Saints gun us down once more...

Northampton Town 2-3 Southampton
F.A. Cup Second Round
Saturday, November 28th 2009

So The Cobblers’ interest in the FA Cup is ended by Southampton as the Saints complete a cup double matching that of season 2004/05 where they again beat us twice in the main competitions of English football. In some ways we were looking back on that season and thinking that we had a better chance against the then Premier League outfit that were struggling at the time than against an in form League One side but the score line was at least closer than the previous three meetings between the sides. I headed back into work this morning knowing that at least we hadn’t been mullered as predicted by some colleagues going into the weekend as Ryan Gilligan’s late penalty gave us a bit of gloss to top off the game with.

If early chances had been converted it could have been a much, much different game but if you don’t take chances against teams like this you will always be punished and two sucker punch free headers at the end of the first half were the difference and really put the boot into forty minutes of real hard work and determination from Ian Sampson’s side.

Adebayo Akinfenwa could have had us in front in the opening minute with a low shot that beat the visiting keeper all ends up but smacked against the post. It was the sort of tempo we needed to begin the game with and Pt Kanyuka’s header that flashed wide from the resulting corner gave us hope of an early upset.


Southampton soon settled though and made a game of it, forcing Chris Dunn into two fine saves on the quarter hour mark. Dean Hammond was the man to come close on both occasions but Dunn was equal to both his close range header and long range curling effort.

Controversy reared it’s ugly head again mind way through the half when Steve Guinan appeared to be shoved in the back when rising for a header but there was nothing given by either the referee or linesman, the latter being just inches from the action. After Tuesday night’s misfortune at the other end it was another bitter pill to swallow for Town fans.

Loan man Josh Walker curled a free kick to within a lick of paint of the post before Andy Holt headed over from a Peter Gilbert corner. It was inevitable that soon those missed chances would be punished and so it came to pass that two simple headers turned the momentum back to the Saints just before the break.

First, Rickie Lambert crossed for Papa Waigo to nod in before seconds later Adam Lallana, again a thorn in our side and looking one of the brighter Southampton players, headed a second. We were shell shocked and needed the half time whistle, which duly came shortly after.

We had to score the next goal if we were to stand any chance and Kanyuka had a header cleared off the line in the early stages of the half. But we couldn’t build on that and the game was over as a contest on the hour mark as a third header, from Hammond this time, crept over the line despite all the efforts from Chris Dunn. It looked a close one but from my view the ball did cross the line and the linesman, so blinded in the first half for the penalty shout, had his eagle eyes out to spot that one.

There was similar goings on with twenty minutes to play at the other end and as Dean Hammonds put the ball into his own net we didn’t seem to know whether it had crossed the line or not. Hence the strange celebrations inside the two home ends (Saints had sold their allocation for both the East and South stands) as we weren’t quite sure what was going on!

There wasn’t time for a revival though and we looked a spent force with Southampton never really coming out of first gear. The late penalty to make it 3-2 from Gilligan raised little cheer as we knew that the three minutes of stoppage time were well up by the time he slotted the ball home.

So we’re out of all cups before Christmas again and we really do have more emphasis on Tuesday night’s visit from Hereford United in the league now. It’s the return of a certain L. Constantine to Sixfields and we all know what’s likely to happen after the striker manager just two goals all season for us last term!

Who knows, this could be a lucky omen...in 2005 we went on to make the League Two playoffs after going out of both cups to Southampton. Then again, in 2005 we had the likes of Luke Chambers, Martin Smith, Marc Richards and Eric Sabin...this lot have a long way to go if they’re to match those men...

The Saints are coming...

So it's a welcome distraction from a topsy turvy league campaign this weekend as Southampton make the same journey that I've been making for six years from south to north for the FA Cup Second Round tie. The Saints beat us 2-0 in the Carling Cup at St.Mary's earlier this season and will be looking to complete another cup double having won twice at Sixfields in the League Cup and FA Cup back in 2004.

The usual stick has been thrown my way from work colleagues and friends down here and an easy win is expected for their beloveds so I'm even more desperate than usual for the Cobblers to make it to Round Three.

There was certainly nothing on Tuesday night to suggest that we will come anywhere near Southampton, particularly with our defensive frailties though the signing of Danny Swailes today hopefully means he can play a part.

The atmosphere should be hot with Saints bringing over 2,500 fans to Sixfields and pushing our home fans into the West and North stands as we look to bring some profit from the tie. Hopefully this will get our fans going a bit as well and give the players a much needed lift.

