Sunday, January 31, 2010

Late goal saves Cobblers as new boys shine in draw

Northampton Town 1-1 Burton Albion
League Two
Saturday, January 30th 2010


The unbeaten run stretched to nine on Saturday afternoon as the Cobblers salvaged a point from a game that looked dead in the water before the introduction of two of our newest faces in the second half. Ian Sampson’s decision to bring on both Kevin Thornton and Stephen O’Flynn was the key as the Cobblers recovered from a goal down to draw and extend the run of games without defeat. Throw in a bit of Bayo rumour, three efforts that struck the woodwork and a last minute goal mouth scramble and you get another roller coaster Sixfields afternoon.

The main talking point in the stands in the first half was about nothing on the pitch – for that was awful – but instead focusing on the exclusion of Bayo Akinfenwa from the squad, apparently with a calf injury. Following the August transfer fiasco involving Danny Jackman you can forgive a few cynics who thought that the big man was packing his things rather than resting a wound.

Bayo’s replacement up front, Courtney Herbert, clearly needs a big arm over his shoulder as he learns the craft of League Two football. The youngster, so full of energy and raw talent, was paired with Billy McKay and looked lost without his foil of Akinfenwa. Expectations from his previous stint in the squad in November meant that the good old boo boys returned as Herbert endured an increasingly frustrating first half.

This was a first half that really never came to life and when you say that the Cobblers had the better of things with two wayward shots from distance you see that there was no real quality on show from either side and a half-time score of 0-0 suited both the match and the league positions that we both find ourselves in –twelfth and thirteenth before kick off.

Suddenly, the second half came to life. O’Flynn was thrown on in place of the flagging Herbert and so nearly scored straight away. A suspicious looking back pass denied the Irishman a touch though and a shocking, slow referee Mr Hall, waved play on.

It was inevitable that Burton would go up the other end to score, and this they did when Shaun Harrad produced a powerful volley that beat Dunn’s dive to his right hand side and the visitors were in front. Harrad was booked for taking his shirt off in celebration in front of his supporters.

Abdul Osman was brought off and the game began to turn as his replacement, Kevin Thornton, began to show his class and took hold of the game in midfield. Billy McKay was close to getting us back in the game shortly afterwards after being set up by O’Flynn but his curling effort came crashing back off the cross bar.

The Cobblers were getting more and more into the game and Thornton’s skill on the left produced a chance for his fellow Irishman O’Flynn but the defence coped well with the effort. With five minutes left, Luke Guttridge curled a free kick against the post and you started to think that the day belonged to Burton.

That was until Andy Holt suddenly found space on the left, having been thrown forward by Sammo in a late three man attacking force, and got on the end of O’Flynn’s flick to beat the Albion keeper with a left footed shot into the corner.

There was still time for late drama and the stage was set in stoppage time when Thornton lined up a free kick just outside the Albion area and curled it onto the under side of the cross bar before Ryan Glligan’s rebound was cleared off the line.

So the Cobblers had to settle for the point but after falling behind it was a good recovery and some sensible substitutions from Sammo. It’s also good to see him throw everything at the game in search of an equaliser with Andy Holt deployed as a third striker late on.

O’Flynn and Thornton were excellent and should the worst happen and Bayo leaves either now or in the summer we might not be quite so lost after all. A huge test away at playoff chasing Dagenham and Redbridge is next up and we have whole WEEK to prepare! It seems odd that there’s no midweeker this week but hopefully that gives Bayo some rest and also some time for the new claret heroes to blood themselves in even more.

Saturday, January 30, 2010

In form Gilli a doubt for Burton

Ryan Gilligan is the major cause for concern on the injury front this afternoon as the in form midfielder faces a race against time to be fit in time to face Burton Albion. Gilli volleyed home the winner on Tuesday night to seal a 2-1 win at Darlington and his performances this season, in which he's scored nine times, have held together the middle of the park.

