Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Season in Review 2008/09...March...


A win at Cheltenham had rounded off February but we had to settle for a point in the first game of March. Bas Savage, who had hit a double for Brighton at Sixfields a season before, gave Tranmere the lead at Sixfields but Andy Holt claimed a point in the second half.

A Tuesday night at Millwall followed in the build up to the derby at Peterborough but we came home from the New Den empty handed as former Cobblers target Gary Alexander scored the only goal of the game.

And so to London Road and perhaps one of the key games of the run-in for both sides. With Posh gunning for automatic promotion and the Cobblers sliding towards the relegation zone, it was the Town fans celebrating early on when Gabriel Zakuani was sent off after just seven minutes of the game. Danny Jackman hit the post from the resulting free kick and we came close on numerous occasions before a sickening blow just after the half hour when Charlie Lee headed home a free kick to score what would turn out to be the winner.

Bayo was back in action after a suspension for his red card at Brighton as Stockport came to Sixfields and felt the full force of a returning giant and a hurt Cobblers side. Bayo was off the mark on twelve minutes and Abdul Osman added a second before the break. Luke Guttridge and on loan striker Scott Vernon both found the net in the second half and we eased to a comfortable victory.

There were more goals the following Tuesday night as Swindon Town edged a seven goal thriller. Bayo again scored the opening goal but Simon Cox hit the net twice along with Billy Paynter’s single goal to put the Robins 3-1 up at half-time. Jackman got one back for the Cobblers before Cox rounded off his hat-trick for 4-2. Ikechi Anya’s late goal wasn’t enough and we remained in big trouble at the bottom.

A point at Carlisle steadied the ship briefly with Luke Guttridge earning a draw at Brunton Park after the home side had been given the lead through Lewis Neal.

The final game of the month was a dreadful showing at fellow relegation candidates Yeovil Town. Going into the game, we knew a defeat would take us into the bottom four and it looked like we would get a point until Jon Obika, the Glovers’ on loan Spurs striker, scored a goal that would turn both sides’ seasons on their heads. This was the beginning of the end for the Cobblers’ season.

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Guinan the first in the door for Town


The Cobblers have completed their first signing of the summer by bringing in experienced Hereford front man Steve Guinan on a free trasnfer. Guinan, who netted fifteen times last season despite his Bulls side being relegated along with the Cobblers, earned the Player of the Year award for his club.

The striker, 33, first settled at Hereford after various loan spells before moving on to Cheltenham Town where he scored seventeen goals before moving back to Hereford. He was United's top scorer last season but has now passed a medical at Sixfields and will officially be a Cobblers player on July 1st.

Monday, May 25, 2009

Uh Oh...Cobblers one of the bookies' frunt runners...

The Cobblers have been placed as early third favourites for the League Two championship next season. So early pressure already begins to build on the players before the Football League season is officially ended by today's Championship playoff final.

Stuart Gray's men have been placed behind Shrewsbury Town and Bradford City as third favourites for the title next season with the Shrews narrowly losing out to Gillingham in the Playoff final on Saturday afternoon and Bradford looking strong cadidates after missing out this time around.

A lot will depend on the squad Gray has to choose from of course but we've never been good with being favourites and we're sure for a hell of a ride whatever happens in 2009/10.

Here's the full odds for the League Two Championship next season from bet365...

Shrewsbury 15/2
Bradford 8/1
Northampton 9/1
Rotherham 11/1
Chesterfield 12/1
Crewe 14/1
Bury 16/1
Bournemouth 16/1
Rochdale 16/1
Torquay 20/1
Darlington 20/1
Cheltenham 20/1
Dag & Red 22/1
Lincoln City 25/1
Hereford 25/1
Morecambe 25/1
Aldershot 25/1
Notts County 28/1
Grimsby 33/1
Port Vale 33/1
Burton Albion 40/1
Barnet 50/1
Macclesfield 66/1
Accrington Stanley 66/1

Sunday, May 24, 2009

Season in Review 2008/09...February...


After a tough opening month of 2009, the Cobblers would also struggle in February as the dark road to relegation began at Boundary Park.

The month began exactly as January had ended, with a 2-1 defear, this time to Oldham Athletic at Boundary Park. Reuben Hazell had given the home side an eighth minute lead before the impressive Dean Windass made it two on the hour mark. Adebayo Akinfenwa pulled one back for Town but it wasn’t enough to stop a third straight defeat.

It was four losses in a row a week later as Walsall won with two late goals at Sixfields. The poor game looked set for a goalless draw until Stephen Hughes scored with seven minutes to play. Jabo Ibehre rubbed salt in the wounds with a second in stoppage time.

A re-arranged and stormy game at Brighton followed on the Tuesday night. Ryan Gilligan had given the Cobblers the lead right on the stroke of half-time with both sides in trouble at the wrong end of the table. But Tommy Elphick grabbed an equaliser in the second half before both Adebayo Akinfenwa and Brighton’s Adam Virgo were sent off after a clash on the half-way line. Both were forced out for three games, meaning that Bayo would miss the derby at Peterborough in mid-March.

