Gilligan’s season over

Ryan Gilligan has confirmed that his season is over after deciding to have an operation on the ankle injury that’s been niggling away all season. Gilligan has played through the pain many times during this campaign but confirmed on his Twitter account:

“It’s not good. Operation on Thursday, then long three to four months rehab and recovery, so my season is unfortunately finished.”

Here’s wishing Gilly all the best in his operation and subsequent recovery!

Late drama as Brewers claim vital win

With ten minutes to go last night at the Pirelli Stadium, Burton Albion looked all set to remain just two points clear of the bottom two. Emile Sinclair had just headed in what looked likely to be the winning goal for Macclesfield Town against the Brewers with his second of the night. Sinclair had already put the visitors in front once, after just twenty two seconds, before Calvin Zola equalised for the home side just before half-time.

And when the Macc striker captured his brace, it was looking like another gloomy night for Albion. That was until Adam Boulder nicked a second leveller of the night for his side and in a dramatic last minute, Burton’s Jacques Maghoma was felled by Izak Reid in the area and suddenly there was a chance to win it. Step up Sam Winnall to break the hold of the Silkmen and break the hopes of Barnet, who are the visitors in a do or die meeting at the same ground on Saturday.

The Bees have a massive task to escape but they would have taken hope from another Burton defeat last night with the upcoming visit on the horizon but now Saturday’s encounter has become even more do or die than it already was.

At the other end of the table, Accrington Stanley trounced Hereford 4-0. Terry Gornell scored twice to fire his side to within three points of the playoffs with a game in hand. Gornell opened the scoring from close range with Jimmy Ryan and Sean McConville adding goals in between Gornell’s first and second of the night, the second completing the rout after a mistake from visiting keeper Adam Bartlett.

The win leaves Stanley in a good position going into Saturday’s visit from the Cobblers and they’ve now lost just once in eleven games.

Midweek Preview, Part 2: Burton v Macclesfield, Hereford v Accrington

Tonight sees the focus turn to the bottom end of the table with Burton’s struggle to catch up with games and get out of trouble continuing. They take on Macclesfield Town and the Cobblers will be hoping that the same Macc team turns up as the one that won at Sixfields a couple of weeks ago.

Albion are on a run of five games without a win and were beaten 2-1 at Moss Rose earlier in the season. That result saw the Brewers drop to thirteenth in the table, a position they would be mightily happy with right now! The subsequent cup run that followed took them to the fourth round when they were eliminated by Championship side Burnley but more telling was that they played just three league games during the time it took them to get through three cup rounds due to a heavy load of postponements.

The effect on their season has been nothing short of chaotic and the midweek fixture list has been filled with rearranged games for the tired and weary legs of Paul Peschisolido’s men to trawl through. At the time of year when injuries and suspensions are rife, the games in hand have been, in the main, a real hindrance and forced a relegation battle until the time comes when the games start turning into points.

Tonight would seem, on paper, an ideal time to strike against a Macclesfield side wounded by a 4-0 home defeat to Stevenage Borough at the weekend that halted a run of results that saw the Silkmen go unbeaten for five games and get out of trouble themselves.

The job done by Gary Simpson cannot be ignored though and getting a club to the upper reaches of the bottom half of League Two wouldn’t usually be regarded as a major success but for one like Macclesfield it’s a fine achievement to have no real lingering fears of the drop with eight or nine games to go. So a stern test of resolve once again for a Burton side still trying to distance themselves from that very problem tonight.

Hereford are a team that have just about got out of trouble at the right times during the second half of the season. Jamie Pitman, who took charge in October with his side bottom of League Two, has slowly turned the form around and is now so close to completing the great escape following a vital 1-0 home win over Crewe on Saturday.

The Bulls have also had to deal with the loss of the beast like front man Mathieu Manset after he joined Reading in the January transfer window. But Stuart Fleetwood has overtaken his goal tally and the winner against Crewe made it sixteen for the season and the striker seems to have finally found his club after four loan spells while on the books of Charlton Athletic having come out of non league with Forest Green Rovers to join the Addicks.

Unfortunately for United, tonight’s opponents Accrington Stanley are planning a late surge on the playoffs after storming clear of the nether reaches of the table during a superb 2010 so far. Stanley currently sit six points from the playoffs with two games in hand, one of those being tonight’s encounter at Edgar Street.

Badly hit by the weather themselves at the end of 2010, 2011 has seen Stanley lose just three times and all of those were to sides currently fighting for promotion in Shrewsbury, Rotherham and Gillingham. After reaching the top half, suddenly you started to look at their games in hand and thinking that maybe, just maybe they can reach the promised land.

Since rejoining the league in 2006, Accrington have made progress every season, finishing 20th, 17, 16th and 15th in the final tables since. They’re surely going to better it once again but there might yet be a chance to make it an extraordinary campaign if they can gatecrash the end of season party.

Millers miss out as Shrews take place in top three...Vale climb into playoffs

And so it was a far from fruitful night Rotherham last night as they were well beaten at home by Shrewsbury, who now overtake Bury and go into third place, the final automatic promotion position. James Collins opened the scoring on twenty minutes and the Shrews never looked back, controlling the game and going on to double their lead before half time. Collins was brought down in the area and Nicky Wroe stepped up to convert the spot kick.

Two became three quickly after the break as Tom Bradshaw, scorer of both goals in the weekend win over Bradford, charged down a clearance from Andy Warrington in the home goal and the ball fell kindly for Collins to net a second of the game. Adam Le Fondre, returning from injury, was only on the bench but came on to score and give his side hope with twenty minutes to play but it was Shrewsbury who took home maximum points in a fine performance ahead of Saturday’s home game with Macclesfield Town at the New Meadow.

Meanwhile, there were opposite fortunes for another manager less side in Port Vale as they did get the win needed to take them back into the playoff positions. It didn’t look good for them when Lincoln took the lead at Vale Park through a third minute strike from Gavin McCallum.

But the hosts hit back in what could be a defining turn around for their season. Marc Richards netted his 100th career goal and 50th league goal for Vale just before the hour mark and the victory was sealed ten minutes later when Doug Loft scored what sounds like being one of the goals of the season, a belting left footed shot from 25 yards that beat Imps keeper Elliot Parish all ends up.

So that means Shrewsbury are into third place and Bury are the ones to slip out into fourth, though the Shakers do still have a game in hand. Vale, who go to leaders Chesterfield at the weekend, go above Torquay into seventh but everything is still almightily close.

Millers Tale continues in massive midweek fixture plus Vale look to rejoin the pack

“...and so it was that later, as the miller told his tale, that her face at first just ghostly, turned a whiter shade of pale...”

It’s a long shot that Procol Harum were, in 1967, talking about Rotherham United in their Whiter Shade of Pale days but the words of their best known hit can certainly be echoed by the current day Millers who are telling their own tale that a certain Mr Chaucer would be proud of. A week ago, United had not a care in the world barring an assault on the top three places of League Two that they’d fallen from in recent weeks.