Kevin Thornton is ready to step in after getting ninety minutes under his belt in a midweek reserve team win at London Road whilst Alex Dyer and John Curtis could also come into the reckoning. John Johnson is another doubt with Paul Rodgers ready to deputise as the Cobblers go in search of a ninth game unbeaten.

Richard Walker and Guy Branston are likely to make their Sixfields returns to face the Cobblers as Albion look to move above us in League Two. Only goal difference separates the two sides as battle commences on a sunny afternoon in Northampton.

Come on the Town!

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Run outs for new boys in reserve team win

New signings Kevin Thornton and Stephen O'Flynn completed 90 minutes for the Cobblers reserves on Wednesday afternoon and helped the second string to a derby win over Peterborough United at London Road.

Gary Mulligan got both of the goals, the second from the penalty spot, as Billy Lumley and Luke Wilkinson also both got their first run outs in a claret shirt.

Record is gone but Cobblers fight back to win


Darlington 1-2 Northampton Town
League Two
Tuesday, January 26th 2010


Well, the long run without conceding is over but much, much more importantly, the Cobblers came out of last night’s trip to Darlington with all three points. Showing real character and fighting spirit, Sammo’s men came out on top in a victory that propelled us to the top half of League Two.

Tadgh Purcell was the man to break the stubborn resistance of the Cobblers defence, who by that point had gone past the 500 minute mark in terms of no goals conceded, when he pounced on the half hour mark to give the hosts hope of a rare victory in their bid to escape the dreaded drop to non league.

A few weeks ago, the Cobblers were realistically fearing the same fate but Sammo has slowly steadied the rocking ship and impressively hit home into the squad a fighting spirit that we completely lacked before, epitomised by the second half last night. Billy McKay, who seems to have been given a new lease of life in 2010, rounded the home keeper to level the scores with ten minutes of the half played.

Courtney Herbert was brought on in a surprising tactical switch for Bayo and his pace was used against a tiring home defence to good effect. It was McKay, though, who was creating the winning goal. John Johnson fed the former Leicester man on the right and McKay’s cross found Ryan Gilligan perfectly and he volleyed home to put us in front.
There was still work to be done though and Chris Dunn, at the centre of the fine defensive run, was on top form to deny Jeff Smith. A clutch of substitutions followed with Kevin Thornton handed a debut and veteran Noel Whelan on for Darlo.

The Cobblers held out and claimed three massive points to move into the top half of the table. With Burton Albion visiting on Saturday there’s every chance that we can register more points and really start to look up the table rather than down it.

There’s a lot to be said about a settled squad and the fact that Sammo could name an unchanged starting eleven for the fourth time in succession means that there’s at last some stability in the ranks. Players are playing for each other, we’re starting to believe in ourselves and now is hopefully the time when the claret faithful can get a reward for months of struggle up and down the country. Let’s get back to Sixfields on Saturday and give the lads that twelfth man!

Up the Cobblers!

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Cobblers chasing record in Darlo test

The Cobblers have a clean bill of health as we head to Darlington this evening hoping that records will be broken on the path to glory. The club record for most games in a row without conceding a goal is five and should we keep another clean sheet tonight we will move to six.

I’m sure not many people would begrudge say a 2-1 victory in what could be a tricky fixture on a cold Tuesday night even with Darlo’s perilous league position. The Quakers are a long way off safety with the second half of the season well under way and we have to look at this as a big chance to push on with no new injury concerns.

Kevin Thornton didn’t impress his new boss too much with his late arrival to the game on Saturday and will miss tonight’s game as a consequence but Sammo can name an unchanged starting eleven for the fourth game in a row.

The Cobblers need to be as ruthless as their manager this evening if we’re to get close to that illusive record.

Saturday, January 23, 2010

Sixfields shut out keeps run going...

Northampton Town 0-0 Chesterfield
League Two
Saturday, January 23rd 2010


And so the run of clean sheets goes on as the Cobblers are now heading to Darlington on Tuesday night looking for one more that would beat the club record for consecutive shut outs. Unfortunately today we couldn’t quite find a way through at the other end as the visitors shut up shop to claim a point that they will be delighted with.

