Last season’s Carling Cup heroics against Bolton and Sunderland couldn’t be repeated this evening as the Cobblers put up a brave battle but lost out to Southampton at St Mary’s. Saints boasted new signing Rickie Lambert and the former Bristol Rovers man opened the scoring in the first half. A real battle after the break saw us come so close but we couldn’t quite break them down and a second goal killed us off.
On a bright evening on the south coast, we started with the same back four as Saturday but Romone Rose was handed a debut at right midfield, coming in for Alex Dyer with Ryan Gilligan pushed inside with Abdul Osman. Bayo was dropped to the bench with Steve Guinan and Billy McKay up front.
Saints began the brighter with a couple of Lambert free kicks flying over the bar. Warning shots they most certainly were and it wouldn’t be long before the inevitable goal came from the former Gas Head. Ben Marshall, impressive again on the left, cut inside to create the first of our chances but he was foiled by the excellent Kelvin Davies.
Andy Holt had a free header on the twenty minute mark but he was made to pay for that miss as the home side took the lead ten minutes later. Lloyd James was given too much space on the right and his good cross was met by Lambert who stooped to header home low into Chris Dunn’s net. Saints came to life with that goal and we did well to hold out till half time with the score still at just 1-0.
A double change near the hour mark so nearly changed the game in our favour with Bayo on for McKay and John Curtis given a debut in the place of Romone Rose. The changes sparked a period of fifteen minutes where we really looked like we would get back into the game. Guinan had a shot deflected over and the atmosphere built in the Northam end where the 700 or so Cobblers fans had gathered.
Marshall shot wide before Bayo had a golden chance to level the scores, pouncing on a defensive error to bring the ball down and fire over the bar. That would be the last chance to get back on terms as Southampton scored the killer goal when Adam Lallana scrambled the ball home and from then on it was all but over.
Alex Dyer came off the bench to give a good account of himself and looked ten times the player Abdul Osman did in the middle of the park in a shocker for the former Gretna midfielder. A third goal for Southampton would have been harsh on us but Rasiak nearly got it before being denied by Dunn late on.
The game faded and the Cobblers crashed out of the Carling Cup at the first round stage. A good battle and this gives me a little more confidence after Saturday’s game against Macclesfield. Next up is a tricky away double at Chesterfield and Accrington Stanley. Welcome to League Two indeed...on this tale of quality and final touch, we have a fair way to go yet.
Now for the real tests...
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