After the Brighton draw we faced a big game at Cheltenham Town, also struggling at the foot of the table, at Whaddon Road. Jason Crowe’s goal right on half-time, just like Gilligan’s in the week at Brighton, gave us the lead and this time we didn’t surrender the lead and it was a good way to end a troubled month as a huge month of March loomed.

Friday, May 22, 2009

Season in Review 2008/09...January...


2009 started with a quiet week as the Cobblers were already out of the F.A. Cup so we had a spare week to prepare for the first game of the New Year, at home to Huddersfield Town. It looked like Phil Jevons’ goal had given the Terriers all three points until Adebayo Akinfenwa struck with literally the last kick of the game to salvage a dramatic point.

Next up was a disappointing trip to Hartlepool on a cold Friday night and the Cobblers froze in a 2-0 defeat, handed out by Joel Porter’s double strike and it was a long journey home for our fans.

There was a much improved performance a week later though as Crewe were brushed aside at Sixfields. Billy Clarke had just signed on a month long loan deal from Ipswich Town and started out in true style with a debut hat-trick against the Railwaymen in a 5-1 success. Danny Jackman and Liam Davis scored the other goals in our biggest win of the season with Colin Daniel scoring the only Crewe goal.

The inconsistency continued though as The Cobblers were beaten on the following Tuesday night by Colchester United in the first meeting between the sides at the new Weston Homes Community Stadium. Akinfenwa put us in front in the first half but Mark Yeates and future Cobblers loanee Scott Vernon turned the game completely on its head in two second half minutes to earn a 2-1 win.

The league leaders, Leicester City, were in town on the final day of January and we made a strong start with Leon Constantine and Abdul Osman forcing an own goal out of Foxes defender Kerrea Gilbert. But former Cobbler Steve Howard equalised for City before Lloyd Dyer won it with fifteen minutes to go to make it a disappointing end to the month.

Thursday, May 21, 2009

League honours Golden Six

The leading scorers and shot-stoppers from all three divisions of The Football League are to receive PUMA Golden Boot and Golden Glove awards to mark their respective achievements in all competitions this season.

The winner of the Golden Boot for the Championship, for the second consecutive season, is Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Sylvan Ebanks-Blake. The Championship’s ‘Player of the Season’ has notched 25 goals to see off the challenge of Swansea City’s Jason Scotland (24) and Cardiff City’s Ross McCormack (23).

The Golden Glove award will be shared by Queen’s Park Rangers’ Radek Cerny and Paddy Kenny of Sheffield United. Both keepers recorded 19 clean sheets from 47 appearances in all competitions.

In League 1, where 4 players topped the 30 goal mark, Leeds United striker Jermaine Beckford took the Golden Boot honours after hitting the back of the net 34 times. Tranmere Rovers’ Welsh international goalkeeper Danny Coyne, recorded 20 clean sheets to secure the division’s Golden Glove prize.

Grant Holt’s 28 goals in his first season at Shrewsbury Town helped him win the League 2 Golden Boot by a 5 goal margin. Brentford goalkeeper Ben Hamer, who spent the season on loan at Griffin Park from Reading, kept 20 clean sheets to help secure the League 2 title for the Bees and the Golden Glove Award for himself.

In announcing the PUMA Golden Boot and Golden Glove Award winners, Lord Mawhinney, Chairman of The Football League, said:

"These awards give us the opportunity to recognise the goalscorers and goalkeepers who have made a very special contribution to their team’s efforts this season. Each of these players has had an outstanding season and they all fully deserve this recognition.”

Roger Harrison, Marketing Director at PUMA UK, added:

“Strikers and goalkeepers can often win a match for their team with a last minute goal or breathtaking save. These new accolades give us an opportunity to reward players of all levels – congratulations to all of the winners.”

Goals and clean sheets in The Coca-Cola Football League, Carling Cup, Johnstone’s Paint Trophy and FA Cup sponsored by E.ON have all counted towards the PUMA Golden Boot and Golden Glove awards.

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

5-a-side season brings about scary parrallels...

It's been a while since an update on my 5-a-side team in Southampton but it's time to post again simply because of the situation we're in this evening. No Saints are staring relegation from the top flight in Eastleigh's Wednesday Premier League but the fate is in our hands.

We need a draw from tonight's game with the wonderfully named side Isursista Athletic to guarantee safety. Just two and a half weeks ago it was the Cobblers in exactly the same situation at Leeds...here's hoping that a repeat performance doesn't come about and No Saints can survive!

Season in Review 2008/09...December...


With Christmas approaching, the Cobblers hadn’t completely got going in the league and were out of all three cup competitions already. December was another inconsistent month but did include the game of the season at Glanford Park.

Leyton Orient were the visitors in the opening game of the month and they took home a 1-1 draw from Sixfields thanks to a JJ Melligan equaliser. Liam Davis had given us a second minuet lead but we had to settle for a point.

