The Cobblers welcome Crewe Alexandra to town tomorrow afternoon (3pm) as we try to close the gap a bit more on the top six. Any sort of win will do for Stuart Gray’s men at the start of what could be an exciting run-in for the club. But Crewe will be wanting desperately to get back to winning ways following the midweek defeat at home to high flying Carlisle United.
Stuart Gray is still without skipper Chris Doig who suffered a re-occurrence of his hamstring injury in the reserve team draw with Grays Athletic on Tuesday night. Alex Dyer, Brett Johnson and Colin Larkin all miss out through injury as well but we could name an unchanged side to the one that took home three points from Hartlepool last week.
Danny Woodards is back in the Crewe squad but may have to settle for a place on the bench due to the good form of George Abbey in recent weeks. Ben Rix, Billy Jones and Neil Cox are long term absentees for the Railwaymen.
Friday, February 29, 2008
Thursday, February 28, 2008
No Saints 4-7 Rat Madrid
It was a poor start to the new season last night as No Saints went down to the League Three champions of last season, Rat Madrid.
Abib, Andy and Tim were all missing from the squad but we stormed into a 3-0 lead in the opening ten minutes with a goal from Dave, one from Phil and an own goal. But Madrid came back and managed to turn the game around in quick fashion as their goalkeeper scored via a deflection and then four more went in to stun the whites.
We pulled one back through Jamie to make it 5-4 but late goals put pay to any plans to start the new season in style and we fell to defeat.
Abib, Andy and Tim were all missing from the squad but we stormed into a 3-0 lead in the opening ten minutes with a goal from Dave, one from Phil and an own goal. But Madrid came back and managed to turn the game around in quick fashion as their goalkeeper scored via a deflection and then four more went in to stun the whites.
We pulled one back through Jamie to make it 5-4 but late goals put pay to any plans to start the new season in style and we fell to defeat.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
The Midweek Review...27/02/08...
Cautious optimism is sweeping around Sixfields at the moment as momentum begins to build ahead of this weekend’s visit of Crewe. The Cobblers remain six points off a playoff spot and a win over the Railwaymen would be a massive step in signalling our intentions for the final furlong of the season.
Hartlepool away on a Friday night is not the most attractive of fixtures on the list to say the least and not many of the hardy 200 or so souls that travelled north on Friday would have expected all three points. But another super sub appearance from Giles Coke and a fine save at the end from Bunny gave us a vital win up north.
The optimism has set in amongst the claret faithful and with Oldham and Swindon handily drawing one of their games in hand against each other last night we remain in tenth place and with an outside shout of, yes, the playoffs.
To even be in this position is a massive credit to Stuart Gray and the team who have quietly built up a road of recovery following the mid-season blues. After Town went on a run of seven without a win in November and early December we had to look down the table and expect another nervy second half of the season.
But the return to fitness of Coke, the superb free signing of Bayo and the genius switch to midfield for Danny Jackman have all contributed to us being in a strong position despite those games in hand that others have on us. If we can go to fifth placed Walsall next week within earshot of them it will make for an exciting afternoon at the Bescott.
But before that, we must overturn Crewe, a tricky opposition despite their position in the bottom four at present. Nicky Maynard will cause problems if he’s on form but if we’re anywhere near the standard of the last home game- the thumping of Gillingham- we will stand a very good chance of what would arguably be our most important victory of the campaign so far. It may “only be Crewe” but the possible meaning of victory that could take us into nosebleed territory is tantalising!
We must learn from the past and really get at Crewe. There’s been so many times in previous seasons where we’ve shown glimpses of pushing on but suffered a silly defeat that let us down. A win on Saturday would show a lot of the Cobblers faithful that the momentum we’re building quietly could bring some unbelievable excitement come May.
Looking at it realistically we will be hard pushed to make the top six. Plenty of teams have games in hand around us and it’s still going to take a massive points haul over the final couple of months to get there. It remains to be seen whether we can surprise people some more and actually knock on that playoff door. There may be no answer this time around but if we can give it a real go then there will be real hope for 08/09.
If everyone starts to believe we can make it, from players to fans, we all know that we can pull together to create a superb atmosphere about the club. Let’s start with Crewe on Saturday and really get this bandwagon going!
Up The Cobblers!
Danny
Hartlepool away on a Friday night is not the most attractive of fixtures on the list to say the least and not many of the hardy 200 or so souls that travelled north on Friday would have expected all three points. But another super sub appearance from Giles Coke and a fine save at the end from Bunny gave us a vital win up north.
The optimism has set in amongst the claret faithful and with Oldham and Swindon handily drawing one of their games in hand against each other last night we remain in tenth place and with an outside shout of, yes, the playoffs.
To even be in this position is a massive credit to Stuart Gray and the team who have quietly built up a road of recovery following the mid-season blues. After Town went on a run of seven without a win in November and early December we had to look down the table and expect another nervy second half of the season.
But the return to fitness of Coke, the superb free signing of Bayo and the genius switch to midfield for Danny Jackman have all contributed to us being in a strong position despite those games in hand that others have on us. If we can go to fifth placed Walsall next week within earshot of them it will make for an exciting afternoon at the Bescott.
But before that, we must overturn Crewe, a tricky opposition despite their position in the bottom four at present. Nicky Maynard will cause problems if he’s on form but if we’re anywhere near the standard of the last home game- the thumping of Gillingham- we will stand a very good chance of what would arguably be our most important victory of the campaign so far. It may “only be Crewe” but the possible meaning of victory that could take us into nosebleed territory is tantalising!
We must learn from the past and really get at Crewe. There’s been so many times in previous seasons where we’ve shown glimpses of pushing on but suffered a silly defeat that let us down. A win on Saturday would show a lot of the Cobblers faithful that the momentum we’re building quietly could bring some unbelievable excitement come May.
Looking at it realistically we will be hard pushed to make the top six. Plenty of teams have games in hand around us and it’s still going to take a massive points haul over the final couple of months to get there. It remains to be seen whether we can surprise people some more and actually knock on that playoff door. There may be no answer this time around but if we can give it a real go then there will be real hope for 08/09.
If everyone starts to believe we can make it, from players to fans, we all know that we can pull together to create a superb atmosphere about the club. Let’s start with Crewe on Saturday and really get this bandwagon going!
Up The Cobblers!
Danny
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
No Saints vs Rat Madrid Preview...
No Saints begin the new season tomorrow with a game against last seasons' League Three champions Rat Madrid. With ourselves being relegated last time out it'll be an interesting tie against a side promoted from the basement league.
With five new teams to pit our wits against it'll be good to get going in the new league despite the disappointment of relegation. Abib, Andy and Will could return to the squad after missing out last week in the friendly game that ended the season. Elsewhere, Aaron looks set to continue on pitch after his recent hand injury keeps him out of goal.
So the new season is quickly upon us as we look to bounce back straight away from the disappointment of the drop back to League Two.
With five new teams to pit our wits against it'll be good to get going in the new league despite the disappointment of relegation. Abib, Andy and Will could return to the squad after missing out last week in the friendly game that ended the season. Elsewhere, Aaron looks set to continue on pitch after his recent hand injury keeps him out of goal.
So the new season is quickly upon us as we look to bounce back straight away from the disappointment of the drop back to League Two.
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Hartlepool United 0-1 Northampton Town
The Cobblers were unchanged from last weekend’s 4-0 win over Gillingham and it was Poul Hubertz who had the best early chance. Jason Crowe pulled the ball back but Hubertz shot over the bar.
On a windy evening in the north, chances were few and far between but Ryan Gilligan came close to giving us the lead on the half hour mark but his shot was tipped wide by home keeper Jan Budtz. At the other end, Alan Thompson shot over the bar for the home side.
In the second half, it was a similarly frustrating story in front of goal for both sides with Adebayo Akinfenwa having the best chance to put the Cobblers ahead with a near post effort before Ritchie Humphreys shot wide for the home side.
Giles Coke entered the action with around fifteen minutes to go and, just like last week, had an immediate impact. After Mark Little did well to win the ball, Coke picked it up 25 yards out and hit a low shot that slid under Budtz in the Hartlepool goal to give us a the lead.
After three minutes of injury time, Mark Bunn had to pull off a masterful save to tip a deflected Joel Porter shot around the post but we held on for a priceless victory and kept another clean sheet as the Cobblers continue on their impressive run of late.
The result leaves us tenth after today’s games and we’re in a strong position going into next weekend’s home game with Crewe.
On a windy evening in the north, chances were few and far between but Ryan Gilligan came close to giving us the lead on the half hour mark but his shot was tipped wide by home keeper Jan Budtz. At the other end, Alan Thompson shot over the bar for the home side.
In the second half, it was a similarly frustrating story in front of goal for both sides with Adebayo Akinfenwa having the best chance to put the Cobblers ahead with a near post effort before Ritchie Humphreys shot wide for the home side.
Giles Coke entered the action with around fifteen minutes to go and, just like last week, had an immediate impact. After Mark Little did well to win the ball, Coke picked it up 25 yards out and hit a low shot that slid under Budtz in the Hartlepool goal to give us a the lead.
After three minutes of injury time, Mark Bunn had to pull off a masterful save to tip a deflected Joel Porter shot around the post but we held on for a priceless victory and kept another clean sheet as the Cobblers continue on their impressive run of late.
The result leaves us tenth after today’s games and we’re in a strong position going into next weekend’s home game with Crewe.
Friday, February 22, 2008
Hartlepool United (a) Preview...
A Friday night trip to Hartlepool is next on the agenda for Stuart Gray’s side and the spirit in the camp should be back following the 4-0 win over Gillingham last weekend. There are one or two injury worries for Stuart Gray as the team head north but we will still fancy our chances of bringing home a result despite losing all three midweek away games so far this season.
