicked on for Neil Roberts to head onto the crossbar and then Paul Green followed it up and the bar was rattled once again as the Cobblers had a lucky escape.
The home side kept up the pressure as Jason Price headed wide five minutes into the second half. Brad Johnson came close to putting the Cobblers back into the game but Sullivan was off his line quickly to deny the midfielder.
But the second half died out with few chances at either end and the Cobblers couldn’t prevent Doncaster from going away with all three points.
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
Doncaster Rovers (A) Preview....
The Cobblers head to Doncaster Rovers tomorrow for a Boxing Day clash and on the back of a good run of results in recent weeks. Following draws at home to Carlisle United and away at Nottingham Forest, Stuart Gray’s men picked up a big 4-1 win at home to Bournemouth on Friday night to mean we go to Doncaster full of confidence. The hosts will also be buzzing after a 4-0 win at Crewe at the weekend.
The Cobblers will make a late decision on the fitness of Andy Holt before the game while Ryan Gilligan is suspended for the trip to the Keepmoat Stadium. Ian Henderson, Giles Coke and Chris Doig are all still missing through injury.
Doncaster have no new injury worries ahead of the game and boss Sean O’Driscoll could name an unchanged side from the one that beat Crewe 4-0 at Gresty Road at the weekend. Paul Heffernan is still missing with an ankle injury though while Graeme Lee once again sits out with a knee problem.
The Story So Far…Doncaster Rovers in 2007/08
Rovers sit just a point behind the playoff places in League One following a good first half of the campaign and will be hoping to improve their consistency in a bid for a charge for the top six in the second half of the season.
Doncaster began the season with a goalless draw at home to Millwall but lost their next two games, a 2-1 defeat at newly promoted Hartlepool United and a home loss to Bournemouth by the same score line.
But they began September with their first win of the campaign as two goals from Ritchie Wellens helped them to come from behind to win 2-1 at Swansea. The Cobblers then beat them 2-0 at Sixfields as Ryan Gilligan and Andy Kirk killed them off in the second half. September continued to be a roller coaster month as Rovers recorded home wins over Crewe and Cheltenham either side of a 3-2 defeat at Southend United.
October began with a 3-2 home reverse at the hands of Walsall before the club drew at Luton and beat Huddersfield at the Keepmoat Stadium. A draw at Forest was followed by a good home win, 4-2 against Leyton Orient.
November began well with 2-1 win at Swindon as Brian Stock and Lewis Guy scored the goals at the County Ground. This was followed by a 1-1 draw at Gillingham and a 0-0 stalemate at home to Tranmere. Victory at Port Vale (3-1) ended the month in the league before they went out of the F.A. Cup at the hands of Oldham Athletic.
Two draws at the start of December frustrated Doncaster’s attempts to break into the top six as they were held by both Brighton and Oldham. Defeat at home to Yeovil was followed by last weekend’s thumping 4-0 win at Crewe as two goals from Jason Price and injury time strikes from Paul Green and Lewis Guy set them up well for the Cobblers clash.
Recent Meetings
07-09-07: COBBLERS 2-0 DONCASTER
Goals from Ryan Gilligan and Andy Kirk in the second half give the Cobblers a good victory back in September at Sixfields.
05-05-07: DONCASTER 2-2 COBBLERS
In a fans’ dedication to loan striker, doctor Kenny Deuchar, the Cobblers following donned white coats as Jason Crowe and Mark Hughes goals cancelled out strikes from Craig Nelthorpe and Gareth Roberts on the final day of last season.
09-12-06: COBBLERS 0-2 DONCASTER
Late goals from Paul Heffernan and Lewis Guy seal the win for Rovers.
30/01/04: DONCASTER 1-0 COBBLERS
Paul Green’s eighth minute goals is enough to win the game for the home side back in League Two.
20/08/03: COBBLERS 1-0 DONCASTER
Lawrie Dudfield’s goal fifteen minutes from time hands the Cobblers victory in early season in 2003/04.
For The Record…Doncaster v Cobblers
Games Played: 50
Doncaster Wins: 21
Draws: 11Cobblers Wins: 18
The Cobblers will make a late decision on the fitness of Andy Holt before the game while Ryan Gilligan is suspended for the trip to the Keepmoat Stadium. Ian Henderson, Giles Coke and Chris Doig are all still missing through injury.
Doncaster have no new injury worries ahead of the game and boss Sean O’Driscoll could name an unchanged side from the one that beat Crewe 4-0 at Gresty Road at the weekend. Paul Heffernan is still missing with an ankle injury though while Graeme Lee once again sits out with a knee problem.
The Story So Far…Doncaster Rovers in 2007/08
Rovers sit just a point behind the playoff places in League One following a good first half of the campaign and will be hoping to improve their consistency in a bid for a charge for the top six in the second half of the season.
Doncaster began the season with a goalless draw at home to Millwall but lost their next two games, a 2-1 defeat at newly promoted Hartlepool United and a home loss to Bournemouth by the same score line.
But they began September with their first win of the campaign as two goals from Ritchie Wellens helped them to come from behind to win 2-1 at Swansea. The Cobblers then beat them 2-0 at Sixfields as Ryan Gilligan and Andy Kirk killed them off in the second half. September continued to be a roller coaster month as Rovers recorded home wins over Crewe and Cheltenham either side of a 3-2 defeat at Southend United.
October began with a 3-2 home reverse at the hands of Walsall before the club drew at Luton and beat Huddersfield at the Keepmoat Stadium. A draw at Forest was followed by a good home win, 4-2 against Leyton Orient.
November began well with 2-1 win at Swindon as Brian Stock and Lewis Guy scored the goals at the County Ground. This was followed by a 1-1 draw at Gillingham and a 0-0 stalemate at home to Tranmere. Victory at Port Vale (3-1) ended the month in the league before they went out of the F.A. Cup at the hands of Oldham Athletic.
Two draws at the start of December frustrated Doncaster’s attempts to break into the top six as they were held by both Brighton and Oldham. Defeat at home to Yeovil was followed by last weekend’s thumping 4-0 win at Crewe as two goals from Jason Price and injury time strikes from Paul Green and Lewis Guy set them up well for the Cobblers clash.
Recent Meetings
07-09-07: COBBLERS 2-0 DONCASTER
Goals from Ryan Gilligan and Andy Kirk in the second half give the Cobblers a good victory back in September at Sixfields.
05-05-07: DONCASTER 2-2 COBBLERS
In a fans’ dedication to loan striker, doctor Kenny Deuchar, the Cobblers following donned white coats as Jason Crowe and Mark Hughes goals cancelled out strikes from Craig Nelthorpe and Gareth Roberts on the final day of last season.
09-12-06: COBBLERS 0-2 DONCASTER
Late goals from Paul Heffernan and Lewis Guy seal the win for Rovers.
30/01/04: DONCASTER 1-0 COBBLERS
Paul Green’s eighth minute goals is enough to win the game for the home side back in League Two.
20/08/03: COBBLERS 1-0 DONCASTER
Lawrie Dudfield’s goal fifteen minutes from time hands the Cobblers victory in early season in 2003/04.
For The Record…Doncaster v Cobblers
Games Played: 50
Doncaster Wins: 21
Draws: 11Cobblers Wins: 18
Friday, December 21, 2007
Northampton Town 4-1 AFC Bournemouth
The Cobblers ended a run of seven games without a win in the league with a comprehensive victory over Bournemouth tonight. Goals from Dean Bowditch, Jason Crowe, Daniel Jones and Brad Johnson sealed a good win for the Town and sends us into the weekend six points clear of the bottom four.
Stuart Gray started the game with a front three of Dean Bowditch, Poul Hubertz and Andy Kirk while Ian Henderson sat out through injury and Ryan Gilligan was dropped to the bench.
Dean Bowditch gave the Cobblers the lead after just four minutes as the Ipswich Town loanee raced towards goal before hitting a deflected shot past Gareth Stewart in the Bournemouth goal. But the visitors were back on level terms with their first attack of the game in a frantic start to the game as Brett Pitman finished well past Mark Bunn.
Jason Crowe went close at the other end before defences cancelled each other out for a brief spell in the middle of the first half. But Crowe did find the net ten minutes before the break. Poul Hubertz crossed for Crowe, who was in the right place at the right time to header home at the back post.
The Cobblers went into the break on top and with a single goal lead but there was still work to be done to see off the struggling Cherries.
Hubertz fired wide of the mark with a free kick just after the break before the Cobblers were further in front just a few minutes later as Daniel Jones struck his second goal in two games to give us a good cushion.
The Cobblers were 4-1 in front on 67 minutes as Hubertz played provider once again, playing in Brad Johnson who made no mistake in front of goal with a good finish to end the game as a contest.
Hubertz nearly got on the score sheet himself with a far post header with his final chance before leaving the field to a standing ovation from the Sixfields crowd, replaced by Colin Larkin.
The Cobblers had done enough and saw out the final few minutes to record an impressive Friday night win and ease any fears of getting dragged into a relegation scrap over Christmas. After seven games without a win in the league, the points are a massive Christmas present for Stuart Gray’s side and we now turn our attention to the Boxing Day clash at Doncaster Rovers.
Stuart Gray started the game with a front three of Dean Bowditch, Poul Hubertz and Andy Kirk while Ian Henderson sat out through injury and Ryan Gilligan was dropped to the bench.
Dean Bowditch gave the Cobblers the lead after just four minutes as the Ipswich Town loanee raced towards goal before hitting a deflected shot past Gareth Stewart in the Bournemouth goal. But the visitors were back on level terms with their first attack of the game in a frantic start to the game as Brett Pitman finished well past Mark Bunn.
Jason Crowe went close at the other end before defences cancelled each other out for a brief spell in the middle of the first half. But Crowe did find the net ten minutes before the break. Poul Hubertz crossed for Crowe, who was in the right place at the right time to header home at the back post.
The Cobblers went into the break on top and with a single goal lead but there was still work to be done to see off the struggling Cherries.
Hubertz fired wide of the mark with a free kick just after the break before the Cobblers were further in front just a few minutes later as Daniel Jones struck his second goal in two games to give us a good cushion.
The Cobblers were 4-1 in front on 67 minutes as Hubertz played provider once again, playing in Brad Johnson who made no mistake in front of goal with a good finish to end the game as a contest.
Hubertz nearly got on the score sheet himself with a far post header with his final chance before leaving the field to a standing ovation from the Sixfields crowd, replaced by Colin Larkin.
The Cobblers had done enough and saw out the final few minutes to record an impressive Friday night win and ease any fears of getting dragged into a relegation scrap over Christmas. After seven games without a win in the league, the points are a massive Christmas present for Stuart Gray’s side and we now turn our attention to the Boxing Day clash at Doncaster Rovers.
Thursday, December 20, 2007
AFC Bournemouth (H) Preview...
