Northampton Town 1-2 Colchester United

We dip into the football clichés book once again this week as it was “after the lord mayor’s show” at Sixfields with Colchester taking home all three points after converting two of their only few chances of the afternoon.

The same side that won at the death so heroically on Tuesday night against Leeds started this tussle with the slightly less glamorous U’s. But there seemed to be a real difference in energy levels with the visitors smelling the scent of the Cobblers’ fear of not living up to living up Tuesday’s billing.

Rather than being buoyed by the last gasp win over Leeds, Stuart Gray’s men were hesitant and it took until Colchester had gained a quick fire double goal to spark both the crowd and the team into life. Chances were few and far between for either side in the early exchanges with Ryan Gilligan sent clear only to pass it to Leon Constantine when Gilligan himself was in a better position. Constantine dragged his shot wide and that miss was to prove costly.

At the other end, in one of the visitors’ first attacks, a right wing cross was met by the head of former Peterborough man Clive Platt who met the ball with a free header to score the opening goal of the game. You would think that lessons would have been learned by a Cobblers defence led by the experienced Andy Todd. But just a few minutes later it was 2-0 as a corner came in from the same right hand side and once again we were caught napping.

This time it was former Cobblers man Paul Reid who rose the highest to nod home the corner and the small band of travelling support were sent into dream land as they took a vital 2-0 lead to set their season off and running at long last.

The half-time score could well have been a lot different had Scott McGleish connected better with a left wing cross late in the half. Good work from Danny Jackman set the former Colchester man up for a seemingly free shot at goal but he somehow hammered the shot wide and you began to think that this may not be our day.

There was immediate action by Stuart Gray at the break with Luke Guttridge replaced by Leeds hero Nicholas Bignall as we moved into a more attacking outlook with four men up front at times. It didn’t take long to find a way back into the game and when Danny Jackman’s free kick took a wicked deflection with ten minutes of the half played it looked like we would have a chance after all and this game wasn’t going to fade into a distant memory.

McGleish was guilty of another great chance just after our goal, similar to his first and by his standard he could well have had two goals to completely turn this game around either side of half-time. A stubborn Colchester defence held firm as waves of Cobblers attacks turned into calmer waters as time went on.

Ian Henderson was sent on to try and lift the spirit but his introduction did little to give hope, after all we’re still waiting for his first senior goal in a Cobblers shirt. Bignall flashed a shot into the arms of the keeper before a scramble in the goal mouth nearly saw Henderson nip in for that illusive strike but the ball was then sent back towards the Cobblers end and the travelling support were jubilant as four minutes of injury time passed with nothing more to add to the score.

The Cobblers trudged off having surrendered a chance to move back into the top half of the table but there’s certainly been worse performances at Sixfields this season. Those expecting a repeat of Leeds would quite rightly have been disappointed but they really shouldn’t have been setting sights so high in the first place, especially with the Cobblers how we are.

The moaners of Sixfields go on and they will have all the tonic they need to slate the side once again despite the decent enough league position of thirteenth. Don’t think that’s a good position to be in? Ask anyone in the bottom four where they’d rather be right now. Ask Bournemouth, Rotherham and Luton who very nearly didn’t have teams to watch at the start of the season. Then come back and moan that we’re not playing like world beaters every week. We’re still Northampton Town, we’re still in business and we’re still an established League One side in business and with a sensible man in charge. Yes, today was an off day, we’ll be back next week to try again and all we really should be doing is getting behind those player who pull on the claret shirt.

So unlucky lads, and well done to Colchester who played their part with a hard working performance to take home a stubborn win. Paul Lambert will turn things around with his know how and don’t be surprised to see the U’s around the top half and playoff places come the end of the season.

Colchester United (H) Preview

The Cobblers will be looking to build on the Tuesday night victory over Leeds United when Colchester United come to Sixfields tomorrow afternoon. Stuart Gray’s side have recorded back to back wins in the last week and confidence is back to a good level in the camp.

Team News

The Cobblers will still be without Adebayo Akinfenwa, Chris Doig and Colin Larkin ahead of the game whilst Danny Jackman is struggling. Abdul Osman is back in training and could feature.

Colchester could hand goalkeeper Jimmy Walker his first start in two and a half years at Sixfields but Kemal Izzet is doubtful. Anthony Wordsworth misses the game through suspension.

Form

The Cobblers have recorded back to back wins in the past week at Hereford and on home turf against Leeds and this game in hand could propel Stuart Gray’s side into the top half of the table.

Colchester recovered from last weekend’s defeat at Peterborough by beating fellow strugglers Yeovil Town on Tuesday night.


Recent Meetings

23/11/05: COLCHESTER 3-2 COBBLERS (LDV Vans Trophy 2nd Round)

Andy Kirk gives the Cobblers a first half lead but George Elokobi equalizes just before the hour mark. Pedj Bojic’s goal looks to have sealed progression in the trophy but a last minute strike from Richard Garcia takes the tie to extra time. Neil Danns scores in the 101st minute to win the game in extra time.

20/01/04: COBBLERS 2-3 COLCHESTER (LDV Vans Trophy Area Semi Final)

Richard Walker puts the Cobblers 2-0 up at Sixfields but after Ian Sampson’s sending off, Scott McGleish scores a hat-trick to give the visitors the win and a place in the area final in extra time.

04/03/03: COLCHESTER 2-0 COBBLERS

Gareth Williams and Scott McGleish give the U’s a comfortable win at their old Layer Road ground.

17/09/02: COBBLERS 4-1 COLCHESTER

Marco Gabbiadini scores a hat-trick for the Cobblers as they brush aside Colchester in a rare win in the relegation season of 02/03. Armand One gets the other goal of the Cobblers four while an Ian Sampson own goal is the visitor’s only reply.