Team News
Stuart Gray is waiting on the fitness of Adebayo Akinfenwa ahead of the game. The big man, who has scored four times in three appearances for the club since joining on a free transfer, is rated only as 50-50 for the game after injuring a knee ligament in the Gillingham win. Defenders Chris Doig and Brett Johnson are definitely missing from the squad through injury while midfielders Alex Dyer and Jonathon Hayes are also doubtful.
Hartlepool will be without defender Sam Collins who serves the third game of a four match suspension but Graeme Lee could make his debut. Michael Nelson returns from suspension at the back but James Brown and Ben Clark miss out with a knee ligament problem and a thigh strain respectively.
The Story So Far…Hartlepool United in 2007/08…
Newly promoted Hartlepool got off to a good start in their new surroundings of League One as they responded to an opening day defeat at Luton by winning 2-1 at home to Doncaster and 2-0 at Port Vale.
Goals from Ian Moore, James Brown, Richard Barker and Joel Porter gave the Monkey Hangers a 4-1 win over Oldham to kick start September but they were then beaten at Leeds and held by Swindon. United beat Leyton Orient 4-2 at Brisbane Road but ended the month with a 1-0 home defeat to Walsall.
October began with a 2-2 home draw with Carlisle as Michael Mackay scored a late equaliser. They were beaten at Nottingham Forest (2-1) before seeing off Bristol Rovers by the single goal at Victoria Park. The month ended with defeat as Brighton took the points home in a 2-1 success.
Hartlepool started November at Millwall and a goal from Anthony Sweeney won them the game. A 2-0 defeat at Huddersfield was followed by a draw with Bournemouth away. November ended with two defeats at Gillingham (2-1) and Swansea (1-0).
There was a turn of fortune at the start of December as United saw off Tranmere Rovers 3-1 in a big win at home before an inconsistent month saw a defeat at Yeovil (3-1), victory at home to Crewe (3-0) and a loss at Swindon (2-1). Hartlepool lost out to a late equaliser at home to Leeds on Boxing Day as Jermaine Beckford grabbed the Elland Road club a point before 2007 ended with a draw at home to Leyton Orient.
In their opening game of 2008, Hartlepool lost out 4-2 at Carlisle United before a disappointing home defeat to Cheltenham left them still looking for their first win of the year. This came in dramatic style though as Southend were beaten 4-3 in stoppage time at Victoria Park. January ended with defeat at Doncaster (2-0).
Luton were brushed aside 4-0 at the start of this month as Ritchie Barker struck twice to ease Pool to victory but Southend got their revenge a week later with a 2-1 win at Roots Hall. Hartlepool beat Port Vale 3-2 in another dramatic home game that saw them come from 2-1 down with three minutes to go to win it. Last week, a goal from Joel Porter earned the side a point at Cheltenham, leaving them in 16th place in League One.
Recent Meetings…
12/01/08: COBBLERS 1-1 HARTLEPOOL
Liam Dolman scores his first goal in professional football but the Cobblers have to settle for a point as Ben Clark equalised just before half time.
04/03/00: HARTLEPOOL 2-1 COBBLERS
Paul Stephenson and Graeme Lee give Hartlepool the lead and a Carlo Corazzin strike isn't enough to give us anything from the game.
11/09/99: COBBLERS 2-1 HARTLEPOOL
Tommy Miller puts United in front in the first half but Steve Howard scores twice in the second half to turn the game in our favour.
25/01/97: COBBLERS 3-0 HARTLEPOOL
Neil Grayson scores a hat trick in four minutes either side of half time to ease the Cobblers to victory in the Wembley season of 1997.
29/10/96: HARTLEPOOL 0-2 COBBLERS
Neil Grayson scores in the first minute at Victoria Park before Sean Parrish adds a second in the 22nd minute to hand The Cobblers a good win away from home.
Form Guide (Last Six Games)
Hartlepool: DWLWLW
Cobblers: WLDDWW
For The Record…Pool v Cobblers…
GAMES PLAYED: 57
HARTLEPOOL WINS: 20
DRAWS: 14
COBBLERS WINS: 23
Team News
Stuart Gray is waiting on the fitness of Adebayo Akinfenwa ahead of the game. The big man, who has scored four times in three appearances for the club since joining on a free transfer, is rated only as 50-50 for the game after injuring a knee ligament in the Gillingham win. Defenders Chris Doig and Brett Johnson are definitely missing from the squad through injury while midfielders Alex Dyer and Jonathon Hayes are also doubtful.
Hartlepool will be without defender Sam Collins who serves the third game of a four match suspension but Graeme Lee could make his debut. Michael Nelson returns from suspension at the back but James Brown and Ben Clark miss out with a knee ligament problem and a thigh strain respectively.
The Story So Far…Hartlepool United in 2007/08…
Newly promoted Hartlepool got off to a good start in their new surroundings of League One as they responded to an opening day defeat at Luton by winning 2-1 at home to Doncaster and 2-0 at Port Vale.
Goals from Ian Moore, James Brown, Richard Barker and Joel Porter gave the Monkey Hangers a 4-1 win over Oldham to kick start September but they were then beaten at Leeds and held by Swindon. United beat Leyton Orient 4-2 at Brisbane Road but ended the month with a 1-0 home defeat to Walsall.
October began with a 2-2 home draw with Carlisle as Michael Mackay scored a late equaliser. They were beaten at Nottingham Forest (2-1) before seeing off Bristol Rovers by the single goal at Victoria Park. The month ended with defeat as Brighton took the points home in a 2-1 success.
Hartlepool started November at Millwall and a goal from Anthony Sweeney won them the game. A 2-0 defeat at Huddersfield was followed by a draw with Bournemouth away. November ended with two defeats at Gillingham (2-1) and Swansea (1-0).
There was a turn of fortune at the start of December as United saw off Tranmere Rovers 3-1 in a big win at home before an inconsistent month saw a defeat at Yeovil (3-1), victory at home to Crewe (3-0) and a loss at Swindon (2-1). Hartlepool lost out to a late equaliser at home to Leeds on Boxing Day as Jermaine Beckford grabbed the Elland Road club a point before 2007 ended with a draw at home to Leyton Orient.
In their opening game of 2008, Hartlepool lost out 4-2 at Carlisle United before a disappointing home defeat to Cheltenham left them still looking for their first win of the year. This came in dramatic style though as Southend were beaten 4-3 in stoppage time at Victoria Park. January ended with defeat at Doncaster (2-0).
Luton were brushed aside 4-0 at the start of this month as Ritchie Barker struck twice to ease Pool to victory but Southend got their revenge a week later with a 2-1 win at Roots Hall. Hartlepool beat Port Vale 3-2 in another dramatic home game that saw them come from 2-1 down with three minutes to go to win it. Last week, a goal from Joel Porter earned the side a point at Cheltenham, leaving them in 16th place in League One.
Recent Meetings…
12/01/08: COBBLERS 1-1 HARTLEPOOL
Liam Dolman scores his first goal in professional football but the Cobblers have to settle for a point as Ben Clark equalised just before half time.
04/03/00: HARTLEPOOL 2-1 COBBLERS
Paul Stephenson and Graeme Lee give Hartlepool the lead and a Carlo Corazzin strike isn't enough to give us anything from the game.
11/09/99: COBBLERS 2-1 HARTLEPOOL
Tommy Miller puts United in front in the first half but Steve Howard scores twice in the second half to turn the game in our favour.
25/01/97: COBBLERS 3-0 HARTLEPOOL
Neil Grayson scores a hat trick in four minutes either side of half time to ease the Cobblers to victory in the Wembley season of 1997.
29/10/96: HARTLEPOOL 0-2 COBBLERS
Neil Grayson scores in the first minute at Victoria Park before Sean Parrish adds a second in the 22nd minute to hand The Cobblers a good win away from home.
Form Guide (Last Six Games)
Hartlepool: DWLWLW
Cobblers: WLDDWW
For The Record…Pool v Cobblers…
GAMES PLAYED: 57
HARTLEPOOL WINS: 20
DRAWS: 14
COBBLERS WINS: 23
Thursday, February 21, 2008
No Saints 3-6 Random new team (No Saints win 3-0 by default)
No Saints were beaten 6-3 last night by a new side to the league but because Kickabouts failed to show again we picked up a 3-0 win. The new boys took a while to settle and Dave scored his first goal of the season to give us the lead before I managed to double the advantage.
But our plucky opposition came back and despite a good show from stand in goalkeeper Jamie, they hit back to lead 4-2 before my second of the game made it 4-3. But we were eventually beaten 6-3 as we went for the goals that would give us a better “win” in the record books and pushed all four men forward including Jamie doing his best to emulate Jimmy Glass and Peter Schmeichal.
So a fond farewell to League One but we start again next week in a lower league with everything to play for. Our battling qualities and fresh faces in the squad give us a great chance of bouncing back next season in our one year anniversary season!
But our plucky opposition came back and despite a good show from stand in goalkeeper Jamie, they hit back to lead 4-2 before my second of the game made it 4-3. But we were eventually beaten 6-3 as we went for the goals that would give us a better “win” in the record books and pushed all four men forward including Jamie doing his best to emulate Jimmy Glass and Peter Schmeichal.
So a fond farewell to League One but we start again next week in a lower league with everything to play for. Our battling qualities and fresh faces in the squad give us a great chance of bouncing back next season in our one year anniversary season!
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
No Saints vs "Kickabout" Preview...