The Cobblers host Bournemouth tonight as we have the chance to get an early start on the rest of League One going into the weekend. The sides drew 1-1 back in September at The Fitness First Stadium as Colin Larkin earned us a point but we’ll be looking to go one better this time around.
Stuart Gray is boosted by the return to action of top scorer Andy Kirk but Ian Henderson is out for around ten days with a knee ligament injury picked up in training. Chris Doig and Giles Coke are long-term injury victims while Andy Holt also remains sidelined for the Cobblers.
Former England international Darren Anderton is one of several players struggling to make it to full fitness in time for the game for Bournemouth with the likes of Neil Moss, Josh Gowling and Steve Foley also likely to sit out.
The Story so far…AFC Bournemouth in 2007/08
Bournemouth find themselves in the relegation places going into the game and are deep in trouble after a poor first half of the season. The only team below them are Luton Town, who were recently deducted ten points after going into administration.
The season began in a positive manner as Bournemouth grabbed a goalless draw at Nottingham Forest. They suffered defeat the following weekend though as Huddersfield beat them 1-0 at The Fitness First Stadium. The Cherries won for the first time at Doncaster (2-1) to round off a mixed opening month of the season.
October began with a 1-0 home defeat to Port Vale as Luke Rodgers scored a late goal to send Vale home with the points. Bournemouth were beaten at Orient before the 1-1 draw with the Cobblers, Colin Larkin equalising Darren Anderton’s first half strike. Three straight defeats followed as they went down 4-1 at Swindon, 3-1 at home to Carlisle United and 2-0 at home to Brighton.
Bournemouth bounced back in style with a 4-1 away win at Crewe at the start of October but were then sent crashing back down to earth at Swansea won by the same score line at the Fitness First. The side then went down 2-1 at Millwall before ending October with a 1-1 home draw with Walsall.
November began with a 2-0 win at Bristol Rovers as James Henry scored both of the goals. Leeds United came to Bournemouth and went away with a 3-1 win before the Cherries drew 1-1 at Hartlepool United. The home form was still stuttering though and Oldham won 3-0 at the end of November, leaving Bournemouth deep in the relegation fight.
Two away days followed but Bournemouth came away empty handed from trips to both Yeovil and Tranmere but they grabbed a vital win in their last game, a 1-0 home win over Gillingham as Brett Pitman scored the winner.
Recent Meetings...
15/09/07: BOURNEMOUTH 1-1 COBBLERS
Darren Anderton scored in the first half to give Bournemouth the lead but Colin Larkin volleyed us level with just over ten minutes to go.
10/03/07: COBBLERS 3-1 BOURNEMOUTH
Cobblers loan duo Jordan Robertson and Kenny Deuchar were both on the score sheet, either side of a Mark Wilson equaliser. Andy Kirk seals the win late on after coming on as a substitute.
06/10/07: BOURNEMOUTH 0-0 COBBLERS
The Cobblers dominate most of the game but only go away with a point after Scott McGleish hits the post with a glancing header in our best effort of the game.
09/03/02: BOURNEMOUTH 5-1 COBBLERS
Warren Feeney gives Bournemouth the lead before Duncan Spedding is sent off for the Cobblers. We get back into the game with ten men as Paul McGregor equalises on the stroke of half time. But second half goals from Jason Tindall, Derek Holmes, Feeney again and Stephen Purches ease Bournemouth to victory.
15/12/01: COBBLERS 1-0 BOURNEMOUTH
A goal in the 81st minute from Jamie Forrester hands the Cobblers the points at Sixfields.
For The Record…Cobblers v Cherries
GAMES PLAYED: 97
COBBLERS WINS: 35
DRAWS: 24BOURNEMOUTH WINS: 38
Stuart Gray is boosted by the return to action of top scorer Andy Kirk but Ian Henderson is out for around ten days with a knee ligament injury picked up in training. Chris Doig and Giles Coke are long-term injury victims while Andy Holt also remains sidelined for the Cobblers.
Former England international Darren Anderton is one of several players struggling to make it to full fitness in time for the game for Bournemouth with the likes of Neil Moss, Josh Gowling and Steve Foley also likely to sit out.
The Story so far…AFC Bournemouth in 2007/08
Bournemouth find themselves in the relegation places going into the game and are deep in trouble after a poor first half of the season. The only team below them are Luton Town, who were recently deducted ten points after going into administration.
The season began in a positive manner as Bournemouth grabbed a goalless draw at Nottingham Forest. They suffered defeat the following weekend though as Huddersfield beat them 1-0 at The Fitness First Stadium. The Cherries won for the first time at Doncaster (2-1) to round off a mixed opening month of the season.
October began with a 1-0 home defeat to Port Vale as Luke Rodgers scored a late goal to send Vale home with the points. Bournemouth were beaten at Orient before the 1-1 draw with the Cobblers, Colin Larkin equalising Darren Anderton’s first half strike. Three straight defeats followed as they went down 4-1 at Swindon, 3-1 at home to Carlisle United and 2-0 at home to Brighton.
Bournemouth bounced back in style with a 4-1 away win at Crewe at the start of October but were then sent crashing back down to earth at Swansea won by the same score line at the Fitness First. The side then went down 2-1 at Millwall before ending October with a 1-1 home draw with Walsall.
November began with a 2-0 win at Bristol Rovers as James Henry scored both of the goals. Leeds United came to Bournemouth and went away with a 3-1 win before the Cherries drew 1-1 at Hartlepool United. The home form was still stuttering though and Oldham won 3-0 at the end of November, leaving Bournemouth deep in the relegation fight.
Two away days followed but Bournemouth came away empty handed from trips to both Yeovil and Tranmere but they grabbed a vital win in their last game, a 1-0 home win over Gillingham as Brett Pitman scored the winner.
Recent Meetings...
15/09/07: BOURNEMOUTH 1-1 COBBLERS
Darren Anderton scored in the first half to give Bournemouth the lead but Colin Larkin volleyed us level with just over ten minutes to go.
10/03/07: COBBLERS 3-1 BOURNEMOUTH
Cobblers loan duo Jordan Robertson and Kenny Deuchar were both on the score sheet, either side of a Mark Wilson equaliser. Andy Kirk seals the win late on after coming on as a substitute.
06/10/07: BOURNEMOUTH 0-0 COBBLERS
The Cobblers dominate most of the game but only go away with a point after Scott McGleish hits the post with a glancing header in our best effort of the game.
09/03/02: BOURNEMOUTH 5-1 COBBLERS
Warren Feeney gives Bournemouth the lead before Duncan Spedding is sent off for the Cobblers. We get back into the game with ten men as Paul McGregor equalises on the stroke of half time. But second half goals from Jason Tindall, Derek Holmes, Feeney again and Stephen Purches ease Bournemouth to victory.
15/12/01: COBBLERS 1-0 BOURNEMOUTH
A goal in the 81st minute from Jamie Forrester hands the Cobblers the points at Sixfields.
For The Record…Cobblers v Cherries
GAMES PLAYED: 97
COBBLERS WINS: 35
DRAWS: 24BOURNEMOUTH WINS: 38
Cobblers boosted by Kirk return
The Cobblers have been boosted by the news that top scorer Andy Kirk will be back in contention to return for tomorrow nights’ game with AFC Bournemouth at Sixfields. Kirk has missed the last couple of games, including Saturdays’ 2-2 draw at Nottingham Forest through injury but will be back in the squad to face the Cherries.
On the other side of injury news, Ian Henderson will be out for the next couple of weeks after picking up a knee ligament injury in training. The former Norwich man was a key figure in the City Ground draw and the injury comes as a blow after he had began to get into first team action following a string of injuries.
Cobblers boss Stuart Gray said that the injury situation is taking its toll on the small squad at Sixfields.
Gray said, “We haven’t got the biggest of squads and we could probably do with two or three more bodies but we have to go with what we’ve got and whatever eleven I play will have to give one hundred percent in terms of their effort and commitment.”
On the other side of injury news, Ian Henderson will be out for the next couple of weeks after picking up a knee ligament injury in training. The former Norwich man was a key figure in the City Ground draw and the injury comes as a blow after he had began to get into first team action following a string of injuries.
Cobblers boss Stuart Gray said that the injury situation is taking its toll on the small squad at Sixfields.
Gray said, “We haven’t got the biggest of squads and we could probably do with two or three more bodies but we have to go with what we’ve got and whatever eleven I play will have to give one hundred percent in terms of their effort and commitment.”
Barracuda 6-0 No Saints
No Saints crashed to defeat in their latest fixture last night as Barracuda proved too strong for the mighty whites. We were without leading scorer Abib and his goals were missed as we fell to a heavy defeat to one of the contenders for promotion this season.
It took a while for Barracuda to take the lead and No Saints held on well but when the first goal went in we were always facing an uphill struggle to get back into the game. Nathan missed a couple of golden chances while one of his cross/shots trickled along the goal line after hitting the post.
So a night where it just wasn’t meant to be and we slip into the relegation zone after three games. We now face a winter break of three weeks before reacquainting ourselves with fellow promoted side Red Star Five. We’ve been making good friends out of the Red Star bunch over the last few weeks and it’s nice to have that in the build up to games rather than the scowls that some teams give you! A win would take us out of the bottom two so there’s all to play for as we look to escape a relegation fight after Christmas!
Let’s hope we’re all not too full on chocolates and beer by the time January 9th comes around!
It took a while for Barracuda to take the lead and No Saints held on well but when the first goal went in we were always facing an uphill struggle to get back into the game. Nathan missed a couple of golden chances while one of his cross/shots trickled along the goal line after hitting the post.
So a night where it just wasn’t meant to be and we slip into the relegation zone after three games. We now face a winter break of three weeks before reacquainting ourselves with fellow promoted side Red Star Five. We’ve been making good friends out of the Red Star bunch over the last few weeks and it’s nice to have that in the build up to games rather than the scowls that some teams give you! A win would take us out of the bottom two so there’s all to play for as we look to escape a relegation fight after Christmas!
Let’s hope we’re all not too full on chocolates and beer by the time January 9th comes around!
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
No Saints vs Barracuda Preview....
No Saints head into tonight’s game on the back of a good 7-5 win last week over Time For Heroes. A hat-trick from Abib and goals from Andy (2), Nathan and Phil handed us our first win of the new season and we now go into game three full of confidence against Barracuda.
Barracuda didn’t turn up last week but are expecting to return this week to give us a stern test of our metal as we’ll be without leading scorer Abib who is out and about, most likely looking for beer, women or a combination of both!
But everyone else should make it and a strong squad of seven is in place to take on one of the favourites for the league tonight and another real test for No Saints.
Barracuda didn’t turn up last week but are expecting to return this week to give us a stern test of our metal as we’ll be without leading scorer Abib who is out and about, most likely looking for beer, women or a combination of both!