Kelvin Davis is the main absentee for Southampton going into the game as he pulled up with a groin injury during Tuesday night's 3-1 win at Hartlepool whilst Marek Saganowski is also missing with medial ligament damage.

The Cobblers will be waiting on Bayo Akinfenwa after the striker pulled up on Tuesday night at Aldershot whilst Chris McCready is also struggling with an injury from the same game. Liam Davis and Courtney Herbert are still not 100% with both suffering from injuries that has halted their respective seasons.

Everything points to an away win but this is the FA Cup and whatever sort of form we are or aren't in and however good Southampton look on paper you just never, ever know what's going to happen. We should get rolled over, but then we should have trounced Fleetwood in the previous round!

Here's hoping that I have restored some pride in the south when I return from the weekend...

Sammo swoops for Dons defender

Ian Sampson has moved to sign MK Dons defender Danny Swailes on a one month loan deal as he shaped up for the busy Christmas fixture list. Swailes joined Dons from Macclesfield Town and has made over fifty appearances for the club but Paul Ince has allowed the big man to come down the road for a change of scenery.

A physical presence at the back and from set plays at the other end, this could be a big signing for Sammo as he looks to get rid of the sloppy goals going in past an unfortunate Chris Dunn that has been rife this season.

Shots fight back as Cobblers collapse

Aldershot Town 2-1 Northampton Town
League Two
Tuesday, 24th November 2009


I’m not usually one to use clichés but the oldest one in the book, “it’s a game of two halves” could never be more apt than when used to describe last night’s game. Comfortably in front at half time and for the most part dealing with the windy conditions at the Recreation Ground, a combination of misfortune, shoddy refereeing and a lack of pace (again) at the back cost us not only a win but all the points in this one.

I’d made the late decision to head to Aldershot, adamant that I wouldn’t be tempted before the game before a change of heart in the build up and there I was alongside long time wing man and honorary Cobbler Jamie as we drove north from our Southampton starting point. Our record of going to Tuesday night games was terrible with shuddering memories of trips to Millwall (team bus is late turning up = no warm up time = 2-0 defeat) and Yeovil (a half hour walk to the ground from the city actually turning out to be an hour = us missing the kick off and the Cobblers losing to a last minute winner) so it was with slight trepidation that we joined forces for this. Surely nothing could go wrong...

Well at least we weren’t late. Arriving in very good time and seemingly parking within two seconds of the ground it looked like we’d be in the “away bar” advertised by some websites in no time. Two problems arose here: a) there was no away bar and b) it seemed there was no way in to the ground itself, with the floodlights towering over us but fences and woodland making it anyone’s guess as to how to get in. It was like a scene from a low budget horror film as we tried to find the way in, with night well and truly set in and no signs as to how to enter the forbidden land of the Recreation Ground.

Eventually the entrance was found and still there was plenty of time for a pint or two. So the Tuesday night curse was hanging over us but it was bearable because we now knew the way in and had plenty of time to spare. Lovely.

The small band of Cobblers fans greeted us as we made it just in time for kick off and the more vocal of which were positioned out in the elements to the side of the pitch so we took a place there as the game got under way. It didn’t take us long to settle and Adebayo Akinfenwa tested the home keeper with a couple of early headers.
The big man was causing all the danger and he was the one to set up the opening goal of the night as he held of a defender before playing in Luke Guttridge who ran onto the through ball to neatly finish low into the net.

You got the feeling that we needed to take advantage of the early pressure and Steve Guinan was close to extending the lead minutes later as he nearly got on the end of Luke Rodgers’ cross. Guttridge and Andy Holt had a chance a piece before half time came around but we couldn’t add to the score despite a strong showing.

The second half began well for the Cobblers in that we didn’t seem to be troubled early on. Akinfenwa was taken off as his injury saw him replaced by Gary Mulligan. The Shots started to build momentum with our main goal threat out of action and John Halls brought a fine save from Chris Dunn with an effort that looked bound for the top corner.

As we counted down the clock, out of nowhere it all started to go wrong. The turning point came with ten minutes to go as Paul Rodgers was adjudged to have brought down his man inside the area when it looked clear as day that the challenge took place outside the box and Scott Donnelly stepped up. There was momentary jubilation as Dunn saved but the referee pointed to the spot again for encroachment and we had to prepare ourselves again. This time Donnelly made no mistake and beat Dunn powerfully to give the home side an equaliser.

It was to get so much worse. With the game on a knife edge, the home side sealed all three points. A through ball looked safe as Chris McCready chased it but it appears that he pulled a hamstring on the chase and Marvin Morgan nipped in, beat Kanyuka and fired past Dunn to win the game and complete a second half of despair for the Cobblers.