The following week saw another draw but this time in extraordinary circumstances. Scunthorpe sailed into a 4-1 lead at Glanford Park thanks to two goals each from Gary Hooper and Ben May. Scott McGleish had earlier netted for the Cobblers but the game looked totally dead and buried by the time Scunny’s fourth goal went in on51 minutes. But Giles Coke and Danny Jackman had Stuart Gray’s side right back in the game even before the hour mark and Jackman scored again, this time direct from a corner, with five minutes to go to earn a memorable draw.

Seven days later and a much less eventful game brought us all three points as Carlisle were beaten at Sixfields. Jason Crowe’s goal was enough to win it for Town in the final game before Christmas.

We were looking good for a point on Boxing Day at Southend until stoppage time when Junior Stanislas scored a free kick that snatched a win for the Shrimpers.

The final game of 2008 was a dour goalless draw with Bristol Rovers and there was still plenty of work to do as the transfer window and 2009 loomed large with the season still very much in the balance.

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Facing up to the legends at Sixfields


For any football fan, playing on the turf of your team is a dream come true. But not many will ever get the chance to kick a ball on their own field of dreams, let alone play a game against legends of the club's past. But for a lucky few, the dream became a reality last week as the Shoemakers, the Cobblers fan's team, took on Northampton Town legends at Sixfields. For Mark Kennedy, part of the fans' team, it was an unforgettable night. Here he explains the evening when fans faced up to the legends...

How did it feel walking out at Sixfields alongside the legends that you've watched from the stands?

I felt a little nervous at first but very excited. My last Sixfields experience was playing in a sponsors team where we didn't really know each other but this time around we all knew each other really well and buzz was amazing. To line up in the tunnel alongside the legends is awesome though, you could tell how much they were looking forward to the game. I have worked with Sammo and Sean Parrish through my work's sponsorship of the youth team and it is a pleasure to know them and the passion they have for Northampton Town and their roles within the club. The banter on the pitch was great as well.

What was it like playing on the hallowed turf of Sixfields?

Before the game we all went for a walk about on the pitch in our suits and when you stand on the centre spot, the goals seem quite close. However, when you start playing on it you find it a very different story. First of all, the appearance is deceptive and the pitch is massive and secondly the ball rolls so much faster on the turf. It certianly beats the Racecourse or some of the shabby pitches we have played on in other parts of the country. Hearing the crowd chanting and cheering you on is a great experience and you have to try and stop the goose bumps and concentrate.

Highlight of the night?

I cannot single this one out really as the whole experience was amazing. The legends and backroom staff were brilliant in the way of their spirit and banter, the crowd were great cheering us on and the pre and post-match build up and run down was perfect. One thing that stands out for me I suppose would be the gratitude of the Shoemakers lads at the end of the game for the night. Being part of giving the team a dream experience is a special feeling.

How jealous were your Cobblers-supporting friends of you getting to play at Sixfields against the likes of Razor and Sammo?

It was tough because there are quite a few people that would love to be a part of the team and we have to limit our numbers unfortunately. We get loads of requests for people wanting to join the team to play week in week out and we have to turn people away at times as we sometimes have too many people as it is. The lads who played have dedicated themselves to the team for a number of years, leaving at silly hours to travel to places like Grimsby, Scunthorpe, Crewe and so on, so they really deserved the experience. We didn't really encounter any jealous mates, in fact most people really wished us well.

Did you get a sniff of a goal?

We play a 3-5-2 system in the team and I play on the right side of midfield. I suppose defending is my stronger point but I do like to get forward when I can. My last goal was over two years ago now so I am happy to get in the other box and occasionally have a shot so I was delighted to have two half chances at Sixfields. The first was a half chance when the ball dropped between myself and Nick (Randall) and we both sort of connected at the same time but the keeper made an easy save. The other chance was a header from a half cleared effort but I couldn't get enough power to trouble the keeper. Oh yes, I did bury the ball in the net during the pre-match kick about but I don't suppose that counts!

Who was the best player on the Legends side?

Sean Parrish certainly still has a good touch and moves the ball really well and trying to get the ball off Sammo is a task. Eddie McGoldrick played for the Cobblers over 20 years ago and is still pretty useful as well. Again it hard to answer and say who really stood out because we were playing against ex-pros and people who know the game and not fellow fans who have turned up for a kick about on a Saturday morning before they go to the match. The two Football in the Community lads were very hard to catch and physio Stuart Barker plays some good stuff as well.

And the man of the match for the Shoemakers?

Everybody played exceptionally well throughout the game but our keeper Matt Cockerill made some quality saves on the night so I would have to plug for him. It is easy for a keeper to come into the firing line in a big game situation and make stand out mistakes but Matt dealt with everything thrown at him. Many fo the crowd picked him afterwards too.

**Above photo courtesy of Pete Norton**

Monday, May 18, 2009

Torquay promotion brings back the memories...


As Torquay United celebrated their promotion back into the Football League at the second attempt at the weekend, it was hard not to reminice about a day at Plainmoor in May 2000. Chris Hargreaves, a former favourite at Sixfields, and Tim Sills scored the goals as the Gulls saw off Cambridge United at Wembley and as we prepare to meet them in League Two once again, memories come flooding back.