No Saints bow out of League One tonight with a game that was scheduled to be against Kickabouts. But last week, they dropped out, leaving us with no “real” opposition tonight. Instead, it will most likely be a friendly and we should get the automatic win that means we will finish off the bottom despite our relegation.
Abib, Andy and Will are all out while Jamie deputises for Aaron in goal who hurt his hands while getting his fingers to a shot in the warm up last week. Aaron will play out pitch for the first time in a couple of seasons while Tim continues to join the white army’s progress.
So whatever result we get tonight we should get the win barring a last minute rethink by Kickabouts and however many goals we score will be counted as a win by that number of goals.
Abib, Andy and Will are all out while Jamie deputises for Aaron in goal who hurt his hands while getting his fingers to a shot in the warm up last week. Aaron will play out pitch for the first time in a couple of seasons while Tim continues to join the white army’s progress.
So whatever result we get tonight we should get the win barring a last minute rethink by Kickabouts and however many goals we score will be counted as a win by that number of goals.
The Midweek Review...20/02/08...
So the anguish of the Yeovil defeat was swiftly forgotten at the weekend as Gillingham were swept aside at sunny Sixfields. Danny Jackman shone in a man of the match performance while big bad Bayo hit his third and fourth goal in under 90 minutes of football that he’s played in since joining the club.
Gillingham at home represented a good chance to get the wheels back in motion for the final push of the season but no-one would have been able to predict the ease in which we swept aside the team from the Priestfield.
Gillingham were poor, one of the worst sides many have seen us play this season and their loan striker, former Dim himself Simeon Jackson, hardly had a sniff. The Gills splashed out £150,000 on the villager a couple of weeks ago and Cobblers fans left completely satisfied that we instead went for the free transfer acquisition of Mr Akinfenwa.
Jackson’s only real activity involved missing a one on one with Bunn but he was offside anyway and that was the closest the Gills would get to excitement.
It was always going to be ours if we got the first goal and once Crowe had smashed us in front and Bayo had headed home just as we were sitting down from the first goal celebrations we were in cruise control. The second half saw Bayo score again, barging his defender out the way in the process and then his replacement Giles Coke scoring after just three minutes of his introduction.
The game was won and we had twenty minutes of more control with Hoobs missing an absolute sitter at one end and the Gillingham fans getting excited at a shot on goal at the other, prompting a conga line from their fans! Fair play to the travelling support for keeping morale high during the drubbing and rightfully lording the efforts of goalkeeper Simon Royce for keeping the score in single figures!
One man who shone more than others was former Gills man Danny Jackman who put in an outstanding performance in the middle of the park. Since his transition to midfield, the little man has grown by the week and he would have deserved his goal that was disallowed. It would have capped a tremendous afternoon and the visiting fans were left smarting at what they let go for free in the summer.
So it’s back to the top half and the “P Word” is being whispered softly now that the gap between ourselves and the bottom four is big enough for us to be able to breath fairly easily. The playoffs are six points away at the moment and though we shouldn’t get carried away with a lot of tough fixtures, particularly over Easter, to contend with we should certainly not be getting ahead of ourselves. But why not look up now that relegation fears are starting to disappear once more?
Hartlepool away is winnable and if we can win on Friday night, we could be an incredible three points off the top six come the end of the night ahead of Saturday’s games!
It’ll be a tough evening, particularly being a night game and with us having a minimal support up there but another performance like Saturdays will mean we’d be in with a great chance of bringing home three more precious points.
Up The Cobblers!
Danny
Gillingham at home represented a good chance to get the wheels back in motion for the final push of the season but no-one would have been able to predict the ease in which we swept aside the team from the Priestfield.
Gillingham were poor, one of the worst sides many have seen us play this season and their loan striker, former Dim himself Simeon Jackson, hardly had a sniff. The Gills splashed out £150,000 on the villager a couple of weeks ago and Cobblers fans left completely satisfied that we instead went for the free transfer acquisition of Mr Akinfenwa.
Jackson’s only real activity involved missing a one on one with Bunn but he was offside anyway and that was the closest the Gills would get to excitement.
It was always going to be ours if we got the first goal and once Crowe had smashed us in front and Bayo had headed home just as we were sitting down from the first goal celebrations we were in cruise control. The second half saw Bayo score again, barging his defender out the way in the process and then his replacement Giles Coke scoring after just three minutes of his introduction.
The game was won and we had twenty minutes of more control with Hoobs missing an absolute sitter at one end and the Gillingham fans getting excited at a shot on goal at the other, prompting a conga line from their fans! Fair play to the travelling support for keeping morale high during the drubbing and rightfully lording the efforts of goalkeeper Simon Royce for keeping the score in single figures!
One man who shone more than others was former Gills man Danny Jackman who put in an outstanding performance in the middle of the park. Since his transition to midfield, the little man has grown by the week and he would have deserved his goal that was disallowed. It would have capped a tremendous afternoon and the visiting fans were left smarting at what they let go for free in the summer.
So it’s back to the top half and the “P Word” is being whispered softly now that the gap between ourselves and the bottom four is big enough for us to be able to breath fairly easily. The playoffs are six points away at the moment and though we shouldn’t get carried away with a lot of tough fixtures, particularly over Easter, to contend with we should certainly not be getting ahead of ourselves. But why not look up now that relegation fears are starting to disappear once more?
Hartlepool away is winnable and if we can win on Friday night, we could be an incredible three points off the top six come the end of the night ahead of Saturday’s games!
It’ll be a tough evening, particularly being a night game and with us having a minimal support up there but another performance like Saturdays will mean we’d be in with a great chance of bringing home three more precious points.
Up The Cobblers!
Danny
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Northampton Town 4-0 Gillingham
The Cobblers bounced back in tremendous fashion yesterday as four goals put Gillingham to the sword at Sixfields. Adebayo Akinfenwa struck twice in his first start for the club while Jason Crowe and Giles Coke were also on the score sheet in a comfortable victory.
It was first visit to Sixfields of 2008 and I’d managed to once again coerce a friend into making the road trip up to Northampton as the early sunshine luckily stayed with us through the day. The drive up took under two hours and we were back in the homeland in good time for a breakfast and a quick wander around town.
Despite getting us lost in my own hometown en route to Sixfields, we made it in time and I was very grateful of that fact after Tuesday night’s late appearance at Huish Park! On the pitch, Stuart Gray made two changes from the Yeovil defeat as Akinfenwa was brought in for his first start and Joe Burnell started in place of the injured Brett Johnson.
The Cobblers set the tone for the afternoon and from the off looked the stronger side. Early chances went begging though as Akinfenwa had a shot cleared off the line during a goal mouth scramble and Ryan Gilligan was denied by goalkeeper Simon Royce went sent through on goal.
There was a flash point mid way through the half as already booked Adam Miller went in late on Ryan Gilligan but somehow stayed on the pitch.
The challenge seemed to wake up players and fans alike and we were ahead with just a minute to go of the half. Joe Burnell won the ball in midfield and set up Jason Crowe who blasted the ball home into the far corner past Royce.
Just as we were sitting down from the celebrations, Ryan Gilligan cross in for Akinfenwa to head home the second in as many minutes and we were in total control by half time.
Just ten minutes into the second half and it was game over as the Gillingham defence was brushed aside by Akinfenwa who lost his marker and finished well off both goal posts to hand us a 3-0 lead.
From then on it was a no contest as the visitors had no answer to the Cobblers and it wasn’t long before the fourth and final goal went in. Giles Coke, on as a substitute, had a shot deflected and the ball looped over Royce. Coke, who replaced Akinfenwa on the hour, shot left footed before the intervention from the Gills defender helped the ball on the way.
Danny Jackman had a goal ruled out for offside but his overall performance deserved a goal against his former side. Poul Hubertz was the put free one on one with Royce but the big man somehow blasted the ball over the roof of the south stand. He had another chance a few minutes later but despite keeping it low, this time Royce got a foot to it.
The Cobblers saw the game out though and will be hard pushed to have a more comfortable afternoon for the rest of the season. The result takes us up into the top half of the table again and leaves us six points off the playoffs and eleven clear of the bottom four going into Friday night’s trip to Hartlepool United.
It was first visit to Sixfields of 2008 and I’d managed to once again coerce a friend into making the road trip up to Northampton as the early sunshine luckily stayed with us through the day. The drive up took under two hours and we were back in the homeland in good time for a breakfast and a quick wander around town.
Despite getting us lost in my own hometown en route to Sixfields, we made it in time and I was very grateful of that fact after Tuesday night’s late appearance at Huish Park! On the pitch, Stuart Gray made two changes from the Yeovil defeat as Akinfenwa was brought in for his first start and Joe Burnell started in place of the injured Brett Johnson.
The Cobblers set the tone for the afternoon and from the off looked the stronger side. Early chances went begging though as Akinfenwa had a shot cleared off the line during a goal mouth scramble and Ryan Gilligan was denied by goalkeeper Simon Royce went sent through on goal.
There was a flash point mid way through the half as already booked Adam Miller went in late on Ryan Gilligan but somehow stayed on the pitch.
The challenge seemed to wake up players and fans alike and we were ahead with just a minute to go of the half. Joe Burnell won the ball in midfield and set up Jason Crowe who blasted the ball home into the far corner past Royce.
Just as we were sitting down from the celebrations, Ryan Gilligan cross in for Akinfenwa to head home the second in as many minutes and we were in total control by half time.
Just ten minutes into the second half and it was game over as the Gillingham defence was brushed aside by Akinfenwa who lost his marker and finished well off both goal posts to hand us a 3-0 lead.
From then on it was a no contest as the visitors had no answer to the Cobblers and it wasn’t long before the fourth and final goal went in. Giles Coke, on as a substitute, had a shot deflected and the ball looped over Royce. Coke, who replaced Akinfenwa on the hour, shot left footed before the intervention from the Gills defender helped the ball on the way.