Andy Holt’s desperate late volley was the closest we came to a last ditch rescuer but it was too late and all the points were lost when it looked so good up to the hour mark. Whether the penalty should or shouldn’t have been given doesn’t matter, whether someone encroached or not doesn’t matter, the fact is that we let it slip and have to face up to that fact and ask ourselves why it happened.

This was another example of how much work is needed if we’re to turn things around this season. January can certainly not come soon enough and Sammo will be desperate to bring in his own players after inheriting some of Stuart Gray’s summer signings that are, in all honesty, not good enough to match the ambitions that make our current league position very hard to take.

Town go back on the road...

It was a DIVISION FOUR game last time the two sides met but a lot has changed since then. Aldershot vs Northampton Town will be fondly remembered for Shots and Cobblers fans sharing a terrace back in the early nineties when the home side were in financial difficulty but there will be no such pleasentaries this time around I would imagine.

Aldershot have made a decent start to the season and managed a creditable goalless draw at Notts County at the weekend so it should be a tough game for Sammo's men. The big question is whether we can put two good halves of football on for the expected small band of claret faithful.

Adebayo Akinfenwa could be rested but could still make the bench for a cameo whilst Liam Davis is struggling again. Courtney Herbert isn't ready again just yet while Peter Gilbert will have another go at staying on the pitch after his debut dismissal.

The Recreation Ground is the setting for what looks like being a rain drenched evening in North Hampshire so obviously this is all pointing to me being very tempted to make an appearance in hope of building up for that other Hampshire side visiting Sixfields on Saturday...

Bayo score twice as Town come back again

On the day that was started with me becoming an uncle, with Harry Joseph Desborough Brothers entering the world on Saturday morning, the Cobblers produced yet another mix of ineptitude and fight that Harry will have to get used to should he rightfully choose the claret and white as his football colours.

After last week’s disparaging goalless treat against Grimsby Town at Sixfields it was back to the home of football to take on a Crewe side in a very similar and underachieving position to ourselves. Dario Gradi is back in charge and that meant that we expected exactly what we got – more of a footballing encounter. Unfortunately for us, we couldn’t deal with the style of the Alex in the opening 45 minutes and were two down by the interval.

It could have been more as well...Calvin Zola had numerous chances even before Clayton Donaldson had giving the visitors an early lead, as he raced worryingly away from the Cobblers back line to score after fourteen minutes.

The Cobblers’ best chance fell to Adebayo Akinfenwa as he followed up from a flick on to force Steve Phillips into a good stop. But it was 2-0 before the break as Zola broke and sent in a dangerous cross that John Johnson could only turn into his own goal and it was yet another uphill battle ahead in the second half.

Thankfully, Bayo wasn’t done and he once again proved himself to be our main threat in front of goal as he rejuvenated his side and earned us a point. With six minutes gone in the second half, Luke Guttridge found the big man who turned his man and fired home to hand us a massive lifeline.

There were chances at both ends before Bayo made it 2-2, curling home an unstoppable finish past Phillips and there was still time to complete the turn around with over twenty minutes still to play. Substitute Gary Mulligan almost got the winner but for a good save from Phillips whilst at the other end Chris Dunn denied Donaldson a second.

Loanee Josh Walker, making his debut, so nearly made it a dream start as he came close to a winner in the dying seconds but Phillips was again equal to the shot.
So another point it was and we can only be thankful that once again we pulled it out of the bag - the fourth recovery this season from a two goal deficit. We so badly need a good ninety minutes though to really get ourselves going. There’s a chance away from Sixfields this Tuesday as we travel to Aldershot, who got an excellent point at Notts County this weekend so it won’t be easy.

Then it’s onwards to the FA Cup tie with Southampton next Saturday and defending certainly needs to be stepped up by that one!

Boro midfielder signs on loan

Ian Sampson has completed a loan deal to bring in Middlesbrough midfielder Josh Walker until the start of the January transfer window. Walker has been earning rave reviews up north and looks a very promising prospect, having gone out on loan with Aberdeen last season and scoring a wonder goal against European giants Bayern Munich!

The fact that we're even mentioning that particular German side on this blog shows that we may have a very good player on our hands, albeit only for a couple of months. Walker has captained England at Under 16, 17, 18 and 19 level and has played for Boro at Premier League level.

Walker goes straight into the squad for tomorrow's visit from Crewe.