But everyone else should make it and a strong squad of seven is in place to take on one of the favourites for the league tonight and another real test for No Saints.
The Midweek Review 19/12/07
Apologies for the lack of a midweek review last week but I was struck down with man flu and couldn’t make it to my computer! But I’m back again this week with more musings from Sixfields and a much brighter outlook than last time after a spirited fight back at Forest gives us fresh hope for the Christmas period!
If any game can signify the grand old saying of “it’s a game of two halves” then it’s the one on Saturday up at the City Ground. Making my first appearance at a game since Crewe, I wasn’t expecting a great deal from what reports I had heard in the last couple of weeks and the first half was as dismal as the conversations I’ve had following the last few games.
Hoobs was all alone up front, a tactic designed for the draw and for protecting us against the quick Forest break. Forest were, in fact, playing us off the park and the frustrating thing was that we had no answer at the other end. It was no surprise when the home side took the lead through Lewis McGugan.
Every Cobblers attack was breaking down as Hoobs stood a lonely figure up front. It’s all well and good having one man up top but you must give him support and the big man was trying to do it all himself. The half-time whistle was a blessing and it was a relief that despite their quality play, Forest weren’t really testing Bunny as much as they should have been.
The smug singing of “we stole your manager” from the Forest fans was as annoying as what was going on on the pitch so it was with even greater delight that the second half brought on an incredible change in the game.
The second half saw the formation as it was in the first, with Hoobs still alone up front but this time he was getting support from the midfield. We had also suddenly woken up to the second balls and every single time it dropped, we were there fighting for it, winning tackles and generally showing the spirit that had been vitally lacking in the opening exchanges.
Hoobs grabbed an equaliser and it was game on. The home fans sat silently and were even more quiet when Daniel Jones got his first goal for the club. Jones’ crossing and general wing play was outstanding and it finally looks like he’s becoming the player that Stuart Gray knew he was when he signed him on loan in the summer.
So the Cobblers were suddenly in front and the chant was now coming from the Cobblers end of “you stole our manager” after many a game when CC tried to hold onto a 1-0 lead by defending when manager at Sixfields. The scenes were jubilant, the players were battling for everything and we were so, so close to recording our biggest win of the season so far.
But cruel luck struck again. Brad Johnson was take off injured and his replacement, namesake Brett, lost his man, Junior Agogo, from the corner in the 90th minute and all the hard work was undone by an agonising equalising header. After five minutes of injury time, we were forced to incredibly go home disappointed that we could only draw away at Nottingham Forest!
Now that the dust has settled, we can look back at a quite superb second half of football but now we must put that behind us and do exactly the same for ninety minutes against Bournemouth on Friday night at Sixfields. The Bournemouth game could partly decide which way our season is going to go from here on in and it’s vital that we play like we did in the second half on Saturday for the entire game on Friday, if only to keep the fans’ belief that we weren’t just rising to the occasion at the City Ground.
Bournemouth at home is as big, if not bigger, a game than Forest away and we desperately need to record our first win in eight games to start building that gap up again between ourselves and the bottom four.
Up The Cobblers!
If any game can signify the grand old saying of “it’s a game of two halves” then it’s the one on Saturday up at the City Ground. Making my first appearance at a game since Crewe, I wasn’t expecting a great deal from what reports I had heard in the last couple of weeks and the first half was as dismal as the conversations I’ve had following the last few games.
Hoobs was all alone up front, a tactic designed for the draw and for protecting us against the quick Forest break. Forest were, in fact, playing us off the park and the frustrating thing was that we had no answer at the other end. It was no surprise when the home side took the lead through Lewis McGugan.
Every Cobblers attack was breaking down as Hoobs stood a lonely figure up front. It’s all well and good having one man up top but you must give him support and the big man was trying to do it all himself. The half-time whistle was a blessing and it was a relief that despite their quality play, Forest weren’t really testing Bunny as much as they should have been.
The smug singing of “we stole your manager” from the Forest fans was as annoying as what was going on on the pitch so it was with even greater delight that the second half brought on an incredible change in the game.
The second half saw the formation as it was in the first, with Hoobs still alone up front but this time he was getting support from the midfield. We had also suddenly woken up to the second balls and every single time it dropped, we were there fighting for it, winning tackles and generally showing the spirit that had been vitally lacking in the opening exchanges.
Hoobs grabbed an equaliser and it was game on. The home fans sat silently and were even more quiet when Daniel Jones got his first goal for the club. Jones’ crossing and general wing play was outstanding and it finally looks like he’s becoming the player that Stuart Gray knew he was when he signed him on loan in the summer.
So the Cobblers were suddenly in front and the chant was now coming from the Cobblers end of “you stole our manager” after many a game when CC tried to hold onto a 1-0 lead by defending when manager at Sixfields. The scenes were jubilant, the players were battling for everything and we were so, so close to recording our biggest win of the season so far.
But cruel luck struck again. Brad Johnson was take off injured and his replacement, namesake Brett, lost his man, Junior Agogo, from the corner in the 90th minute and all the hard work was undone by an agonising equalising header. After five minutes of injury time, we were forced to incredibly go home disappointed that we could only draw away at Nottingham Forest!
Now that the dust has settled, we can look back at a quite superb second half of football but now we must put that behind us and do exactly the same for ninety minutes against Bournemouth on Friday night at Sixfields. The Bournemouth game could partly decide which way our season is going to go from here on in and it’s vital that we play like we did in the second half on Saturday for the entire game on Friday, if only to keep the fans’ belief that we weren’t just rising to the occasion at the City Ground.
Bournemouth at home is as big, if not bigger, a game than Forest away and we desperately need to record our first win in eight games to start building that gap up again between ourselves and the bottom four.
Up The Cobblers!
Monday, December 17, 2007
The Daddies Red Sauce Weekend...Part Three...Sunday....
And so it was onwards to Sunday and the long journey from Northampton to Brighton for the final part of our weekend. Back in September Jamie and Anna very kindly bought me tickets to see the Kaiser Chiefs at the Brighton Centre and the date of the gig fell brilliantly on the day following the trip to Forest.
So with a Sausage sandwich to see us off, we headed south in an attempt to get to Brighton in time to catch the afternoon’s football and to grab some lunch. We decided to pick a random place for a stop off en route to see if we could explore another unknown gem to add to the collection.
Now the type of place we look for is certainly not the obvious places, the ones that everyone will think of stopping at. Oh no, we’re looking for silly place names, strange looking monuments or anything that’s just slightly out of the ordinary. Fair to say our first attempt at pulling into a mini town fell on bad ground as we ended up turning into the awfulness that is Crawley and not being able to escape! There really is nothing in Crawley apart from a few new houses and the obligatory man walking his dog. We found our escape eventually and the a few minutes later we had found it, for, at the other side of the service station was the superbly names Pease Pottage!
Pease Pottage is a small village which was just down the road from Crawley and just outside Horsham. Pease Pottage is also the former name of pease pudding, a dish that was served to convicts from London who were on their way to ports on the south coast.
It was a quiet day in Pottage land as we entered and parked up next to one of the villages’ two pubs, The Swan Inn, for a quick coke. The man with his dog was back but there was much more of a homely feel to Pease Pottage than there was at Crawley just up the road. A quick drink later and we were away, satisfied that our need for a random new place of discovery was complete.
We arrived in Brighton and went in search for a parking spot, something harder than it seems on a Sunday afternoon…anyone would think it was Christmas time with the amount of cars about. We eventually plumped for a side road about fifteen minutes walk from the Brighton Centre but walking down steep hills to get to the centre of town we realised the walk back could be tricky!
Looking for a suitable place for food and drink that was also showing the games, it was very handy that a Walkabout pub was situation just across the road from the Brighton Centre. As we took in “Grand Slam Sunday” and scoffed down a huge burger, the night drew in outside and it was time for the gig.
After a couple of support acts, the first being Joe Lean and the Jing Jang Jongs, a high tempo outfit that set the mood well despite being a little grumpy, and the second the Cribs who I was a little disappointed with, the Kaiser Chiefs made their entrance.
Back in 2005, my 21st birthday produced a rather strange incident made us see a nut that was shaped like a rabbit and we began to sing “I predict a rabbit” instead of the famous Chiefs lyrics. Since then, every time it comes on, all that were involved cannot help but put two hands to our heads in a rabbit ear style. You had to be there I think.
The Chiefs didn’t disappoint. From the first notes of Everything is Average nowadays through their greatest hits and top new songs from their album Yours Truly Angry Mob. One teenage fan had his night made after his crowd-surfing antics caught the attention of Ricky Wilson and he dragged the youngster up onto the stage. He was granted access to sing along and dance with the band and will truly have an unbelievable story to tell his mates in the playground tomorrow!
For I Predict a Riot, Wilson stormed into the crowd and positioned himself up a pole and his energy throughout the gig made the evening. After dedicating one of the encore songs to the on looking Fat Boy Slim, Norman Cook himself, the band finished with an awesome finale of Oh My God.
It was a gig for all ages and the Chiefs’ wide appeal was highlighted by the family sitting next to us as the parents were getting into the gig as much, if not more than their kids! The same can’t be said for the grumpy couple sitting next to Jamie though who, despite the whole tier of seats standing up for the last few songs, remained in theirs seats looking utterly disappointed that they were there!
All in all a fantastic night to round off a weekend that will take some beating! The Cobblers got an unlikely point in a pulsating game at Forest, we found a new quote in the chip shop, a new place in Sussex and watched one of the best bands around in their prime.
Arriving back to Southampton at 1:30am, we were shattered but it was well worth it. One thing the Kaiser Chiefs are wrong about….everything certainly isn’t just average nowadays!
So with a Sausage sandwich to see us off, we headed south in an attempt to get to Brighton in time to catch the afternoon’s football and to grab some lunch. We decided to pick a random place for a stop off en route to see if we could explore another unknown gem to add to the collection.
Now the type of place we look for is certainly not the obvious places, the ones that everyone will think of stopping at. Oh no, we’re looking for silly place names, strange looking monuments or anything that’s just slightly out of the ordinary. Fair to say our first attempt at pulling into a mini town fell on bad ground as we ended up turning into the awfulness that is Crawley and not being able to escape! There really is nothing in Crawley apart from a few new houses and the obligatory man walking his dog. We found our escape eventually and the a few minutes later we had found it, for, at the other side of the service station was the superbly names Pease Pottage!
Pease Pottage is a small village which was just down the road from Crawley and just outside Horsham. Pease Pottage is also the former name of pease pudding, a dish that was served to convicts from London who were on their way to ports on the south coast.
It was a quiet day in Pottage land as we entered and parked up next to one of the villages’ two pubs, The Swan Inn, for a quick coke. The man with his dog was back but there was much more of a homely feel to Pease Pottage than there was at Crawley just up the road. A quick drink later and we were away, satisfied that our need for a random new place of discovery was complete.
