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.

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