Sammo stuck with the same side that saw off Macclesfield Town in midweek and it was once again Luke Guttridge who was closest to opening the scoring half way through the first half. The in form midfielder latched on to a pass from Ryan Gilligan to shoot wide but chances were few and far between against a stubborn Spireites defence.

Adebayo Akinfenwa saw his head loop over the cross bar before a rare foray into the Cobblers half saw Chesterfield’s Barry Conlon do the same as the half ended goalless.
With the Cobblers’ attack needing some changes to try and break through the barrier of the Chesterfield back line, Courtney Herbert was introduced on the hour in place of Billy McKay. Shortly afterwards, Bayo closed down a back pass but the ball that struck his ample frame spun wide of the post.

As the second half progressed the Cobblers pressed more and started to look more likely to score with Gilligan shooting over from range and Herbert’s cross narrowly missing substitute Stephen O’Flynn, a replacement for Akinfenwa.

Herbert had the final chance of the game when he was put through but the angle was too tight to find the net and the game ended with no goals.

A frustrating afternoon at Sixfields then but at least we keep a bit of momentum and the unbeaten run going as we prepare for the long trip north to Darlington on Tuesday night. Records could be broken in terms of clean sheets on Tuesday but if that happens we have to hope that things click at the other end just that bit better than they did today.

Friday, January 22, 2010

Top half beckons should Town continue form...


In a quickly re-arranged fixture, Chesterfield are now the visitors on Saturday afternoon as the Cobblers look to jump into the top half of the table. The stage couldn't be set much better with the new opponents just six points ahead of Town in seventh place, meaning a win could, incredibly, bring us to within touching distance off the playoffs.

Before we can even think about that though we need to muster the kind of form that's seen us collect ten points from four games with four clean sheets, a run that's taken Ian Sampson's team away from danger. Sammo has a relatively fully fit squad to choose from and the form of Ryan Gilligan, Adebayo Akinfenwa and Luke Guttridge along with the solid defence has us in good shape.

Chesterfield hope to have Rob Page back from a hamstring injury and Frankie Artus is available after joining the Spireites on loan from Bristol City. After some indifferent form, the visitors picked up a 1-0 home win over Torquay United last weekend to cement their place in the top seven and will be hoping to push on at Sixfields.

With football well and truly back following the icy weather, here's hoping for three more points in the first home game of the calender year!

Thursday, January 21, 2010

McCready loaned out to Rovers

Chris McCready has rejoined Tranmere Rovers on loan until the end of the season. The defender is down the pecking order under Ian Sampson and returns to Prenton Park to aim for some first team football.

Sammo has brought in Luke Wilkinson from Portsmouth already in the transfer window and McCready has been allowed to depart for his old stomping ground.

Cobblers on the rise after big Macc win

Macclesfield Town 0-2 Northampton Town
League Two
Wednesday, January 20th 2010


‘Twas just a few games ago that I, along with many other Cobblers fans, bemoaned the defence as we shipped goals here there and everywhere. But last night, Sammo led his side to a fourth successive clean sheet and extended our run of games unbeaten to six.

In a hastily rearranged fixture from Saturday, the Cobblers produced a fine display on a difficult Wednesday night trip north and came away with three vital points that – nose bleed time – puts us to within touching distance of the top half of the table. This in itself is a minor victory for Sammo.

After a couple of weeks without a game, it was a surprisingly lively start from the boys in claret and Andy Holt tested the home keeper with a right footed volley early on. Holt would, however, be involved in the first goal as Luke Guttridge powered the ball home after an interchange between Holt and Bayo.

The goal put us in control of the first half and we looked the more likely to add to the score line with John Johnson heading wide and Bayo testing the keeper once more following an excellent move involving Guttridge once more.

There was time for Ryan Gilligan to hit the cross bar before the first half ended with the Cobblers putting in a positive shift in the first 45.