Then came a seven day period that no-one could have written. Ronnie Moore was incredibly sacked following a 5-0 defeat at runaway leaders Chesterfield. Heavy as that was to take, it seemed harsh at the very least to dismiss an experienced hero of the club. Fast forward a week and the club were under the caretaker charge of Andy Liddell and faced a tricky trip to Lincoln in their first game post-Moore.

Again not even the most optimistic of Millers fans could predict what would happen that night. The astonishing thing wasn’t just the 6-0 away win against the Imps but the fact that Ian Thomas-Moore, the departed manager’s son, scored a hat-trick at Sincil Bank!

And so to the final game of a cycle that leaves Rotherham doing battle to regain the playoff place that was lost after Moore’s final game in charge. The surroundings of temporary base the Don Valley Stadium are the setting for a hugely important clash with fellow promotion hopefuls Shrewsbury this evening. Thankfully for Millers fans, the far from ideal venue will be their home for only one more season with the club set to move to a new 12,000 seat venue at the former Guest and Chrimes foundry site in Rotherham town centre in time for the 2012-13 kick off.

For now though, they’re working on bringing not just the club, but League One football, back into town. Standing in their way tonight is a Shrewsbury Town side that have been in or around the top three themselves for the majority of the campaign.

The Shrews have recovered from their own 5-0 defeat from a couple of weeks ago that saw their own player, on loan Jake Robinson, score twice against them for Torquay. But a subsequent draw with Wycombe and victory at Bradford have stabilised their position just outside the top three. Indeed a win tonight and Graham Turner’s men will be back in the automatic promotion places, albeit having played a game more than Bury.

Turner sold Hereford United last summer and left his position as chairman and manager to return to his old Shrewsbury roots. The campaign started with a five game unbeaten run and has never really stalled enough for them to drop out of contention for a place in the end of season shake up that’s looking closer and closer by the week if you discount Chesterfield and their runaway lead.

Tonight is their chance to put their mark on the league once again but a suddenly rejuvenated group of Millers may yet have their own new twist to an ever engaging tale.

Meanwhile, Port Vale are also on a mission tonight as they host the team beaten so heavily by Rotherham on Friday night, Lincoln City. Vale’s similar fall out of form as well as a bizarre incident on the coach to Aldershot a few weeks ago means that they’re also no strangers to controversy and incident this season. Manager Jim Gannon and Geoff Horsfield’s well publicised row saw both depart the team coach before hitting Aldershot and despite a brief period where differences were apparently set aside, Gannon was shown the door after just 74 days in charge.

Horsfield is now in joint caretaker charge of the club along with Mark Grew and Saturday’s home draw against high flying Bury is a sign that the old form is returning to the club just in time for the final furlong of the season.

Lincoln have their own, far from lofty, ambitions under Steve Tilson who could make one or two changes for tonight’s game following that mauling on Friday. Their supporters will be delighted just to be out of harm though and the fact that they now sit eleven points clear of the bottom two is testament to the slow but sure way Tilson has guided the club away from danger in the last few months.

Since joining the Imps back in October, his side have had gone to the very foot of the table, following a defeat by Wycombe on January 15th, up to 13th place just a month later and are now steadying the ship ahead of next season when they could well be dark horses for another go at the right end of the table should Tilson have a productive summer in the transfer market.

Ashley Grimes, the striker on loan from Millwall, returns for tonight’s game and will provide a massive boost after missing out against Rotherham with an ankle injury. Grimes has scored seventeen times this season and his value increases when you consider that all of his nearest rivals in Lincoln’s scoring charts have netted just four!

So plenty of action condensed into two games tonight with the league finally catching up on the wintery weather that halted the season in December.

League Two round up...28th March 2011...

So a busy weekend of League Two action is over and to say that things are heating in the relegation, playoff and promotion issues is an understatement. It all started on Friday night with the Cobblers’ dramatic draw with Torquay at Sixfields and an extraordinary start for Rotherham under caretaker boss Andy Liddell. The Millers bounced back from the 5-0 defeat at Chesterfield that ended Ronnie Moore’s time at the club with a 6-0 away win at Lincoln. Ironically Moore’s son, Ian Thomas-Moore, grabbed a hat-trick at Sincil Bank!

Saturday’s all important clash saw Barnet recover from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Chesterfield at Underhill. A bizarre goal deep into stoppage time that saw Sam Deering’s cross fly over the head of Spireites keeper Tommy Lee and into the corner of the net gave his side fresh hope of staying up under new boss Martin Allen.

The Bees had been temporarily overtaken in the table earlier in the day as Stockport conjured up late drama of their own. With their home game against Southend moving into injury time, Danny Rowe rose to head home a crucial winner that takes them to within a couple of points of safety.

At the top of the table on Saturday, there were huge away wins for Wycombe and Stevenage as their respective promotion bids continued. Wycombe scored three in quick succession at Morecambe to move into second place while Stevenage are now two points off the top three following their 4-0 success at Macclesfield, their fifth straight win.

Bury are down to third after their goalless draw at Port Vale. Bury survived the sending off of captain Steven Schumacher and two Vale efforts that hit the woodwork to hold on to a decent point in their bid to hold on to an automatic promotion place.

Shrewsbury are still closing the gap though but did it the hard way at Bradford. Going into the final fifteen minutes a goal down, Tom Bradshaw scored twice to turn things completely on their head and to keep his side in touch at the top.

The only other game on Saturday was Aldershot’s 1-1 home draw with Accrington. Rory Boulding gave Stanley hope of closing in on the top seven but a late header from Darren Jones earned the Shots a share of the spoils.

Sunday saw three more games take place and the Cobblers were sent down a place in the table thanks to Hereford’s 1-0 victory against Crewe. Stuart Fleetwood raced on to a through ball from Kenny Lunt to score the winner that takes the Bulls up to nineteenth.

Better news for us came at the Kassam with Oxford hammering Burton 3-0 and the Brewer’s poor form is now giving them more and more trouble. It got worse for them with the sending off, and subsequent suspensions, of both Darren Moore and Tom Parks during the game and with more games in hand to get through without two big players it’s going to be a nervy end to their season.

Elsewhere, Cody McDonald stunned Cheltenham with a brace within the final four minutes as Gillingham stole three points from Whaddon Road. Steve Elliot had given the home side the lead after just three minutes but McDonald left it late to move the Gills into sixth.

Late drama as Town get vital point

Northampton Town 2-2 Torquay United
League Two
Friday, March 25th 2011

You got the feeling that it wasn’t a normal night when Torquay’s team bus was late to Sixfields. That was to be just the start of things though as two goals were scored after 10pm and deep into stoppage time in an extraordinary finale to an entertaining game that saw the Cobblers claim an important point in the battle to move away from the bottom few sides.

The Cobblers were unchanged for the first time under Gary Johnson, something that certainly should help the cause of continuity and started well but it was Torquay that created the first good chance of the game. On loan forward Jake Robinson sent a shot just wide with the Gulls appearing to show no effects of their late arrival due to a motorway accident.

Indeed it was the visitors who took the early lead with winger Eunan O’ Kane netting to give their small band of travelling supporters hope that by the end of the night they would be in the top three. The game was open enough to suggest that the Cobblers could challenge that though and on the half hour mark, a free kick was nodded down by Abdul Osman into the path of John Johnson who headed home from close range.