Head to Head…Cobblers v U’s…

Games Played: 66

Cobblers Wins: 27

Draws: 14

Colchester Wins: 25

Northampton Town 2-1 Leeds United

What a difference a week makes. They say a week is a very long time in football and this week has proved that in the world of Northampton Town. Down and out following last Monday's cup exit to Leeds as we folded to a disastrous 5-2 defeat, confidence ahead of Hereford was at a season low. But throw in a big away win at Edgar Street and suddenly the confidence was back and flowing in the blood of the Cobblers veins last night. Leeds came with high expectations after the replay and rightly so after they rolled us over at Sixfields just eight days previous.

But this was to be a different story on a night that could yet light up the Christmas period.

Last season we were doomed by a bleak November as the only light came from a single cup win over League Two Darlington, masking a run of five league defeats in a row. This season saw ominous signs of a replay of those events as first Walsall and then Oldham took maximum points from the games with Town. Before Hereford we were looking scarily over our shoulder at the bottom four but pulled away as a battling performance earned all three points at Edgar Street. And so to last night and despite that win on Saturday there was still a massive gulf to close between ourselves and Leeds, visiting once again in midweek.

Mark Hughes was the surprise man to give way to new boy Andy Todd in defence as he dropped to the bench to perhaps give the back four a more physical look with the threat of Leeds from set plays. Giles Coke returned from injury to take his place back in midfield while Leon Constantine and Scott McGleish were again the chosen strike pairing following a good understanding built up at Hereford.

The Cobblers made the most of a quick start and came so close to opening the scoring and Ryan Gilligan was the main man in agony after his shot rocketed off the post inside the opening ten minutes. We kept Leeds down to a long range effort from Andy Robinson before getting the illusive breakthrough on eighteen minutes.

Liam Davis collected the ball on the edge of the area, slipped, and then regained his footing to coolly score past Leeds keeper David Lucas and we had the ideal start and, more importantly, the opening goal in a game where we could well have been hurt by a strike going the opposite way early on.

Jermaine Beckford, the main tormentor of the Cobblers last Monday, sprang into life towards the end of the half and forced Frank Fielding into a good stop with his legs before the striker hit the outside of the post with a rebound. But Stuart Gray's men got to the break in front and held firm until mid-way through the second half.

Andy Robinson and Luchiano Becchio fired the warning shots early in the half, with Becchio slamming the ball against the post before Davis went close again at the other end. But it was the visitors who found their way through as Robinson worked his magic again.

The midfielder, a player who seems to love playing against the Cobblers, crossed for Beckford to header home at the back post to earn a deserved equalizer on the basis of the second half.

It was starting to look like a game destined for a draw as the Cobblers were frustrated in their efforts to get back in front and Leeds could well have won it through Becchio again with ten minutes to go. But there was one last twist in the game and with three minutes to go, the goal that could turn our season majestically hit the net.

Danny Jackman lined up the corner and substitute Nicholas Bignall rose to head hoe his first professional goal. Whether he will score a more important one for us we won't know just yet but if that's his only contribution whilst on loan from Reading then we'll be happy with that!

The Cobblers hung on this time to record a magnificent result, particularly after that defeat last Monday and we are now just a point off the top half with Saturday's game in hand at home to Colchester to come.

It's been a roller coaster of a three game run with Leeds but this one could well turn out to be the most important, not just of the trio of tussles, but of the first half of this topsy-turvy 2008/09 campaign.

Leeds United (H) Preview...

The Cobblers welcome Leeds United to Sixfields for the second time in just over a week this evening as Stuart Gray’s side look to avenge the 5-2 cup replay hammering last Monday.

Team News

Gray will still be without Adebayo Akinfenwa, Chris Doig, Abdul Osman and Colin Larkin but could hand loan signing Andy Todd a debut in defence. The Derby man signed on at Sixfields in time to play in the game against Leeds and could come straight in to sure up the back line that shipped five goals against tonight’s opponents last week.

Leeds will be without Malcolm Christie after the former Middlesbrough striker was ruled out with a rib injury. But Paul Huntington could return after suffering through injury.


Recent Meetings

17/11/08: COBBLERS 2-5 LEEDS (FA Cup First Round Replay)

Leeds ran out comfortable winners in last week’s replay with Jermaine Beckford notching a hat-trick for the visitors. Jason Crowe scored at the end of each half for the Cobblers but it wasn’t enough to save us from defeat.

07/11/08: LEEDS 1-1 COBBLERS (FA Cup First Round)

Scott McGleish gives the Cobblers a shock lead at Elland Road but Giles Coke is sent off soon afterwards. A controversial Andy Robinson penalty gives Leeds a replay as the ten men hang on for dear life at Elland Road.


Head to Head…Cobblers v United…


Games Played: 8


Cobblers Wins: 1


Draws: 3


Leeds Wins: 4

League One Round Up...22/11/08...

The Cobblers moved up to fifteenth in League One following yesterday's 2-0 win at Hereford but know that Leeds will come to Sixfields all gun blazing on Tuesday night. Gary McAllister's men followed up their impressive 5-2 win in the FA Cup First Round Replay over Town with a 4-1 home win over Hartlepool United. Jermaine Beckford moved onto eighteen goals for the season with two in the game as Leeds retain sixth spot.

At the top, the game of the day saw Scunthorpe, top at the start of the day, take on Leicester who were in second. It was the visitors who took top spot though as goals from Lloyd Dyer and Andy King scored the goals to propel them to the League One summit.

MK Dons moved up to second, also above Scunthorpe after they recorded and impressive 3-0 win at Walsall. Jemal Johnson set the Dons on their way before Ali Gerba and Mark Wright sealed the win. Millwall failed to take advantage of Scunthorpe dropping points as they were held at Orient and it took a goal-line clearence to deny the O's taking all three points.