The day in question was a typical end of season day, the sun beaming down on the hoards of coaches leaving Sixfields for Devon. A win would see Kevin Wilson's men promoted and Cobblers fans had sold tickets on all four sides of Plainmoore, quite an achievement for an away following!

The quiet town was invaded by claret that day as nervous Cobblers fans milled about before the game, coaches dropping us off hours before kick off to soak up the sun on the beach. There was the sense that something special was going to happen but as we piled into the now cramped ground at Plainmoor, it was the home side that looked set to spoil the party with their own playoff ambitions at stake.

Tony Bedeau hadn't read our script and gave The Gulls a seventeenth minute lead and nerves began to jangle. We needn't have worried with a strike force in place that would shoot us to promotion. Steve Howard and Jamie Forrester had forged a partnership that forced the Cobblers into a top three place. Forrester hit back on twenty six minutes before, delightfully, Howard made it 2-1 and the party had began.

A nervous second half was then observed as Cobblers fans didn't dare to celebrate too soon. But on full time, the claret faithful from all around the ground streamed onto the pitch at Plainmoor and, sportingly, United fans applauded our achievments. I remember the players coming out to celebrate and Torquay were hospitable enough to allow them to do so in their own home stand.

A quite memorable day and having sat through two weeks of unhappiness at our relegation, one win for a now ex Conference side seems to help get over it just that little easier. Now let's wait for the fixture list and see if we get the Gulls away again on the final day in 2010, what will be ten years on from this proud moment in recent Cobblers history.

Sunday, May 17, 2009

Season in Review 2008/09...November...


After a good October that saw the Cobblers lose just one game, November was a more mixed month with an FA Cup tie took to a replay and an incredible couple of games with Leeds in the space of a week.

The month kicked off with a disappointing defeat at Walsall as goals from Chris Palmer, Anthony Gerrard and Troy Deeney had the hosts 3-0 up just after the hour mark. Leon Constantine struck with twenty minutes to go with only his second goal of the season but little did we know that this would be his last goal in Cobblers colours.

The following Friday night saw us thrust into the national spotlight as the FA Cup First Round game at Leeds was being screened live by Setanta Sports. Scott McGleish had just rejoined the club on a month’s loan and had played at Walsall but netted his first goal back at the club early on to stun Elland Road. Giles Coke was sent off just before the half hour mark and a controversial penalty, finished by Andy Robinson, drew the home side level. But a brave performance by the Cobblers’ ten men meant that the game would go to a replay.

Back in the league and Oldham claimed all three points from Sixfields just two days before the cup replay as Andy Lidell scored from the spot with fifteen minutes to go to give the visitors all three points.

And so to the Leeds replay and Setanta again sent their cameras down to take in the game. This time though, we were totally outclassed and Jermaine Beckford scored four times to sink Stuart Gray’s men and send us crashing out of the competition. Leeds were three up within forty minutes through Beckford, a Mark Hughes own goal and a Ben Parker strike. Jason Crowe pulled one back before the break but Beckford had time to net another one to make it 4-1 at half time. He added his fourth ten minutes after the restart and Crowe’s late consolation barely raised a cheer as Leeds ran out 5-2 winners.

We would bounce back in the league a few days later though as second half goals from Danny Jackman and Ryan Gilligan secured the Cobblers’ second away win of the season at struggling Hereford United.

That win was followed up on the Tuesday night by a stunning 2-1 win over Leeds at Sixfields just a week after the 5-2 defeat to the same side in the F.A. Cup. Stuart Gray’s men took the lead through Liam Davis’ well hit shot from outside the area but Leeds looked to have earned a point through that man Beckford again. But on loan striker Nicholas Bignall was on hand to head home a dramatic winner with three minutes to play and we had recorded a famous victory.

November didn’t end as well with Colchester taking all three points at Sixfields in a 2-1 win. After two headed goals from Clive Platt and former Cobblers man Paul Reid, Danny Jackman scored with a long range free kick that deflected in but it wasn’t enough as we ended the month on a poor note.

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Too soon to forget?

So how soon do you start to look towards next season? Just over a week has passed since that deflating day at Elland Road and attention at camp Cobblers has immediately turned to 2009/10 with talk of contracts, buoyant messages from chairman and manager alike and the arrangement of the first friendly game.

With playoffs and the like still going on it’s hard to fully draw this season to a close and talking about the next campaign is almost like those people who look forward to Christmas in January. The Cobblers are taking the approach of trying to lift the spirits of the town with all the right noises coming from those involved at the helm. I wouldn’t imagine a lot of true Cobblers to be listening just yet and it feels like I’m personally still mourning the end of last season.

It’s far too soon for me despite the dates that have been set this week for the fixtures coming out etc and I liken it to the death of a pet…we’ve not had time to mourn, let alone think about getting a similar breed in the vague hope that it lives up its predecessor.

Of course we will all be hoping to swap last season’s pussy cat for a brave and proud lion in 2009/10. Let’s have a bit of time to get over relegation first though.

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Season in Review 2008/09...October...


The season finally got going in October with the Cobblers recording three straight league wins, starting at Crewe.