Game on then and as the half grew on so did the confidence of a Town outfit that are desperately trying to put things together under Gary Johnson’s leadership. The scores were still level at the break though despite two penalty shouts for the bundling over of Michael Jacobs both times.

It was the same at the beginning of the second half and Jacobs was involved once more, this time getting on the end of a good move involving Byron Webster and Guillem Bauza only to be denied by visiting keeper Scott Bevan.

Torquay threatened at the other end as Chris Dunn had to be alert to another effort from the lively Robinson and Guy Branston headed wide from a corner. The late drama was preceded by chances at both ends for Robinson and Bauza but when Billy Kee scored two minutes into stoppage time it looked certain to be the winner.

We reached six minutes of added time when the Cobblers won a contested free kick. The ball would drop to Bauza who sent in a fine volley that flew into the net via a deflection and somehow we had nicked a point in the most unlikely of circumstances. Gulls manager Paul Buckle was seething at the free kick decision that sent his side back to Devon having dropped a couple of points when in a winning position but we have to take whatever we can get at this moment in time!

As I said after last week’s draw at Bradford, every point is crucial and picking them up in singles is helpful as long as the rest of the pack down with us keep slipping. The main threat, Barnet, take on leaders Chesterfield this evening so hopefully that game is as academic as it should be…unless there’s a real mad dog twist to come!

Accrington away up next for us but another week to prepare and with the relegation worries hopefully dying down and the fans back on side we can go there and play a bit more freely and finally claim those illusive three points!

Friday night action as Gulls visit Sixfields

Northampton Town v Torquay United
League Two
Friday, March 25th 2011

The aim of Torquay United this evening is to leave Sixfields having bagged a place in the top three of League Two. The Gulls will hope to take advantage of playing a day earlier than their promotion rivals and know that a win would give them a spot in the automatic promotion places for the night at least. The Cobblers will be thinking otherwise though and Gary Johnson, still looking for his first win in charge, will be encouraged by his side’s performance at Bradford last weekend – possibly enough so to name an unchanged side.

Johnson does have Dean Beckwith fully fit again so faces a choice as to whether to put him straight back into the starting line-up or stick with the partnership of John Johnson and Doncaster loanee Byron Webster who looked solid enough at Valley Parade. Leon McKenzie and Andy Holt are still major doubts after not training this week whilst Ryan Gilligan will be out for a few weeks with an ankle injury picked up in the warm up last weekend.

The visitors will be without loan striker Ronan Murray tonight as the Republic of Ireland Under 21 international is in Portugal with his country. Murray scored his first goal since joining on loan from Ipswich in Saturday’s 2-1 win over Cheltenham at the weekend and was described by manager Paul Buckle as being “a different class,” so we might have had a stroke of luck there! Meanwhile, midfielder Ben Pringle has rejoined parent club Derby County after making five appearances at Plainmoor but Billy Kee could return after an ankle problem.

We’re all so desperate for a win and gradually you can see things turning. There’s certainly been no honeymoon period for Gary Johnson but the Bradford game was a step forward in terms of the players starting to mould into his ways of thinking. With eleven long games separating the present day and that night against Crewe when everything flew in and everything looked rosy. Six goals was great, but right now a scrappy 1-0 win with a goal from a scrambled battle in the six yard box looks very appealing indeed.

For the club, the fans and the sanity of everyone, we need three points!

Elsewhere in League Two this weekend

The only other game tonight sees Rotherham attempt to regain the playoff place that they lost during the week as they visit Lincoln. With just five points separating eleventh and fourth place, the race for those coveted top seven places is well and truly on and the Millers, now under the management of caretaker boss Andy Liddell, will be desperate to get back on track following the surprise sacking of Ronnie Moore.

On Saturday, there could be repercussions at either end of the table with a huge battle at Underhill. Barnet, three points from safety, meet leaders Chesterfield who need just four more wins to guarantee promotion back to League One.

Port Vale, another side manager less and out of the playoff positions, host second place Bury whilst Wycombe in third travel to Morecambe. Both Bury and Wycombe are surely now discarding any hopes of catching Chesterfield and will be hoping to simply keep hold of the three point gap separating themselves and fourth.

Stevenage, meanwhile, have suddenly jumped into fifth after another good win on Tuesday night and they’re at Macclesfield tomorrow afternoon. Shrewsbury have a game in hand on most of their rivals but will still want to bag maximum points at Bradford.

Rock bottom Stockport will go ever closer to the Conference if they fail to win at home to Southend at Edgeley Park as they enter real do or die territory at the foot of League Two. Elsewhere on Saturday, Aldershot play their third home game in a row with ever rising Accrington the visitors this time around. Stanley have suddenly forced themselves back into the playoff picture with a strong run of form and if they can nick another victory at the EBB Stadium they’ll be in a fine position going into the run in.

Because of the Wales-England game on Saturday, we have some rare Sunday games in League Two as well, all of them involving teams with top seven ambitions. Gillingham are at Cheltenham while Hereford will be aiming to stop Crewe from leaping into contention and to ease their returning relegation fears. And Oxford are at home to Burton with both sides clamouring for points for completely opposite reasons.

So a good spread of games over three days this weekend and the excitement mounts for a frantic finish at both ends of the basement league.

Free agent Uwezu becomes sixth Johnson signing

There was no late activity on the loan front yesterday but Gary Johnson did bring in free agent Michael Uwesu on a free transfer until the end of the season, with a view to a permanent move in the summer. Uwezu, described as “quick, tenacious and a real pain for defenders to play against,” didn’t sign in time for tonight’s game with Torquay United but will be available for next Saturday’s trip to Accrington Stanley.

Starting his career with Arsenal’s academy, Uwezu then moved to Fulham and scored an impressive eleven goals in eighteen games for their under 18s side in his first season. He was allocated a squad number at the club for the start of the 2009/10 season and was an unused substitute in three of their Europa League games en route to the final. But following a brief spell on loan at Lincoln City, he was released from his contract at Craven Cottage before making any senior appearances for the club.

Rejecting a move to Holland, the striker joins up as Gary Johnson begins to look at players he wants in next season and it makes sense to have another option in attack given injuries to Billy McKay, Leon McKenzie and long term to Tadhg Purcell. Indeed there were no attacking options on the bench last weekend so we at least have something different to offer starting next weekend, by which time McKenzie could also be back in the frame.

Young guns to get chance?

Gary Johnson has hinted that young Cobblers prospects such as Greg Kaziboni and Malachi Farquharson may get a chance to impress in the final weeks of the season. The Town boss has seen glimpses of the future of the club in practice matches and behind closed doors games in the last couple of weeks and could be set to include one or two in the last nine games of the campaign.

Assuming that we don’t get drawn into a relegation battle, it’s a safe bet that the younger lads will get their chance with Johnson looking to get an early look into the possible squad for next season. It’s odd to think that a year ago we didn’t know a lot about Michael Jacobs – kept on by Sammo in place of Alex Dyer in the summer – but his progression has to be the motivation for the young ‘uns to push on.