Herbert's absence giving Town a hole in the head

The absence of Courtney Herbert is starting to really show. Not even heard of before the season began, Herbert burst on to the scene to help secure Ian Sampson the permanent job at Sixfields but an injury put pay to the early hope that he would fire us out of the bottom half of League Two. Herbert’s raw pace was enough to give us at least some spark going forward and this is what is missed the most.

The goalless draw with Grimsby at the weekend was another example of frustration setting in that we just couldn’t get through on simply the strength of Bayo and the technique of Steve Guinan. We’re missing genuine urgency in the side at the moment and hopefully the young man signed from Long Buckby will be back in a couple of weeks.

Sammo’s hands are pretty much tied as far as transfers coming in goes and he’ll be praying that he can use January’s transfer window to inject at least some of his own players into the squad. Until then, it’s disappointing that we’re relying on Herbert’s return to give us some life back into the side but that appears the only thing to really hope for as a tough Christmas fixture list looms large.

High winds and red cards lead to stalemate

Northampton Town 0-0 Grimsby Town
League Two
Saturday, November 14th 2009

Treacherous weather conditions and a poor display of football from both sides led to the Cobblers' 0-0 draw with Grimsby Town on Saturday as we were left to try and pick out the positives of at least a clean sheet. Peter Gilbert, making his debut, was sent off in the second half before the visitors were also reduced to ten men in a game that never got going.

There were the obvious changes to the side that went out of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy on Tuesday night with Bay returning up front and Gilbert replacing the unfortunate Paul Rodgers at left back. Pat Kanyuka was fit enough to fill in for Dean Beckwith and would have been happy with his contribution at least to a much needed clean sheet.

The difficult conditions made it hard for chances to be created and it was Steve Guinan who had the best of the early opportunities when he was set up by Akinfenwa but the former Hereford man shot wide.

Bayo himself had a couple of half chances as the game wore on, heading wide from a Gilligan cross and then only finding visiting keeper Nick Colgan with a decent effort later on. The Cobblers were at least having the best of it and Andy Holt forced Colgan into a decent stop with a far post header.

The second half will only be remembered for the sendings off. Danny North was put clear on goal and Gilbert, having only signed on Friday night, was sent packing for denying him a goal scoring opportunity. The deficit in numbers forced Sammo into replacing Akinfenwa for Rodgers and bringing on Liam Davis in place of John Curtis.

Despite the ten men we were still trying to find a way through with Davis creating a good chance before shooting into the side netting and John Johnson's header testing Colgan and it wasn't long before the numbers were evened up. Grimsby's Rob Atkinson was shown the second red card of the afternoon after bringing down Davis and the sides were level.

But that didn't make a lot of difference and the Cobblers had to settle for a point despite a late penalty appeal being turned down. A disappointing start to a run of back to back home games and there's now a little bit of pressure on the game with Crewe next weekend as we go in search of a much needed three points to get this season back on track once more.

Cobblers v Grimsby: The Last minute drama!

It could all have been so much different. Grimsby Town visit Sixfields tomorrow in the first league meeting between the sides since that fateful afternoon in Cleethorpes back in 2006. With the Cobblers already promoted back to League One thanks to a 1-0 home win over Chester City the week before and it was party time in the away end. The home support had packed out Blundell Park themselves in the knowledge that victory over the Cobblers would send them to promotion as well, pipping Leyton Orient to the post. Orient were at the Kassam Stadium, Oxford on the same day and were waiting for any kind of slip up from Grimsby.


All of the early action came in Oxford as former Cobbler Eric Sabin put the hosts in front before a quick fire equaliser from Craig Easton had Orient back in the hunt a few minutes later. The Cobblers’ fans were partying in the away end for much of the first half at Blundell Park and for once it was nice knowing that we had already sealed promotion going into the final day. At half time it was all square in both games but the drama had only just begun.

Back at The Kassam, Orient turned the day back in their favor as Gary Alexander swooped to put them in front. Cue desperation at Grimsby. Two minutes of uncertainness passed before news filtered through that Chris Willmott had scored a leveler for Oxford and Grimsby’s promotion was back ON again!

With fifteen minutes left to play, the Cobblers conceded a penalty and when Jean-Paul Kalala stepped up to beat Lee Harper it looked like the day belonged to the fishy people. Down at Oxford, Orient were trying in vain to get a winner in case the Cobblers could square things up.