Thankfully there was little fight back from the home side in the second half and, much like the game at Bournemouth, we were strangely on top! Just as we were waiting for the onslaught to begin, Bayo popped up to score with fifteen minutes to go as he swooped to nod home Guttridge’s cross and give the Cobblers a 2-0 lead.

The big man brought applause from all four sides of the ground as he was substituted with ten minutes to go and new boy Stephen O’Flynn replaced him.

The Cobblers could even have had a third late on when Holt going close again and Gilligan hitting the bar for the second time in the game but the small band of hardy souls in the away end went home happy as the game finished in our favour.

Momentum is now starting to build and the jump to within goal difference of the top half gives us renewed confidence in a season that seemed lost in December. Chesterfield occupy the final playoff place and though we can’t get carried away just yet, victory against the Spireites would mean we would be just three points away from them come close of play!

Maybe, just maybe, there’s something in 2009/10 for us yet.

Saturday, January 16, 2010

Macclesfield - Cobblers rearranged for Wednesday


After today's postponement, the Cobblers will travel to Macclesfield Town on Wednesday night with a 7:45pm kick off. The waterlogged pitch at Moss Rose meant that the pitch was unplayable and the teams will try again in midweek in a hastily rearranged game.

Macclesfield vs Cobblers - GAME OFF

Despite efforts of ground staff and supporters, this afternoon's game at Moss Rose is OFF due to a waterlogged pitch. Macc have still not played a game in 2010 whilst the Cobblers have taken to the field just once in the 2-0 win at Bournemouth.

Heavy snow was cleared at Moss Rose but rainfall in the last 48 hours meant that this morning's pitch inspection failed and both teams wait again to get a game on.

"Precautionary" pitch inspection this morning...

Macclesfield Town are to hold a "precautionary" pitch inspection this morning ahead of the game with the Cobblers at Moss Rose. Most of the snow is gone from the area and staff are confident that the game will go ahead despite a forecast of further heavy rain overnight.

The Cobblers will be desperate to get back into action with three new faces in the squad and looking to feature. Kevin Thornton, Luke Wilkinson and Stephen O'Flynn are all available to Sammo with Steve Guinan and Liam Davis the only absentees. After the impressive 2-0 win at Bournemouth a couple of weeks ago we were frustrated that we couldn't get a game on to try and build the momentum but hopefully the inspection comes good.

Macclesfield were on a decent run themselves before the snow hit and have picked up seven points from their last three games, their last being a thumping 4-1 victory of Crewe at Moss Rose.

So here's to the pitch getting the go ahead with a tight game in store should we get the all clear!

Benji back at Borough

Joe Benjamin, now further down the Cobblers’ attacking pecking order after recent signings, has returned to Eastbourne Borough on loan for the remainder of the season. Benji had already spent a month on loan with the Sussex club earlier this campaign and impressed enough for Borough to enquire again about his availability.

The Cobblers have signed another forward, Stephen O’Flynn, already in the transfer window and Benjamin should benefit more from a loan stint than sitting on the bench and playing a few reserve games until May.

Meanwhile, Sammo has confirmed that there are only FOUR Cobblers players that will not be out of contract this summer and that the players are all playing for their contracts in the second half of the season. Hopefully the desire to earn longer deals helps us through the first half of 2010, starting at Macclesfield this weekend!

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

What won't happen in 2010...


With all the predictions being made about what WILL happen in 2010, here’s a few thoughts on an alternative 2010…


January Despite a rumored £1 million approach for Adebayo Akinfenwa, Swansea instead plump for another former Swan, Jan Molby, to fill their substitutes bench. Literally.

Meanwhile, forgotten nineties hero Ray Van Dulleman returns to Sixfields as Reserve team boss.

All January’s games are postponed due to the snow.

February A fixture pile up means the Cobblers take on Darlington away on Monday 1st Feb, Chesterfield at home on Tuesday 2nd, Accrington Stanley at home on Wednesday 3rd and Burton Albion on Thursday 4th before a well earned day’s rest to prepare for the trip to Dagenham. The game is then postponed because Dagenham haven’t caught up yet.