Meanwhile, Johnson has stated that his shopping spree is over after five new signings since he joined the club. The loan window closes at 5pm this evening and no new activity is expected at Sixfields.

League Two round up, March 23rd – Town stay clear

The Cobblers had as good a night as possible without playing last night with relegation rivals falling to defeats that keep us seven points clear of the drop zone. Barnet have now played an extra game to Town and they were beaten 1-0 at Aldershot last night. The Shots won it with a goal from Danny Hylton on the hour mark to leave Barnet in all kinds of trouble.

They will have gained a little glimmer of hope from the fact that Burton continue to stall in their bid to escaped their clutches as the Brewers went down to a 2-0 home defeat to Stevenage in a result that lifted Borough into the playoff places. John Mousinho struck twice at the Pirelli Stadium to sink Albion and leave them just a place above the relegation zone. Despite their four games in hand it’s always going to be a lingering worry until they get a couple of wins from those games and that will be the hope from the boys from Underhill.

Meanwhile, Hereford could only go level on points with the Cobblers but picked up a useful draw at Port Vale. The Bulls looked to be on their way to all three points when James McQuilkin gave them the lead but Tom Pope’s header three minutes into stoppage time put pay to that.

Macclesfield saw off ten man Morecambe to keep up their good recent form and move 12 points clear of Barnet. Hamza Bencherif’s ninth of the season opened the scoring before Tyrone Bennett made it two. James Spencer halved the deficit but the home side ended with ten men after Stewart Drummond picked up a second yellow card.

It’s all change in the playoff race as Torquay rose to fourth place with a 2-1 home win over Cheltenham. Guy Branston scored for the second time in two days in the first half and Ronan Murray doubled the advantage. The Gulls survived a late rally from Cheltenham that saw Danny Andrew score from a free kick but they held on to go to within three points of Wycombe in third place. Indeed they will go into the top three should they win at Sixfields on Friday night.

There was controversy at Crewe as Accrington were denied a victory when Sean McConville’s shot appeared to bounce off the bar and over the line but nothing was given and the game ended goalless, a result that halts both side’s playoff ambitions.

A point closer...

Apologies for the lack of updates over the weekend but fair to say that the Cobblers have made a bit of breathing space over the weekend. The point gained at Bradford can’t be overlooked in terms of importance and with Barnet falling to defeat at home to Morecambe and their free travelling fans it means that we’re a point better off.

Not that it’s the end of the story by any means but what happens tonight could go a long way to deciding whether or not the trembling of relegation return in time for the home game with Torquay United on Friday night. It was, by all accounts, a better performance at Valley Parade but the monkey on our backs that is the eleven games without a win needs to turn around for our sanities at least!

First though, plenty of action of interest tonight as the three teams directly below us are in action. After that defeat at the weekend, Barnet face a trip to Aldershot knowing that time is well and truly running out for their battle against the drop. They, along with the Cobblers, will be praying that Burton continue to be stuck in the mud as they take on Stevenage this evening. And Hereford, who have two games in hand on the Cobblers, are at manager less Port Vale. Jim Gannon was shown the door at Vale Park after just 74 days in charge as they slipped out of the playoff positions over the weekend with a 3-0 defeat at Accrington.

That win took Stanley to within three points of the playoffs and they go to Crewe tonight in one of their two crucial games in hand that could complete a remarkable turnaround for the club in recent weeks.

Meanwhile, the two teams above us, Macclesfield and Morecambe, go head to head at the Globe Arena and Torquay, proprietors of Port Vale’s slip out of the playoffs, look to go up to fourth as they play Cheltenham at Plainmoor.

So still plenty of nerves around if results should go against us this evening but the main threat of Barnet could be a little bit more extinguished because they will have played a game more than us after tonight. Concentration on our own games is obviously the key but if staying in the Football League comes down to other teams’ failings then I’m happy with that!

Huge weekend all round as Town go north...

Bradford City v Northampton Town
League Two
Saturday, March 19th 2011

So to the most important weekend of the season. The Cobblers travel to Bradford for a game that we, at the very least, need to take something from. No-one at the club is being drawn into talking about a relegation fight but tension is mounting on the terraces, particularly with the tough run of games coming up. A bad time to go to rejuvenated Bradford then, who seem to have turned the corner away from their own battle against an unlikely drop under new boss Peter Jackson.

It wasn’t long ago that the Bantams were in our position, looking nervously behind them as Peter Taylor’s regime failed to bring about the expected promotion challenge. Victories over Rotherham and Morecambe have propelled them away from trouble though and that could be the danger that the home side will be back to their confident best. It’s a struggle the Cobblers need to man up to and fight for their lives. There will be a small band of Town fans making the trip north with hearts on their sleeves when they’re not in their mouths so the players need to wake up and play for them at least.

Gary Johnson has brought in a fourth loan signing, replacing the outgoing Craig Hinton with Doncaster’s Byron Webster and the centre back goes straight into the squad. Liam Davis played in the midweek behind closed doors friendly at QPR and will be pushing for a recall on the left hand side. Johnson got a look at some of his fringe players in that game so we could see some new faces in the squad.

Bradford could bring Kevin Ellison back in for Scott Dobie but joint top scorer David Syers is expected to start from the bench. Michael Flynn and Jon Worthington have been in fine form to keep Dobie out of the team in recent weeks.

It’s most certainly squeaky bum time. Going to Bradford last season in the final away game we thought that we could still make the playoffs. Defeat there pretty much ended that hope...defeat tomorrow would leave us facing something far more serious.

Elsewhere in League Two...

There’s a massive game this evening in League Two with leaders Chesterfield taking on fourth placed Rotherham at the B2Net Stadium. The Spireites are just a few wins away from promotion and defeating one of the sides pushing for a top three place will go a long way to paving their surely inevitable path into League One. Rotherham, four points off the pace as they chase Wycombe in third, are without a win in four games.

Also tonight, Southend welcome Hereford to Roots Hall. Despite dropping into the bottom half this week, defender Luke Prosser still believes his side can make the playoffs. They need to get back into the fight quickly though and will see a game against a nervy Hereford side, who have slipped back into trouble, as an ideal one to get back on track.

The heat in the playoff fight has intensified with just two points separating fourth and eighth. Torquay’s midweek win at Bury means that they are the form team going into a weekend when they could jump back into the top seven as they travel to Macclesfield, who rescued a late point against Lincoln on Tuesday night.

The sides occupying those coveted playoff spots will be nervously looking over their shoulders as they hit this crucial weekend. Port Vale go to an Accrington side that have won their last four at home, scoring three goals in all but one of those victories. Meanwhile, Gillingham also face a tricky away game at Burton. The Gills were one of the only top sides to win last weekend and will be favourites against an Albion team still trying to escape the reach of Barnet and Stockport.

Yet another biggy comes at the New Meadow with Shrewsbury hosting Wycombe needing to bounce back from their 5-0 defeat in Devon last week. With only a four point gap separating the sides it’s a big chance for the hosts to make some ground up.

Second placed Bury will be hoping for a return to form after they missed a big chance to close the gap on Chesterfield in the week. Finishing in the top three will be all that’s on their minds though as they prepare for a home game with Cheltenham at Gigg Lane. Three defeats in four have surely ended the visitor’s playoff hopes but they need points to ensure they don’t drop any further down the league and salvage what was a positive first half of the season.