Danny Jackman had a goal ruled out for offside but his overall performance deserved a goal against his former side. Poul Hubertz was the put free one on one with Royce but the big man somehow blasted the ball over the roof of the south stand. He had another chance a few minutes later but despite keeping it low, this time Royce got a foot to it.
The Cobblers saw the game out though and will be hard pushed to have a more comfortable afternoon for the rest of the season. The result takes us up into the top half of the table again and leaves us six points off the playoffs and eleven clear of the bottom four going into Friday night’s trip to Hartlepool United.
Friday, February 15, 2008
Gillingham (H) Preview...
The Cobblers host Gillingham tomorrow afternoon as we try to get back on track following Tuesday night’s 1-0 defeat at Yeovil. Stuart Gray is set to ring the changes ahead of the game after we came home from Somerset empty handed. In the reverse fixture a month ago, a free kick from Daniel Jones gave the Cobblers all three points at the Priestfield Stadium.
Team News
Stuart Gray has promised to make changes to his side after the Yeovil defeat and could bring in Adebayo Akinfenwa for his first start in a Cobblers shirt after the big front man didn’t come off the bench on Tuesday night. Brett Johnson and Mark Little are both struggling to be fit for the game with Little only rated at 50/50 after both defenders were taken off injured in mid-week.
Gillingham boss Mark Stimson has no fresh injury worries ahead of the trip to Sixfields. Nicky Southall has recovered from a back injury but midfielder Mark Bentley is still missing with an Achilles problem.
The Story so far…Gillingham in 2007/08…
The Gills were forced out of a game on Tuesday night as their meeting with Luton Town was postponed and the side dropped into the bottom four of the League One table.
The season began in poor fashion as the Gills lost all three of their games in August, going down to Cheltenham (1-0), Tranmere (2-0) and Luton (3-1).
But September brought their first win of the season as two goals from Gary Mulligan saw off newly promoted Walsall 2-1 at the Priestfield. Defeat at Southend was followed by another home win, this time against Brighton before The Gills were hammered 4-0 at Nottingham Forest. A 1-1 home draw with Leeds rounded off the month.
Home form continued to keep them going at the start of October as high flying Leyton Orient were beaten 3-1. A 5-0 hammering at Swindon was followed by a home draw with Millwall but the away form was still suffering as defeat at Carlisle meant that they still hadn’t recorded a win on the road. October ended with a 3-2 home win over Bristol Rovers as Chris Dickson’s goal in the 89th minute sealed the win.
November saw draws at Swansea and at home to Doncaster before they lost at Yeovil (2-1) and won at home to Hartlepool (2-1). Added to that was an F.A. Cup First Round defeat at League Two side Barnet.
On 4th December, the club finally recorded their first away win of the season as goals from Mark Bentley and two from Chris Dickson saw them win 3-2 at Crewe. Ironically, just as away form picked up, home form faltered as they lost 2-1 to Port Vale at the Priestfield. Defeat at Bournemouth and a draw with Southend on Boxing Day was followed by a morale-boosting end to 2007 as they beat Nottingham Forest 3-0.
2008 began with a goalless draw at Leyton Orient and after a couple of weeks’ break from league football, The Gills won 3-1 at Huddersfield Town. But The Cobblers became the first team to beat them in 2008 with a Daniel Jones free kick early on. A goalless draw with Oldham followed and then two defeats at Walsall and then at Tranmere left them in trouble at the end of January.
February began with another home stalemate, this time with Cheltenham and then Oldham beat them 2-1 at Boundary Park last weekend. The midweek postponement of the home game with Luton means that Stimson’s men are in the bottom four of League One.
Recent Meetings…
19/01/08: GILLINGHAM 0-1 COBBLERS
An early Daniel Jones free kick sealed the win for the Cobblers as the Wolves loan man struck a wonder goal to grab the points.
16/02/07: COBBLERS 1-1 GILLINGHAM
Dean McDonald gives the visitors the lead in on the hour but a goal four minutes from time from Cobblers loanee Jordan Robertson salvages a point for Stuart Gray’s side.
19/08/06: GILLINGHAM 0-1 COBBLERS
Andy Kirk’s first half goal gives the Cobblers all three points in the early days of last season.
24/08/04: GILLINGHAM 1-2 COBBLERS (League Cup First Round)
Eric Sabin and Scott McGleish put the Cobblers in front in the first half and a second half striker from Mamdy Sidibe isn’t enough to stop us from progressing.
13/02/99: COBBLERS 0-1 GILLINGHAM
Paul Smith’s goal at the start of the second half gives Gillingham the win at Sixfields.
Form Guide (Last six games)
COBBLERS: LDDWWW
GILLINGHAM: LDLLDL
For The Record…Cobblers v Gills…
GAMES PLAYED: 134
COBBLERS WINS: 46
DRAWS: 26
GILLINGHAM WINS: 62
Team News
Stuart Gray has promised to make changes to his side after the Yeovil defeat and could bring in Adebayo Akinfenwa for his first start in a Cobblers shirt after the big front man didn’t come off the bench on Tuesday night. Brett Johnson and Mark Little are both struggling to be fit for the game with Little only rated at 50/50 after both defenders were taken off injured in mid-week.
Gillingham boss Mark Stimson has no fresh injury worries ahead of the trip to Sixfields. Nicky Southall has recovered from a back injury but midfielder Mark Bentley is still missing with an Achilles problem.
The Story so far…Gillingham in 2007/08…
The Gills were forced out of a game on Tuesday night as their meeting with Luton Town was postponed and the side dropped into the bottom four of the League One table.
The season began in poor fashion as the Gills lost all three of their games in August, going down to Cheltenham (1-0), Tranmere (2-0) and Luton (3-1).
But September brought their first win of the season as two goals from Gary Mulligan saw off newly promoted Walsall 2-1 at the Priestfield. Defeat at Southend was followed by another home win, this time against Brighton before The Gills were hammered 4-0 at Nottingham Forest. A 1-1 home draw with Leeds rounded off the month.
Home form continued to keep them going at the start of October as high flying Leyton Orient were beaten 3-1. A 5-0 hammering at Swindon was followed by a home draw with Millwall but the away form was still suffering as defeat at Carlisle meant that they still hadn’t recorded a win on the road. October ended with a 3-2 home win over Bristol Rovers as Chris Dickson’s goal in the 89th minute sealed the win.
November saw draws at Swansea and at home to Doncaster before they lost at Yeovil (2-1) and won at home to Hartlepool (2-1). Added to that was an F.A. Cup First Round defeat at League Two side Barnet.
On 4th December, the club finally recorded their first away win of the season as goals from Mark Bentley and two from Chris Dickson saw them win 3-2 at Crewe. Ironically, just as away form picked up, home form faltered as they lost 2-1 to Port Vale at the Priestfield. Defeat at Bournemouth and a draw with Southend on Boxing Day was followed by a morale-boosting end to 2007 as they beat Nottingham Forest 3-0.
2008 began with a goalless draw at Leyton Orient and after a couple of weeks’ break from league football, The Gills won 3-1 at Huddersfield Town. But The Cobblers became the first team to beat them in 2008 with a Daniel Jones free kick early on. A goalless draw with Oldham followed and then two defeats at Walsall and then at Tranmere left them in trouble at the end of January.
February began with another home stalemate, this time with Cheltenham and then Oldham beat them 2-1 at Boundary Park last weekend. The midweek postponement of the home game with Luton means that Stimson’s men are in the bottom four of League One.
Recent Meetings…
19/01/08: GILLINGHAM 0-1 COBBLERS
An early Daniel Jones free kick sealed the win for the Cobblers as the Wolves loan man struck a wonder goal to grab the points.
16/02/07: COBBLERS 1-1 GILLINGHAM
Dean McDonald gives the visitors the lead in on the hour but a goal four minutes from time from Cobblers loanee Jordan Robertson salvages a point for Stuart Gray’s side.
19/08/06: GILLINGHAM 0-1 COBBLERS
Andy Kirk’s first half goal gives the Cobblers all three points in the early days of last season.
24/08/04: GILLINGHAM 1-2 COBBLERS (League Cup First Round)
Eric Sabin and Scott McGleish put the Cobblers in front in the first half and a second half striker from Mamdy Sidibe isn’t enough to stop us from progressing.
13/02/99: COBBLERS 0-1 GILLINGHAM
Paul Smith’s goal at the start of the second half gives Gillingham the win at Sixfields.
Form Guide (Last six games)
COBBLERS: LDDWWW
GILLINGHAM: LDLLDL
For The Record…Cobblers v Gills…
GAMES PLAYED: 134
COBBLERS WINS: 46
DRAWS: 26
GILLINGHAM WINS: 62
Thursday, February 14, 2008
No Saints 4-8 Red Star Five
No Saints were dramatically relegated from League One last night as Red Star got their revenge for us beating them in our last two meetings.
Abib and Andy returned from absences but Will was away. Tim returned to make it an 8 man squad but we were overpowered by an improved Red Star outfit. After our old foes took an early lead, Abib replied but Red Star were quick on the break and stormed into a 4-1 lead. I got one back for us but there was no stopping them getting away. Try as we might, we could never get back into the game and ended up losing 8-4.
Abib grabbed a hat-trick but it wasn’t enough and we were relegated with a game to spare, a disappointing run of 5 defeats in a row condemning us to League Two football again next season!
Abib and Andy returned from absences but Will was away. Tim returned to make it an 8 man squad but we were overpowered by an improved Red Star outfit. After our old foes took an early lead, Abib replied but Red Star were quick on the break and stormed into a 4-1 lead. I got one back for us but there was no stopping them getting away. Try as we might, we could never get back into the game and ended up losing 8-4.