We arrived in Brighton and went in search for a parking spot, something harder than it seems on a Sunday afternoon…anyone would think it was Christmas time with the amount of cars about. We eventually plumped for a side road about fifteen minutes walk from the Brighton Centre but walking down steep hills to get to the centre of town we realised the walk back could be tricky!
Looking for a suitable place for food and drink that was also showing the games, it was very handy that a Walkabout pub was situation just across the road from the Brighton Centre. As we took in “Grand Slam Sunday” and scoffed down a huge burger, the night drew in outside and it was time for the gig.
After a couple of support acts, the first being Joe Lean and the Jing Jang Jongs, a high tempo outfit that set the mood well despite being a little grumpy, and the second the Cribs who I was a little disappointed with, the Kaiser Chiefs made their entrance.
Back in 2005, my 21st birthday produced a rather strange incident made us see a nut that was shaped like a rabbit and we began to sing “I predict a rabbit” instead of the famous Chiefs lyrics. Since then, every time it comes on, all that were involved cannot help but put two hands to our heads in a rabbit ear style. You had to be there I think.
The Chiefs didn’t disappoint. From the first notes of Everything is Average nowadays through their greatest hits and top new songs from their album Yours Truly Angry Mob. One teenage fan had his night made after his crowd-surfing antics caught the attention of Ricky Wilson and he dragged the youngster up onto the stage. He was granted access to sing along and dance with the band and will truly have an unbelievable story to tell his mates in the playground tomorrow!
For I Predict a Riot, Wilson stormed into the crowd and positioned himself up a pole and his energy throughout the gig made the evening. After dedicating one of the encore songs to the on looking Fat Boy Slim, Norman Cook himself, the band finished with an awesome finale of Oh My God.
It was a gig for all ages and the Chiefs’ wide appeal was highlighted by the family sitting next to us as the parents were getting into the gig as much, if not more than their kids! The same can’t be said for the grumpy couple sitting next to Jamie though who, despite the whole tier of seats standing up for the last few songs, remained in theirs seats looking utterly disappointed that they were there!
All in all a fantastic night to round off a weekend that will take some beating! The Cobblers got an unlikely point in a pulsating game at Forest, we found a new quote in the chip shop, a new place in Sussex and watched one of the best bands around in their prime.
Arriving back to Southampton at 1:30am, we were shattered but it was well worth it. One thing the Kaiser Chiefs are wrong about….everything certainly isn’t just average nowadays!
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Nottingham Forest 2-2 Northampton Town
The Cobblers were denied victory at the City Ground as Junior Agogo headed home a last minute equaliser to send us home with a point. The fact that we’re disappointed to only get a point out of the game shows how far we pushed one of the league’s best sides away from home and this game could be a turning point for the season.
We’d made the journey up to Northampton on Friday evening and the coach was boarded just after lunchtime on a bitterly cold day. There was a panic on the coach as we pulled over on to the hard shoulder after the coach driver thought he heard something wrong. It turned out to only be the sound of someone going in the toilet and the door slamming though and I must commend Jamie for coming up with the line, “he thought it was a flat tyre but it turned out it was just a slash.”
Andy Holt and Andy Kirk missed the game through injury but Brad Johnson and Jason Crowe returned after missing Tuesday nights’ cup-tie at Walsall through suspension.
Johnson had the first attempt on goal in the opening couple of minutes but his left footed shot drifted wide as the midfielder failed to catch the ball properly on the volley. The Cobblers were otherwise slow in starting the game and Forest quickly got into their rhythm. Kris Commons sent a warning shot to the Cobblers as his long-range effort crashed against Mark Bunn’s crossbar.
But it wasn’t long before they were in front as Lewis McGugan collected the ball and found space enough to fire it into the corner of Bunn’s net. It was all too easy and many worried Town fans looked as if they were expecting a drubbing.
The first half was ruined by ridiculous stewarding in the away end as several Cobblers fans were ejected from the ground for, from what most people around me saw as, standing up! When there’s hundreds of Forest fans doing exactly the same thing just above us in the upper tier of the stand, there’s something wrong when Town fans get treated like hooligans just because we’re the away team. The “Mitchell brothers” stewards only seemed to care about throwing enough people out to get what must be an ejecting bonus!
Jason Crowe shot wide as The Cobblers attempted to get back into the game but the story of the half was that Poul Hubertz was playing a lone role up front and not one of the five men in midfield was supporting his runs and hold up play.
There seemed no way back, even at just 1-0 down and the Cobblers had nothing in way of a goal scoring threat. Gloomy expressions were the orders of the day on the way to the half time toilet break with the usual “what a load of rubbish” and “same old same old” being the murmers of choice. A man in front of us when I got back to the seats asked his young lad,
“Who’s going to get the Cobblers goal then?”
to which he replied,
“no-one.”
Ah, they teach them young how to be a Cobblers fan these days!
The second half promised little as the teams came out but what we got was an incredible response from the players as we completely turned the game around.
Ten minutes in and Hubertz turned and hit a low, curling shot towards goal that home keeper Paul Smith managed to just about push away. Ian Henderson was following up and missed the ball but even if he had put it in he was offside.The momentum was building and the equaliser came just a few minutes later. Ryan Gilligan did well down the right to win the ball and his cross was majestically met by Hubertz who swooped the ball home to send the travelling army of Cobblers fans into hysteria!
Gilligan was brought off the pitch for Dean Bowditch before the Cobblers had an incredible lead. Daniel Jones found room to shoot on the left and his low shot went under Paul Smith and crept into the net. The Forest fans were silent and the earlier chants of “you stole our manager” was being thrown right back in their faces!
From then on it was a nervy last half an hour of the game but instead of sitting back and allowing Forest back into the game we fought for every ball, pressed them back and got in their faces like I’ve not seen us do for a long, long time. The effort, determination and desire to keep the lead was outstanding and we certainly didn’t deserve the cruel blow with just a minute to go.Forest substitute Junior Agogo found space at a corner and with a free header, agonisingly undid the Cobblers and salvaged a point for the home side.
To come away from the City Ground with a point and be disappointed is a bit bizarre but hat we can take is real heart from the effort and work rate that has been missing in previous weeks.
We must now take it on to a game that’s arguably even bigger, Bournemouth at home this Friday evening.
The Daddies Red Sauce weekender....Part One (Friday)
We'd been struggling to come up with a name for this weekend of great activity for a long time as we thought something as big as Forest away and seeing the Kaiser Chiefs on Sunday needed a clever title.
Having search our minds all week, we were frustrated in our attempts until something happened on Friday that was quite brilliant in its randomness and ability to make us laugh out loud in a fish and chip shop.
Before hand, we had travelled up to Northampton in Jamie's car after he had decided to make another appearance at a Cobblers game before we headed down to Brighton for the gig on Sunday. I had caught a train to his place of work, Liss, a quite desolate little place near Winchester. Indeed, Jamie's tour of Liss began and ended with him pointing out where his workplace was!
It was a smooth journey up to Northampton and included some bizarre sights on the road. Maybe it's something that happens on Friday nights that lorry drivers decide to grab the biggest things possible to take home for the weekend but there were endless haulage vehicles dragging the biggest and oddest looking things up the motorway.
Back at my parents' home and it was time for some dinner. Andrews fish and chips round the corner provided not only for our hunger needs but for one of those brilliant pieces of comedy where you have no idea why you're laughing at what you're laughing at but you just do.
A guy walked in with his wife, full of Friday night cheer and with a strange mix of Australian and Northamptonian accent. He ordered his chips and then asked in a superbly timed manner, when asked if he wanted anything else,
"Er, yes, can I have some Dadieeeeeees Red Sauce please"
It's one of those moments that I try to explain but know that reading this you'll be thinking "what's so funny about that?" but you really did have to be there and the fella deserves a big mention in this weekend report!
After we'd finished laughing (or painfully holding in the laughter till he'd left) we headed back and finished eating before getting a good nights' sleep in preparation for Forest...
Having search our minds all week, we were frustrated in our attempts until something happened on Friday that was quite brilliant in its randomness and ability to make us laugh out loud in a fish and chip shop.
Before hand, we had travelled up to Northampton in Jamie's car after he had decided to make another appearance at a Cobblers game before we headed down to Brighton for the gig on Sunday. I had caught a train to his place of work, Liss, a quite desolate little place near Winchester. Indeed, Jamie's tour of Liss began and ended with him pointing out where his workplace was!
It was a smooth journey up to Northampton and included some bizarre sights on the road. Maybe it's something that happens on Friday nights that lorry drivers decide to grab the biggest things possible to take home for the weekend but there were endless haulage vehicles dragging the biggest and oddest looking things up the motorway.
Back at my parents' home and it was time for some dinner. Andrews fish and chips round the corner provided not only for our hunger needs but for one of those brilliant pieces of comedy where you have no idea why you're laughing at what you're laughing at but you just do.
A guy walked in with his wife, full of Friday night cheer and with a strange mix of Australian and Northamptonian accent. He ordered his chips and then asked in a superbly timed manner, when asked if he wanted anything else,
"Er, yes, can I have some Dadieeeeeees Red Sauce please"
It's one of those moments that I try to explain but know that reading this you'll be thinking "what's so funny about that?" but you really did have to be there and the fella deserves a big mention in this weekend report!
After we'd finished laughing (or painfully holding in the laughter till he'd left) we headed back and finished eating before getting a good nights' sleep in preparation for Forest...
Friday, December 14, 2007
Nottingham Forest (A) Preview
It’s a trip to the City Ground next for the Cobblers and a game that many people thought would be a one off last season. An army of Cobblers fans hit Nottingham last term, thinking that it would be the only chance they got to visit the City Ground to watch the Cobblers. But after playoff failure for Forest, we visit again and although there may not be as much interest this time around, it should still be a cracking away day.
Team News
Dean Bowditch will come back into contention after missing Tuesday night’s 1-0 F.A. Cup Second Round Replay defeat to Walsall while Jason Crowe and Bradley Johnson should also return after sitting out of the same game through suspension. Andy Kirk is likely to miss the game, however, and Andy Holt is another major doubt with an ankle problem.
Forest boss Colin Calderwood has no fresh injury worries ahead of the game but Julian Bennett remains out with a hamstring injury. Sammy Clingan also misses the game through suspension. Kris Commons, Aaron Davies and Junior Agogo are likely to be recalled after they missed Forest’s midweek cup defeat at Luton.
The Story so far…Nottingham Forest in 2007/08
After a slow start to the season, Forest are back up where most people expected them to be as we head into the Christmas period as Colin Calderwood has taken his side up to third place in League One.
After missing out in last season’s playoff semi finals, Forest began this campaign with two goalless draws, at home to Bournemouth and away at Swansea before being beaten by Leeds United at the City Ground.