We hadn’t won away in the league all season despite twice winning on our travels in the Carling Cup and taking Sunderland to penalties in the same competition. But that away day hoodoo was put to bed when the Cobblers won 3-1 at Crewe in the opening game in October. Danny Jackman’s free kick started us off before the home side equalised through Tom Pope. Adebayo Akinfenwa put the Cobblers back in front though before Abdul Osman headed home the third to seal a good win at Gresty Road.

It was two wins on the bounce for the first time in the season the following weekend when on loan Preston striker Karl Hawley scored in the seventeenth minute to win the home game with Hartlepool United at Sixfields.

With that momentum, Stuart Gray’s men then made it three in a row as Yeovil were brushed aside 3-0 in one of the more simple games of the season. Jackman was on target again with another trademark free kick before Akinfenwa added a second on twenty minutes. Jason Crowe rounded off a comfortable day at the office for the Cobblers with ten minutes to go and it looked like the season was getting going at last.

But defeat was just around the corner on the following Tuesday night at Swindon. Billy Paynter and Simon Cox put the Robins 2-0 up and despite a late goal from Giles Coke we came home pointless from the County Ground.

October was complete with a solid display at league pacesetters Leicester City as the Cobblers came away with a goalless draw against the side that would go on to win the league.

Fixtures date confirmed along with other key days in the calendar


The Football League has confirmed a number of key dates for the new season along with the fact that the fixtures for the 2009/10 season being released on Wednesday, June 17th. The new season will then kick off, with the Cobblers back in League Two, on Saturday, August 10th.

The Carling Cup First Round will take place on the following weekdays with the competition celebrating it's 50th anniversary. The Cobblers knocked out Bolton Wanderers and took Sunderland to penalties last season so will be looking for another big name scalp.

Stick around throughout the summer on A Load Of Cobblers as we bring you the latest updates from Sixfields including all the big news on Fixtures day in just over a month.

Monday, May 11, 2009

Get yourself to Sixfields this Wednesday...


The Cobblers' fans team, The Shoemakers, take on a team of Cobblers legends in a special match at Sixfields. The fans team have been playing representitives of all League One sides this season and will be facing the likes of Ian Sampson, Eddie McGoldrick Ray Warburton and Sean Parrish.

The game takes place this Wednesday, 13th May with a 7pm kick off time. Admission prices are just £1 and that has to be worth it to see a host of Cobblers legends take to the pitch once more!

A Dunn Deal...


Chris Dunn has signed a new two year deal with the Cobblers. The young stopper has grown in confidence over the last few months after a tough start. Replacing Mark Bunn after his departure to Blackburn Rovers was never going to be easy and he suffered from nerves in the early games before coming good with a number of impressive performances despite the slide down League One for the Cobblers.

Jason Crowe, Giles Coke and Mark Hughes all have until the middle of June to make their minds up on their new contracts but this is early good news for Stuart Gray as he looks towards next season already.

Saturday, May 09, 2009

Empty Saturdays


So it's Saturday and I'm already feeling the emptiness of a day without football and the Cobblers. Of course there are a lot of Premier League and playoff issues to keep the armchair fan happy over the coming weeks but the fact that I forgot that even the big boys were still playing for the English title this weekend says it all.

3pm will be strange today...I'm usually gripping my phone for live scores, nervous at Sixfields or a random ground around the country or sat in a pub watching Jeff Stelling et al along with the ticker at the bottom of the screen that can ludicriously have an effect on your mood for the rest of the day.

Talk of pre-season at Sixfields isn't doing a lot to change the mood and despite a war cry from the chairman I still think it a little to early to even think about next season after the despair of last weekend at Elland Road, a time that even now seems a million miles away as Leeds prepare for their playoff semi-final at Millwall. Good luck to the local police there.

Football on tv will have to make do until the end of May but every game will bring "what ifs," even the playoffs where we so ambitiously said we could end up at the start of this season. With David Cardoza talking of an immediate return to League One, the pressure is well and truly on Stuart Gray. I expect him to be given ten games to prove he's up for the job next season with so much expectation from the "highest wage bill in League Two."

But everyone will now be gunning for us as we go from being a small fish in a big pond to a rather large one in a small pond and we need to be ready to ensure that on the first Saturday after the end of next season in a year's time is one that we all spend relaxing and happy, in love with football again.

Season in Review 2008/09...September...


September began how August had ended, with another defeat, this time at home to Brighton and Hove Albion in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy. Kevin McLeod got the only goal of the game to earn Albion progression to Round Two.

The big local derby with Peterborough United was up next and George Boyd gave Boro the lead on fifteen minutes. But just before half time, Colin Larkin was sent through and powered a good finish past Joe Lewis in the visitors’ goal. Jason Crowe was sent off late on but we earned a decent point following a hard fought derby game.

Another 1-1 draw followed at Stockport in midweek. On loan striker Karl Hawley gave us the ideal start but with fifteen minutes to go Leon McSweeney grabbed a point for the home side.