Peterborough's fine run of form went on as they beat Colchcester 2-1 at London Road and they stay above Leeds despite their hammering of Hartlepool.

At the other end, Dario Gradi took charge of Crewe once again but insisted that it was only on a temporary basis as he saw his side lose 3-0 at home to Stockport and whoever comes in at Gresty Road has a massive job to do. Cheltenham are still in trouble after they lost to a single goal at Carlisle while Hereford's defeat to the Cobblers leaves them five points from safety. Colchester are in the bottom four after that loss at Peterborough.

There's a full fixture list on Tuesday night in League One and it's top against bottom as Leicester host Crewe at the Walker Stadium. MK Dons also face one of the strugglers as they meet Hereford while Scunthorpe will look to bounce back from their weekend defeat as they travel to Tranmere.

Hereford United 0-2 Northampton Town

10th December 2005. A seemingly meaningless 1-0 away win at Barnet saw Scott McGleish fire home a penalty to win the game and set one new Cobblers fan on the start of a run that was very much unexpected at that point. On that fateful day back in the promotion season of 05/06, I had persuaded my housemate in Southampton, Jamie, to come to his first ever football league game. Coming from a Chelsea supporting background (and from the less glamorous days at the Bridge I must add), the trip to Barnet in a basement league battle would be a massive shock to his system.

Fortunately the day was a big success and the Cobblers came away with a 1-0 win on a chilly afternoon and Jamie’s Cobblers supporting career had began. Since then, the transition from the heights of watching the Premier League elite to seeing players like James Quinn and Gavin Johnson play their trade, took him to the running tracks of the Withdean, through treacherous crowds at Millwall, two draws at Bournemouth, a last day Doctor’s day at Doncaster (via Worksop) and back to Barnet again for an FA Cup drubbing. Last season the loyalty was tested at Yeovil as we arrived late and suffered a final second defeat while a couple of Sixfields draws were also attended.

There’s a common theme with all of the above games as some statto Cobblers fans may have noticed. None of those games since the initial Barnet game had featured a Cobblers win and now nearly three years on from that and many miles travelled for my long suffering housemate and our latest adventure was due.

The trip to Edgar Street was plotted when the fixtures came out and it was a big one for me as well with a new ground to add to the “92 List”. After missing an early train I needed for an appointment in Reading, I rearranged and waited for Jamie to arrive, finally spotting him coming out of WH Smiths on the other platform with five minutes to go until the train left. Like a Dickens-esque Fagin lumbering his newly found treats (a can of Red Bull and The Times), he ascended the steps to join me on what turned out to be a long trail north towards Wales.

We arrived in good time and with a couple of hours to spare before kick off, a pint was in order and eventually we came across a nice little place on the edge of the ground. Perfect! The time flew by and with a chill in the air we joined the rest of the hardy souls in the away end that were shivering whatever bits they had left off in the chilly breeze of Hereford.

Edgar Street is dilapidated to say the least but it has a rare character not seen in today’s football grounds. Hereford were surely not expecting their double promotion of recent seasons and the ground will surely be redeveloped at some point but it was a great throwback moment for me to times of the old Division Three and the scene was set for the afternoon.

The game began with few chances for either side but with the Cobblers in control of proceedings. Scott McGleish had started up front with Leon Constantine, who seemed to have a cult following in the away end. It was Constantine who had the first real chance of the game with a header sailing over the bar after good work by Danny Jackman. Loanee right back Kyle Walker was showing true class and was the main talking point of the first half, making a couple of terrific runs from the back.

Steve Guinan had the home sides’ best effort of a poor first half when he tested Frank Fielding just before the break while Constantine had a shot deflected over the bar at the other end. At half time, we were comfortable without being overly imposing on the home defence but the second half saw Stuart Gray’s men come to life.

Just a couple of minutes in and the Cobblers won a free kick just outside the Hereford area and Danny Jackman and Luke Guttridge stood over the ball. It was Jackman who struck it and hit it perfectly, curling the ball over the wall and past Matt Murray in the Hereford goal to give us a vital lead.

We had just finished celebrating when number two followed just a few minutes later. Ryan Gilligan pounced on a lucky deflection in the Hereford area and controlled the ball neatly before tucking away a tidy finish past Murray and giving the travelling faithful room to breathe that little bit easier. In truth, we had no need to worry as the home side barely threatened with Dean Beckwith’s header from a free kick that was brilliantly saved by Fielding their only real opening.

It was the Cobblers who threatened to add to the goals more and Kyle Walker was unlucky to see his cross shot hit the bar in the dying stages but two goals were enough and the Cobblers had recorded only their second away win of the season, leaving on travelling supporter overjoyed at what may well turn out to be just another away day for most. Football is special in that way, in that every game around the country will mean different things for different people and a meaningless match for some may just be an unforgettable one for others.

We celebrated with a quick drink on the way back to the station but missed the connection in Newport so had to hang around there for an hour, taking in the Aston Villa-Man United game with a group of Welsh rugby fans in a nearby Walkabout. We eventually arrived back in Southampton just after 10pm having spent a very nice day indeed on the edge of Wales.

As for the Cobblers, it’s Leeds up next on Tuesday night, this time in the league and we must get at least a little closer to them than we did last Monday! For now, we will celebrate a small victory for the next couple of days and I will tick another name off the 92...

Colchester game rearranged

The Cobblers will now take on Colchester United on Saturday, November 29th after the sides were both knocked out of the FA Cup, leaving a free weekend available to play the game.

Leeds United knocked Stuart Gray's side out of the competition in a convincing 5-2 replay win on Friday night and we will now take on the U's who are also out of the cup.

Tickets for the original game will still be valid for the rearranged tie.

Fielding wins England Under 21s Cap.