As stoppage time approached it was party time at Blundell Park as the hosts looked like they were on their way up. Then came a remarkable couple of minutes that sensationally turned it on its head again. The home fans were getting ready to come onto the pitch when Ryan Gilligan blasted in to make it 1-1 and suddenly the panic began. Radios in the home ends were being switched back on and just as Gilligan’s shot hit the net, news came through that a break away from Orient had led to Lee Steele scoring at Oxford and in the space of two of the most extraordinary minutes the football league has ever seen, Grimsby Town went from promoted to playoffs in seconds whilst Orient’s winner sent them up.

When you think of drama of days gone by you will struggle to ever find a final day like this one barring perhaps Jimmy Glass’ antics at Carlisle. I’m pretty sure there won’t be as much entertainment at Sixfields when the Mariners visit but rest assured, I think they’ll recognise the name of R. Gilligan on the home team sheet!

A case for the defence...

It's been something that's come up time and again this season and the bug keeping the Cobblers from really pushing on in all fronts this season is the frailties being shown at the back. The summer clear out of big players like Mark Hughes and Chris Doig meant suitable replacements had to be found...so far it's not been good viewing and the defensive signings made by Stuart Gray to attempt to propel us back to League One are not working well.

Pace is the general theme of goals against with the odd individual mistake thrown in for good measure and it's simple, it's not working. To be fair to Sammo he can do nothing short of bringing himself on at the moment with no transfer window until January and he has to work with what he has.

This is where the Cobblers boss needs to be clever, think back to the "good old days" and remember the promotion campaigns of old. Was Sammo himself speedy? Could Razor catch the quickest of forwards? Not on your life. Did Sean Dyche have players in his pocket from sheer speed of his reactions? No chance. But one thing linking all of those was that the lack of pace was supplemented by two, yes TWO others.

Let's go back to the Atkins era (go on, you know you want to!) and the back line that kept out Swansea City at Wembley, the defence that had steered us to many a victory through sheer doggedness. The line up that day in front of Woody was Clarkson, Frain, Sammo, Warbuton and Rennie. No pace whatsoever in the back three of Sammo, Razor and Rennie yet it worked because there were three of them. One mistake, one ball over the top was easier dealt with when we had three covering each others' backs.

When Sean Dyche was brought in for 2006, Luke Chambers and Chris Doig covered for him whilst later on Mark Hughes would replace Chambers to help us to comfortable League One safety. Again, a case for three at the back.

This season we're left bemoaning the back line. Chris McCready, Craig Hinton and Dean Beckwith all seem as muddled and dodgy as each other so why not bung them all in (replacing one with the giant Pat Kanyuka where available) and that means should any mishap occur they have cover, giving us all a bit more confidence in them. Paul Rodgers and Liam Davis are more than adequate wing backs whilst Andy Holt can also do a job on the left side of a five.

As for the rest, Luke Gutteridge would be pushed into the middle where he's so sorely missed when put out wide and Gilligan and Curtis can use their individual talents in midfield (though i'm still in the Alex Dyer fan club and can't see shy Curtis is being played in such a position that he's seemingly never played).

And that my friends is how to do it. Of course, this is not Football Manager (or one of the other equally as good football manager simulation games out there)and what do I know?

I know the defence needs sorting before we get very found out.

Dons end interest in Trophy

MK Dons 3-1 Northampton Town
Johnstone's Paint Trophy, Southern Section Quarter Final
Tuesday, September 10th

The Cobblers crashed out of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy last night as a rampant MK Dons side eased through with a first half battering of Ian Sampson’s men. The Town defence couldn’t cope with the pace and style of the home side and despite a Steve Guinan effort early in the second half the damage was done and it was a disappointing evening for the 2,200 travelling fans.

It didn’t look good from as early as the sixth minute when Aaron Wilbraham volleyed home brilliantly and it was all downhill from there. Ten minutes later Sam Baldock made it 2-0 as he beat the offside trap to fire home and despite the calls from the Cobblers defenders it was still disappointing that we were beaten by pace once more, a worrying recurrence this season.

Baldock was in the middle of the action again just a few minutes later as Chris Dunn came out and collided with the Dons man and Pat Kanyuka, making his first start for the Cobblers and referee Mr Wright awarded a spot kick. Baldock slotted home the penalty, Kanyuka was forced out of the game and we were 3-0 down. It really couldn’t have been much worse at half time!

We at least gave the claret army something to cheer six minutes into the second half as Luke Guttridge swung in a free kick that the top scorer did well to divert past Willy Gueret. For a while it looked like we could make a fight of it with Liam Davis having a shot deflected wide and Guttridge shooting over from a free kick.
But despite Bayo and Michael Jacobs being introduced it wasn’t to be and you got the feeling that Dons were playing at reduced pace and could break at any time. The speed of their attack was always threatening and it was comfortable enough for the home side.

