Robins hold Cobblers as we reach half way

Northampton Town 1-1 Cheltenham Town
League Two
Saturday, January 8th 2011

With the continuous hunt on for a new striker there’s on that’s still staking his claim in the current list of front men. Billy McKay scored another point on his plucky claims to a starting place with a second goal in two games against Cheltenham and, despite the end result of a draw this time, showed Sammo that the future may not completely revolve around whether or not we can persuade a supposed bigger fish to ply his trade at Sixfields.

The performance by all accounts was better than that against a sturdy Lincoln side last Monday but the result was that of two dropped points when you look at the mix up for the Robins’ goal and the chances that the Cobblers created. The fact that Cheltenham went into the game in a playoff place also gives us general frustration of not taking advantage of a chance to close the ever gaping gap between ourselves and the end of season lottery that may well pass us by once again.

It was with the first attack of the game on ten minutes in which McKay gave us the early advantage. Makeshift striker Andy Holt crossed for the actual striker to nod us in front. John Johnson almost got lucky with a cross shot before a goal mouth scramble almost doubled our lead. The momentum was lost just after half time though with Tozer and Dunn hesitating and Wes Thomas taking advantage to equalise.

McKay could have had one or two more in a hard working display, testing goalkeeper Scott Brown with one effort and then heading wide. Holt tried his luck late on with an optimistic and acrobatic overhead kick that would have taken the roof off but we had to settle for a point.

So with 23 games played and 23 to go it’s all a bit middle of the road isn’t it?! With the start we made though and that dreadful run in October that saw us lose five on the bounce there’s a promising sign emerging for yet another good second half of the season. Early mistakes have been rectified and with a more solid defence in place we have a base to build on.

It’s odd to think we’re only half way through but with so much left in the season there’s always a chance of making a better go of it and starting to head back in the right direction. To come are plenty of Tuesday night outings after the snowy December, hopefully new blood before the end of this month and a healthily competitive league campaign that’s proving very hard to call. Half way there…living on a prayer? Maybe, but someone will hopefully hear our call.

On we go!