The Cobblers' on loan goalkeeper Frank Fielding won his first England Under 21 cap last night as he came off the bench to take his place in goal following the departure of Peterborough stopper Joe Lewis.

Fielding started on the sidelines but was called into action on the half hour mark and kept a clean sheet for Stuart Pearce's side as he played his third game in four days.

Northampton Town 2-5 Leeds United

It’s always a bigger feeling of deflation when you go out of the cup than there is if yor side loses a league game at this time of year and the manger of last night’s hammering by Leeds added to the feeling of dismay this morning. Chris Moyles bragged on the radio, playing clips from the commentary and seeming to forget that his side had struggled to overcome ten of the same men a week or so before. Mr. Moyles, I ask you, did you play commentary when your side were relegated from the Championship or even mention your weekend defeat to Huddersfield Town? It’ll take a lot more than a win over Northampton Town to make you feel good about your season and I suggest you keep it quiet unless you reach a stage further than Round Three..

The Cobblers were outplayed, out thought and pretty well overpowered as the first leg should have gone. But we were also never a match, with two late goals at the end of each half from Jason Crowe scant consolation for either half’s performance. By the time we Crowe knocked in his goal on the stroke of half tie, Leeds were cruising through Jason Beckford’s opener, Mark Hughes’ own goal and Beckford smartly adding the third.

The story could have taken a different turn had early efforts from Liam Davis and Danny Jackman gone in but Beckford was clinical in firing Leeds in front after just ten minutes and the visitors never looked back. Jonathon Howson’s shot wickedly deflected off Mark Hughes for 2-0 and despite a briefly threatening period fro the Cobblers in which Scott McGleish headed over, Leeds were three up with just five minutes of the half to go, Ben Parker adding another blow to Stuart Gray’s side.

There was, albeit for a couple of minutes, some hope for Gray as Jason Crowe headed home a Luke Guttridge corner but that was still not enough and Leeds had extended their lead by three once again before the break as Beckford curled home to edge closer to his hat-trick.

This feat was duly complete by the prolific front man before the hour mark as he took the ball round Frank Fielding and finished with ease to make the tie well and truly safe. The mass of Leeds fans wouldn’t have been dreaming of Histon away in Round Two but they would at least have been booking the coaches as the second half wore on.

Substitute Ian Henderson and Liam Davis went close to adding a consolation but a second did arrive late on through Crowe once again as another Guttridge corner was headed in by the defender.

So it’s back to the old adage of “concentrating on the league” from now on for Stuart Gray and the tricky trip to Hereford on Saturday can’t come soon enough for his squad, who’s pride must surely be dented. The game at Edgar Street now goes down as the biggest game of the season so far with the Cobblers just two points from the bottom four and or hosts in good form.

Leeds progress into Round Two and a televised tie with Histon. I would wish them luck, but the gloating of Moyles this morning means that the minnows will have my support in the next round!

Northampton Town 0-1 Oldham Athletic

Oldham took home all three points from Sixfields this afternoon as the Cobblers lost at home for the first time in the league this season.

Stuart Gray handed a debut to new loan signing Kyle Walker with Alex Dyer getting a start in midfield in place of the suspended Giles Coke. Luke Guttridge made it to the bench after his injury problems. Scott McGleish had to settle for a place on the bench as well alongside Nicholas Bignall as Leon Constantine and Karl Hawley led the attack. Daniel Jones, who spent a lot of last season on loan at the Cobblers, started for Oldham.

The visitors settled the better of the two sides and Mark Allott sent in the first shot of the game after just thirty second but his effort ricocheted away for a throw in off a Cobblers defender. Oldham were forced into the first substitution of the afternoon, though, on seven minutes as midfielder Dean Smalley picked up an injury and was replaced by the experienced Andy Liddell.

The Cobblers’ first shot of the game came from Karl Hawley but his shot was blocked before Alex Dyer forced Mark Crossley into a save after good build up play. The Cobblers began to get more and more into the game and a free kick on fifteen minutes set up a decent chance. Jason Crowe collected the ball from Jackman’s kick but his poor first touch meant he had to set up Ryan Gilligan but the midfielder skied his shot over the bar.

Oldham substitute Liddell was involved in his first real piece of action on twenty minutes as he crossed in a dangerous ball towards the middle but Frank Fielding managed to just tip it off the head of the advancing pack.

Five minutes later and Ryan Gilligan was involved in some good midfield work for the Cobblers but the end product wasn’t there as his cross was easily collected by the visiting keeper. Oldham broke to the other end immediately and the dangerous Chris Taylor produced a strong run before his shot was blocked by Liam Dolman and deflected away for a corner.

After Jason Crowe shot over from distance, loanee Kyle Walker, who had been impressing in the first half, did well to make space but his cross just evaded Karl Hawley.

Taylor again caused problems late in the half with a right footed shot testing Frank Fielding but the final attack of the half saw Daniel Jones cross in dangerously from the left hand side and Lee Hughes smacked the post in a real let off for the Cobblers on the stroke of half time.

Oldham started the second half on top, as they had the first and a couple of headers from Darren Byfield flashed wide, the second one from just six yards out the better of the two chances.

Ten minutes into the half, Alex Dyer and Karl Hawley were replaced by attacking options as the two loan strikers Scott McGleish and Nicholas Bignall came on. The subs nearly had an immediate effect as Bignall did well on the right to send in a cross for McGleish, who nipped in but couldn’t quite get a good enough connection on the ball.

A couple of minutes later, Byfield forced Frank Fielding into a good save as his snap shot tested the Cobblers keeper, with Fielding pushing the ball away for a corner. Oldham kept the pressure on and Andy Liddell’s free kick was blocked by the wall just after the hour mark.