So the adventure of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy is over for another season and it’s back to the league for the visit of Grimsby this weekend. It’s looking worrying at the back for Sammo and it’s surely something he will look at come January. Hopefully we can keep our heads above water until then.

Cobblers out of Trophy

The Cobblers were beaten 3-1 at Stadium: MK this evening as we bow out of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy for another season.

More to follow...

Cod Army give Cobblers almighty scare

Northampton Town 2-1 Fleetwood Town
FA Cup First Round
Saturday, November 7th 2009

The drama and magic of the FA Cup brings with it all the nerves not usually associated with a game against a non league side. Fleetwood Town visited Sixfields and put up a hardy fight and deserved more than they got in a strange game that saw us stretched to the point where we so nearly made the headlines for all the wrong reasons.

The cod army were in full voice as kick off approached on a chilly November evening and as the start of the game drew near I found myself getting more and more nervous about facing the Conference North side. The beauty of the FA Cup is that it brings, year after year, a break from the league in which anything goes. We should have been easily too much for Fleetwood but by the same token Shrewsbury Town should have been too good for Staines Town, Grimsby Town for Bath City and Hartlepool United for our neighbours Kettering Town. It just doesn’t work like that and we have to be grateful that all we got was a scare on the way to round two. A big scare, but just a scare all the same.

It was a full strength side that took to the field for the Cobblers with Bayo and Steve Guinan leading the attack and Dean Beckwith returning in defence. It was, of course, the visitors who settled quickest and the early going saw just flashes from the Cobblers but real bite and a will to win from Fleetwood. Sixfields suddenly turned into an anxious cauldron, matching the shakiness of the players.

Fleetwood could easily have taken the lead in the first half with some hasty defending from Sammo’s team. But we thought that we’d got off the hook as the break approached when one of our only quality players, Luke Guttridge, got on the end of a right wing cross and turned the ball home into the far corner. Surely that would settle us? No such luck...this is the FA Cup remember.

That defending, or lack of it, I was talking about cost us before the half time whistle as a mix up from a long ball let in Sean Clancy to score with a neat left footed finish, sending the 400 or so away fans into delirium as they smelt the upset.
We needed a kick up the proverbial at half time and we at least came out with a better sense of control for the second 45. The visitors, though hard working, lacked any real end product but the Cobblers always looked dangerous despite fluffing our lines before finally getting the breakthrough mid way through the half.

Guttridge was again the man to edge the tie back in our favour with a rocket of a free kick that swerved in the air to leave the Fleetwood keeper motionless. That should have been that but of course it is the cup and back came the non league visitors. They were lucky to keep all eleven players on the pitch following a dreadful late challenge on Chris Dunn, the second time in a week that a booked player was glad of the referee bottling a second yellow.

After that scuffle, there was five minutes added on at the end of the game and we had to suffer through a nervous ending as Fleetwood came agonisingly close to taking us to a replay. It was harsh on the Conference North outfit who gave everything in this game and will be gutted that they couldn’t at least take us back to the Highbury Stadium.

The boot will be well and truly on the other foot in Round Two as we were drawn against Southampton in a bizarre repeat of 2004/05 where the Cobblers met the Saints in both the League Cup and FA Cup and that’s the case once again. This time we’re at home and will be the underdogs as a place in Round Three goes up for grabs. Fair to say that if we give anything like the effort the underdogs here gave we’ll stand a very good chance indeed.

Cod Army give Cobblers almighty scare

The drama and magic of the FA Cup brings with it all the nerves not usually associated with a game against a non league side. Fleetwood Town visited Sixfields and put up a hardy fight and deserved more than they got in a strange game that saw us stretched to the point where we so nearly made the headlines for all the wrong reasons.

The cod army were in full voice as kick off approached on a chilly November evening and as the start of the game drew near I found myself getting more and more nervous about facing the Conference North side. The beauty of the FA Cup is that it brings, year after year, a break from the league in which anything goes. We should have been easily too much for Fleetwood but by the same token Shrewsbury Town should have been too good for Staines Town, Grimsby Town for Bath City and Hartlepool United for our neighbours Kettering Town. It just doesn’t work like that and we have to be grateful that all we got was a scare on the way to round two. A big scare, but just a scare all the same.

It was a full strength side that took to the field for the Cobblers with Bayo and Steve Guinan leading the attack and Dean Beckwith returning in defence. It was, of course, the visitors who settled quickest and the early going saw just flashes from the Cobblers but real bite and a will to win from Fleetwood. Sixfields suddenly turned into an anxious cauldron, matching the shakiness of the players.