A 3-2 defeat at Huddersfield followed as the Cobblers remained without a league win since the opening day of the season. An own goal gave us the lead but Andy Booth scored against the Cobblers once again to level things. Two goals from Flynn gave Huddersfield a 3-1 lead and despite a late goal from Liam Davis we couldn’t salvage a point.

Despite the poor league form, the Cobblers went on to Sunderland in the Carling Cup on the following Tuesday and came agonisingly close to causing another upset. Colin Larkin and Luke Guttridge seemed to have won it for Stuart Gray’s side but incredibly, the Premier League side came back with two Anthony Stokes goals in the final four minutes to take the game to extra time. After a gruelling period of extra time, the Cobblers got through to penalties but were beaten 4-3 after Leon Constantine missed the decisive kick.

The month ended with another 2-2 draw, this time at home to Brighton. Glenn Murray had Brighton in front from the penalty spot but Adebayo Akinfenwa equalised late on. Murray thought he’d won it with a 90th minute goal but deep into stoppage time, Akinfenwa headed home a Danny Jackman corner to grab a point.

Wednesday, May 06, 2009

Season In Review 2008/09...August...


Part One of the season in review 2008/09...August...a month that saw a shaky start shadowed by a stunning cup success...

The Cobblers started the new season in true style as Cheltenham Town were beaten 4-2 at Sixfields. Three new signings, Luke Guttridge, Leon Constantine and Liam Davis made their Cobblers debut but it wasn’t all plain sailing. David Bird gave the visitors the lead in the 35th minute but it was Chris Doig that equalised before half time. Two penalties from Adebayo Akinfenwa gave us a comfortable lead before Michael Townsend scored from the spot at the other end. But it was Constantine who rounded things off following good work from Akinfenwa who unselfishly set his strike partner up for a debut goal.

In the first midweek game of the season, Jason Crowe’s goal was enough to knock Milwall out of the Carling Cup but little would we know what drama would follow in the same competition.

The following Saturday saw a disappointing performance at MK Dons result in the Dons winning the first ever meeting between the clubs. Aaron Wilbraham got the only goal of the game following a goal mouth scramble and the Cobblers had nothing in reply.

Millwall were the opponents the following weekend as we faced a quick fire rematch with the Lions after that Carling Cup tie. This time there was nothing to separate the sides and the game ended goalless.

After drawing Bolton Wanderers away in the Carling Cup, no-one would have given us a chance against the Premier League outfit. But Adebayo Akinfenwa had other ideas and scored twice in the opening half an hour to give us a surprise lead. Gary Cahill was sent off to add to Bolton’s troubles and despite a late goal from Kevin Nolan, the Cobblers recorded a fantastic win to upset the odds.

After that stunning night at the Reebok, we were brought right back down to earth though as we were hammered by Tranmere Rovers. Ryan Gilligan put the Cobblers in front but Rovers were 3-1 up by half time as goals from Bas Savage, Antony Kay and Craig Curran gave the hosts the advantage. Ian Moore scored in stoppage time to round off a disappointing end to August for the Cobblers.

First day back...

It’s been that difficult first day back in the office for me today. Usually after a defeat it’s tough to face the workmates who have had a comfortable weekend of football from the armchair but this has been even tougher. The fact that we’re now a League Two club has come up numerous times today and with the bank holiday giving me time to reflect this was a harsh reminder of things to come and that it will be a long summer pondering trips to Morecambe and Darlington.

News of contracts being offered and pre-season friendlies already being arranged deflects some of the news away from that forgettable season we’ve just had but the fact is that as much as we try to forget we will remember as much as we recall promotions. Back in 2003 it was easier because we were simply rubbish all season. In fact if I recall, we played Mansfield Town on the final day of the season at their place for the unwanted title of worst team in the league with both sides rooted to the bottom of League One.

This season we’ve dropped like a stone and no-one had had much time to get used to the reality of League Two football next season, something that is getting more and more distant in quality from League One by the season in terms of sides in the league.

We have to somehow take this on the chin and I’m sure there will be a time mid-summer when I get excited about next season again, most likely in the middle of June when the fixtures are announced. But for now, I’m sulking.

City to provide Sixfields test

Championship side Coventry City will visit Sixfields in pre-season in the first fixture that's been arranged for the build up to the League Two season. The game will mean a meeting with a former team for Liam Davis who joined from The Ricoh Arena last summer.

City will come to Sixfields for the friendly on Tuesday, June 21st with a 7:45pm kick off.

Retained List 2009: Leon and Larkin shown the door


The Cobblers have offered new deals to Mark Hughes, Jason Crowe, Chris Dunn and Giles Coke after Stuart Gray made up his retained list for next season.

Leon Constantine, Colin Larkin, Greg Taylor and Chris Doig will all be seeking new clubs though after they were released by the club. Liam Dolan will get the chance to earn a new contract at the start of pre-season in the summer whilst Adebayo Akinfenwa is automatically given a new year extension after a trigger was activate in his contract.

Doig will be disappointed to be leaving Sixfields after guiding the club to promotion in 2006 whilst Taylor saw his first team opportunities limited. For Constantine and Larkin it gives them a chance of a fresh start with both of them keen to rekindle past goalscoring times.