Abib grabbed a hat-trick but it wasn’t enough and we were relegated with a game to spare, a disappointing run of 5 defeats in a row condemning us to League Two football again next season!
The Midweek Review...14/02/08...
A hectic week this week including moving house and travelling to Somerset for a random midweeker at Yeovil kept me busy as the Cobblers took one point from two tricky encounters in League One. We’re back in the bottom half following a 1-1 draw at home to Leeds and Tuesday’s agonising late defeat at Yeovil.
I was in the middle of moving house on Saturday as was gutted to miss out on the home game with Leeds. Their recent form may suggest that I could get an unexpected chance to get to it next season though if their current slump carries on. Big Bayo saved the day again and by all accounts it was a deserved result as we held onto our position in the top half.
That position was surrendered though on Tuesday night as we had a nightmare evening no and off the pitch. I had managed to persuade a couple of friends that Yeovil away was a suitable piece of entertainment for a Tuesday night, don’t ask me how, and we headed on the short journey from Southampton to the land of coider, ooh arrr.
The hotel we were staying in was suitable at the price was paid that worked out to around £13 each for the night and the staff seemed helpful enough in giving directions to Huish Park. A man at reception told us, in a quite brilliant Somerset accent, that all we had to do was “go straight down, over the roundabout and keep crossing the roundabouts, straight overrrrrrr”
So “straight overrrrrr” we went and we walked and walked some more. Setting off at 7pm would give us enough time to walk it as we were told it would take half an hour. 45 minutes later and we finally got to roundabout number one and after a couple more “straight overrrrrs” and a massive road at the side of the ground we arrived at 8:05 pm, missing the opening 20 minutes!
For the rest of the half we were under pressure but in the second it was a different story as we could well have won it. Had Jackman’s effort from an angle gone in or had Hoobs known where the goal was to direct his free header we could have won it and had that happened, the locals could have had no complaints.
But an injury time winner once again for Yeovil and we were left hanging our heads in the sparse away end. Around 200 Cobblers fans had travelled down and to be honest I think we deserved better than to have just THREE of our players applaud us at the end of the game. I had travelled just 90 minutes or so from Southampton, a pretty straight forward journey but for the other that had came from Northampton, some four hours up the road, it was disappointing that only Mark Hughes, Danny Jackman and Ryan Gilligan could be bothered to acknowledge us!
So a disappointing evening in Somerset but we have to hope that it’s a mere blot on the copy book and not the start of another poor run. Gillingham at home represents a good chance of points and this is the sort of game we have to be winning to steer clear of the lower reaches of the table once again.
Let’s hope that night in Yeovil is forgotten about with three points on Saturday!
Up The Cobblers!
Danny
I was in the middle of moving house on Saturday as was gutted to miss out on the home game with Leeds. Their recent form may suggest that I could get an unexpected chance to get to it next season though if their current slump carries on. Big Bayo saved the day again and by all accounts it was a deserved result as we held onto our position in the top half.
That position was surrendered though on Tuesday night as we had a nightmare evening no and off the pitch. I had managed to persuade a couple of friends that Yeovil away was a suitable piece of entertainment for a Tuesday night, don’t ask me how, and we headed on the short journey from Southampton to the land of coider, ooh arrr.
The hotel we were staying in was suitable at the price was paid that worked out to around £13 each for the night and the staff seemed helpful enough in giving directions to Huish Park. A man at reception told us, in a quite brilliant Somerset accent, that all we had to do was “go straight down, over the roundabout and keep crossing the roundabouts, straight overrrrrrr”
So “straight overrrrrr” we went and we walked and walked some more. Setting off at 7pm would give us enough time to walk it as we were told it would take half an hour. 45 minutes later and we finally got to roundabout number one and after a couple more “straight overrrrrs” and a massive road at the side of the ground we arrived at 8:05 pm, missing the opening 20 minutes!
For the rest of the half we were under pressure but in the second it was a different story as we could well have won it. Had Jackman’s effort from an angle gone in or had Hoobs known where the goal was to direct his free header we could have won it and had that happened, the locals could have had no complaints.
But an injury time winner once again for Yeovil and we were left hanging our heads in the sparse away end. Around 200 Cobblers fans had travelled down and to be honest I think we deserved better than to have just THREE of our players applaud us at the end of the game. I had travelled just 90 minutes or so from Southampton, a pretty straight forward journey but for the other that had came from Northampton, some four hours up the road, it was disappointing that only Mark Hughes, Danny Jackman and Ryan Gilligan could be bothered to acknowledge us!
So a disappointing evening in Somerset but we have to hope that it’s a mere blot on the copy book and not the start of another poor run. Gillingham at home represents a good chance of points and this is the sort of game we have to be winning to steer clear of the lower reaches of the table once again.
Let’s hope that night in Yeovil is forgotten about with three points on Saturday!
Up The Cobblers!
Danny
Yeovil Town 1-0 Northampton Town
The Cobblers were beaten for the first time in seven games this evening as a goal from Terry Skiverton earned Yeovil the points in stoppage time. It was the second time this season that the Glovers have beaten us in injury time and means that the Cobblers drop into the bottom half of the table.
It was a glorious day for a road trip and I’d managed to persuade two friends to make the journey from Southampton with me to Yeovil and take a couple of days off work to stand on a cold terrace in Somerset. The drive down was as picturesque as you’re likely to get and the rolling hills of the southwest provided a wonderful backdrop to the sunshine.
We arrived in Yeovil in good time and found out hotel, The Globetrotters, easily enough and parked up before enjoying our complementary free drink in the hotel bar. A quick bite to eat in a local Weatherspoons was followed by the walk to ground, something we were informed would take around half an hour by the hotel staff. It turned out to be a great deal longer.
Everyone we asked told us to keep going straight over roundabouts until we reached Huish Park but neither floodlights nor roundabouts came into view in half an hour of walking. Eventually a roundabout appeared but by this time it was 7:45 and kick off time! We were shattered from the walk and eventually got to the ground at around 8:05pm, some twenty minutes into the game! We were informed that the story of the game so far was two half chances for either side but the rest of the first half saw Yeovil on top and The Cobblers would have been the happier of the two sides going into the break.
As the second half began, we started to stamp our authority on the game and press forward a bit more than in the fifteen minutes we had seen of the first half!
Mark Little was replaced by Liam Dolman after the Wolves loan man was taken out in the first half, being “challenged” and ending up smashing into the advertising boards!
Our best effort so far (that we had seen anyway!) came when Poul Hubertz did well down the right hand side and sent in a deep cross that Danny Jackman did superbly well to get something on. He volleyed towards goal but just hit it over the bar from the angle.
We then had a couple of agonising moments in front of the Yeovil goal with crosses blazing across the penalty area but frustratingly not having anyone on the end of them. Hubertz then had a glorious chance to give us the lead with a free header from a free kick but he nodded the ball over.
But we were made to pay for missed chances and you could see what was coming deep into injury time when Yeovil won a corner. The ball wasn’t fully cleared and captain Terry Skiverton blasted the ball into the roof of the net past Bunn and a couple of Cobblers defenders.
We had no time to reply and that was that as the Glovers once again see us off in stoppage time. Next up is Gillingham at home and with the Cobblers slipping back into the bottom half, it’s a big game as we look to avoid slipping towards the bottom end of the table again in this topsey turvey season!
It was a glorious day for a road trip and I’d managed to persuade two friends to make the journey from Southampton with me to Yeovil and take a couple of days off work to stand on a cold terrace in Somerset. The drive down was as picturesque as you’re likely to get and the rolling hills of the southwest provided a wonderful backdrop to the sunshine.
We arrived in Yeovil in good time and found out hotel, The Globetrotters, easily enough and parked up before enjoying our complementary free drink in the hotel bar. A quick bite to eat in a local Weatherspoons was followed by the walk to ground, something we were informed would take around half an hour by the hotel staff. It turned out to be a great deal longer.
Everyone we asked told us to keep going straight over roundabouts until we reached Huish Park but neither floodlights nor roundabouts came into view in half an hour of walking. Eventually a roundabout appeared but by this time it was 7:45 and kick off time! We were shattered from the walk and eventually got to the ground at around 8:05pm, some twenty minutes into the game! We were informed that the story of the game so far was two half chances for either side but the rest of the first half saw Yeovil on top and The Cobblers would have been the happier of the two sides going into the break.
As the second half began, we started to stamp our authority on the game and press forward a bit more than in the fifteen minutes we had seen of the first half!
Mark Little was replaced by Liam Dolman after the Wolves loan man was taken out in the first half, being “challenged” and ending up smashing into the advertising boards!
Our best effort so far (that we had seen anyway!) came when Poul Hubertz did well down the right hand side and sent in a deep cross that Danny Jackman did superbly well to get something on. He volleyed towards goal but just hit it over the bar from the angle.
We then had a couple of agonising moments in front of the Yeovil goal with crosses blazing across the penalty area but frustratingly not having anyone on the end of them. Hubertz then had a glorious chance to give us the lead with a free header from a free kick but he nodded the ball over.
But we were made to pay for missed chances and you could see what was coming deep into injury time when Yeovil won a corner. The ball wasn’t fully cleared and captain Terry Skiverton blasted the ball into the roof of the net past Bunn and a couple of Cobblers defenders.
We had no time to reply and that was that as the Glovers once again see us off in stoppage time. Next up is Gillingham at home and with the Cobblers slipping back into the bottom half, it’s a big game as we look to avoid slipping towards the bottom end of the table again in this topsey turvey season!