At the start of September they drew again, this time at Bristol Rovers before finally picking up their first win of the season at Port Vale as Luke Chambers wrapped up a vital three points for the club late on. A 4-0 home thumping of Gillingham followed a week later and Forest were beginning to get into their stride. September ended with another fine win, this time 3-0 away at Yeovil as Chambers was again on the score sheet along with Junior Agogo and Kris Commons.
October began with a 1-1 away draw at Huddersfield Town before victories over Hartlepool United (2-1) and Cheltenham Town (3-0) propelled the side further up the table. A home draw with Doncaster Rovers was followed by their first defeat in ten games at Luton.
Three home games followed and Forest picked up seven points with City Ground wins over Tranmere and Southend and a draw with Oldham. They were forced into an F.A. Cup First Round replay with Lincoln but managed to come through the tie 3-1 in the end. In between the two cup ties, Forest saw off Crewe in League One as Arron Davies and Sammy Clingan scored in a 2-0 success.
Defeat at Walsall was followed by a good 2-0 win at playoff chasing Brighton last weekend but during the week, Forest went out of the F.A. Cup along with the Cobblers following a second defeat of the season at Luton.
Recent Meetings
The clubs have met just twice in recent years, as last season Forest did the double over the Cobblers…
10/02/07: NOTTINGHAM FOREST 1-0 COBBLERS
Julian Bennett’s goal on 66 minutes settles the City Ground meeting in February of this year. Mark Bunn keeps the scores down with a string of good saves.
12/08/06: COBBLERS 0-1 NOTTINGHAM FOREST
An own goal from former Forest man Chris Doig coupled with the sending off of Town striker Scott McGleish helps Forest to victory in our first Saturday home game of last season.
For the Record…Cobblers v Forest
Games Played: 11
Forest Wins: 4
Draws: 6
Cobblers Wins: 1
Team News
Dean Bowditch will come back into contention after missing Tuesday night’s 1-0 F.A. Cup Second Round Replay defeat to Walsall while Jason Crowe and Bradley Johnson should also return after sitting out of the same game through suspension. Andy Kirk is likely to miss the game, however, and Andy Holt is another major doubt with an ankle problem.
Forest boss Colin Calderwood has no fresh injury worries ahead of the game but Julian Bennett remains out with a hamstring injury. Sammy Clingan also misses the game through suspension. Kris Commons, Aaron Davies and Junior Agogo are likely to be recalled after they missed Forest’s midweek cup defeat at Luton.
The Story so far…Nottingham Forest in 2007/08
After a slow start to the season, Forest are back up where most people expected them to be as we head into the Christmas period as Colin Calderwood has taken his side up to third place in League One.
After missing out in last season’s playoff semi finals, Forest began this campaign with two goalless draws, at home to Bournemouth and away at Swansea before being beaten by Leeds United at the City Ground.
At the start of September they drew again, this time at Bristol Rovers before finally picking up their first win of the season at Port Vale as Luke Chambers wrapped up a vital three points for the club late on. A 4-0 home thumping of Gillingham followed a week later and Forest were beginning to get into their stride. September ended with another fine win, this time 3-0 away at Yeovil as Chambers was again on the score sheet along with Junior Agogo and Kris Commons.
October began with a 1-1 away draw at Huddersfield Town before victories over Hartlepool United (2-1) and Cheltenham Town (3-0) propelled the side further up the table. A home draw with Doncaster Rovers was followed by their first defeat in ten games at Luton.
Three home games followed and Forest picked up seven points with City Ground wins over Tranmere and Southend and a draw with Oldham. They were forced into an F.A. Cup First Round replay with Lincoln but managed to come through the tie 3-1 in the end. In between the two cup ties, Forest saw off Crewe in League One as Arron Davies and Sammy Clingan scored in a 2-0 success.
Defeat at Walsall was followed by a good 2-0 win at playoff chasing Brighton last weekend but during the week, Forest went out of the F.A. Cup along with the Cobblers following a second defeat of the season at Luton.
Recent Meetings
The clubs have met just twice in recent years, as last season Forest did the double over the Cobblers…
10/02/07: NOTTINGHAM FOREST 1-0 COBBLERS
Julian Bennett’s goal on 66 minutes settles the City Ground meeting in February of this year. Mark Bunn keeps the scores down with a string of good saves.
12/08/06: COBBLERS 0-1 NOTTINGHAM FOREST
An own goal from former Forest man Chris Doig coupled with the sending off of Town striker Scott McGleish helps Forest to victory in our first Saturday home game of last season.
For the Record…Cobblers v Forest
Games Played: 11
Forest Wins: 4
Draws: 6
Cobblers Wins: 1
Branston without a club as Cobblers loan spell ends
Defender Guy Branston has departed Sixfields and is now without a club after his loan spell with the Cobblers came to an end before parent club Peterborough United cancelled his contract on the same day.
Branston made his debut in the Cobblers’ 1-0 defeat at Crewe in mid-November and was brought in initially to cover for the injuries to Chris Doig and Brett Johnson. Doig will be out for most of the season but Johnson is on the verge of coming back into the first team and Branston’s services were no longer required by Stuart Gray.
“He (Branston) came in and did a decent job for us for a month but we’ve decided not to extend his loan with Brett Johnson now match fit,” said Gray,
“Brett wasn’t fit at the time Guy arrived but since then he has recovered from injury.”
Branston made his debut in the Cobblers’ 1-0 defeat at Crewe in mid-November and was brought in initially to cover for the injuries to Chris Doig and Brett Johnson. Doig will be out for most of the season but Johnson is on the verge of coming back into the first team and Branston’s services were no longer required by Stuart Gray.
“He (Branston) came in and did a decent job for us for a month but we’ve decided not to extend his loan with Brett Johnson now match fit,” said Gray,
“Brett wasn’t fit at the time Guy arrived but since then he has recovered from injury.”
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Walsall (A) F.A. Cup Second Round Replay Preview...
The Cobblers make the trip to Walsall tonight in part three of a league and cup trilogy of games against the Saddlers. The teams have met twice in the last couple of weeks and after a 1-1 draw in the cup game at Sixfields, we’ll be looking to progress into a game against Millwall in Round Three.
Team News
Andy Kirk is the big absentee from the Cobblers squad as he had to come off in Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Carlisle United while Poul Hubertz is still struggling with an Achilles injury. Dean Bowditch is ineligible for the game while Jason Crowe and Brad Johnson are both suspended. Colin Larkin is almost certain to take Kirk’s place up front while more squad players will be asked to come in and do a job for Stuart Gray.
Walsall will be without loan signing Peter Sweeney who is ineligible and Michael Dobson and Paul Boertian still aren’t ready to make a return just yet. Michael Ricketts is allowed to play in the game after gaining clearance from parent club Oldham Athletic.
The Story so far…Walsall in 2007/08…
Walsall come to Sixfields on the back of a good run of form that has lifted them to eighth place in League One.
The Saddlers had a tough start to life in League One, losing five of their opening six games and picking up just a point in their first month, on the opening day against Carlisle United.
Richard Money's side picked up their first win, though, in September (a 2-1 win at Millwall) and momentum began to build for the side, who then went on to record further away wins at Hartlepool (1-0) and Doncaster (3-2). Their first home win of the season came in a thumping 4-0 success over Huddersfield Town, Tommy Mooney wrapping up the win with the final goal.
The following week, they gained a good point at Tranmere but were beaten at home by Southend United. A 1-1 draw at Bournemouth kept their away form rolling on and a 2-0 home win over Cheltenham Town began November well for the newly promoted side.
Another point on the road, this time a draw with Brighton, was followed by a 2-0 win over Shrewsbury Town in the first round of the F.A. Cup. Walsall were help to a goalless draw at home to Luton Town in League One before a 2-0 win at Sixfields lifted them up to tenth in League One.
Since then, we have drawn with Walsall in the first cup tie of course and they followed that point up with a home win over Nottingham Forest and a draw at Crewe.
Recent Meetings…
01/12/07: COBBLERS 1-1 WALSALL
Tommy Mooney put the visitors in front in the F.A. Cup Second Round but Andy Kirk forced tonight’s replay.
24/05/07: COBBLERS 0-2 WALSALL
Mark Bradley and substitute Ishmel Demontagnac seal a comfortable win at Sixfields last weekend.
05/05/01: COBBLERS 0-3 WALSALL
Brett Angel scores a second half hat-trick on the final day of the 2000/01 season as Walsall end the season in style.
25/11/00: WALSALL 3-0 COBBLERS
Jorge Leitao gives the home side an early lead and they never look back, as Paul Hall and Brett Angel seal a comfortable win.
23/02/09: COBBLERS 0-1 WALSALL
Darko Mavrak scores the only goal of the game in 65th minute to give Walsall all three points.
15/08/98: WALSALL 0-0 COBBLERS
In the Cobblers first away game of the season, we earn a good point at the Bescott Stadium.
For The Record…Saddlers v Cobblers
Games Played: 74
Walsall wins: 29
Draws: 16
Cobblers wins: 29
Team News
Andy Kirk is the big absentee from the Cobblers squad as he had to come off in Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Carlisle United while Poul Hubertz is still struggling with an Achilles injury. Dean Bowditch is ineligible for the game while Jason Crowe and Brad Johnson are both suspended. Colin Larkin is almost certain to take Kirk’s place up front while more squad players will be asked to come in and do a job for Stuart Gray.
Walsall will be without loan signing Peter Sweeney who is ineligible and Michael Dobson and Paul Boertian still aren’t ready to make a return just yet. Michael Ricketts is allowed to play in the game after gaining clearance from parent club Oldham Athletic.
The Story so far…Walsall in 2007/08…
Walsall come to Sixfields on the back of a good run of form that has lifted them to eighth place in League One.
The Saddlers had a tough start to life in League One, losing five of their opening six games and picking up just a point in their first month, on the opening day against Carlisle United.
Richard Money's side picked up their first win, though, in September (a 2-1 win at Millwall) and momentum began to build for the side, who then went on to record further away wins at Hartlepool (1-0) and Doncaster (3-2). Their first home win of the season came in a thumping 4-0 success over Huddersfield Town, Tommy Mooney wrapping up the win with the final goal.
The following week, they gained a good point at Tranmere but were beaten at home by Southend United. A 1-1 draw at Bournemouth kept their away form rolling on and a 2-0 home win over Cheltenham Town began November well for the newly promoted side.
Another point on the road, this time a draw with Brighton, was followed by a 2-0 win over Shrewsbury Town in the first round of the F.A. Cup. Walsall were help to a goalless draw at home to Luton Town in League One before a 2-0 win at Sixfields lifted them up to tenth in League One.
Since then, we have drawn with Walsall in the first cup tie of course and they followed that point up with a home win over Nottingham Forest and a draw at Crewe.
