Northampton Town 2-1 Cheltenham Town
League Two
Saturday, February 27th 2010
Well the match survived a torrential downpour, a super sub nodded the winner and the Cobblers remained in touch with the playoffs so all in all it was a very good day at the office as the Cobblers returned to winning ways at home.
An equaliser twelve minutes from time from Marley Watkins looked like it had given Cheltenham a share of the spoils but Harris swooped late on to head home his first senior goal and it could be a very crucial one if the playoff dream does eventually come off.
There was a change in goalkeepers as Billy Lumley was released in the build up to the game with Jason Steele coming in for a debut having signed on loan from Middlesbrough. The Nineteen year old filled in well and couldn't do a lot about the Cheletenham goal, Watkins firing home from a David Hutton cross.
That was after Adebayo Akinfenwa had continued his fine run in front of goal when he nicked the ball from a defender and shot low into the net right at the start of the second half. That livened up a game that had been stale before the break with only a couple of half chances.
Watkins must have thought that he'd given his side a point when he scored but substitute Harris headed home an Alex Dyer cross with time running out.
With both Notts County and Shrewsbury both winning, what price on that goal from Harris, a goal that could yet keep us in the hunt. Sammo reckons that eight more wins will seal a playoff place with twelve to play which still sounds a massive challenge but more gritty performances like this will put us in the right direction!
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
A tale of two games
In a week that threatened to end any hopes of a playoff challenge, we were saved last night by a massively important win at Hereford, mirroring the 2-0 success at Edgar Street last season.
Having suffered from what Sammo called "Unprofessionalism" at Crewe on Saturday, where goals from Ryan Gilligan and Bayo Akinfenwa weren't enough to stop a 3-2 reverse, the Cobblers bounced back well to get right back on track last night. Bayo was the instigator once again as his all important second goal, added to the one that Billy McKay had given us in the first half, sealed the points.
The win takes us back up to eighth in the table and to within two points of Notts County who once again had a game postponed, leaving them with FIVE games in hand! Looking further ahead though, Shrewsbury still sit just six points above us having played the same amount of games so they must surely be the target.
There's plenty of midweek action in the next few weeks as teams try to climb above us but all we can do is try and get the maximum from Saturday's home game with Cheltenham and see what happens elsewhere. We're clinging on to the playoffs by the narrowest of ropes and there's a hell of a lot more still to do if we're to be in the reckogning but here's to another small blip being overcome.
As long as we continue to use our strength in depth that's given us new life then we can still do it...the final furlong is right ahead...
Having suffered from what Sammo called "Unprofessionalism" at Crewe on Saturday, where goals from Ryan Gilligan and Bayo Akinfenwa weren't enough to stop a 3-2 reverse, the Cobblers bounced back well to get right back on track last night. Bayo was the instigator once again as his all important second goal, added to the one that Billy McKay had given us in the first half, sealed the points.
The win takes us back up to eighth in the table and to within two points of Notts County who once again had a game postponed, leaving them with FIVE games in hand! Looking further ahead though, Shrewsbury still sit just six points above us having played the same amount of games so they must surely be the target.
There's plenty of midweek action in the next few weeks as teams try to climb above us but all we can do is try and get the maximum from Saturday's home game with Cheltenham and see what happens elsewhere. We're clinging on to the playoffs by the narrowest of ropes and there's a hell of a lot more still to do if we're to be in the reckogning but here's to another small blip being overcome.
As long as we continue to use our strength in depth that's given us new life then we can still do it...the final furlong is right ahead...
Friday, February 19, 2010
Away double ahead as massive week begins
It's been a good week in terms of others faltering in the race to catch up with games affected by the snow in January as three of the Cobblers' main rivals for a playoff berth were beaten on Tuesday night. Morecambe's victory over Burton Albion meant that they went above us but Albion's defeat used up one of their vital games in hand.
Further losses, for Accrington at Lincoln and for Aldershot at Hereford means that the Cobblers only move down one place, to tenth in the table ahead of a big game at Crewe tomorrow afternoon. Looking up, Notts County, who currently occupy the final playoff place dropped a couple of points in their 1-1 draw with struggling Grimsby Town as they also play catch up following that good run in the F.A. Cup.