It’s not just the top half of the table where there’s big games either. Morecambe fans are being taken to Barnet on free coaches laid on by the club in a bid to get a real atmosphere going for a crunch six pointer. There will, of course, be a little sideways glance from Cobblers fans to this result as well.

Stockport have been in big trouble all season and if they’re to give themselves any hope at all they need to come away from Aldershot with all three points. Ray Mathias has taken charge until the end of the season after caretaker Peter Ward was asked to stand down in a board meeting last Monday and Mathias got his first point a day later in a goalless draw with Burton. The Shots have taken seven points from their last three games, though, so it’s a tough task ahead.

Also on Saturday, two sides hopeful still of the playoffs meet as Oxford take on Crewe at the Kassam. Crewe overtook the U’s on Tuesday as they beat Southend while Oxford were losing at home to Stevenage. Borough try to keep their dreams of a top seven place alive when they play Lincoln at Braodhall Way.

Rovers defender signs

Doncaster Rovers centre back Byron Webster has signed a loan deal with the Cobblers that keeps him at Sixfields until the end of the season. Described as a “ball winner and a leader” by Gary Johnson, he goes straight into the squad for the trip to Bradford at the weekend.]

Webster, 23, began his career at York City, making his debut in the Conference at the end of 2004. Just a few days later, he scored his first goal for the club in a 2-2 draw against Stevenage Borough and went on to make sixteen appearances that season. Signing professional terms in 2006, Webster left the club less than a year later and joined Harrogate Town.

He signed a one year deal with Czech side FK SIAD Most in August 2007 but his new side were relegated at the end of that season. After brief spells on loans and trials with Motherwell and Bury Webster eventually signed for Doncaster after impressing in pre-season 2009. He has made seven appearances in the Championship this season but with a contract that runs out this summer he could be one that Johnson looks at with a view to a permanent deal.

So another one in and the likelihood is that we’ll again be a changed side against Bradford with the Cobblers boss stating that he will play some part in the game.

Hinton departs as Johnson's axe rides again!

Craig Hinton has become the next Cobblers squad member to be shown the Sixfields door as Gary Johnson continues his revamp ahead of a crucial end of season and the coming summer break. Last week Alistair Slowe left the club after no appearances but this time it’s a more experienced member of the squad on his way out.

Hinton notched up 44 games for the club after moving from Bristol Rovers in 2009. Injury put paid to his involvement towards the end of last season though and although he did go out on loan to Luton a couple of months ago following his only game this season for the Cobblers, at Ipswich in the Carling Cup, Hinton couldn’t force his way back and now departs Sixfields.

Hopefully this spurs more of the current crop of players on to raise their games before the end of the season with Johnson’s axe already in motion.

***UPDATE: Craig Hinton has, this afternoon, been named the new Assistant Manager of his former club Bristol Rovers. ***

Shakers miss chance as Gulls close in

At the start of the season you wouldn’t have batted much of your eyelid with the score line of Bury 1-2 Torquay, the full time result at Gigg Lane last night. The Shakers had made a decent start to the campaign but it was the Devon club pulling up most of the trees on the early roads of League Two version 10/11. Torquay overtook a club record of clean sheets and were looking unstoppable, leaving the chasing pack in their wake. But since then, both sides have made a slight jump, Bury in the right direction, Torquay going the other way. So much so that it was considered a game that Bury needed to win last night to close the gap on leaders Chesterfield.

Cue a rejuvenated flock of Gulls, flying back south with all three precious points that puts them back on the brink of a playoff berth and proving that below the much admired leaders there’s a hell of a lot of competition going on to both avoid and to be a part of the end of season lottery known as the Playoffs. It’s taken a mid table slump for United to wake up and start challenging again but they’ve now won three out of their last four games, hammering Shrewsbury before last night’s just as impressive success.

This massive three points, thanks to a stunning second half recovery, was ground out with two goals in nine minutes. After Chris Holroyd had shot Bury into a half time advantage, Craig Stanley followed up on a goal mouth scramble just after the hour and Chris Zebroski nodded the winner. Torquay are now just a point away from the final playoff position held by Port Vale but perhaps more tellingly are two points from Gillingham in sixth with a game in hand.

Elsewhere, Stevenage, famed for their home form in the first half of the season, picked up another fine away win, this time at Oxford. United’s Harry Worley found scored for them in the first half, the Oxford man turning a Luke Foster cross into his own net but after Josh Payne was brought down in the area by Peter Winn, Tom Craddock scored from the spot to level it. Borough wouldn’t be denied though and Craig Reid notched the winner to keep Borough on track. It was a massive blow for Oxford who are five points from the playoffs having played at least a game more than those around them.

Crewe are up to ninth after they saw off Southend at Gresty Road. Shaun Miller took advantage of a rebounded Clayton Donaldson effort to tap in for the winner and condemn Southend to the bottom half of the table.

The Cobblers came out of the night near enough unscathed in terms of other results with Burton going down 3-1 at ever improving Accrington who move into the top half. Burton’s games in hand have been well publicised and it appears to be a get out clause for their relegation battle but until they win at least two of their remaining four extra games they’ll still be extremely nervous. Phil Edwards, Ian Craney and Andy Procter scored the goals that lifted Stanley to a fifth win in seven.

The other ones we had to worry about were those pesky Silkmen of Macclesfield and it looked like they were about to go down to a very handy defeat when Stephen Hunt’s fine goal gave Lincoln the lead at Moss Rose. But deep into stoppage time, Sam Wedgbury belted the ball home with an unstoppable volley from distance to earn his side a point. Lincoln were hanging on with ten men after Ben Hutchinson was sent off but their resistance failed to hold up until the last.

League Two midweek preview

With the Cobblers not playing tonight there’s a chance for a midweek breather for the first time in w while but plenty of games still to catch up on as the final furlong of the season kicks in.

Burton play another game in hand and can close the gap on the Cobblers to just a point should they win at Accrington. Macclesfield will be looking to keep up their good form after winning at Sixfields when they host Lincoln at Moss Rose. The fear now is that a Macc win would open a three point gap between ourselves and the rest of the pack that are slowly moving away from trouble.

At the top, Bury use up one of their games in hand that they must win if they have any hopes at all of catching leaders Chesterfield. The Shakers are at home to Torquay this evening, who made their playoff intentions very clear indeed at the weekend by hammering Shrewsbury 5-0 at Plainmoor.

Meanwhile, Southend, still knocking on the door of a late playoff challenge despite defeat to old boss Steve Tilson and his Lincoln side at the weekend, go to Crewe. The Alex saw off league leaders Chesterfield at Gresty Road on Saturday and moved back into the top ten.

Oxford have played away in five of their last six games, including a goalless draw at tonight’s opponents Stevenage, so will be hoping to make the most of home comforts once again. Borough’s inconsistency has been highlighted in the last two games as they lost at home to Hereford but then went to Wycombe and won by the same 1-0 score line.