Recent Meetings…
01/12/07: COBBLERS 1-1 WALSALL
Tommy Mooney put the visitors in front in the F.A. Cup Second Round but Andy Kirk forced tonight’s replay.
24/05/07: COBBLERS 0-2 WALSALL
Mark Bradley and substitute Ishmel Demontagnac seal a comfortable win at Sixfields last weekend.
05/05/01: COBBLERS 0-3 WALSALL
Brett Angel scores a second half hat-trick on the final day of the 2000/01 season as Walsall end the season in style.
25/11/00: WALSALL 3-0 COBBLERS
Jorge Leitao gives the home side an early lead and they never look back, as Paul Hall and Brett Angel seal a comfortable win.
23/02/09: COBBLERS 0-1 WALSALL
Darko Mavrak scores the only goal of the game in 65th minute to give Walsall all three points.
15/08/98: WALSALL 0-0 COBBLERS
In the Cobblers first away game of the season, we earn a good point at the Bescott Stadium.
For The Record…Saddlers v Cobblers
Games Played: 74
Walsall wins: 29
Draws: 16
Cobblers wins: 29
Monday, December 10, 2007
Northampton Town 2-2 Carlisle United
The Cobblers twice came from behind to steal a point from Carlisle as Brad Johnson's goal two minutes into injury time halts our recent slump.
Dean Bowditch made his first start since joining on loan from Ipswich Town as Poul Hubertz was dropped to the bench. Ian Henderson dropped back to midfield while Jason Crowe was employed in a central midfield role.
Brad Johnson had the first effort of the game on eight minutes but his shot was blocked before Marc Bridge-Wilkinson had a shot tipped wide at the other end by Mark Bunn. In an open start to the game, Liam Dolman had a shot saved before Bridge-Wilkinson once again went close, this time curling a free kick over the bar.
The visitors had the lead just after the twenty-minute mark when Bridge-Wilkinson made his shot count this time as his free kick beat Bunn this time. But just a couple of minutes later and the Cobblers had their first goal in six league games as Jason Crowe was set up by Dean Bowditch and fired a shot past Kieron Westwood in the Carlisle gal to quickly draw us level.
Ian Henderson had the visiting goalkeeper worried in the Cobblers’ next attack as the former Norwich man hit a free kick that Westwood had to claim at the second attempt but the scores were level at half time.
After a quiet opening to the second half, Carlisle were back in front as Mark Bunn dropped a cross and Joe Garner fired into the unguarded net from close range.
Ryan Gilligan and Poul Hubertz were introduced into the game as the Cobblers looked to find an equaliser.
Carlisle nearly made it 3-1 with fifteen minutes to go as Richard Keogh shot wide of the target before Andy Kirk shot straight at Westwood. Ryan Gilligan forced Westwood into a good save before Liam Dolman headed a corner wide and it looked like we would come out of the game empty handed again.
But two minutes into stoppage time and we were deservedly level as Poul Hubertz did well down the left hand side, crossed and Dean Bowditch dummied for Brad Johnson to fire home.
So the Cobblers end their run of defeats with a good point and now face a tough F.A. Cup Second Round replay date with Walsall on Tuesday night as we look to start turning the season back in our favour.
Friday, December 07, 2007
Carlisle United (H) Preview...
Carlisle United are the visitors to Sixfields tomorrow afternoon and the Cumbrians form part two of a three game run as the Cobblers face three of the front runners for promotion to the Championship. After a 3-0 defeat at Swansea on Tuesday night, Stuart Gray will need a massive response from his players in order to get anything from the game.
Team News
The Cobblers will definitely be without long term absentees Chris Doig and Giles Coke while Poul Hubertz is still struggling with his Achilles injury. Stuart Gray will be monitoring the situation with Hubertz and waiting until late in the day before making a decision on the big front man. Dean Bowditch could start his first game for the club after two substitute appearances since joining from Ipswich.
Carlisle have no fresh injury worries ahead of the game as they look to continue pressing the top two league places.
The Story So Far…Carlisle United in 2007/08…
The Cumbrians are in second place in League One behind Swansea City going into the game and come into the game on the back of a Tuesday night home win over Swindon Town.
Carlisle began the season with a 1-1 draw at newly promoted Walsall with Kevin Gall on the score sheet. They went on to win their next three league games with victories over Oldham, Huddersfield and Cheltenham all coming without conceding a goal. Their first defeat of the season in the league came at home to Tranmere Rovers in mid-September and this was followed by a second loss the week after at Swansea.
A home draw with Bristol Rovers steadied the ship before the side got back to winning ways with a 3-1 success at Bournemouth. Joe Garner struck twice and Joe Anyinsah sealed the points.
Carlisle began October with a 2-2 draw at Hartlepool before thumping Millwall 4-0 at Brunton Park., all the goals coming in the first half. A week later and the Cumbrians were beaten at Yeovil (2-1) despite taking the lead at Huish Park but bounced back to end the month with back to back wins over Gillingham (2-0) and Southend (1-0).
November started with another win, this time at home to Leeds United as second half goals from Simon Hackney, Joe Garner and Marc Bridge-Wilkinson stunned the Yorkshire men after they had taken the lead through Jermaine Beckford. Draws with Luton and Brighton halted their charge a little, either side of an F.A. Cup replay exit at Grimsby but they stormed into the top two on Tuesday night with a 3-0 home win over Swindon.
Recent Meetings…
13/01/07: COBBLERS 3-2 CARLISLE
The Cobblers take a 3-0 lead through Andy Kirk and two from Scott McGleish before the visitors stage a fight back to make it a nervy ending. But despite goals from Danny Graham and Kevin Gall, The Cobblers hung on.
09/09/06: CARLISLE 1-1 COBBLERS
Scott McGleish gives us the lead just after half time but Karl Hawley brings the sides level with a fin individual goal ten minutes later.
10/03/06: COBBLERS 0-3 CARLISLE
With both sides chasing automatic promotion from League Two, Carlisle claimed the vital three points as Karl Hawley, Michael Bridges and Danny Livesey scored the goals.
27/08/05: CARLISLE 0-1 COBBLERS
Pedj Bojic’s goal in the first half is enough to give the Cobblers success in the early days of our promotion season.
16/03/04: CARLISLE 1-1 COBBLERS
In a frantic final ten minutes, Carlisle take the lead through Craig Farrell but Paul Trollope equalises just a minute later.
16/09/03: COBBLERS 2-0 CARLISLE
A Martin Smith penalty and a late goal from Paul Trollope seal a comfortable Sixfields win for the Cobblers.
For The Record...Cobblers v Cumbrians…
GAMES PLAYED: 32
COBBLERS WINS: 12
DRAWS: 11
COBBLERS WINS: 9
Team News
The Cobblers will definitely be without long term absentees Chris Doig and Giles Coke while Poul Hubertz is still struggling with his Achilles injury. Stuart Gray will be monitoring the situation with Hubertz and waiting until late in the day before making a decision on the big front man. Dean Bowditch could start his first game for the club after two substitute appearances since joining from Ipswich.
Carlisle have no fresh injury worries ahead of the game as they look to continue pressing the top two league places.
The Story So Far…Carlisle United in 2007/08…
The Cumbrians are in second place in League One behind Swansea City going into the game and come into the game on the back of a Tuesday night home win over Swindon Town.
Carlisle began the season with a 1-1 draw at newly promoted Walsall with Kevin Gall on the score sheet. They went on to win their next three league games with victories over Oldham, Huddersfield and Cheltenham all coming without conceding a goal. Their first defeat of the season in the league came at home to Tranmere Rovers in mid-September and this was followed by a second loss the week after at Swansea.
A home draw with Bristol Rovers steadied the ship before the side got back to winning ways with a 3-1 success at Bournemouth. Joe Garner struck twice and Joe Anyinsah sealed the points.
Carlisle began October with a 2-2 draw at Hartlepool before thumping Millwall 4-0 at Brunton Park., all the goals coming in the first half. A week later and the Cumbrians were beaten at Yeovil (2-1) despite taking the lead at Huish Park but bounced back to end the month with back to back wins over Gillingham (2-0) and Southend (1-0).
November started with another win, this time at home to Leeds United as second half goals from Simon Hackney, Joe Garner and Marc Bridge-Wilkinson stunned the Yorkshire men after they had taken the lead through Jermaine Beckford. Draws with Luton and Brighton halted their charge a little, either side of an F.A. Cup replay exit at Grimsby but they stormed into the top two on Tuesday night with a 3-0 home win over Swindon.
Recent Meetings…
13/01/07: COBBLERS 3-2 CARLISLE
The Cobblers take a 3-0 lead through Andy Kirk and two from Scott McGleish before the visitors stage a fight back to make it a nervy ending. But despite goals from Danny Graham and Kevin Gall, The Cobblers hung on.
09/09/06: CARLISLE 1-1 COBBLERS
Scott McGleish gives us the lead just after half time but Karl Hawley brings the sides level with a fin individual goal ten minutes later.
10/03/06: COBBLERS 0-3 CARLISLE
With both sides chasing automatic promotion from League Two, Carlisle claimed the vital three points as Karl Hawley, Michael Bridges and Danny Livesey scored the goals.
27/08/05: CARLISLE 0-1 COBBLERS
Pedj Bojic’s goal in the first half is enough to give the Cobblers success in the early days of our promotion season.
16/03/04: CARLISLE 1-1 COBBLERS
In a frantic final ten minutes, Carlisle take the lead through Craig Farrell but Paul Trollope equalises just a minute later.
16/09/03: COBBLERS 2-0 CARLISLE
A Martin Smith penalty and a late goal from Paul Trollope seal a comfortable Sixfields win for the Cobblers.
For The Record...Cobblers v Cumbrians…
GAMES PLAYED: 32
COBBLERS WINS: 12
DRAWS: 11
COBBLERS WINS: 9
Thursday, December 06, 2007
The Midweek Review...06/12/07
And so another defeat, another league game without a goal and a cup replay coming up next Tuesday to distract us from the looming relegation scrap that we’re being dragged into! This week’s review takes a rather gloomy turn as a winter of discontent sets in.
We’re in a pretty similar situation at the moment as we were in this time last year. We’re not playing anything near exciting football, the team is poised just above the bottom four and fans are beginning to worry that the manager may not be up to the job after all.
First with the only bright(ish) point of the week. It’s a sad state of affairs when getting a replay in the F.A. Cup Second Round is the highlight of the week but the draw with Walsall seemed to be a slight step up from the league defeat the week before. I heard that we had “improved from having one shot on target to having two in the second game!” Andy Kirk got the goal again and, say what you like about the striker, but if it hadn’t been for his goals we would have certainly been in the bottom four and out of the cup.
As it is, we face a third meeting in five games with Walsall who must be sick and tired of facing the Cobblers. Maybe it’s our turn to win the game but fair to say that a home tie with Millwall in Round Three isn’t exactly a huge incentive for the winners of the game on Tuesday night!