It's the first of a huge week for the Cobblers as that trip is followed by one to Hereford on Tuesday night. It's a season defining week as games begin to run out and our recent good run on the road comes under real scrutiny.
Bayo Akinfenwa will be hoping that he brings the form to the game that had him breaking down Crewe in the second half during the clubs’ last meeting, back in November at Sixfields as he scored a brace to bring the Cobblers back from two goals down to draw 2-2.
It’s been revealed that Andy Holt will be out for a few more weeks so Liam Davis’ return comes at a perfect time for the winger to take his place. Steve Guinan is still a long way away from a return but apart from that Sammo has no fresh injury worries as we head north for Crewe.
Crewe were winners last Friday night as they went to Burton Albion and won 2-1 thanks to a late winner from Clayton Donaldson and Dario Gradi hopes to name an unchanged side for the clash with the Cobblers. Calvin Zola is rated at 50/50 for the game but Stephen Schumacher and Mat Mitchel-King are definitely missing.
It’s time to get back on track, put away the cobwebs of the Aldershot disaster and use the frustration picked up in that game to storm Gresty Road and come away with what would be one of the biggest wins of the season so far. There’s still hope, there’s still time. Don’t stop believing!
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Fiiiiiiiight!
The Cobblers have been handed an FA charge for failing to control the players during Friday night’s 3-0 home defeat to Aldershot at Sixfields. The charge relates to a twenty man brawl on the pitch as tempers turned nasty with the Cobblers’ eleven game unbeaten run coming to an abrupt end with the heavy defeat.
We have until March 3rd to appeal this charge.
We have until March 3rd to appeal this charge.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Flowers joins as Goalkeeper coach
The Cobblers have replaced the outgoing Simon Brown with Tim Flowers as the former Premier League winner joins as our new goalkeeping coach. Flowers comes in on a part time basis to work with the Cobblers keepers. He has vast amounts of experience at the very top level and that's only going to help Chris Dunn and the younger stoppers at the club.
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Shot in the neck for unbeaten run
Northampton Town 0-3 Aldershot Town
League Two
Friday, February 13th 2010
In one foul swoop, one disastrous night at Sixfields, the unbeaten run came to a grinding halt in the most emphatic of ways. Aldershot came to town knowing that a win would take them back above the Cobblers and win they did against a team playing with ten men for eighty minutes following the early sending off of Kevin Thornton, our newest breath of life to what was a floundering season.
This was a night that had expectation back at Sixfields after the 4-0 midweek win over Accrington Stanley and it was almost inevitable that with a muchly improved attendance we would fall to a first defeat in twelve games. We only have to hope that this one doesn’t get to the players and hurt them badly...it’s a soul destroying defeat that ended with confusion at the back with a backpass from Dean Beckwith and a slip from Chris Dunn summing up the night to let in Marvin Morgan to score his second of the game. We must pray that this doesn’t affect either players’ growing confidence from the past couple of weeks.
Morgan had already left his mark on the game when he headed home the first goal just seconds after Thornton had been shown his marching orders. That set the tone for the rest of the half with bookings aplenty but the visitors were still in front in terms of goals and players as we reached the break.
Sammo made a double change at half-time to reshuffle the pack and the introduction of Liam Davis and Stephen O’Flynn briefly managed to get us a foothold back into the game. Luke Guttridge hit a good effort early in the half that Stephen Henderson in the Shots goal did well to palm away before Davis set up the midfielder again with a good cross that Guttridge headed wide.
But it was a break away goal that ended any hope of a recovery for the Cobblers as Aldershot substitute Kirk Hudson found space to run clear and finish well past Dunn. The life was sucked out of the Cobblers and a third soon followed in the unfortunate circumstances for Dunn, who has been outstanding for the last couple of months.
That goes for all of the players, in fact. This can’t get us down. We have to pay tribute to the players for this run...eleven games without defeat in a row in any league is impressive and should be commended. If we were in the Premier League it would be talked about every week in the media but because of a poor start meaning that the points gained went only to clawing our way back up the table, it went somewhat unnoticed.