Players offered contracts will have until June 16th to respond.

Tuesday, May 05, 2009

Northampton Town (R)

So relegation is confirmed, a drop down to a low not experienced for three seasons. Three seasons being the operative phrase there. The Cobblers haven’t, in recent years, stayed more than three seasons outside of the basement division and the curse struck again with a cruel sinking at Leeds that signalled the end of times when we can watch games in front of crowds like 30,000.

Going into the game, we were always looking to Millwall to do us that favour of getting a point at least at Carlisle to save us with the inevitable defeat for our men in claret. As soon as Carlisle scored the day began to sink in front of us, the realisation that we had to get something at Elland Road becoming more apparent by the second.

It was only a matter of time before the different class Leeds side did their stuff and got their first goal and from then on it was a slow and painful death of our League One status. Cobblers fans were together in the acceptance of the inevitable and full credit to a group of supporters that have stuck with the club right to the end of a season that has sank in front of our eyes.

The inquest now begins into what went wrong. What happened to a season that promised so much from the offset, a 4-2 win over Cheltenham, had us up in twelfth place by the New Year and featured players that can more than hold their own in League One.

The council will be blamed, the players will be blamed, too many loan players will be blamed, Stuart Gray will be blamed but the bottom line is that we simply weren’t good enough and as the old saying goes, the league table doesn’t lie. The journey back to Northampton saw League Two league tables being studied as we plotted routes to Morecambe, Barnet and Dagenham rather than Southampton, Charlton and Norwich.

Exeter fans passed us on the motorway and our coaches applauded their promotion. The scenes on the two coaches could not be in any greater contrast as The Grecians took our place in League One and we reflected on taking their place in the basement.

So what now? What’s the next chapter to be in the story of Northampton Town? Personally, I’m of the opinion that we must use this as a chance to start again. The values of Northampton Town and what is to play for and support us must return. There must be a clear out of the “dead wood” and anyone that simply doesn’t want to be here, no matter how much quality they do or don’t possess.

Youngsters like Greg Taylor, Alex Dyer and Joe Benjamin must be given their chance to shine, their chance to play for the team they’ve grown up with. Surely they would be a better bet than a loan player that hardly knows where Northampton is on a map? If they’re not good enough, fair enough, but give the lads a chance to play.

The question Stuart Gray has to ask is what more he can bring to his role. Can he see himself giving it another go? He should be given the start of the season at least. Gray has shown that he has knowledge but desperation in the loan market seemed to blind his desire to take us to the next level. If he can reassess what he has at his disposal, have a look at the promise of our youth and build a squad built for a return to League One.

Time will tell whether he will get it right but we all need to take a breather, we all need to have a time of mourning and then we all need to be back again in August for the opening day of League Two, whoever that may be against.

Sunday, May 03, 2009

Cobblers relegated from League One

Mid table security at Christmas, easing to a safety most assumed would come and even looking up towards the playoffs if we had a decent transfer window in January, it was inconceivable at the turn of the year that the Cobblers would end the season with this much despair. Elland Road was the setting, the stage for the tragedy that even Shakespeare would feel too cruel to write.

As the players trudged towards the band of Cobblers fans at the end of this comfortable defeat, realising that other results had gone against us, the players that got us to this point seemed beaten, shoulders well and truly down in every sense of the word. Mark Hughes gave away his boots and shirt in a gesture that many believed meant that he will be off in the summer whilst Adebayo Akinfenwa and Leon Constantine, close friends off the pitch, consoled each other as it set in that we would be a League Two club next season.

We knew it would be a tough task to get the point we needed ourselves and most nerves were resting on the results elsewhere as Carlisle and Brighton played home games while we made the trip north. A bad omen from the start of the morning came about when we stopped off for a half an hour toilet break. The fact that it was a half hour break in itself showed that the coach organisers perhaps felt need for some time to get something out of our system. Squeeky bum time this most certainly was. Dad mentioned that this was the services, Woodley, that his coach had stopped off at en route to Grimsby in our last game in League Two in 2006. We were met by Exeter City supporters who themselves were in a last day of the season drama for very different reasons, needing a win from Rotherham to go into League One. Wishing each other the best of luck, we got on our ways but unfortunately it would be just one of us that would be celebrating on the motorway home.

Elland Road loomed like a fortress in front of us as we pulled in and my nerves hadn’t been this bad for many a season, eclipsing even the playoff dramas of years gone by and that Chester home game in 2006 that finally saw us promoted. I had arranged to meet my old friends Lee and Steve, who were in the home stands with Lee’s Leeds allegiance, by the Billy Bremner statue and we headed for a pint. That plan was soon dead in the water though with the only pub around crammed full...we weren’t getting in. Settling for an Irn Bru and a packet of Starburst (heavy stuff indeed) we went our separate ways and that’s when it started to kick in good and proper.

Walking up into the cauldron of noise inside Elland Road felt like a cup tie. Nearly 35,000 fans greeted us, the largest in the Football League this weekend and even eclipsing the likes of Portsmouth, Wigan and Middlesbrough (who faced the Champions of England and Europe). A ticket for this game guaranteed Leeds fans a ticket for the home playoff first leg so it was understandle yet still impressive.