Fleetwood could easily have taken the lead in the first half with some hasty defending from Sammo’s team. But we thought that we’d got off the hook as the break approached when one of our only quality players, Luke Guttridge, got on the end of a right wing cross and turned the ball home into the far corner. Surely that would settle us? No such luck...this is the FA Cup remember.

That defending, or lack of it, I was talking about cost us before the half time whistle as a mix up from a long ball let in Sean Clancy to score with a neat left footed finish, sending the 400 or so away fans into delirium as they smelt the upset.
We needed a kick up the proverbial at half time and we at least came out with a better sense of control for the second 45. The visitors, though hard working, lacked any real end product but the Cobblers always looked dangerous despite fluffing our lines before finally getting the breakthrough mid way through the half.

Guttridge was again the man to edge the tie back in our favour with a rocket of a free kick that swerved in the air to leave the Fleetwood keeper motionless. That should have been that but of course it is the cup and back came the non league visitors. They were lucky to keep all eleven players on the pitch following a dreadful late challenge on Chris Dunn, the second time in a week that a booked player was glad of the referee bottling a second yellow.

After that scuffle, there was five minutes added on at the end of the game and we had to suffer through a nervous ending as Fleetwood came agonisingly close to taking us to a replay. It was harsh on the Conference North outfit who gave everything in this game and will be gutted that they couldn’t at least take us back to the Highbury Stadium.

The boot will be well and truly on the other foot in Round Two as we were drawn against Southampton in a bizarre repeat of 2004/05 where the Cobblers met the Saints in both the League Cup and FA Cup and that’s the case once again. This time we’re at home and will be the underdogs as a place in Round Three goes up for grabs. Fair to say that if we give anything like the effort the underdogs here gave we’ll stand a very good chance indeed.

1,000 sold already for JPT tie

The Cobblers have already sold 1,000 tickets for the Johnstone's Paint Trophy Area Quarter Finals at MK Dons on Tuesday night. Dons sent the initial batch of tickets through but fans can also pay on the day, meaning that there should be a good turn out of Cobblers in attendance at Stadium: MK as we look to make amends for a double defeat last season.

The previous round, the home game with AFC Bournemouth attracted just 1,718 fans in TOTAL but the reduced prices and local derby feel means that there could now be close to that many away fans come Tuesday night!

Fleetwood Town (H) FA Cup First Round Preview

The Cobblers welcome Conference North side Fleetwood Town to Sixfields tomorrow afternoon and we’ll be desperately hoping for no headlines to be made. The magic of the cup returns but that means the chance of many an upset in this weekend’s fixtures and some will be looking to Fleetwood to provide a shock to Sammo and his men.

Dean Beckwith may return for the Cobblers while Pat Kanyuka is also pressing for a first team place after coming up to full fitness. Liam Davis could have the opportunity to play after his successful return from injury at Torquay last week but Courtney Herbert is cup tied after playing in a previous round with Long Buckby. John Johnson has received permission from parent club Middlesbrough to play in the game.
Steve Torpey suffers the same problem as Herbert and is also cup tied for the game but striker Adam Warlow could return.

This is set to be the first meeting between the sides with the visitors having won through two qualifying rounds to get to this stage of the competition. Vauxhall Motors and Kidderminster Harriers have been beaten on Town’s road to the first round proper. They reached the second round last season and narrowly went out to Hartlepool United so will hoping to at least match that this season.

Sammo has been on both ends of the giant killing spectrum in his playing days but hopefully tomorrow isn’t a game that brings us into the public attention for all the wrong reasons!

Beware the banana skin

Ah, the magic of the cup...

It’s that time again as we beckon in the first round of the FA Cup this weekend. When the draw was made and we had sat through just about every team until the Cobblers were pulled out of the hat and paired with either Kidderminster Harriers or Fleetwood Town. Great, a non league side at home, we couldn’t have asked for more! Well that is, until Fleetwood won through in the replay and the cup drew ever nearer with talks of the usual banana skins and slip ups.

I’m becoming a little nervous about the game and the possible pit falls it holds. Knowing the Cobblers’ history with non league sides it could well be a more nervous afternoon than needed. All I need say is Canvey Island for shivers to go down claret spines. Sammo was, of course, a part of the side beaten by Julian Dicks et al down at Canvey and he’ll be desperate to avoid becoming a victim of the headlines this weekend.