So let’s congratulate Sammo and the lads on a fine run and hope with all hope that we can go and get something from a tough looking game at Crewe next weekend. Keep the faith...this can still be done!
League Two
Friday, February 13th 2010
In one foul swoop, one disastrous night at Sixfields, the unbeaten run came to a grinding halt in the most emphatic of ways. Aldershot came to town knowing that a win would take them back above the Cobblers and win they did against a team playing with ten men for eighty minutes following the early sending off of Kevin Thornton, our newest breath of life to what was a floundering season.
This was a night that had expectation back at Sixfields after the 4-0 midweek win over Accrington Stanley and it was almost inevitable that with a muchly improved attendance we would fall to a first defeat in twelve games. We only have to hope that this one doesn’t get to the players and hurt them badly...it’s a soul destroying defeat that ended with confusion at the back with a backpass from Dean Beckwith and a slip from Chris Dunn summing up the night to let in Marvin Morgan to score his second of the game. We must pray that this doesn’t affect either players’ growing confidence from the past couple of weeks.
Morgan had already left his mark on the game when he headed home the first goal just seconds after Thornton had been shown his marching orders. That set the tone for the rest of the half with bookings aplenty but the visitors were still in front in terms of goals and players as we reached the break.
Sammo made a double change at half-time to reshuffle the pack and the introduction of Liam Davis and Stephen O’Flynn briefly managed to get us a foothold back into the game. Luke Guttridge hit a good effort early in the half that Stephen Henderson in the Shots goal did well to palm away before Davis set up the midfielder again with a good cross that Guttridge headed wide.
But it was a break away goal that ended any hope of a recovery for the Cobblers as Aldershot substitute Kirk Hudson found space to run clear and finish well past Dunn. The life was sucked out of the Cobblers and a third soon followed in the unfortunate circumstances for Dunn, who has been outstanding for the last couple of months.
That goes for all of the players, in fact. This can’t get us down. We have to pay tribute to the players for this run...eleven games without defeat in a row in any league is impressive and should be commended. If we were in the Premier League it would be talked about every week in the media but because of a poor start meaning that the points gained went only to clawing our way back up the table, it went somewhat unnoticed.
So let’s congratulate Sammo and the lads on a fine run and hope with all hope that we can go and get something from a tough looking game at Crewe next weekend. Keep the faith...this can still be done!
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Town go marching on
Northampton Town 4-0 Accrington Stanley
League Two
Tuesday, February 10th 2010
It was a meeting of the two most in form teams in League Two last night but by the end of it, the Cobblers were the only ones to continue a fine run. In what looked like a tough test, particularly with home form falling behind the terrific away record, Sammo’s men blew away Accrington to fall into eighth, yes EIGHTH, in League Two.
Yes, we may well have played four games more than some, three games more than others beneath us but the simple fact is that the Cobblers are now a genuine threat to the playoffs – something that was unheard of a few short weeks ago. Following defeat at Aldershot in late November everything looked desperate. Now, as we prepare for the rematch on Friday night at Sixfields, we’re just three points off a place in the top seven.
Last night’s win was handed to us through a fine performance that matched the 4-0 result. Adebayo Akinenwa shook off a calf injury to not only play but score the first of the game after just ten minutes and until the second half it looked as though we could be in for a nervy ending, as any slender lead would appear.
But a glut of second half goals, three in ten minutes, secured one of the most important victories of the season so far. Billy McKay nipped in for two before Luke Guttridge drove home the fourth to seal the points. The visitors offered little in response and we must now continue to take heart from our performances rather than get too big for our boots.
It’s a quick turn around before Aldershot come to town on Friday but it can’t come soon enough for a group of players that have new vigour, spirit and passion. The unbeaten run is now a sidenote – that’s eleven if you are counting – to the real business of solidifying a top half place and setting up a rather exciting final furlong to this gripping season.
Monday, February 08, 2010
Massive week ahead as playoff carrot dangles...
It’s a big week at Sixfields this week with home games against Accrington Stanley and Aldershot on Tuesday and Friday respectively. These two crunch fixtures could go a long way to deciding whether or not we’re in the playoff shake up come the end of the season.