So plenty of top action tonight with teams scrambling for points to either close gaps or breathe a little easier as the season veers towards its conclusion.

Time to get serious about relegation battle

The next six days in the season of Northampton Town Football Club are the biggest of the season, perhaps the biggest in many a year. The fact that we don’t play a Tuesday night fixture heightens the importance. There’s no cramped period between games, a full week to plan for one massive game and a proper week long build up for Gary Johnson to get his men in the correct mind frame and to wipe away any doubt.

Anyone thinking that this season is a write off is sadly wrong. No, we won’t make the playoffs but what we are involved in is a relegation battle, make no bones about it. Johnson has said that this fact “won’t be swept under the carpet” and that’s an understatement. It’s not something that we can laugh off as something that will never happen with the players we have, it’s not something we’re too big for, it’s a genuine threat that could ruin us.

With the wages surely high for even this division for the likes of Shaun Harrad and Johnson himself, relegation would be an utter disaster and something that the players need to wake up to, particularly with so many of them out of contract in the summer.

Assuming that both Hereford and Burton make good use of their games in hand, that leaves us looking in even more trouble. This weekend, Barnet host Morecambe and something has to give there but you wouldn’t put it past home advantage working for Barnet in that one, especially against relegation rivals. We then still have to go to Burton, Stockport and Morecambe scrambling for the points needed to survive.

What the Cobblers need to do is ensure they prepare, mentally and physically, for their own game at Valley Parade on Saturday. A day out of team bonding or something similar wouldn’t go amiss in my opinion to get them away from the daily grind, not as a reward but as an exercise in rebuilding the spirit that saw us beat Liverpool a few days before our last meeting with the Bantams.

Whatever happens this week it will go a long way to deciding how far towards the edge of our seats we are come the final day of the season at Morecambe. I’d take mid table obscurity over this any day!

League Two Round Up...Saturday March 12th...

The result of the day today has to be Torquay’s as they battered ten man Shrewsbury 5-0 at Plainmoor. The Gulls were already in front when Shrewsbury’s Jermaine Grandison was given his marching orders. To make matters worse for them, Jake Robinson, on loan from Shrewsbury, scored twice against his parent club!

Leaders Chesterfield were beaten at Crewe as Clayton Donaldson scored his twentieth goal of the season but the faltering of most of the sides below them meant that they had a bit of a let off when they checked the rest of the results. Rotherham and Bury played out a goalless draw at the Don Valley and coupled with Shrewsbury’s loss and a home defeat for third place Wycombe at home to Stevenage it meant the Spireites kept their ten point lead.

The only side in the top seven to win were Gillingham who notched a 3-1 victory over Accrington with Andy Barcham netting twice and Cody McDonald once to send the Gills into sixth. They go above Port Vale who lost out at home to Oxford, a win that lifts the U’s to within five points of Vale.

Steve Tilson haunted his old side Southend with his new boys Lincoln - the Imps coming out on top at Sincil Bank. Ashley Grimes kept up his fine form to score twice in that one to deny Southend and seriously dent their playoff hopes.

Stockport and Burton played out a 0-0 draw in the big game at the bottom of the table. It could have been so much better for the Hatters had Matt Paterson found the net and not the cross bar in an agonising effort in the second half but County remain four points away from their opponents.

Barnet were the big winners at the bottom as they came from a goal down to win 2-1 at Hereford thanks to a brace from Izale McLeod. Morecambe are another side to be dragged back into the relegation battle following their defeat at home to Bradford. James Hanson’s goal was enough to earn his side a second win on the bounce and send them further clear of trouble. Meanwhile, Aldershot won at Cheltenham to ease their own worries.

Desperate times...

Northampton Town 0-1 Macclesfield Town
League Two
Saturday, March 12th 2011

It’s getting desperate now. When Macclesfield Town complete a double over you then there’s nothing you can say to defend your league position. The heady days of six draws in a row seem years ago now and the game that was meant to be the one where a week’s training and analysis from Gary Johnson would all come together following two more difficult games turned out the complete opposite this afternoon.

You have to credit the visitors in all this as well though. They came, saw and conquered Sixfields and could well have had more to show then their 1-0 win that propels them above the Cobblers and puts us into a relegation battle. That’s the reality now as Barnet’s win suddenly means we’re just six points above the drop zone with some tough games to come, not least at a resurgent Bradford next weekend.

With Dean Beckwith out injured, Marcus Hall was strangely given the centre back slot above the more suited Ben Tozer who Johnson really does not seem to like! Ryan Gilligan also returned after his loan spell at Torquay ended and the midfielder replaced Kevin Thornton with Andy Holt back to his strikers’ role.

The game was actionless until the half hour mark when Michael Jacobs almost gave the Cobblers the lead but his shot was turned away by the impressive and in form Macc keeper Jose Veiga. Veiga kept his side in the game on Tuesday night, not least by saving a penalty, against Crewe and his stature seems to be growing by the game.

It would be another clean sheet here as the Cobblers grew ever more frustrated with Shaun Harrad also firing wide in the first half. But the killer blow and a further knock to our fragile confidence came just after half time when Colin Daniel hit a sweet volley past Chris Dunn. It could have been worse had it not been for the Town keeper after a mix up in the defence that led to Sam Wedgebury going through one on one but Dunn kept it out, perhaps justifying his starting place ahead of his new competition from Steve Collis on the bench.

Guillem Bauza came off the bench for his debut but he couldn’t provide the spark needed and we fell to a fourth straight defeat and a league position that’s becoming ever worrying by the week. While teams like Macclesfield, Bradford, Lincoln and Aldershot are getting better we’re getting considerably shaky and when you consider that we’ve played the same number of games as Barnet and face Bradford and Torquay in the next two games then you start to worry.

Gary Johnson arrived planning for next season already and maybe thought he would have time to fully assess his players. But now we are well and truly in a dog fight and if he doesn’t find out anything about his men now then he perhaps never will.

Bauza checks in!

Guillem Bauza has impressed Gary Johnson enough on trial and has, this afternoon, signed a month to month deal with the Cobblers. That means the former Espanyol, Swansea and Hereford striker goes straight into the squad for tomorrow’s game with Macclesfield Town and boosts the attacking options with Leon McKenzie and Billy McKay ruled out along with long term absentee Tadhg Purcell.

The 26 year old began his career with home town club Mallorca but played just one game in which he partnered Samuel Eto’o up front. Bauza went on to play for Espanyol whilst also making it into the Spain Under 16s side that won the European Championships, forming a partnership with Fernando Torres!

Roberto Martinez brought him over to England for his Swansea side in 2007 and scored twice at the end of the season to defeat Gillingham and send the Swans up to the Championship. But in 2010, he was released and spent some time at Charlton on trial before signing for Hereford United. Cobblers fans will remember him from “that” 4-3 defeat at Sixfields as he played a starring role in the Bulls’ recovery from 3-0 down.

So he knows his way around Sixfields and if our new striker can perform as well tomorrow then we’ll be very close to that illusive win!

Beware the "winnable" tag!

