Derby day is almost upon us as Stuart Gray manages the club in his first Cobblers-Peterborough encounter.
This is the first meeting between the sides in almost two and half years and the game is set for a near sell out at Sixfields. Boro have sold all of their allocation of tickets and will have high hopes of continueing a steady start to the season following promotion in May.
Form
The Cobblers had a week off last week as our game with Stockport County was postponed due to County's international commitments. Before that, we suffered a 4-1 defeat at Tranmere and a 1-0 reverse at home to Brighton in the first round of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy.
The Posh were involved in the game of the season so far last weekend as they saw off Bristol Rovers 5-4. Craig Mackail-Smith grabbed a hat-trick in that game and will be the main threat to the Cobblers on Saturday. The win took Boro above us in the table but we can leapfrong them once more with victory at Sixfields.
Team News
Karl Hawley could be handed his debut by Cobblers boss Stuart Gray after signing on a month long loan deal on Thursday. Fellow new boy, goakeeper Frank Fielding should make the bench as Chris Dunn looks likely to start the game. Adebayo Akinfenwa and Ryan Gilligan have recovered from thigh and hamstring injuries respectively and should start.
Peterborough striker Aaron Mclean suffered a dislocated elbow last week and that keeps him out of the derby game. Scott Rendall should replace the hit man up front. Craig Morgan will be given a late fitness test after playing for Wales on Wednesday night while new loan signing Gabriel Zakuani should start.
Recent Meetings
01/04/06: PETERBOROUGH 0-1 COBBLERS
A memorable slip up from defender Sean St.Ledger lets in Scott McGleish for the only goal of the game on twenty minutes. The Cobblers, backed by over 3,000 travelling fans, go on to claim a vital win on the road to promotion from League Two in 2006.
31/12/05: COBBLERS 0-1 PETERBOROUGH
On a dismal final game of 2005, Posh take home all three points with Chris Plummer grabbing an early goal to seal the win. Boro include two former Cobblers loanees in their side in Danny Crow and Travor Benjamin.
09/12/03: COBBLERS 2-1 PETERBOROUGH (Football League Trophy)
Josh Low puts the Cobblers in front just after half-time but Peterborough take the game to extra time with a last minute strike from Leon McKenzie. Lawrie Dudfield pops up in the first half of extra-time to seal a "Silver Goal" victory and to take us through to the Southern Section Semi-Final. We would later be knocked out of the competition by Colchester United.
25/01/03: COBBLERS 0-1 PETERBOROUGH
Former Cobblers loanee Andy Clarke scores the winner for Peterborough in early 2003. Cobblers forward Darryn Stamp was sent off with twenty minutes to go and we never recovered to see Boro take home the win.
28/12/02: PETERBOROUGH 0-0 COBBLERS
Just after Christmas in 2002, the two sides play out a stalemate at London Road.
The Man in The Middle...
Hampshire born referee Mr Stroud started this season by taking charge of the Championship game between Birmingham City and Sheffield United in the first Football League game of the season. He has also refereed in the League One draw between Millwall and Southend United and the Premier League tie between Bolton and West Brom. His last Cobblers game was our 2-1 defeat at Swansea in March 2007.
Head to Head...Cobblers v Posh...
Games Played: 65
Cobblers Wins: 21
Draws: 17
Posh Wins: 27
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