Both sides have vital games in hand over us at the moment, making them even more important to beat this week. Should we continue this fine form and start to pick up wins at home to match the away victories then things could look even rosier come the end of next weekend!
Bayo and Andy Holt are struggling ahead of the first of these two clashes, Accrington tomorrow evening so Stephen O’ Flynn and Kevin Thornton are on standby once again.
Both sides have vital games in hand over us at the moment, making them even more important to beat this week. Should we continue this fine form and start to pick up wins at home to match the away victories then things could look even rosier come the end of next weekend!
Bayo and Andy Holt are struggling ahead of the first of these two clashes, Accrington tomorrow evening so Stephen O’ Flynn and Kevin Thornton are on standby once again.
Thornton stays until end of the season
Kevin Thornton has earned a contract with the Cobblers that will see him at Sixfields until the end of the season. Thornton, who started out on a month to month deal in January, has put in some impressive performances for the club so far despite starting the majority of games from the bench.
The midfielder came agonizingly close to winning the game in a stunning cameo against Burton Albion but was back on the bench for the Dagenham game at the weekend. Let’s hope we see more of his quality now that the contract has been earned!
The midfielder came agonizingly close to winning the game in a stunning cameo against Burton Albion but was back on the bench for the Dagenham game at the weekend. Let’s hope we see more of his quality now that the contract has been earned!
Sunday, February 07, 2010
It's a one for the Daggers, another for the ones who believe!
Dagenham and Redbridge 0-1 Northampton Town
League Two
Saturday, February 6th 2010
If there's a supposed curse on the Manager of the Month award then it was a little bit late in turning up to Victoria Park as the Cobblers once again came good and recorded a fourth successive away win. Significantly, this win also took Sammo's men to ten games unbeaten and mirrored the 1-0 win in game number three of this impressive sequence.
It was a goal from John Johnson that settled this tie and what a beauty it was with twenty minutes to play. Abdul Osman found the right back and Johnson curled a wnderful effort past Daggers keeper Tony Roberts and into the top corner. It was just reward for a bright second half that had seen Bayo Akinfenwa go close on his return to the starting line-up.
Bayo was the only change to last weekend's team that drew with Burton and with two big home games coming on Tuesday and Friday we looked to defend the lead late on rather than add to it meaning that Kevin Thornton replaced forward Billy McKay for the closing stages to create a five man midfield.
That we did successfully and Chris Dunn worked wonders with two vital stops in the final stages to deny the home side, the best of which saw him tip a Peter Gain shot over the bar.
But we held on and managed to record a massive three points at Victoria Road and this week could well end up being a huge week in the season. The Cobblers host 8th placed Accrington Stanley and 9th placed Aldershot on Tuesday and Friday respectively and by the time next Saturday comes along we could be in a very promising position.
For now let us enjoy the extension of the unbeaten record and congratulate Ian Sampson on turning the fortunes of our beloved club around. A shot of the playoffs is not out of reach and for us to be saying that shows what a superb start to 2010 it's been.
League Two
Saturday, February 6th 2010
If there's a supposed curse on the Manager of the Month award then it was a little bit late in turning up to Victoria Park as the Cobblers once again came good and recorded a fourth successive away win. Significantly, this win also took Sammo's men to ten games unbeaten and mirrored the 1-0 win in game number three of this impressive sequence.
It was a goal from John Johnson that settled this tie and what a beauty it was with twenty minutes to play. Abdul Osman found the right back and Johnson curled a wnderful effort past Daggers keeper Tony Roberts and into the top corner. It was just reward for a bright second half that had seen Bayo Akinfenwa go close on his return to the starting line-up.
Bayo was the only change to last weekend's team that drew with Burton and with two big home games coming on Tuesday and Friday we looked to defend the lead late on rather than add to it meaning that Kevin Thornton replaced forward Billy McKay for the closing stages to create a five man midfield.
That we did successfully and Chris Dunn worked wonders with two vital stops in the final stages to deny the home side, the best of which saw him tip a Peter Gain shot over the bar.