Monday, February 11, 2008
Northampton Town 1-1 Leeds United
Adebayo Akinfenwa once again saved the Cobblers at the weekend with the equaliser against Leeds as we earned a well deserved point against Gary McAllister’s mn. Akinfenwa came off the bench for the second week in a row to snatch a draw and keep the team in the top half of the League One table.
Stuart Gray named an unchanged side from the 1-1 draw at Swindon with Giles Coke making the bench after missing the game at The County Ground. Gabor Gyepes also made his first appearance on the bench since signing on a deal until the end of the season. Former Cobbler Bradley Johnson started for the visitors.
The fist real effort on goal came from Ryan Gilligan fifteen minutes in as he attempted to lob Leeds keeper Casper Ankergren from distance but he got back in time to prvent us taking the early lead.
Mark Bunn saved well from Jermaine Beckford a couple of minutes later before Jonathon Hayes had a shot deflected wide at the other end.
But it was Leeds who found a way through first and it was Bradley Johnson who made the goal. Johnson crossed in for Jonathon Howson to volley into the net past Bunn at the near post.
So it was Leeds who went into the break on top but the Cobblers were showing a lot more invention than they did at Elland Road and looked threatening enough to suggest a fight back.
Ten minutes into the second half, Andy Holt was replaced by Adebayo Akinfenwa and his introduction changed the game for the second week in a row. His first act was to bustle past a group of Leeds defenders and power a shot just wide. Giles Coke then replaced Joe Burnell in midfield.
It was Coke who started the move that led to our deserved equaliser with around twenty minutes to go. Coke found Hayes with a long ball and the on loan midfielder set up Poul Hubertz. Hubertz then laid the ball on to Akinfenwa who scored at the second attempt for his second goal in two games.
Giles Coke went close to putting us in front with a volley before Beckford had a header cleared off the line by Brett Johnson in a nervy ending for both sides but the game ended in a draw and gave us another useful point as we exntend our unbeaten run to five games.
Next up is a trip to Yeovil on Tuesday night as we looked to cement a place in the top half of the table.
Stuart Gray named an unchanged side from the 1-1 draw at Swindon with Giles Coke making the bench after missing the game at The County Ground. Gabor Gyepes also made his first appearance on the bench since signing on a deal until the end of the season. Former Cobbler Bradley Johnson started for the visitors.
The fist real effort on goal came from Ryan Gilligan fifteen minutes in as he attempted to lob Leeds keeper Casper Ankergren from distance but he got back in time to prvent us taking the early lead.
Mark Bunn saved well from Jermaine Beckford a couple of minutes later before Jonathon Hayes had a shot deflected wide at the other end.
But it was Leeds who found a way through first and it was Bradley Johnson who made the goal. Johnson crossed in for Jonathon Howson to volley into the net past Bunn at the near post.
So it was Leeds who went into the break on top but the Cobblers were showing a lot more invention than they did at Elland Road and looked threatening enough to suggest a fight back.
Ten minutes into the second half, Andy Holt was replaced by Adebayo Akinfenwa and his introduction changed the game for the second week in a row. His first act was to bustle past a group of Leeds defenders and power a shot just wide. Giles Coke then replaced Joe Burnell in midfield.
It was Coke who started the move that led to our deserved equaliser with around twenty minutes to go. Coke found Hayes with a long ball and the on loan midfielder set up Poul Hubertz. Hubertz then laid the ball on to Akinfenwa who scored at the second attempt for his second goal in two games.
Giles Coke went close to putting us in front with a volley before Beckford had a header cleared off the line by Brett Johnson in a nervy ending for both sides but the game ended in a draw and gave us another useful point as we exntend our unbeaten run to five games.
Next up is a trip to Yeovil on Tuesday night as we looked to cement a place in the top half of the table.
Friday, February 08, 2008
Leeds United (H) Preview...
Leeds are the visitors this weekend to Sixfields and they’ll be wanting to get back to winning ways after a shaky couple of weeks. The departure of Denis Wise to Newcastle proved enough to put them off their good form but new man in charge Gary McAllister will be trying to turn things around and get the club back into the playoff places.
Team News
Mark Little plays his final game of the loan spell from Wolves but that deal could be extended following the game. Giles Coke could come back into contention after missing the Swindon game last week while Adebayo Akinfenwa will be pushing for a starting place after scoring at The County Ground and then again in the reserves’ 2-2 draw at Colchester on Tuesday.
Leeds goalkeeper Casper Ankergren is available again for the trip to Sixfields after recovering from a hip injury sustained in the 1-1 draw at Luton a couple of weeks ago. Meanwhile defender Rui Marques returns from international duty with Angola in the African Cup of Nations. Elsewhere, Neil Kilkenny and Frazer Richardson are struggling to be fit as Leeds visit Sixfields for the first time ever.
The Story So Far…Leeds United in 2007/08….
After a fifteen point points deduction before they even kicked a ball, Leeds were up against it from the off but have incredibly fought back to occupy a playoff place by the half way mark in the season.United stormed out of the blocks and won their opening seven League One games including a last gasp win at Nottingham Forest as the prolific Jermaine Beckford scored in the 89th minute to give them a City Ground win. The 100% start to the season was ended with a 1-1 draw at Gillingham but at least they were back onto plus points by mid September.At the start of October, Leeds beat Oldham 1-0 to continue their unbeaten run of form as Ian Westlake scored in stoppage time to seal the win.
Team News
Mark Little plays his final game of the loan spell from Wolves but that deal could be extended following the game. Giles Coke could come back into contention after missing the Swindon game last week while Adebayo Akinfenwa will be pushing for a starting place after scoring at The County Ground and then again in the reserves’ 2-2 draw at Colchester on Tuesday.
Leeds goalkeeper Casper Ankergren is available again for the trip to Sixfields after recovering from a hip injury sustained in the 1-1 draw at Luton a couple of weeks ago. Meanwhile defender Rui Marques returns from international duty with Angola in the African Cup of Nations. Elsewhere, Neil Kilkenny and Frazer Richardson are struggling to be fit as Leeds visit Sixfields for the first time ever.
The Story So Far…Leeds United in 2007/08….
After a fifteen point points deduction before they even kicked a ball, Leeds were up against it from the off but have incredibly fought back to occupy a playoff place by the half way mark in the season.United stormed out of the blocks and won their opening seven League One games including a last gasp win at Nottingham Forest as the prolific Jermaine Beckford scored in the 89th minute to give them a City Ground win. The 100% start to the season was ended with a 1-1 draw at Gillingham but at least they were back onto plus points by mid September.At the start of October, Leeds beat Oldham 1-0 to continue their unbeaten run of form as Ian Westlake scored in stoppage time to seal the win.
Another late winner, this time from Mark de Vries saw off Yeovil just four days later before Leyton Orient became only the second team to take points off them with a 1-1 draw at Elland Road. The month ended with victories over Brighton (1-0) and Millwall (4-2) and the club was in a good position going into November.
November began with Leeds’ first defeat of the season as they were beaten at Carlisle. Beckford put Leeds in front in the first half but goals from Simon Hackney, Joe Garner and Marc Bridge-Wilkinson sent them crashing to their first loss of the campaign. Bouncing back a week later with a 3-1 win at Bournemouth, they then went on to see off Swindon 2-1. The month ended with a surprise 1-0 defeat at strugglers Cheltenham Town.
As the winter set in through December, Leeds took seven points from their opening three games of the month, with wins over Port Vale and Huddersfield followed by a 1-1 draw at Walsall. A single Jonathon Howson goal late in the day was enough to see off Bristol Rovers before they left it late again on Boxing Day to draw at Hartlepool United. 2007 ended with a 3-2 reverse at fellow promotion chasers Swansea before a surprise 3-1 home defeat to Oldham began 2008.
The Cobblers were the victims of the club’s brief tun in fortunes in early January as goals from Frzer Richardson, Rui Marques and Curtis Weson eased them past Stuart Gray’s men. Next up was a 1-0 win at Crewe as Bradley Johnson made his debut and Jermaine Beckford headed home the winner live on Sky Sports. There followed a 1-0 home defeat to fellow promotion chasers Doncaster Rovers before a 1-1 draw at Luton.
Last time out…
In Gary McAllister’s first game in charge of the club last weekend, Leeds were beaten at home by Tranmere Rovers to knock them out of the top six. Jennison Myrie-Williams gave Rovers the lead on the hour before Ian Moore sealed the win against one of his former clubs.
Recent Meetings…
05/01/08: LEEDS 3-0 COBBLERS
Frazer Richardson fires the home side in front just before the break with a good run and powerful finish before second half goals from Rui Marques and substitute Curtis Weston complete a comfortable victory at Elland Road.
For The Record…Cobblers v United…
Games Played: 5
Cobblers Wins: 1
Draws: 1Leeds Wins: 3
The Cobblers were the victims of the club’s brief tun in fortunes in early January as goals from Frzer Richardson, Rui Marques and Curtis Weson eased them past Stuart Gray’s men. Next up was a 1-0 win at Crewe as Bradley Johnson made his debut and Jermaine Beckford headed home the winner live on Sky Sports. There followed a 1-0 home defeat to fellow promotion chasers Doncaster Rovers before a 1-1 draw at Luton.
Last time out…
In Gary McAllister’s first game in charge of the club last weekend, Leeds were beaten at home by Tranmere Rovers to knock them out of the top six. Jennison Myrie-Williams gave Rovers the lead on the hour before Ian Moore sealed the win against one of his former clubs.
Recent Meetings…
05/01/08: LEEDS 3-0 COBBLERS
Frazer Richardson fires the home side in front just before the break with a good run and powerful finish before second half goals from Rui Marques and substitute Curtis Weston complete a comfortable victory at Elland Road.