From the outset it was clear we’d be on the back foot and outclassed. The news that Carlisle had taken the lead came through from a lad a couple of seats down from me who had a friend watching Sky at home and from Tom, provider of many helpful lifts to games this season, via text after he stayed back in Southampton for the day. Now the game was really on and should Leeds score we would be in a position where we’d be relegated.

On the pitch, try as we might we just couldn’t get going. Leon Constantine was playing on the right at his old ground with Bayo and Anya up front but nothing was falling their way. On rare Cobblers attacks, we didn’t get a shot away with corners and Andy Holt’s long throws providing the best bet for an unlikely goal.

But it was Leeds that inevitably swaggered their way forward and looked by far the more dangerous. Jermaine Beckford waltzed through a couple of challenges before curling wide in their best effort inside the opening quarter but it looked like we’d somehow survive until half time when Luciano Becchio shot the first nail in our coffin by heading home a cross from the left hand side. At the break, we were relgated.

With batteries recharged for one last push, the Cobblers fans willed their side towards their end. Cheers suddenly went up from the upper tier shortly after half-time...had Millwall eequalised? The phone buzzed..no, it was another Carlisle goal, 2-0 and they were looking odds on for the win they needed to dislodge the Cobblers. It was now all on Brighton and the atmosphere dropped in the South East corner of Elland Road as the home fans started a Mexican Wave.

It was getting desperate and our own chances of getting the point we needed were over when Leeds got a second through Beckford, a well taken right footed finish into the far corner, and all ears were on Brighton. Despair surrounded the Town fans until someone for some unknown reason said that Stockport had taken the lead at the Withdean! A couple of seconds later and off goes the phone a couple of seats down once more. Was this the phone call that kept us up? No. There HAD been a goal at Brighton but it was the home side that had scored it! It was all over as celebrations turned to dejection as the Cobblers fans realised we were heading down.

“Que Sera Sera, whatever will be will, we’re going to Shrews-bury,” sang the faithful, trying to accept this disaster.

Another goal in injury time for Leeds meant they were buzzing as they prepared to take on Millwall in the playoffs and you certainly wouldn’t bet against them. But for us, the game was up and Northampton Town were relegated to League Two.

With the players coming over to applaud the fans that have travelled on this journey with them, not just on this day but throughout the season, there was a sense of togetherness as both groups showed what it meant to them that they won’t be playing in League One next season. It’s been desperate, dramatic, distressing at times, but the end result was that we weren’t good enough in a season that promised so much. Firstly there was ambitions of the playoffs particularly after a 4-2 win on the opening day of the season.

We were twelfth at the start of 2009, the decline has been nothing short of shocking. There will be endless post mortems in the coming weeks about what the problems were, talk will no doubt include the council’s ineptitude, Stuart Gray’s tactics and players supposedly not getting on in the dressing room. But the end result was that we were relegated, consigned back to the Macclesfields, Grimsbys and Barnet’s of this incredible football world.

It’s time for everyone at Northampton Town to take a good look at how we work and get back to basics. The most depressing fact is that now we have to wait until August before we can even think about putting this right again. But we all know that the 1,000 or so Cobblers fans in the South East corner of Elland Road will be back next season along with the others who couldn’t be here. It won’t be in such extraordinary setting as this but we’ll be there.

Que Sera Sera.

Friday, May 01, 2009

Leeds United (A) Preview...Survival Saturday looms...


It’s all down to one final day of the season and the Cobblers travel to Leeds hopeful that either other results go for them or that we gain the point needed ourselves. Carlisle and Brighton are waiting to pounce on any slip up and it should be a nervy afternoon at Elland Road in what is our biggest match for years.


Team News

Leeds midfielder Fabien Delph returns from a two game ban to take his place in the side. Robert Snodgrass is also set to come back into the team after recovering from an ankle injury.

Adebayo Akinfenwa is a doubt once more for the Cobblers after he started on the bench on Tuesday night. There are also doubts over Scott Vernon and Ryan Gilligan but Chris Doig definitely misses out.


Form

Leeds are in good form going into the game and they’ll be looking to finish with a win to set them up for the playoffs. Last weekend a Jermaine Beckford goal was enough to seal a 1-0 win at Hartlepool.

The Cobblers were beaten on Tuesday night by MK Dons with Aaron Wilbraham scoring the only goal of the game in the first half.


Last Time Out…25/11/08…Cobblers 2-1 Leeds…

The Cobblers came up with a stunning late victory at Sixfields just a week after Leeds had beaten us 5-2 on our own ground in the FA. Cup First Round Replay. Liam Davis gave us an early lead before a Jermaine Beckford goal looked to give Leeds a point. But Reading loan man Nicholas Bignall headed home an 87th minute winner to win the game for the Cobblers.


Head to Head…Leeds v Cobblers…


Games Played: 9


Leeds Wins: 4


Draws: 3


Cobblers Wins: 2