The Cobblers made their third and final substitution of the afternoon with twenty minutes to go as Luke Guttridge replaced Liam Dolman. We then had a good chance through Leon Constantine as Scott McGleish set up the former Leeds man but he couldn’t quite get over the ball and sent his shot over the bar.

With just fifteen minutes to go, the Cobblers gave Oldham a chance to take the lead and the visitors duly obliged. Lee Hughes took the ball round three players and was brought down by Jason Crowe in the area for a clear penalty in front of the north stand. Andy Liddell stepped up and confidently rolled the ball into the right hand corner and Oldham were in front.

With ten minutes to go, Nicolas Bignall broke well but his shot was well blocked by Daniel Jones as the Cobblers’ attempts to get an equaliser came to nothing. The final ten minutes saw Oldham hang on and there was no late flurry from Stuart Gray’s side. Lee Hughes was sent off in stoppage time for a second bookable offence but it was too late to have any impact on the game and the visitors took home the points.

Things will have to turn around very quickly if we’re to come anywhere near Leeds in the FA Cup First Round replay on Monday evening.

Presumptious Leeds not there yet...

Leeds fans are rumoured to be attending this weekend's game between Histon and Kettering Town to gain access to the second round of the FA Cup.

The fact that Leeds still have to overcome the Cobblers in the First Round replay seems not to have halted some United fans from presuming they will be at Histon at the end of the month.

Histon have stated that any fan attending today's game with Kettering Town will gain a voucher for the Second Round tie, whoever the Blue Square Premier side face. This has sparked some Leeds fans to plan to attend the game in hope of getting a voucher, eanbling them access to the game that they're not even involved with yet!

For one thing this strips some village folk of getting a ticket to watch their local heroes in the cup and another, it stinks of Leeds assuming they are going through already. Let's hope they all need to get their tickets onto ebay come Monday night!

Bring back the Doc!

The Cobblers' injury list of late has been nothing short of horrific with physio Stuart Barker working overtime. The likes of Adebayo Akinfenwa, Chris Doig, Luke Guttridge, Liam Davis, Colin Larkin, Ryan Gilligan and Mark Little (now returned to Wolves) all suffering. Before the Leeds cup tie, we were down to thirteen recognised first team players and we now stretch to the ful quantity of five loan signings.

At the start of the season, Stuart Gray was adamant that his young, and small, squad would cope with the hectic fixture list and that is certainly being tested now. With Karl Hawley going back to Preston after this weekend, we may have an opening for yet another loanee though and surely there's only one option.

In need of a big striker with Bayo out, in need of some medical help, is it time to bring back the iconic doctor Kenny Deuchar? True, the big man would probably take some persuading to cross the seas from his current home in Salt Lake City where he competes in MLS but it would certainly kill two birds with one stone...the player crisis would be supplemented by the medical support he could provide in the dressing room!

So come on Stuart, give the good doctor a call!

Oldham Athletic (H) Preview...

All the talk this week has been of the FA Cup but before Monday’s replay with Leeds comes a big home league game with Oldham Athletic. The Latics have made a strong start to the season and currently lie in seventh place in League One.

Form

Both sides were in FA Cup First Round action last weekend with the Cobblers holding Leeds United at Elland Road to a 1-1 draw with ten men. Scott McGleish opened the scoring for Town before Giles Coke was sent off. Andy Robinson took the tie to a replay with a controversial penalty. Oldham battled back from two goals down to take their First Round tie to a replay with Danny Whitaker’s deflected goal earning them a second bite of the cherry.

Team News

Stuart Gray could welcome back Colin Larkin and Luke Guttridge to his squad to face Oldham whilst defender Kyle Walker could earn a debut in defence after signing on loan from Sheffield United on Thursday. Gray is, though, still without Adebayo Akinfenwa, Chris Doig and Abdul Osman as the game comes too soon for them.

Oldham could name former Cobblers loanee Daniel Jones in their line-up. Jones spent a large chunk of last season at Sixfields and has recently extended his loan spell at Boundary Park. The Latics could start Kevin Maher after the midfielder did well at Cheltenham last week after coming off the bench. Lee Hughes will return from suspension to lead the Oldham attack whilst Keiron Lee returns from injury.


Recent Meetings

19/04/08: COBBLERS 2-0 OLDHAM

Late in last season, the Cobblers come out on top as second half goals from Giles Coke and Ryan Gilligan secure the victory at Sixfields.

27/10/07: OLDHAM 0-1 COBBLERS

A long range effort from on loan Bristol City midfielder Alex Russell condemns Oldham to a home defeat at Boundary Park but the Cobblers then go on a run of seven games without a win as the winter kicked in.

28/01/07: COBBLERS 2-3 OLDHAM

Ritchie Wellens gives Oldham a second minute lead before Andy Kirk hits back mid-way through the half. But goals from Paul Warne and Chris Porter put the visitors three up. A Jordan Robertson goal two minutes from time isn’t enough for the Cobblers to avoid defeat.

23/12/06: OLDHAM 3-0 COBBLERS

Ian Sampson’s first game in charge is a heavy defeat last Christmas as Oldham score three without reply.

22/03/03: COBBLERS 0-2 OLDHAM

Wayne Andrews’ double condemns the Cobblers to defeat at Sixfields.

29/10/02: OLDHAM 4-0 COBBLERS

Oldham serve up a hammering at Boundary Park. Wayne Andrews, former Cobbler Carlo Corazzin and two from David Eyres complete a comfortable win.



Head to Head...Cobblers v Latics...

Games Played: 30

Cobblers Wins: 11

Draws: 7

Oldham Wins: 12

ITV hedging bets on Round Two

So ITV have set their stall out for the FA Cup Second Round with the nation now turning towards the view that a Leeds win at Sixfields in Monday's replay will be the best option for neutrals. With Blue Square Premier League outfit Histon waiting in the wings for the winner of Monday's tie, their fans will be praying that Leeds come away with the win to set up their "big day."