March The Cobblers are in the top half of the table and storming up the league having won five games in a week in February. Gary Mulligan has found his shooting boots and has scored 10 goals in 7 games including two hat-tricks. Derry City are monitoring his progress.

April Danny Jackman is shockingly linked with the Cobblers but says he is going nowhere. He’s injured anyway. Sammo has led the Cobblers to within a point of the playoffs with two games to go and excitement builds on the terraces as fans truly believe that we can catch Rochdale in third place, 9 points ahead of us…

May After a 5-0 win away at Bradford , we move into the playoff places before a final day win over Bury, 1-0 against 8 men, means we scrape into 7th place on goal difference. Our opponents are Shrewsbury Town and after a goalless first leg at Sixfields, Shrews keeper Neville Southall (after coming out of retirement) kicks the ball against Bayo’s backside and we’re at Wembley.

Sammo proudly leads the side out against Dagenham and Redbridge but the Daggers don’t turn up until half time because they were too busy finishing their semi final at Notts County that had to be scheduled for that morning due to snow interrupting their second leg. The Cobblers already have a 1-0 lead and defend like crazy in the second half to hold on and secure promotion back to League One at the first attempt in dramatic style.

June Danny Jackman re-signs for the Cobblers.

July Top notch signings Rickie Lambert, Sol Campbell and Jimmy Bullard have Town fans believing that we are in with an outside chance of the league title this season. Campbell leaves, though, after conceding a goal in a five a side warm up game during the club’s pre-season tour of Kuala Lumpar.

August The new season kicks off at Peterborough United and the Cobblers score three times in the opening two minutes before the Posh come back with two goals in the next five. We hang on, though, and start the season on a high. Danny Jackman makes a miraculous recovery from a broken leg to play a part despite falling down the stairs at home the day before.

September The Cobblers go top of League One following an impressive 5-4 win at Huddersfield Town . Some fans are unhappy at the closeness of the results though and call for Sammo’s head.

October The pressure gets to Sammo and he resigns following protests that results aren’t good enough. Terry Fenwick is called to fill the void and games begin to get less tight – we lose 0-4 at Brentford and 1-5 at Exeter before going down 1-4 at home to both Tranmere and Walsall .

November Fenwick leaves after a run of seven straight defeats and Van Dulleman takes temporary charge, leading the side to four successive draws in November to steady the ship. Swansea renew their interest in Akinfenwa after Jan Molby is taken ill with Swine Flu.

December Sol Campbell heads home the winner for new club Bristol Rovers as the Cobblers are beaten. On Boxing Day, Van Dulleman is replaced in the managerial hot seat by Stuart Gray, recently sacked by Boston United. Gray looks at the positives of his first game in charge, a 5-0 reverse at home to Peterborough.

Saturday, January 09, 2010

Thornton joins Sammo's ranks


Midfielder Kevin Thornton has joined the Cobblers on a short term deal after impressing on trial following the recommendation of Nuneaton boss Kevin Wilkin. Wilkin was helping Thornton return to fitness and suggested him to Ian Sampson who was impressed and has now signed him.

The 23-year-old came through the ranks at Coventry City and made sixteen appearances in the Championship in 2005 before joining Brighton on loan in 2008. Thornton left the Sky Blues by mutual consent in the summer and after a brief spell in his native Ireland with Boyne Rovers FC he joined Nuneaton Town on a non contract basis.

The Cobblers have now brought him back into the league and he'll be looking to make his mark to earn a longer deal at Sixfields.

Friday, January 08, 2010

Northampton Town P-P Chesterfield

The cobblers' home game with Chesterfield tomorrow has been called off due to a frozen pitch at Sixfields. Staff tried in vain to clear the pitch and ours was the last to fall to the weather this weekend in League Two but a frozen patch at the south end of the pitch meant that the game was unplayable.

No new date has yet been agreed for the game.

Wednesday, January 06, 2010

Sammo completes double swoop

Sammo has cast his net out early in the transfer window to secure the services of Irish forward Stephen O'Flynn on a permanent contract and Portsmouth defender Luke Wilkinson on a month's loan.