Some sort of reward should be given to the 125 souls who took to Swansea on Tuesday night to support the Cobblers and see a dismal display rewarded with what sounded exactly like what we deserved, a 3-0 hammering and yet again we go 90 minutes without really putting the opposition’s goal under real pressure. Yes, Swansea are top of the table and yes, we maybe didn’t expect anything from the game but we do expect the team to at least fight for the manager and every single one of those loyal fans in the away end at the Liberty Stadium.
From what I’ve heard, Stuart Gray looked a forlorn figure on the sidelines on Tuesday night and his disposition was one of a beaten man, both on the pitch and in his own mind. Gray apparently stood, arms folded, on the touchline and looked out of ideas as his players slumped to defeat. For Gray, this is a huge month and a few weeks ago we would never have even contemplated talking about his future as we were within one win from the playoff places. Gray has a massive task ahead to turn this form around and I can see the game at home to Bournemouth on the 21st December as a pivotal point in the season and Gray’s reign.
Nobody expects a massive return in the next two or three games, particularly at Forest on Saturday week but all we’re asking for is commitment, effort and a will to win football games that we’re not getting at the moment. If we’re let down any more, it could unfortunately raise questions over Gray, less than a year after his appointment but let’s all stay behind the team and pray that they can give us three points at home to Carlisle. If we play to our ability we all know we can be a match for the Cumbrians. If not, we’ll be in deep trouble by the time we reacquaint ourselves with Mr Calderwood.
Up the Cobblers!
We’re in a pretty similar situation at the moment as we were in this time last year. We’re not playing anything near exciting football, the team is poised just above the bottom four and fans are beginning to worry that the manager may not be up to the job after all.
First with the only bright(ish) point of the week. It’s a sad state of affairs when getting a replay in the F.A. Cup Second Round is the highlight of the week but the draw with Walsall seemed to be a slight step up from the league defeat the week before. I heard that we had “improved from having one shot on target to having two in the second game!” Andy Kirk got the goal again and, say what you like about the striker, but if it hadn’t been for his goals we would have certainly been in the bottom four and out of the cup.
As it is, we face a third meeting in five games with Walsall who must be sick and tired of facing the Cobblers. Maybe it’s our turn to win the game but fair to say that a home tie with Millwall in Round Three isn’t exactly a huge incentive for the winners of the game on Tuesday night!
Some sort of reward should be given to the 125 souls who took to Swansea on Tuesday night to support the Cobblers and see a dismal display rewarded with what sounded exactly like what we deserved, a 3-0 hammering and yet again we go 90 minutes without really putting the opposition’s goal under real pressure. Yes, Swansea are top of the table and yes, we maybe didn’t expect anything from the game but we do expect the team to at least fight for the manager and every single one of those loyal fans in the away end at the Liberty Stadium.
From what I’ve heard, Stuart Gray looked a forlorn figure on the sidelines on Tuesday night and his disposition was one of a beaten man, both on the pitch and in his own mind. Gray apparently stood, arms folded, on the touchline and looked out of ideas as his players slumped to defeat. For Gray, this is a huge month and a few weeks ago we would never have even contemplated talking about his future as we were within one win from the playoff places. Gray has a massive task ahead to turn this form around and I can see the game at home to Bournemouth on the 21st December as a pivotal point in the season and Gray’s reign.
Nobody expects a massive return in the next two or three games, particularly at Forest on Saturday week but all we’re asking for is commitment, effort and a will to win football games that we’re not getting at the moment. If we’re let down any more, it could unfortunately raise questions over Gray, less than a year after his appointment but let’s all stay behind the team and pray that they can give us three points at home to Carlisle. If we play to our ability we all know we can be a match for the Cumbrians. If not, we’ll be in deep trouble by the time we reacquaint ourselves with Mr Calderwood.
Up the Cobblers!
No Saints 3-4 Paultons F.C.
In the opening day of the new season, No Saints were narrowly beaten by a fast-paced Paultons F.C. side. Paultons were relegated from the Championship last season but looked a strong outfit from the start.
With Phil starting alongside myself, Dave and Jamie and with Aaron in goal, Paultons took a half time lead. We had every chance with it being only 1-0 at the break but they extended their lead to 3-0 in quick succession.
An own goal that Abib claimed as his own was followed by a fourth for Paultons but the plucky No Saints fought back as Abib scored a goal himself and Phil made it a nervy finish for the funfair people. Despite Paultons missing an open goal, we could have claimed a point had it not been for the post and a dodgy referee but all in all it was a good performance in our first game in League One.
Next up are Time for Heroes, who drew 5-5 with our fellow promotion friends Red Star Five.
Round One results:
Barracuda 3-3 Kickabouts
No Saints 3-4 Paultons
Red Star Five 5-5 Time For Heroes
No Saints are bottom of the table but with two other draws in the league, we’re not too far behind!
With Phil starting alongside myself, Dave and Jamie and with Aaron in goal, Paultons took a half time lead. We had every chance with it being only 1-0 at the break but they extended their lead to 3-0 in quick succession.
An own goal that Abib claimed as his own was followed by a fourth for Paultons but the plucky No Saints fought back as Abib scored a goal himself and Phil made it a nervy finish for the funfair people. Despite Paultons missing an open goal, we could have claimed a point had it not been for the post and a dodgy referee but all in all it was a good performance in our first game in League One.
Next up are Time for Heroes, who drew 5-5 with our fellow promotion friends Red Star Five.
Round One results:
Barracuda 3-3 Kickabouts
No Saints 3-4 Paultons
Red Star Five 5-5 Time For Heroes
No Saints are bottom of the table but with two other draws in the league, we’re not too far behind!
Swansea City 3-0 Northampton Town
The Cobblers were comfortably beaten in South Wales on Tuesday night and are now on a run of five straight league defeats without a goal scored. Two goals from Jason Scotland and one from Darren Pratley sealed the win and kept the Swans top of the table.
Ian Henderson was recalled to the starting line-up and partnered Andy Kirk up front with Poul Hubertz on the bench. Jason Crowe came through his injury scare to play while Guy Branston partnered Liam Dolman in the centre of defence.
Mark Hughes had the first real effort of the game but headed over the bar from an fifth minute corner from Danny Jackman before Jason Scotland headed wide at the other end in the home side’s first chance of the game.
The home side were in front on twenty minutes as Scotland controlled the ball and fired past Cobblers keeper Mark Bunn. It got worse for the Cobblers just a couple of minutes later as Darren Pratley finished well from the edge of the area, giving the home side a comfortable lead.
Just before half-time, Andy Kirk could have got us back into the game but Swansea keeper Dorus de Vries held the ball well. At the other end, Scotland broke clear but was denied by a fine save from Bunn.
At the start of the second half, Ryan Gilligan shot wide from long range as the Cobblers looked to find a way back into the game and the same player was denied by a deflection away for a corner. But that was the closest we would come in the game and Swansea would ease to victory with a third goal.
After Mark Bunn had saved from Paul Anderson, Guy Branston fouled Dennis Lawrence and Scotland struck his second goal of the game from the penalty spot.
Dean Bowditch replaced Colin Larkin late but the Ipswich Town loanee couldn’t help us find a way back into the game. Anderson was again denied by Bunn late on but the game ended 3-0 and the Cobblers suffered another defeat in League One to fall down to 19th in the table.
Ian Henderson was recalled to the starting line-up and partnered Andy Kirk up front with Poul Hubertz on the bench. Jason Crowe came through his injury scare to play while Guy Branston partnered Liam Dolman in the centre of defence.
Mark Hughes had the first real effort of the game but headed over the bar from an fifth minute corner from Danny Jackman before Jason Scotland headed wide at the other end in the home side’s first chance of the game.
The home side were in front on twenty minutes as Scotland controlled the ball and fired past Cobblers keeper Mark Bunn. It got worse for the Cobblers just a couple of minutes later as Darren Pratley finished well from the edge of the area, giving the home side a comfortable lead.
Just before half-time, Andy Kirk could have got us back into the game but Swansea keeper Dorus de Vries held the ball well. At the other end, Scotland broke clear but was denied by a fine save from Bunn.
At the start of the second half, Ryan Gilligan shot wide from long range as the Cobblers looked to find a way back into the game and the same player was denied by a deflection away for a corner. But that was the closest we would come in the game and Swansea would ease to victory with a third goal.
After Mark Bunn had saved from Paul Anderson, Guy Branston fouled Dennis Lawrence and Scotland struck his second goal of the game from the penalty spot.
Dean Bowditch replaced Colin Larkin late but the Ipswich Town loanee couldn’t help us find a way back into the game. Anderson was again denied by Bunn late on but the game ended 3-0 and the Cobblers suffered another defeat in League One to fall down to 19th in the table.
Tuesday, December 04, 2007
Swansea City (A) Preview
After four consecutive league defeats, a trip to face the league leaders away from home is the last thing we need as we try to steer clear of getting dragged into the pack at the foot of the League One table. The Cobblers will be looking to get something from the game to halt the poor run of form in the league following Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Walsall in the F.A. Cup.
The Cobblers have been dealt a double injury blow ahead of the trip to South Wales with both Jason Crowe and Poul Hubertz struggling to be fit for the game. Both players came off in the Walsall cup tie at the weekend and neither will know on their availability until late in the day. Dean Bowditch comes back into contention after sitting out of Saturday’s game because Ipswich wouldn’t allow him to play but Chris Doig and Giles Coke remain on the sidelines. Coke had been looking to make progress in his recovery but suffered a set-back last week and will is now another few weeks away from first team action.
Swansea captain Garry Monk will miss the game after he picked up five bookings and serves a one match ban against the Cobblers. Ferrie Bodde and Paul Anderson could return from thigh and knee injuries respectively while Darren Pratley and Marcos Painter will be hoping to shake off a flu bug that has been going around the Swansea camp.
THE STORY SO FAR…SWANSEA CITY IN 2007/08…
Swansea sit top of the table and are looking good to mount another promotion challenge this time around.
Swansea began the 2007/08 campaign with defeat at Oldham but quickly bounced back with a League Cup win over newly promoted Walsall and a good home draw with fellow promotion favourites Nottingham Forest. They saw off Walsall again, this time 3-1 in the league at the Bescott Stadium before ending August with a 1-0 home defeat to Premiership side Reading in the second round of the League Cup, Leroy Lita scoring the only goal in extra time.
September brought a mixed bag of results and started with a 2-1 home defeat to Doncaster Rovers. After beating Millwall in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy, late goals from Darryl Duffy and Paul Anderson gave them a 2-1 win over Carlisle United. This score line was repeated a week later as the Swans beat Cheltenham Town at Whaddon Road but a trip to Leeds ended in a 2-0 defeat. Swansea ended the month with a goalless draw at home to Brighton.