For The Record…Cobblers v United…
Games Played: 5
Cobblers Wins: 1
Draws: 1Leeds Wins: 3
Wednesday, February 06, 2008
No Saints 1-4 Barracuda
Another agonising night in front of goal for No Saints this evening as Barracuda took home the points. Abib and Andy were both missing so we drafted in Dave's brother in law, Sam, who made a very good cameo appearance and Tim also returned after missing out last week.
After the team turned up with too few players, it was one of the organisers of jdfives who stepped in to fill the hole and of course he scored the opening goal to put us behind. Barracuda added a second before Phil scored his fourth of the season after beating a couple of men to put us right back in the game before the break.
It looked like we could fight back and get something from the game but the killer touch was lacking and some good goalkeeping kept the score down. A rare mistake from Aaron in the No Saints goal handed them a 3-1 lead and that was the killer before Will's own goal made it 4-1 late on from a corner.
Encouraging signs though as we head into the final two games of the season with still a place in League One to fight for. Next up is a crunch relegation battle with Red Star Five next week.
After the team turned up with too few players, it was one of the organisers of jdfives who stepped in to fill the hole and of course he scored the opening goal to put us behind. Barracuda added a second before Phil scored his fourth of the season after beating a couple of men to put us right back in the game before the break.
It looked like we could fight back and get something from the game but the killer touch was lacking and some good goalkeeping kept the score down. A rare mistake from Aaron in the No Saints goal handed them a 3-1 lead and that was the killer before Will's own goal made it 4-1 late on from a corner.
Encouraging signs though as we head into the final two games of the season with still a place in League One to fight for. Next up is a crunch relegation battle with Red Star Five next week.
The Midweek Review...06/02/08...
As Leeds United descend on Sixfields this weekend in the first sell out of the season for the Cobblers, things couldn’t be going an awful lot better. A draw at Swindon, salvaged by Bayo’s header, was a step further in the right direction and now we face the test of Leeds once again as we look to restore some pride after last month’s 3-0 defeat at Elland Road.
Swindon was a typical mid-table clash if ever you saw one. Going into the game with The Robins in 10th and ourselves 11th it was never going to be a run away win for either side on paper and so it proved. The Cobblers started the game well and had Gilly’s early effort found the back of the net rather than the goalkeepers’ outstretched hand we certainly could have had some momentum.
With two evenly matched sides, it was disappointing to fall behind to a very soft goal at the near post from Blair Sturrock, formerly on trial at Sixfields and taking a rare break from following his Dad around the football league. It was looking desperate for us as we poured forward looking for the equaliser and had it not been for an outstanding block from Mark Little, who continues to impress at the back, it would have been game over even before Big Bad Bayo entered onto the County Ground stage.
But the debutant’s introduction was just what we needed and fair play to Stuart Gray for taking a gamble and throwing both him and Henderson on late on to try and press for the leveller. Bayo’s strength and shot forced the corner which he then headed home and earned the draw. We could even have won it late on if Jonathon Hayes, a lot more creative in the wider position, had blasted into the net and not over.
But it was a top point at a tough ground and one which doesn’t hold many successful recent memories for Cobblers fans.
Giles Coke was left out of Saturday’s game with a new injury problem but he looks on the way to recovery and could even make it to the Leeds game. Chris Doig looks a little further away it seems but Brett Johnson’s performances are certainly making up for the skipper’s absence.
The return against Leeds once again, an very annoyingly so, finds the Yorkshire Club on a poor run of form. New boss Gary McAllister will be wanting to put that right at the weekend so expect once again a fired up Leeds side. This time we’ll have Hoobs back, Bayo in contention and Coke maybe even getting in the side so it’ll be an altogether different look to the side that went down at Elland Road. Victory would surely ensure that we are nearly there in terms of safety barring an absolute disaster in the later months of the season.
After Leeds it’s on to Yeovil on what promises to be a cold night on the unforgiving open terrace. I’ve managed to persuade a couple of friends to make the journey with me from Southampton and a stop off in Yeovil over night provides this seasons’ random adventure away game!
But first things first and Leeds are on the horizon. Can we possibly get something from the game in a Sixfields sell out? I would suggest it’s very possible but we can’t afford to be anywhere near our performance level back in January. A good backing from the home crowd from the off and containing them early on will be what the doctor ordered and then maybe, just maybe, we’ll be sitting just two points away from our visitors come 5pm on Saturday!
Up the Cobblers!
Swindon was a typical mid-table clash if ever you saw one. Going into the game with The Robins in 10th and ourselves 11th it was never going to be a run away win for either side on paper and so it proved. The Cobblers started the game well and had Gilly’s early effort found the back of the net rather than the goalkeepers’ outstretched hand we certainly could have had some momentum.
With two evenly matched sides, it was disappointing to fall behind to a very soft goal at the near post from Blair Sturrock, formerly on trial at Sixfields and taking a rare break from following his Dad around the football league. It was looking desperate for us as we poured forward looking for the equaliser and had it not been for an outstanding block from Mark Little, who continues to impress at the back, it would have been game over even before Big Bad Bayo entered onto the County Ground stage.
But the debutant’s introduction was just what we needed and fair play to Stuart Gray for taking a gamble and throwing both him and Henderson on late on to try and press for the leveller. Bayo’s strength and shot forced the corner which he then headed home and earned the draw. We could even have won it late on if Jonathon Hayes, a lot more creative in the wider position, had blasted into the net and not over.
But it was a top point at a tough ground and one which doesn’t hold many successful recent memories for Cobblers fans.
Giles Coke was left out of Saturday’s game with a new injury problem but he looks on the way to recovery and could even make it to the Leeds game. Chris Doig looks a little further away it seems but Brett Johnson’s performances are certainly making up for the skipper’s absence.
The return against Leeds once again, an very annoyingly so, finds the Yorkshire Club on a poor run of form. New boss Gary McAllister will be wanting to put that right at the weekend so expect once again a fired up Leeds side. This time we’ll have Hoobs back, Bayo in contention and Coke maybe even getting in the side so it’ll be an altogether different look to the side that went down at Elland Road. Victory would surely ensure that we are nearly there in terms of safety barring an absolute disaster in the later months of the season.
After Leeds it’s on to Yeovil on what promises to be a cold night on the unforgiving open terrace. I’ve managed to persuade a couple of friends to make the journey with me from Southampton and a stop off in Yeovil over night provides this seasons’ random adventure away game!
But first things first and Leeds are on the horizon. Can we possibly get something from the game in a Sixfields sell out? I would suggest it’s very possible but we can’t afford to be anywhere near our performance level back in January. A good backing from the home crowd from the off and containing them early on will be what the doctor ordered and then maybe, just maybe, we’ll be sitting just two points away from our visitors come 5pm on Saturday!
Up the Cobblers!
Tuesday, February 05, 2008
No Saints vs Barracuda Preview...
No Saints begin their battle to get out of the relegation zone tomorrow evening as we take on Barracuda, who seem to be made up of anyone that fancies a game! So we hve no idea what the standard of play will be but they will be looking to field a strong side as they push for promotion.
For No Saints, Andy is still missing through international duty, something that rules Nathan out until April. We'll hopefully be at full strength other than that though as we fight for League One survival in the early kick off at 7pm.
For No Saints, Andy is still missing through international duty, something that rules Nathan out until April. We'll hopefully be at full strength other than that though as we fight for League One survival in the early kick off at 7pm.
Saturday, February 02, 2008
Swindon Town 1-1 Northampton Town
Adebayo Akinfenwa scored on his first full Cobblers appearance as The Cobblers battled back to earn a hard fought draw at Swindon. Akinfenwa, a second half substitute, has been battling to get fit since joining the club a couple of weeks ago and nodded the ball home late on to give us a share of the spoils.
It was bitterly cold heading out of Southampton on Saturday lunch time and it was a welcome relief to only have a couple of hours each way on my journey this time following my last away game up at Leeds which took ten hours in total travelling! The County Ground was walkable from the station and I arrived in good time for a couple of pre match beverages.
The Cobblers lined up without Giles Coke who picked up an injury in training on Friday so Andy Holt came into the side. New Swindon signing Simon Cox couldn’t play any part because the paperwork from the football league didn’t go through in time but he was still paraded around before kick off, to the slight annoyance of the strong following from Northampton!
Ryan Gilligan had the first chance of the game in the first couple of minutes as he latched onto a ball in from Holt and struck a good effort towards goal but the ball was parried away by home keeper Peter Brezovan.
Swindon’s best chance of the half came when Moses Ashikodi shrugged off Mark Hughes’ challenge down the left hand side and set up Blair Sturrock but the substitute, having come on early for the injured Barry Corr, blasted the ball over the bar.
But that was that for a pretty poor first half as the poor pitch conditions led to a stop-start game, not helped by the shocking referee, Mr Bratt and his two assistants. The Cobblers had certainly held their own though and looked the better side going forward.
It was the home side, though, who took the lead after about ten minutes of the second half in the softest possible manner. A long throw was met at the near post by Sturrock who poked the ball past Mark Bunn to send them a goal up.
The game sprang to life as the Cobblers desperately searched for the equaliser and Jonathon Hayes fired over with a right-footed shot before Adeybayo Akinfenwa came off the bench in place of Andy Holt to make his first appearance for the club.
Swindon looked like they were going to double their lead with twenty minutes to go but Mark Little made an outstanding block from Lee Peacock when it looked all the way like it was going to be game over. Brett Johnson then had a header cleared off the line from a corner.