Northampton Town v Macclesfield Town
League Two
Saturday, March 12th 2011

With two tough games out of the way it’s back to the ‘winnable’ category this weekend when Macclesfield Town arrive at Sixfields. This is one that we really do need to come away from with all three points and Gary Johnson will be desperate to kick start his reign at the club with a positive result against a side struggling despite a good win on Tuesday night.

Johnson is likely to still be without Leon McKenzie so Kevin Thornton should keep his place while he will wait on news on Dean Beckwith before lining up his defence. Either way, though, it appears that he’s targeting a full time role for John Johnson in the centre of the back four so Nana Ofori-Twumasi and Jamie Reckord could be handed home debuts.

Macclesfield have fined every one of the playing and management staff involved in the mass brawl in stoppage time of the home game with Wycombe Wanderers recently and the FA have now fined both sides £9,000. The two players sent off in that scrap, Emile Sinclair and Ricky Sappleton, sit out of the trip to Sixfields in the final game of their suspensions.

The Silkmen were victorious in midweek with a 1-0 win over Crewe at Moss Rose and Ross Draper, having been promoted from midfielder to striker, nicked the winner. Draper could well be back in the front line tomorrow afternoon. Goalkeeper Jose Veiga, a Cape Verde international, is one to watch after pulling off a string of fine saves on Tuesday including one penalty save to help his side to victory.

We need to be vigilant against any signs of over confidence in this one…the name of Macclesfield Town isn’t as threatening as a Shrewsbury or a Chesterfield but the need for a good performance and a good result are massive in order to bring more life back into the club. Both sides will be gunning for the win for slightly differing reasons tomorrow - Macc need it to climb further away from a relegation dog fight whilst the Cobblers need it to ensure we’re not dragged deep back into that very dog fight ourselves!

In League Two this weekend...

Chesterfield attempt to continue their inevitable promotion assault when they visit Crewe – there’s goals in both those teams so it could be the game of the weekend in this division! Bury are keeping up the pace on the leaders but travel to fifth placed Rotherham who are five points behind them in the race for the top three. Third placed Wycombe are at home to Stevenage looking to extend their four point lead on fourth place.

Shrewsbury occupy that spot at the moment and go to playoff chasing Torquay in what looks like a tasty affair on the Devon coast. The Gulls have dragged themselves back into the playoff race in recent weeks and can close in on Gillingham who face improving Accrington. There’s another playoff vs challenger match at Vale Park with Port Vale hosting Oxford.

Meanwhile, down at the bottom, Stockport face a crunch game that could make or break their eventual survival hopes at home to Burton “games in hand” Albion. Win and they’ll give themselves an outside chance but lose and you would have to say it was all over for County. Barnet are in a similar boat and they are at Hereford, a side who were in just as much trouble a couple of months ago.

Bradford look to continue where they left off after Tuesday night’s win over Rotherham when they face Morecambe at the Globe Arena while Cheltenham welcome Aldershot to Whaddon Road. And Steve Tilson comes up against his old club as Lincoln take on Southend.

Bauza in after Slowe's departure?

In all seriousness, Slowe’s departure from Sixfields could be the catalyst for the freeing of wages and another new face in before the weekend game with Macclesfield Town.

Guillam Bauza is training with the club and is a free agent so could be brought in should he impress Gary Johnson enough in training over the next couple of days. Bauza scored twice in twelve games in a short spell wit Hereford United earlier this season and could fit the bill as a short term solution to the striker problem. The other two trialists being looked at are both from Birmingham City and would be looked at as short term loan deals.

Shocking news as Town favourite departs...

Massive, ground breaking news this afternoon that Alistair Slowe has been released by the Cobblers after an incredible career that spanned zero games in seven bench warming, boot cleaning, onlooking months!

Slowe arrived from Cyprus and went on to star in classic bench appearances such as the Liverpool away game in which he actually found the net in the warm up with an empty net.

It's going to be interesting to see how the Cobblers cope with this loss and Gary Johnson's first wielding of the axe.

Johnson with one loan rabbit left to pull out of the hat

There’s only one more chance, under the short term loan ruling, for Gary Johnson to pull off a final signing before the deadline ends. With three loans sealed last week it leaves the new Town boss with just one final option and a difficult decision to make as to whether he brings in a defender or someone further up the park.

A lot may rest on the fitness of Leon McKenzie. With Billy McKay out for a few weeks, McKenzie will be needed but his stop start season has continued in the last week with the former Peterborough man missing the last couple of games with a knee problem. Should Johnson feel that he’ll be ok for the remainder of the season then the defence will be again looked at.

Ben Tozer was dropped on Tuesday night and there was an indication that moving John Johnson to centre back may become more permanent. Dean Beckwith was taken off at half-time at the B2Net Stadium and the Cobblers boss could be tempted by another defensive signing.

Either way, there could well be a fourth new face for the home fans to take in at the weekend game with Macclesfield Town.

Johnson set to meet Town fans

Gary Johnson will be meeting the Cobblers fans for the first time this evening (Thursday March 10th) as he speaks at his first Open Forum at Sixfields. In what is likely to be a popular evening for Town supporters as they prepare questions for the new boss, Johnson will be keen to discuss plans for the future as he tries to steer the club in the right direction.

Paul Tyrrell, bar manager of the Carlsberg Bar in the West Stand, will also be in attendance to discuss what improvements fans would like to see in this area. Andy Holt is also expected to be at the forum so a lively night expected!

The forum is free for all supporters (7:30pm for an 8pm start).

Sammo in for Mariners' post?

Sammo may be back in the game very quickly indeed as he has revealed that he has sent in his C.V. for the vacant managerial position at our old friends Grimsby Town. Despite it only being a week since his departure from Sixfields after 17 years, Sammo is keen to get right back into work and was in Cleethorpes at the weekend to “have a look” according to local press.

We of course wish Sammo all the best and hopefully he’ll be back in work as soon as possible and maybe we will one day see him back in his new job to get the farewell he richly deserves.

League Two midweek round up...gap opening at top and bottom...controversy at Valley Parade...

With Chesterfield defeating the Cobblers, it was vital for Bury to pick up all three points in their pursuit of the leaders and they did so with a narrow home victory over Morecambe thanks to a late goal from Lenell John-Lewis finally breaking down the Shrimps’ resistance. Wycombe opened a four point gap between themselves and fourth place with a single goal win against ten man Barnet at Underhill. Chris Westwood grabbed the winner there with a header from a Matt Bloomfield corner securing a massive win in the promotion race.

The win was made even better for them by Shrewsbury and Port Vale taking points off each other at the New Meadow. Marc Richards scored twice for Vale but goals from Lionel Ainsworth and James Collins were enough to earn Shrewsbury a draw in a result that is a whole lot better for the teams around them but neither Rotherham nor Gillingham could take full advantage.

Rotherham were beaten at Bradford in Peter Jackson’s first home game in charge for the Bantams as Tom Adeyami scored a controversial late winner. With the game poised at 1-1 going into stoppage time, Adeyami struck from distance and the ball seemed to hit the bar but the assistant referee awarded the goal, and ultimately the win, to City. Gillingham could only draw at Southend but keep a firm grip on the final playoff place thanks to that game finishing 2-2.

