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!
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