But the Cobblers would get their equaliser with three minutes to go as Akinfenwa rose to meet a Danny Jackman corner and headed the ball home. In a frantic finale, both sides threw everything forward in search of a winner and Hayes blasted over at the far post but the game finally ended in a draw.
It was an overall battling display from the Cobblers and the never say die attitude shone through to claw ourselves back from a goal down in one of the more tricky away fixtures of the season. The result leaves us in eleventh place in the table and still a healthy nine points clear of the drop zone. We’re now, in fact, closer to the playoffs with seven points separating ourselves and Tranmere!
It was bitterly cold heading out of Southampton on Saturday lunch time and it was a welcome relief to only have a couple of hours each way on my journey this time following my last away game up at Leeds which took ten hours in total travelling! The County Ground was walkable from the station and I arrived in good time for a couple of pre match beverages.
The Cobblers lined up without Giles Coke who picked up an injury in training on Friday so Andy Holt came into the side. New Swindon signing Simon Cox couldn’t play any part because the paperwork from the football league didn’t go through in time but he was still paraded around before kick off, to the slight annoyance of the strong following from Northampton!
Ryan Gilligan had the first chance of the game in the first couple of minutes as he latched onto a ball in from Holt and struck a good effort towards goal but the ball was parried away by home keeper Peter Brezovan.
Swindon’s best chance of the half came when Moses Ashikodi shrugged off Mark Hughes’ challenge down the left hand side and set up Blair Sturrock but the substitute, having come on early for the injured Barry Corr, blasted the ball over the bar.
But that was that for a pretty poor first half as the poor pitch conditions led to a stop-start game, not helped by the shocking referee, Mr Bratt and his two assistants. The Cobblers had certainly held their own though and looked the better side going forward.
It was the home side, though, who took the lead after about ten minutes of the second half in the softest possible manner. A long throw was met at the near post by Sturrock who poked the ball past Mark Bunn to send them a goal up.
The game sprang to life as the Cobblers desperately searched for the equaliser and Jonathon Hayes fired over with a right-footed shot before Adeybayo Akinfenwa came off the bench in place of Andy Holt to make his first appearance for the club.
Swindon looked like they were going to double their lead with twenty minutes to go but Mark Little made an outstanding block from Lee Peacock when it looked all the way like it was going to be game over. Brett Johnson then had a header cleared off the line from a corner.
But the Cobblers would get their equaliser with three minutes to go as Akinfenwa rose to meet a Danny Jackman corner and headed the ball home. In a frantic finale, both sides threw everything forward in search of a winner and Hayes blasted over at the far post but the game finally ended in a draw.
It was an overall battling display from the Cobblers and the never say die attitude shone through to claw ourselves back from a goal down in one of the more tricky away fixtures of the season. The result leaves us in eleventh place in the table and still a healthy nine points clear of the drop zone. We’re now, in fact, closer to the playoffs with seven points separating ourselves and Tranmere!
Friday, February 01, 2008
Swindon Town (A) Preview
The Cobblers travel to Swindon tomorrow as the transfer window closes and we can finally get back to talking about events on the pitch! Former Cobblers loanee Simon Cox will come up against us after signing for Swindon last night and snubbing a move to Sixfields.
Team News
The Cobblers have no fresh injury worries ahead of the trip to The County Ground but Adebayo Akinfenwa came through 90 minutes in the reserves on Wednesday night so could play some part. Chris Doig remains the only long-term absentee for Stuart Gray whilst Brett Johnson is clear to play after signing a new deal until the end of the season.
Swindon signed Simon Cox yesterday, beating the Cobblers to his signature, and he should start the game after a successful loan spell in the first half of this season. Meanwhile, Phil Smith has returned to training after a hernia operation.
The Story So Far…Swindon Town in 2007/08…
Swindon sit a place above the Cobblers heading into tomorrow’s game as the newly promoted Robins look to have an outside chance of a playoff place.
The season began for Swindon at Sixfields where Andy Kirk gave us the perfect start to the season with a goal inside ten minutes. But a Christian Roberts penalty sent Swindon home with a point. They then went on to record four more points in August with a 2-1 win over Luton and a 1-1 draw at Cheltenham.
September started with a home draw with Crewe before they suffered their first league defeat, 1-0 at home to Yeovil. A 1-1 draw at Hartlepool was followed by a thumping 4-1 success at home to Bournemouth and the month ended with a 2-1 success at Millwall.
A 2-1 defeat at Swansea in early October started an inconsistent month. The Robins beat Gillingham 5-0 in their next game before seeing off Tranmere but ending the month with defeat at struggling Port Vale.
Next up was Doncaster at home and despite a goal from Simon Cox, Rovers went home with the points in a 2-1 win. After a home draw with Orient and defeat at Leeds, Swindon beat Bristol Rovers 1-0 to round off November.
December began with three defeats at the hands of Carlisle, Southend and Brighton but Swindon managed to turn the form around to take two wins and a draw against Hartlepool, Yeovil and Bournemouth respectively.
2008 started with a good point in a 1-1 draw at home to Swansea before another draw, this time at Walsall, 2-2. In one of the better results of the season, Swindon beat Nottingham Forest 2-1 at The County Ground before drawing at Crewe 0-0. On Tuesday night, they beat Luton 1-0 at Kenilworth Road to stay in contention for a playoff place.
Recent Meetings…
11/08/07: COBBLERS 1-1 SWINDON
Andy Kirk gives the Cobblers an early lead but Christian Roberts equalises before hitting the bar in an entertaining opening day draw at Sixfields.
08/03/03: COBBLERS 1-0 SWINDON
Paul Harsley scores the only goal of the game in a rare success in the Cobblers’ relegation season of 2003.
21/09/02: SWINDON 2-0 COBBLERS
In a comfortable win at The County Ground, Johnnie Jackson gets the ball rolling for the home side with a goal in the 31st minute before Sam Parkin rolls home a penalty to seal the win.
02/02/02: SWINDON 2-1 COBBLERS
An own goal from Marco Gabbiadini puts Swindon in front and Danny Invincible grabs the second just after the hour mark. Jamie Forrester gets a late consolation but it’s not enough to get us anything from the game.
29/09/01: COBBLERS 1-1 SWINDON
Giuliano Grazioli puts Swindon in front but Roy Hunter salvages a point for the Cobblers twenty minutes later.
For The Record…Swindon v Cobblers…
GAMES PLAYED: 125
SWINDON WINS: 55
DRAWS: 25
COBBLERS WINS: 45
Team News
The Cobblers have no fresh injury worries ahead of the trip to The County Ground but Adebayo Akinfenwa came through 90 minutes in the reserves on Wednesday night so could play some part. Chris Doig remains the only long-term absentee for Stuart Gray whilst Brett Johnson is clear to play after signing a new deal until the end of the season.
Swindon signed Simon Cox yesterday, beating the Cobblers to his signature, and he should start the game after a successful loan spell in the first half of this season. Meanwhile, Phil Smith has returned to training after a hernia operation.
The Story So Far…Swindon Town in 2007/08…
Swindon sit a place above the Cobblers heading into tomorrow’s game as the newly promoted Robins look to have an outside chance of a playoff place.
The season began for Swindon at Sixfields where Andy Kirk gave us the perfect start to the season with a goal inside ten minutes. But a Christian Roberts penalty sent Swindon home with a point. They then went on to record four more points in August with a 2-1 win over Luton and a 1-1 draw at Cheltenham.
September started with a home draw with Crewe before they suffered their first league defeat, 1-0 at home to Yeovil. A 1-1 draw at Hartlepool was followed by a thumping 4-1 success at home to Bournemouth and the month ended with a 2-1 success at Millwall.
A 2-1 defeat at Swansea in early October started an inconsistent month. The Robins beat Gillingham 5-0 in their next game before seeing off Tranmere but ending the month with defeat at struggling Port Vale.
Next up was Doncaster at home and despite a goal from Simon Cox, Rovers went home with the points in a 2-1 win. After a home draw with Orient and defeat at Leeds, Swindon beat Bristol Rovers 1-0 to round off November.
December began with three defeats at the hands of Carlisle, Southend and Brighton but Swindon managed to turn the form around to take two wins and a draw against Hartlepool, Yeovil and Bournemouth respectively.
2008 started with a good point in a 1-1 draw at home to Swansea before another draw, this time at Walsall, 2-2. In one of the better results of the season, Swindon beat Nottingham Forest 2-1 at The County Ground before drawing at Crewe 0-0. On Tuesday night, they beat Luton 1-0 at Kenilworth Road to stay in contention for a playoff place.
Recent Meetings…
11/08/07: COBBLERS 1-1 SWINDON
Andy Kirk gives the Cobblers an early lead but Christian Roberts equalises before hitting the bar in an entertaining opening day draw at Sixfields.
08/03/03: COBBLERS 1-0 SWINDON
Paul Harsley scores the only goal of the game in a rare success in the Cobblers’ relegation season of 2003.
21/09/02: SWINDON 2-0 COBBLERS
In a comfortable win at The County Ground, Johnnie Jackson gets the ball rolling for the home side with a goal in the 31st minute before Sam Parkin rolls home a penalty to seal the win.
02/02/02: SWINDON 2-1 COBBLERS
An own goal from Marco Gabbiadini puts Swindon in front and Danny Invincible grabs the second just after the hour mark. Jamie Forrester gets a late consolation but it’s not enough to get us anything from the game.
29/09/01: COBBLERS 1-1 SWINDON
Giuliano Grazioli puts Swindon in front but Roy Hunter salvages a point for the Cobblers twenty minutes later.
For The Record…Swindon v Cobblers…
GAMES PLAYED: 125
SWINDON WINS: 55
DRAWS: 25
COBBLERS WINS: 45
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