They surely can't be at all interested in Northampton Town and neither are ITV who set this tie up to be shown on a Sunday lunch time surely thinking that Leeds won't hold up twice in a row.

So now more than ever there's a chance to stick it to them all as the Cobblers try to scramble through in what could well be just as difficult a game as the first one was. With the pressure aparantly now on us according to Gary McAllister, it should be a hot atmosphere at Sixfields on Monday with another televised game at stake.

Wouldn't it be great to be the villains for once and ruin the party of expectant Histon fans just waiting for their big game against Leeds!

Blades defender joins on loan...

Stuart Gray has today added Sheffield United defender Kyle Walker to the ranks as the youngster joins on a month long loan deal. The Cobblers have been struggling with injuries of late and skipper Chris Doig was added to the injury list in last week's FA Cup draw at Leeds.

So the Town boss has added Walker, an 18-year-old described as athletic and versatile, to the squad ahead of a busy couple of weeks. Walker can play in central defence or right back and is a first year professional at Bramall Lane.

His loan deal will expire after the Carlisle United game on December 20th.

Double TV boost for Town...

The Cobblers' FA Cup First Round Replay at home to Leeds United will now be shown live on Setanta Sports following coverage of the initial game on the same channel. The two sides played out a 1-1 draw at Elland Road on Friday night and will replay on Monday, November 17th.

The incentive is also there for Round Two with ITV1 set to show the tie between Blue Square Premier League outfit Histon and either the Cobblers or Leeds on Sunday, November 30th at 12:15pm.

Cobblers or Leeds to go to Histon...

The Cobblers or Leeds United were drawn away at Histon United in Round Two of the FA Cup in the draw made this lunch time. The Blue Square Premier League side from Cambridgeshire were one of the giant killers of Round One, knocking out Swindon Town on Saturday.

The Cobblers will play the Leeds replay on Tuesday week with the Second Round date scheduled for the weekend of November 28th/29th/30th.

Leeds United 1-1 Northampton Town

The Cobblers claimed a fantastic FA Cup draw at Leeds on Friday evening after playing over an hour of the game with ten men.

It’s always strange when you meet someone from nearby your home town when you live over 100 miles away but particularly stranger when you meet someone who lives just down the road, yet supports the same football team as you. Now that may not seem such a co-incidence for Premier League supporting fans but when the team in question is Northampton Town, the weirdness increases!

So I was delighted to hear from another Hampshire based Cobbler ahead of Northampton’s trip to Leeds in the F.A. Cup on Friday night. After a post on the SixfieldsBoys message board, a lad named “Hampshire Cobbler”, or Tom to his friends, got in touch on the private messaging service to see where I was watching the game. Brilliant!

Over the last few years, I’ve converted my housemate, Jamie, to be a Cobbler through trips to Barnet, Bournemouth, Millwall, and of course Sixfields and we’d already chosen our venue to try and catch the rare glimpse of the Cobblers on TV. Annoyingly, had the game been on Sky we could have watched it in the comfort of our home but the Setanta switch meant that it would have to be the pub.

I checked with the pub that the game would be on and the Winston Hotel duly obliged in a very friendly manner to show the game and now there would be three Cobblers fans watching a game...in Southampton! The beautiful game and the F.A. Cup didn’t get much better than that! Now all we needed was an upset and it would be the perfect Friday night out!

While the rest of Southampton partied into Friday night, three Cobblers fans came together in a southern city to watch a cup tie that just a lone Leeds fan on the other side of the pub also cared about. As we took some seats near the big screens, a band began to set up right in front of it! We managed to get through the first half without any disturbances to our game watching but by half-time we were forced to relocate to the smaller screens.

On the pitch, Leon Constantine and Andy Holt seemed to be supporting Scott McGleish in a 4-3-3/4-5-1 formation used well by Stuart Gray in the past. Ryan Gilligan came through his injury worries to start in midfield while Liam Davis made the bench alongside new loan man Nicholas Bignall.

The game started with Leeds on the offensive as expected but nothing more than a couple of long range efforts troubled us. And then, with our first attack of the game, Leon Constantine knocked the ball down for Scott McGleish to scramble home his first goal since rejoining the club to send a small cheer up from a corner of the pub!

That dream start for the Cobblers almost seemed too good to be true and we were right to assume that as Chris Doig hobbled off with his latest injury to be replaced by young Alex Dyer. Leeds began to press more and after a succession of dangerous corners, Paul Telfer fired a shot that was blocked on the line by Danny Jackman.

The evening began turning further and further against us when Giles Coke was booked for a silly second yellow card after a foul on Fabien Delph as the forward was bursting through from the back. Coke had been initially booked in the opening exchanges and he left the field to leave the Cobblers with ten men for the majority of the game.

Just a few minutes after the red card we had a rare attack and Ryan Gilligan was put through by Andy Holt. The midfielder’s shot was blocked by keeper Casper Ankergran and the ball fell to McGleish who tried an audacious lob from thirty yards that only just cleared the bar. Jonathon Howson tested Frank Fielding’s nerves at the other end before Leeds finally drew level.

Mark Hughes was punished for bringing down his man in the area but the replays on the screen showed a completely different story and the run of bad luck for the Cobblers went on. Andy Robinson sent Fielding the wrong way to level the tie and we thought that was the beginning of the end as far as the game was concerned.

Little did we know that we had a fighting ten men on the pitch and from the second the goal went in, we fought for every ball and generally frustrated Leeds and their attempts to find a winner. We got to half-time with a Robinson shot that hit the post the main threat to our goal but it was to be an agonisingly long second half.