But we held on and managed to record a massive three points at Victoria Road and this week could well end up being a huge week in the season. The Cobblers host 8th placed Accrington Stanley and 9th placed Aldershot on Tuesday and Friday respectively and by the time next Saturday comes along we could be in a very promising position.
For now let us enjoy the extension of the unbeaten record and congratulate Ian Sampson on turning the fortunes of our beloved club around. A shot of the playoffs is not out of reach and for us to be saying that shows what a superb start to 2010 it's been.
Sammo wins Manager of the Month
Sammo has earned the top manager's job for League Two after steering the club out of danger at the wrong end of the table and into the top half. The former defender took charge of the club in October and has slowly but surely turned the season around with an impressive unbeaten run.
He becomes the first Cobblers boss since Colin Calderwood in 2006 to earn the top prize and we all know how that season ended!
Saturday, February 06, 2010
Dunn misses out on award
Cobblers keeper Chris Dunn has missed out on the League Two Player of the Month award after Bury midfielder Ryan Lowe pipped him to the post this morning. Lowe has scored twice in four games for the Shakers to help them to secure ten points from a possible twelve in January.
Ian Sampson will find out this afternoon whether or not he has done enough to secure the Manager of the Month award.
Friday, February 05, 2010
Daggers await as run goes on
The Cobblers' unbeaten record comes under real threat tomorrow afternoon as a trip to Dagenham looms large. The Daggers will be looking to avenge a 1-0 defeat at Sixfields on Boxing Day when Billy McKay's goal in the 88th minute kept this run going and really kick started a sequence that had began two games earlier with two draws.
Sammo will have Adebayo Akinfenwa back ion the squad after the big man missed last weekend's draw with Burton Albion through injury. Steve Guinan is still missing but Liam Davis is pushing for the first team squad again after making a playing return for the reserves this week. It's likely to be a bit longer for the winger to reappear for the first team, though, with more reserve outings the more likely option for now.
Kevin Thornton and Stephen O'Flynn are pushing for starts after impressive performances coming off the bench last weekend and there's plenty of hot competition for places which can only be a good thing.
Dagenham should hand a debut to left back Damien McCrory after he signed from Plymouth just in time on transfer deadline day and are hoping to bounce back from a 3-0 reverse at the hands of Notts County last Saturday.
Despite that heavy defeat, it still promises to be a difficult afternoon at Victoria Road but if we start the game anything like the way we ended the Burton game then we have every chance of coming home with all three points.
Sammo will have Adebayo Akinfenwa back ion the squad after the big man missed last weekend's draw with Burton Albion through injury. Steve Guinan is still missing but Liam Davis is pushing for the first team squad again after making a playing return for the reserves this week. It's likely to be a bit longer for the winger to reappear for the first team, though, with more reserve outings the more likely option for now.
Kevin Thornton and Stephen O'Flynn are pushing for starts after impressive performances coming off the bench last weekend and there's plenty of hot competition for places which can only be a good thing.
Dagenham should hand a debut to left back Damien McCrory after he signed from Plymouth just in time on transfer deadline day and are hoping to bounce back from a 3-0 reverse at the hands of Notts County last Saturday.
Despite that heavy defeat, it still promises to be a difficult afternoon at Victoria Road but if we start the game anything like the way we ended the Burton game then we have every chance of coming home with all three points.
Wednesday, February 03, 2010
Double award nomination for Town
The Cobblers, for the first time in a VERY long time, have received a double boost with both Ian Sampson and Chris Dunn nominated for the League Two manager and player of the month awards for a fine run in January.
Sammo led the club to a run of three wins and two draws in the opening month of 2010 whilst Dunn was agonisingly close to breaking the club record of consecutive clean sheets and minutes on the pitch without conceding in January.
The winners will both be revealed this Saturday, with the manager of the month announced on Soccer Saturday and the Player of the Month announced on Soccer AM.
Full list on nominees:
League Two Manager of the Month, January 2010
Alan Knill (Bury)
Micky Adams (Port Vale)
Ian Sampson (Northampton)
Paul Simpson (Shrewsbury)
League Two Player of the Month, January 2010
Lee Hughes (Notts County)
Ryan Lowe (Bury)
Chris O'Grady (Rochdale)
Chris Dunn (Northampton
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