October was a superb month for the side as Roberto Martinez led his side to four straight wins to catapult them into the top six. A 2-1 home win over Swindon was followed by an incredible 5-0 success away at Leyton Orient. After seeing off Wycombe in the JPT, they won big away from home again, this time 4-1 at Bournemouth, and then claimed a 2-1 victory at Yeovil as Jason Scotland and Ferrie Bodde scored the goals.
This run of success was followed by two draws, at home to Gillingham and away at Millwall but they were soon back to winning ways. After seeing off non league Billericay in the F.A. Cup, they beat Yeovil in the JPT to progress into the area semi finals. Back in the league, there was a slight set back as Huddersfield won 1-0 at the Liberty Stadium but City responded with single goal wins at Tranmere and at home to Hartlepool United.
Last weekend, Horsham held the Swans to a 1-1 draw in the F.A. Cup Second Round but they will face a third non league outfit, Havant and Waterlooville, should they progress through the replay.
RECENT MEETINGS…
24/03/07: SWANSEA 2-1 COBBLERS
Brad Johnson hits a goal of the season contender in the first five minutes to give the Cobblers the lead but Swansea score on the stroke of half time through giant defender Dennis Lawrence. A minute after the break, the home side grabbed what turned out to be the winner as Andy Robinson scored following a quick break away.
28/10/06: COBBLERS 1-0 SWANSEA
The Cobblers finally record their first home win of the season thanks to a Luke Chambers volley in the 55th minute.
19/03/05: COBBLERS 2-2 SWANSEA
With both sides chasing promotion from League Two, Paul Connor puts the visitors in front. Goals from Martin Smith and Andy Kirk turn the game in the Cobblers’ favour but Lee Trundle rescues a point with twenty minutes to go.
07/08/04: SWANSEA 0-2 COBBLERS
In the opening game of the 2004/05 season, Scott McGleish outs us into the lead after just three minutes before an own goal from Sam Ricketts seals the perfect start to the season in our last ever visit to the Vetch Field.
24/04/04: SWANSEA 0-2 COBBLERS
A double from Eric Sabin the first half sends the Cobblers on the way to victory at the Vetch Field and proves to be a vital win in the race for the League Two playoffs.
17/11/03: COBBLERS 2-1 SWANSEA
Loanee Richard Walker heads the Cobblers into the lead in front of the Sky Sports cameras before Leon Britton equalises just after half time. But Martin Smith produces a moment of magic to give us victory ten minutes later.
FOR THE RECORD…SWANS v COBBLERS…
GAMES PLAYED: 51
SWANSEA WINS: 22
DRAWS: 12
COBBLERS WINS: 17
The Cobblers have been dealt a double injury blow ahead of the trip to South Wales with both Jason Crowe and Poul Hubertz struggling to be fit for the game. Both players came off in the Walsall cup tie at the weekend and neither will know on their availability until late in the day. Dean Bowditch comes back into contention after sitting out of Saturday’s game because Ipswich wouldn’t allow him to play but Chris Doig and Giles Coke remain on the sidelines. Coke had been looking to make progress in his recovery but suffered a set-back last week and will is now another few weeks away from first team action.
Swansea captain Garry Monk will miss the game after he picked up five bookings and serves a one match ban against the Cobblers. Ferrie Bodde and Paul Anderson could return from thigh and knee injuries respectively while Darren Pratley and Marcos Painter will be hoping to shake off a flu bug that has been going around the Swansea camp.
THE STORY SO FAR…SWANSEA CITY IN 2007/08…
Swansea sit top of the table and are looking good to mount another promotion challenge this time around.
Swansea began the 2007/08 campaign with defeat at Oldham but quickly bounced back with a League Cup win over newly promoted Walsall and a good home draw with fellow promotion favourites Nottingham Forest. They saw off Walsall again, this time 3-1 in the league at the Bescott Stadium before ending August with a 1-0 home defeat to Premiership side Reading in the second round of the League Cup, Leroy Lita scoring the only goal in extra time.
September brought a mixed bag of results and started with a 2-1 home defeat to Doncaster Rovers. After beating Millwall in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy, late goals from Darryl Duffy and Paul Anderson gave them a 2-1 win over Carlisle United. This score line was repeated a week later as the Swans beat Cheltenham Town at Whaddon Road but a trip to Leeds ended in a 2-0 defeat. Swansea ended the month with a goalless draw at home to Brighton.
October was a superb month for the side as Roberto Martinez led his side to four straight wins to catapult them into the top six. A 2-1 home win over Swindon was followed by an incredible 5-0 success away at Leyton Orient. After seeing off Wycombe in the JPT, they won big away from home again, this time 4-1 at Bournemouth, and then claimed a 2-1 victory at Yeovil as Jason Scotland and Ferrie Bodde scored the goals.
This run of success was followed by two draws, at home to Gillingham and away at Millwall but they were soon back to winning ways. After seeing off non league Billericay in the F.A. Cup, they beat Yeovil in the JPT to progress into the area semi finals. Back in the league, there was a slight set back as Huddersfield won 1-0 at the Liberty Stadium but City responded with single goal wins at Tranmere and at home to Hartlepool United.
Last weekend, Horsham held the Swans to a 1-1 draw in the F.A. Cup Second Round but they will face a third non league outfit, Havant and Waterlooville, should they progress through the replay.
RECENT MEETINGS…
24/03/07: SWANSEA 2-1 COBBLERS
Brad Johnson hits a goal of the season contender in the first five minutes to give the Cobblers the lead but Swansea score on the stroke of half time through giant defender Dennis Lawrence. A minute after the break, the home side grabbed what turned out to be the winner as Andy Robinson scored following a quick break away.
28/10/06: COBBLERS 1-0 SWANSEA
The Cobblers finally record their first home win of the season thanks to a Luke Chambers volley in the 55th minute.
19/03/05: COBBLERS 2-2 SWANSEA
With both sides chasing promotion from League Two, Paul Connor puts the visitors in front. Goals from Martin Smith and Andy Kirk turn the game in the Cobblers’ favour but Lee Trundle rescues a point with twenty minutes to go.
07/08/04: SWANSEA 0-2 COBBLERS
In the opening game of the 2004/05 season, Scott McGleish outs us into the lead after just three minutes before an own goal from Sam Ricketts seals the perfect start to the season in our last ever visit to the Vetch Field.
24/04/04: SWANSEA 0-2 COBBLERS
A double from Eric Sabin the first half sends the Cobblers on the way to victory at the Vetch Field and proves to be a vital win in the race for the League Two playoffs.
17/11/03: COBBLERS 2-1 SWANSEA
Loanee Richard Walker heads the Cobblers into the lead in front of the Sky Sports cameras before Leon Britton equalises just after half time. But Martin Smith produces a moment of magic to give us victory ten minutes later.
FOR THE RECORD…SWANS v COBBLERS…
GAMES PLAYED: 51
SWANSEA WINS: 22
DRAWS: 12
COBBLERS WINS: 17
Monday, December 03, 2007
F.A. Cup Third Round Draw
The Cobblers will play Millwall in the F.A. Cup Third Round if we can see off Walsall in the Second Round replay next week. Andy Kirk’s goal on Saturday earned us a place in yesterday’s draw and should we make progress in the replay at The Bescott Stadium we will host Millwall twice in a week.
In a bizarre twist of the fixture list once again, for the second time in as many months The Cobblers face the possibility of hosting the same fixture twice in a week. Last week, we played Walsall at home in the league and were then drawn at home to the Saddlers in the F.A. Cup and we now know that should we come through next week we will play Millwall in the league on New Year’s Day before hosting them in the cup just a few days later!
Another point is that victory against Walsall in the replay will mean that the much anticipated trip to Leeds on January 5th will have to be rearranged for later in the season.
In a bizarre twist of the fixture list once again, for the second time in as many months The Cobblers face the possibility of hosting the same fixture twice in a week. Last week, we played Walsall at home in the league and were then drawn at home to the Saddlers in the F.A. Cup and we now know that should we come through next week we will play Millwall in the league on New Year’s Day before hosting them in the cup just a few days later!
Another point is that victory against Walsall in the replay will mean that the much anticipated trip to Leeds on January 5th will have to be rearranged for later in the season.
Northampton Town 1-1 Walsall
The Cobblers remain in the F.A. Cup thanks to Andy Kirk’s equalising goal on Saturday. Tommy Mooney had Walsall in front after just a couple of minutes but Kirks’ finish just five minutes later means that at least we made it into the draw for Round Three.
Dean Bowditch was ineligible to play in the cup tie so Poul Hubertz kept his place in the starting line-up alongside Kirk up front. Guy Branston was dropped in favour of Liam Dolman while Ryan Gilligan also came in for Joe Burnell.
Walsall were ahead with the first real attack of the game and Tommy Mooney’s low shot past Mark Bunn meant that the Cobblers were on the back foot from the very off.
But just a few minutes later, the scores were level as Kirk found space in the area following a Hubertz knock down and the club’s leading scorer fired home from just inside the penalty area.
Kirk could have put the Cobblers ahead but his volley from the edge of the area sailed wide before Mark Bunn had to be at his best to spectacularly tip a shot from Darren Wrack onto the post.
The game remained a stalemate up until the break with both sides frustrating each other in front of goal.
Walsall substitute Paul Hall shot wide just after the hour mark as the Saddlers looked to complete a quick fire double win over the Cobblers before Ian Henderson made his return from injury as he replaced Poul Hubertz.
In a game of few chances, Anthony Gerrard’s header over the bar and Andy Kirk’s header from an Andy Holt cross went wide but the game ended all square and the sides but meet for the third time in a matter of weeks in the replay next week.
Dean Bowditch was ineligible to play in the cup tie so Poul Hubertz kept his place in the starting line-up alongside Kirk up front. Guy Branston was dropped in favour of Liam Dolman while Ryan Gilligan also came in for Joe Burnell.
Walsall were ahead with the first real attack of the game and Tommy Mooney’s low shot past Mark Bunn meant that the Cobblers were on the back foot from the very off.
But just a few minutes later, the scores were level as Kirk found space in the area following a Hubertz knock down and the club’s leading scorer fired home from just inside the penalty area.
Kirk could have put the Cobblers ahead but his volley from the edge of the area sailed wide before Mark Bunn had to be at his best to spectacularly tip a shot from Darren Wrack onto the post.
The game remained a stalemate up until the break with both sides frustrating each other in front of goal.
Walsall substitute Paul Hall shot wide just after the hour mark as the Saddlers looked to complete a quick fire double win over the Cobblers before Ian Henderson made his return from injury as he replaced Poul Hubertz.
In a game of few chances, Anthony Gerrard’s header over the bar and Andy Kirk’s header from an Andy Holt cross went wide but the game ended all square and the sides but meet for the third time in a matter of weeks in the replay next week.
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