The second half began with Leeds hitting the post again. This time Robert Snodgrass turned brilliantly and rifled in a shot that bounced away off Fieldings’ post and you just started to wonder whether it could yet be a night where we escaped. McGleish was replaced by new boy Bignall with ten minutes of the half played just before Ryan Gilligan forced Ankergran to tip his header over the bar.

Leeds continued to push on but with only long range efforts flying in from Robinson and Delph and there were no real clear cut chances for the home side. The Cobblers’ defence held firm and the final ten minutes ticked by. I made the kiss of death comment that Leeds would get a last second free kick on the edge of our area and sure enough they did! Robinson stepped up and the biggest cheer of the night went up as Fielding easily claimed it. Three minutes of stoppage time later and we had been rewarded for a fine display with a replay from what looked like dead and buried circumstances at Elland Road.

Considering we had limited options even before the game, our captain taken off injured, an influential midfielder sent off, down to ten men and away at one of the best sides in the draw, it was a fantastic achievement to come away with a draw and a replay. I, along with my new friends and old, was a proud man as the claret troops embraced at the end of a tiring evening for players and fans alike!

The draw now sets up a replay in ten days or so at Sixfields and the draw for Round Two will be made on Sunday at 1:45pm on ITV1 where the Cobblers and Leeds go into the hat.

There's nothing like it...

The F.A. Cup First Round proper kicks off this weekend and the Cobblers are thrown into the national spotlight again, this time on Setanta Sports against Leeds United. Stuart Gray’s side go into the game as massive underdogs despite being in the same league as our hosts but hopefully the magic of the cup will work on our side again. Already this season we’ve witnessed Carling Cup heroics at Bolton and Sunderland but now it’s time for the big one, the F.A. Cup.

We’ve all got our favourite cup memories and it’s the same for fans of every team across the country with fans in pubs across the country reminiscing about that time they went to Wembley and won the big one, were beaten in a cruel shootout or reached the first round proper for the first time in their club’s history.

Here’s some of my favourite cup moments from previous years and I’m sure you all have your own to add...

1996: Northampton 0-1 Watford (Round One)
This was our first ever game to be shown live on Sky and came in our centenary and promotion season of 1996/97. Watford, at the top of League One came to Sixfields as odds on favourites but we pushed them all the way, having a goal disallowed before Darren Bazeley struck the winner with twenty minutes to go.

1997: Basingstoke Town 0-0 Northampton (Second Round Replay)
The Cobblers had been held by the non league minnows in the first game at Sixfields and this was another Sky outing for the club as the cameras smelt an upset. The game will be remembered by all Cobblers fans present as the coldest game in history but despite this, Carl Heggs ripped off his shirt to celebrate after slotting home the winning penalty in a nail biting shootout. The win set up a third round game at then-Premier League side Leicester City who ran out 4-0 winners at Filbert Street.

2001: Canvey Island 1-0 Northampton (Round One)
Again we were live, this time on BBC, and this time the upset did happen...Canvey scored in the 48th minute and never looked back. We were awful that day and midfielder Roy Hunter had to play in goal for the final few minutes after Keith Welch was sent off. I remember my Dad screaming at the TV as stoppage time ticked away and Hunter spent time tucking his shirt in rather than taking a goal kick!

2004: Rotherham 1-2 Northampton (Third Round Replay)
On to happier memories at last and one of the greatest nights in our recent history at Millmoor. Rotherham were two league above us at this time and we had seen this tie as a good opportunity for a big upset. But after a 1-1 draw at Sixfields, we were given no hope ahead of the replay. But then the Fourth Round draw happened...the winner of the replay would meet Manchester United at home!

All eyes were on the replay now and nearly 3,000 Cobblers fans squeezed into the away end with some having to stand in the aisles and on the back of the stand as we packed into the ground. It was all going to the script as Rotherham took the lead but Richard Walker headed us back into the game before the break. Martin Smith then sent the roof off the away end with a free kick that curled into the corner of the net and we were on our way to the big one! The noise on the final whistle was incredible and one I’ll certainly never forget as we partied like we’d won the cup. “Bring on United” was the cry as we left Millmoor...

2004: Northampton 0-3 Manchester United (Round Four)
Fans of the big sides in the Premier League will never be able to comprehend the feeling that their teams create when they visit a lower league side in the cup. This whole day was such a magnificent high from start to finish and although we were soundly beaten I couldn’t stop beaming all day. The Cobblers were playing Manchester United! This was a day that we were truly in the national spotlight as a young lad named Cristiano Ronaldo did his tricks and Keiron Richardson came off the bench to really impress.

The game was always going to be compared to our game in the 60’s when George Best scored six at the old County Ground in United’s 8-2 win and it was never going to live up to those memories for those who had been there for it. But as a young un, it was my first taste of the big time and the queuing for six hours for a ticket was well worth it!

2005: Northampton 1-3 Southampton (Round Three)
Nowhere near as big a pull as the previous season’s Premier League visitors but a personal game for me as it was in the middle of my university course in Southampton. Quite a bizarre one travelling from the home of our opponents to watch the game back in Northampton! Kevin Phillips put Southampton in front before Lee Williamson gave me hope of a replay. But Peter Crouch and Jamie Redknapp made sure of Saint’s progression.

2006: Crystal Palace 4-1 Northampton ( Round Three)
We reached Round Three again and this time it was Championship opponents as we headed for Selhurst Park. A terrific turn out from the Cobblers fans saw us level an early goal for Palace but two Andy Johnson penalties turned the game in Palace’s favour. Another proud display though despite the score line and a great day out that only the cup can provide.

The following season we were hammered by Barnet 4-1 in a game that barely deserves a mention if it wasn’t for the absolute awfulness of the performance that day from the Cobblers.