Fleetwood come into the game in a good run of form, sitting just outside the playoff places in Conference North with a game in hand and boast the experience of Alan Wright and Steve Torpey in their ranks.

The Cobblers will need to try and hit back from the anger and frustration felt at Torquay from both the referee and the late defeat and hopefully we will be back firing on all cylinders. There were clear signs of anger towards the end of the Plainmoor defeat with Ryan Gilligan and Bayo both showing signs of fire in the belly. They must now use that as a positive and blow Fleetwood away this Saturday.
Something tells me it won’t be as easy as that though. Something called the FA Cup.

Marshall returns to Stoke

Ben Marshall's time at Sixfields has come to an end after Stoke City recalled the winger from his loan spell today. Contrary to earlier reports, Tony Pulis wants to have a closer look at the 18-year-old and he will now return to the Britannia Stadium.

Marshall made seventeen appearances for the club and scored two goals in his time with the club.

Cobblers hopeful on Marshall loan

If Ben Marshall can find his legs again after being chopped down by the Torquay left back on Saturday he could well find himself with an extended deal at Sixfields. The current loan contract runs out after the FA Cup tie against Fleetwood on Saturday but all parties seem in agreement that the deal can go on.

The 18 year old has shown glimpses of real talent already and it would be a big boost for Sammo should the winger agree to more time with the club. The player is said to be enjoying his time here so hopefully some good news will come before the weekend!

Hargreaves comes back to haunt Town

Torquay United 1-0 Northampton Town
Saturday, October 31st 2009
League Two

Sometimes it’s just in the script. Try as you might, no matter what you throw at the opposition, it’s just meant to go another way. When Chris Hargreaves joined Torquay United with the team in the Blue Square Premier League and with the Cobblers safe in League One he could have no idea that this season he would be in the same division as his former employers let alone scoring the winner against them.

Hargreaves is one of just a handful of players that you can just about forgive for a winning goal, his battling displays in midfield winning the adulation of the claret faithful during his time at Sixfields. It was still, though, a bitter pill to swallow as Ian Sampson’s unbeaten run came to an end at Plainmoor.

The day began full of optimism and with the return of the silly boy game reserved for extra anticipated away trip. It’s become a tradition between myself and the honorary Cobbler, Jamie, as we head to random spots around the country to follow the town. This time, he’d prepared a Halloween themed “Zombie Cobblers” quiz game that I spectacularly failed in as I answered questions on past Cobblers. Little did we know that another old face would signal the biggest disappointment of the day.

The first half was disjointed to say the least with neither side getting a foot hold in the game. Torquay stuck to their programme of playing for set pieces and despite a couple of scares we were standing up to the test. Perhaps tellingly, we were most in trouble when the hosts tried to play their way through our back line and an early cross shot forced Chris Dunn into a fine save as he clawed the ball away before it could creep in following Chris McCready’s header.

The Cobblers only had snippets of opportunities at the other end early on with Adebayo Akinfenwa, booed throughout for his Gulls past, going close with an angled shot across the body of former Town loan keeper Michael Poke that went just wide.
Kevin Nicholson, another former Cobbler, tested Dunn with a late free kick but the edgy first half ended with a deserved goalless score line.

Cobblers fans had every reason to be optimistic at the break with some strong second half performances over the past couple of weeks and we came storming out of the blocks at the start of the second half. Poke was in sublime form to keep out a close range header from Bayo that looked a certain goal before Steve Guinan controlled the ball well before slamming a left footed effort onto the under side of the bar.

Ben Marshall was brought off the bench in place of John Curtis as Sammo looked for the winner and Marshall was to be involved in the most controversial piece of play in the game. The loan man took on the Gulls left back but was brought down with a cynical challenge. The defender in question was not booked and we later realised that he’d already been shown a yellow and another one would have had him off. The referee bottled it, plain and simple and you can bet your house that he would have been booked had it been a first offence.

The fact that the home side went on to win the game summed up a frustrating afternoon as Hargreaves, of course from a set piece, nodded home from close range. With Bayo now off the park in Sammo’s first strange substitution of his reign so far, we had little to threaten an equaliser and we handed Torquay an end to their run of five league games drawn in a row.

We will hopefully learn lessons, particularly in how to deal with sides like that, teams that play for the set plays and launch long balls towards our area. Two home league games follow the FA Cup tie against Fleetwood on Saturday as we look to get back on track. As long as there’s no upset at Sixfields on Saturday we should bounce back from this set back.

It’s a new test as Fleetwood come to town looking for a cup scalp but hopefully we can use the game as a means of letting out our frustration at this one.