The beauty of mediocrity

Hereford 1-1 Northampton Town
League Two
Tuesday, February 23rd 2011

Ok so it’s five draws in a row now, five points from a possibly fifteen and another instance where we have thrown away a lead. Sammo called it a must win game, as did many of the Town supporters headed for Edgar Street last night. The cause wasn’t helped by Ben Tozer joining Leon McKenzie, Abdul Osman and Shaun Harrad on the “unavailable” list and a spine of a side that desperately needed three points was gone before we’d even kicked a ball. Add to that Josh Walker going off during the game and it was a decent enough showing on the face of it to earn our latest single point.


That’s the first of many positives that we have to look at to save ourselves from going clinically insane at the amount of times we help out those still doing the ppools. Andy Holt was again emplotyed in a more advanced role and he nodded us in front a couple of minutes after half time before the inevitable equaliser. The home side can justify a point after having a goal disallowed and after Chris Dunn had pulled off a fine double save earlier in the contest. Wade Fairhurst nodded them level and the Cobblers went home with a draw once again.

Extending this run to six wouldn’t be greatly received but any other time in the season a draw at Southend, our next fixture on Saturday, would be a decent result! It’s the fine line in football at times like this where one pass, mistimed tackle or moment of genius can turn one point into that sought after three and patience is very much needed. Earlier in the season when we lost five in a row we would have been chomping at the bit for five points so now we need to hope that another little run is started where the corner is turned.

It’s a frustratingly slow time for the club and the fans but sensibility is required. Unfortunately it’s not looking like anything will come from this season but when you look down at Stockport and Barnet you have to understand that these draws are keeping us away from danger of not only relegation but an absolute disaster. It’s a testing time, but cliché it might be, it could be a whole lot worse.


Elsewhere in League Two last night...

Deane Smalley was the match winner for leaders Chesterfield at Bradford and the Spireites extended their lead at the top to nine points. Wycombe moved back to second after thumping Burton Albion 4-1 but Port Vale were halted after a surprise home defeat to Stevenage, who are now back in the top half of the table.

Cheltenham came from two goals down to draw with Torquay at Whaddon Road after Wes Thomas scrambled home a late equaliser. Meanwhile, Southend go above Torquay after their victory over Barnet. Defeat for them leaves them bottom having bow played the same amount of games as Stockport. Burton are a point above the drop zone but still have six games in hand whilst Bradford are five points better off with one game in hand.

Macclesfield moved above Morecambe by beating them 2-0 with former Cobbler Chris McCrady netting an own goal but the game of the night came at Accrington where Stanley beat Crewe 3-2 thanks to a winner fifteen minutes from time Sean McConville.