So there’s just a few of my memories of the best cup competition in the world and we’ll all be hoping that tonight provides yet another famous moment. There is nothing like the F.A. Cup and teams from non league that began their journeys back in August now enter the First Round proper, their cup final in itself. So here’s to another season of upsets, drama and famous moments!

Leeds (A) F.A. Cup First Round Preview...

The Cobblers travel to Elland Road tonight to take on Leeds United in the First Round of the F.A. Cup with a real underdog tag on them. We would be certain outsiders going into the game even without the injury list that has crept up on us in previous weeks so there's really nothing to lose this evening.

Team News

Andrew Hughes should come back into the Leeds side after recovering from a groin injury but Rui Marques, who scored against the Cobblers in the league last season, and Alan Sheehan both miss out. Young midfielder Josh Falkingham has been given a squad number ahead of the game.

The Cobblers' injury list continues to grow and we will definately be without Adebayo Akinfenwa, Luke Guttridge, Colin Larkin and Abdul Osman while Ryan Gilligan and Liam Davis are both borderline on being fit in time. Loanees Scott McGleish and Nicholas Bignall are set to play, with Bignall set for his Cobblers debut.

Form

Leeds had a difficult month of October that saw them beaten four times in all competitions including a 4-2 defeat at Rotherham in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy. Peterborough, Millwall and Southend also beat them on their travels but home wins over Brighton, Orient and Walsall kept them in touch at the top. Last weekend, United climbed into the top two with a 1-0 away win at Cheltenham.

The Cobblers have faced three consecutive away games after the home game with Colchester was postponed due to snow. Defeat at Swindon was followed by a good draw at Leicester. But last weekend we were hammered 3-1 by Walsall at the Bescot Stadium and injuries continued to have their effect on the squad.

Recent Meetings

09/02/08: COBBLERS 1-1 LEEDS

Jonathon Howson puts Leeds ahead in the first half but with fifteen minutes to go Adebayo Akinfenwa powered through the visitors' defence to strike a deserved equaliser.

05/01/08: LEEDS 3-0 COBBLERS

The Cobblers are well beaten at Elland Road as Fraser Richardson, Rui Marques and Curtis Weston score the goals to condem us to defeat.

Head to Head

Games Played: 6

Leeds Wins: 3

Draws: 2

Cobblers Wins: 1

Walsall 3-1 Northampton Town

The Cobblers were well beaten at the Bescot Stadium this afternoon with injuries again hitting Stuart Gray’s side.

The Cobblers started with Leon Constantine and Karl Hawley up front after Adebayo Akinfenwa was ruled out of the entire squad through injury. New loan signing Scott McGleish started on the bench in his second stint at the club.

In a scrappy start to the game, Ryan Gilligan volleyed over the bar before an Andy Holt flick on caused problems for Walsall keeper Clayton Ince who almost dropped the ball before grasping it at the second attempt. The game was failing to get going in a strong wind but the home side took the game by the scruff of the neck with fifteen minutes gone.

Chris Palmer collected the ball on the wing and cut inside before unleashing a rocket of a shot into the top corner with Frank Fielding having no chance at all in the Cobblers goal. To make things worse, Abdul Osman was receiving treatment on the sidelines when the goal flew in and Liam Dolman had to replace him in a reshuffle for the Cobblers.

Just a couple of minutes later, Michael Ricketts headed over but it wasn’t long before the home side were 2-0 up. A corner caused problems for the Cobblers and Anthony Gerrard got the final touch on the ball to double the Saddlers’ lead. The Cobblers were shaky at the back and could so nearly have been three down on the half hour mark but Chris Palmer’s free kick was saved by Fielding.

In a rare Cobblers attack, Karl Hawley picked up the ball after a good spell of possession but shot well over from distance. A couple of minutes later, Ryan Gilligan did well to create a cross into the box but neither Leon Constantine or Karl Hawley could get on the end of it.

In one of the final attacks of the half, Dwayne Mattis had a turn and shot blocked by the Cobblers defence but after having a chance to counter attack we gave the ball straight back to the hosts. In a move that summed up the first half, Leon Constantine blasted over the bar from long range and we went in 2-0 down at the break.

The second half began how the first had ended with the home side on top and another dangerous corner was swung in. Jabo Ibehre flicked it on but it just missed Michael Ricketts on the far post who couldn’t quite connect and the ball rolled out for a goal kick. From another Chris Palmer set piece, this time a free kick, Ricketts volleyed over the bar.

The Cobblers won a free kick with ten minutes of the half played but Danny Jackman curled straight into the goalkeepers’ arms. Scott McGleish then came off the bench to replace Jackman in his Cobblers return to a good ovation from the travelling support.

The game was near enough over on the hour mark as Troy Deeney made it 3-0 following the Cobblers failing to clear their lines and Frank Fielding dropping the ball. Ryan Gilligan and Leon Constantine squared up to each other in anger after the goal went in as the players lost their heads a little with the game going totally the wrong way.

The Cobblers had a goal back with twenty minutes to play with Leon Constantine netting his first goal since the opening day of the season to give Stuart Gray a little bit of hope.

We had claims for a penalty turned down just a couple of minutes after the goal but after Scott McGleish appeared to be pushed, the referee waved away any claims from the Cobblers players and fans. Alex Dyer then came off the bench to replace Ryan Gilligan.

As the Cobblers pressed forward, Giles Coke went agonisingly close to making it 3-2 as his shot crashed against the cross bar and McGleish failed to convert the rebound with time ticking away. The bar was rattled once again in the final minute of the game as Constantine headed against the woodwork. From the resulting corner kick, Liam Dolman had an effort scrambled away.

Andy Holt had a volley blocked in stoppage time but that was that and the Cobblers couldn’t get back into the game late on with Constantine’s goal coming too late despite an onslaught on the Walsall goal in the final twenty minutes.