Wilkinson, 19, joined Pompey from Bristol City and is described as a confident defender that will add competition for places. The defence has suddenly put in a run of four games without conceding a goal from open play and confidence has been restored to the back line but healthy competition should keep the likes of Dean Beckwith and Craig Hinton alert. Pat Kanyuka has been told that his contract will not be renewed.

Meanwhile, O'Flynn comes with rave reviews from Ireland having been with Derry City in an impressive spell. During his time there, he scored the winning goal against IGK Goteborg in the UEFA Cup in 2006. Limerick came calling and O'Flynn scored fourteen times in thirteen games last season including two hat-tricks.

A deal to bring in another Irishman, Kevin Thornton, who was with Coventry last season is also thought to be close to completion.

Sunday, January 03, 2010

2010 begins in style as Cobblers record impressive win


AFC Bournemouth 0-2 Northampton Town
League Two
Saturday, January 3rd 2010


It's a firm and happy farewell to 2009 for the Cobblers and a delightful start to the new decade as goals from Luke Guttridge and Ryan Gilligan stunned second placed Bournemouth at Dean Court yesterday. Ian Sampson has promised new face in the coming weeks but the current group have now surely put a few doubts in his mind by recording a run of five games unbeaten with just one goal, a penalty, conceded in the last four.

The Cherries were in good form and eyeing a win to keep alive their stint in the top three but it was Sammo's men who dictated the game from the off and surprised the home side with two early goals.

Billy McKay, earning a start in place of Courtney Herbert after a couple of bright performances, played in Guttridge who provided us with our first goal of the new decade, cooly finishing past Shwan Jalal in the Bournemouth goal.

Brett Pitman tested the resolve of Chris Dunn shortly afterwards but the Cobblers would go on to double the lead on the quarter hour mark. Adebayo Akinfenwa held the ball up and then set up Ryan Gilligan who struck the ball brilliantly into the net from distance.

Some Cobblers fans hadn't even turned up by this point having been held up by traffic outside of Bournemouth but even they would have been stunned by the progress of their team when they eventually streamed through the turnstile. On the half hour mark, McKay struck the post with a good curling shot that threatened to extend the lead but we were comfortable enough going into the break.

It was a strange phenomonen that the Cobblers were holding their own, holding onto a two goal lead without much pressure from a disappointing home side. You just expected an onslaught that never happened, a barrage of attacks on out goal and some last ditch goal line clearances. Instead, it was the Cobblers who threatened the most with Guttridge going close once more with a good long range shot with fifteen minutes to play.

But it was a calm enough end to the game and we had sealed a superb three points, giving us a solid return of seven points from the Christmas period against tough opposition which stands us in good stead before the transfer window sets in.

Just one point mow separates the Cobblers from the top half of the table now and that in itself is a good step and if we can force our way out of trouble then we will at last have something to keep us interested in a season that could still be salvageable yet!

Friday, January 01, 2010

2010 kicks off at Dean Court


The Cobblers will be looking to put a traumatic 2009 behind them tomorrow afternoon as the first game of the new decade takes us to Bournemouth, who sit second in League Two going into the second half of the season. The Cobblers are unbeaten in four but three of those results were draws and we'll be looking to get going with a bang in 2010 tomorrow afternoon.

Bournemouth have won their last two games, away at Cheltenham on Boxing Day and at home to Torquay last Monday and will be in high spirits for our trip. Warren Cummings and Marvin Bentley are suspended for the Cherries while there are doubts over Sammy Igoe, Anton Robinson and Ryan Garry.

The Cobblers welcome back Andy Holt and John Johnson to the side with Johnson starting the first game following the start of his new deal yesterday and Holt returning from suspension. Paul Rodgers has now picked up five bookings though and misses out through suspension and Steve Guinan is still missing through injury along side Liam Davis.

No new signings as yet for either side as the transfer window opens so a tough afternoon in prospect as 2010 begins. Let's all hope that this year puts 2009 right into the back of the memory banks!