Of the chasing pack, Accrington Stanley made the biggest strides forward with a 3-0 home win over Stockport County. Phil Edwards scored two penalties for Stanley as they move to within seven points of the top seven with plenty of games in hand. County, along with Barnet, look very much doomed now.

That’s partly because both teams above them, Macclesfield Town and Burton Albion, got back to winning ways last night. Macc saw off Crewe thanks to Ross Draper’s goal after the midfielder was pushed up front for the evening. Burton eased their relegation worries with a home win against Lincoln City. Sam Winnall made the most of a mix up in the City defence to give his side the lead before Aaron Webster added a second and Winnall rounded off the win from the spot. Ashley Grimes’ late consolation for the Imps wasn’t enough and Burton are now four points above the drop zone with five games in hand!

Hereford’s own fears are long disappearing and they picked up another impressive three points at Stevenage – Joe Colbeck netting the winner there. And Aldershot ended their run of nine games without a win by beating Torquay with Luke Guttridge the match winner at the EBB Stadium.

Spireites too strong for Town

Chesterfield 2-1 Northampton Town
League Two
Tuesday, March 8th 2011

Gary Johnson joked on his appointment that today, March 9th, should have been the date he took over as Cobblers boss so as to avoid the perilous two opening games against high flying Shrewsbury and even higher flying Chesterfield. He may not actually be thinking it but you can see his point after a couple of defeats that are showing him that the task ahead is a tough one.

Johnson drafted in two of his new loan signings straight into the starting line-up at the B2Net Stadium with Nana Ofori-Twumasi in for Paul Rodgers and Jamie Reckord replacing Ben Tozer with John Johnson moving to centre back. Kevin Thornton returned in place of Billy McKay and played a more advanced role to try and support Shaun Harrad.

The early pressure was all with the home side and had Craig Davies not missed an open goal in the first five minutes then the eventual defeat could have been a hell of a lot worse. Chris Dunn dropped the ball into the path of Jack Lester who found Davies with a gaping net but the striker somehow contrived to miss.

The Cobblers were hanging on in the early exchanges and John Johnson had to clear the ball off the line after Dunn had blocked from Craig Davies and Derek Niven had followed up with a shot that looked destined to open the scoring.

But slowly we got back into the game and finished the half stronger, threatening to break the deadlock ourselves when Harrad had a shot deflected wide and Thornton also missed a chance right at the end of the half.

A reshuffle was enforced at the break as Dean Beckwith had to withdraw through injury. Ben Tozer replaced him and the words ringing in the players’ ears would have been to keep up the form that had given us real hope before the half-time whistle halted the resurgence. But it was the home side that took back control and with just over an hour played the deadlock was broken.

Lester burst through the Cobblers defence and forced Dunn into a good stop but Davies was making no mistake this time and rattled home the rebound. And it was near enough game over just a few minutes later with Danny Whittaker’s excellent work on the left finished off by Lester for 2-0.

Time wasn’t on the Cobblers’ side but there was one last gimmer of hope with around eight minutes to play. Andy Holt continued his excellent run of form in front of goal with a header from a Jacobs corner making it 2-1 and out of nowhere we had a chance of nicking a point.

Stoppage time drama followed…Johnson had a good chance with his own head to incredibly pull it level but could only direct the ball wide in the final chance. Too little too late then for Town and a third defeat in a week. This one is a little easier to take with Chesterfield storming through the final furlong towards promotion but still there’s room for big improvements.

Gary Johnson has indicated that there might yet be a fourth short term loan man brought in this week but only if there’s an option of a longer term deal afterwards. The home game with Macclesfield needs to yield a victory really and that’s the real test of the beginnings of Johnson’s reign.

Runaway leaders set to welcome Cobblers

Chesterfield v Northampton Town
League Two
Tuesday, March 8th 2011

Gary Johnson takes full charge for the first time this evening and there’s no tougher place for him to start than with an away game at runaway leaders Chesterfield at the B2 Net Stadium. Johnson’s team selection will be the first thing to analyse as things get under way and we’ll see if there’s any significant changes to his thoughts from the side that were beaten by Shrewsbury, one picked by Malcolm Crosby.

One man pretty certain of his place will be Michael Jacobs who scored those two stunning goals at the weekend as the Cobblers twice took the lead at Sixfields only to lose 3-2. Billy McKay dislocated his elbow on Saturday so could be missing for several weeks while Leon McKenzie still doesn’t appear to be ready to return from his knee injury. That could mean Andy Holt filling in up front again unless Johnson has any new ideas regarding the now thin attacking options.

The three new signings that arrived yesterday, Steve Collis, Jamie Reckord and Nana Ofori-Twumasi, should all be available to play

League leaders Chesterfield stretched their advantage to eleven points with a big win at Cheltenham on Saturday and Craig Davies is still firing the goals in for the Spireites to lift them close to promotion. The lead at this point in the season is surely unassailable and the jittery spell in January is now all forgotten as they look to take another giant leap towards League One tonight.

Jack Lester should return to the starting line-up for the home side with boss John Sheridan’s policy of playing him in every home game likely to come into effect once more. Meanwhile Ian Breckin, who has missed his side’s last two games, could return from illness.

So a big night for the new boss to get to grips with and though there’s no real pressure to get a result we all desperately want to see us get back on the winning road. If we can do it tonight it will be a signal of real intent.


Elsewhere in League Two this evening...

If the Cobblers can get anything at Chesterfield, Bury are lurking and in terrific form with Ryan Lowe looking for a tenth goal in successive games for the Shakers. They take on Morecambe who have picked up fine wins over Chesterfield and Southend in the last two games. Wycombe slipped to third at the weekend so will be looking for all three points at Barnet who are looking increasingly doomed despite a good draw at Rotherham last time out.

Rotherham need a response from that one but face a tough trip to Bradford who will be desperate to impress new boss Peter Jackson in his first home game in charge. Fifth plays sixth with Shrewsbury hosting Port Vale and Southend are at home to the team they’re chasing in the final playoff place, Gillingham.

Stockport, off the back of a good win over Oxford at the weekend, go to Accrington still hoping for a miracle escape despite having played a lot more games than most with Burton Albion looking to pull away again with a home game against Lincoln City. Macclesfield Town still need to win their games in hand to avoid being dragged into a relegation scrap and they welcome free scoring Crewe to Moss Rose in the hope of doing just that.

Elsewhere, Stevenage and Hereford both hope to bounce back from defeats on Saturday as they clash at Broadhall Way and Torquay travel to Aldershot with their eyes also firmly on the playoff places.

Triple loan signing ahead of Spireites trip

Nana Ofori-Twumasi did indeed sign yesterday but wasn’t the only one coming through the Sixfields doors as Gary Johnson got straight to work on bringing in his own players. Another one from Posh, keeper Steve Collis, has been signed on loan until the end of the season while promising Wolves left back Jamie Reckord also comes in.

Collis, formerly of Barnet, Nottingham Forest, Yeovil, Southend, Crewe and Bristol City and provides solid competition for Chris Dunn, something that he could definitely benefit from.

Reckord, who was close to a move to Championship high flyers Swansea City on deadline day, is someone that Johnson has been watching for a long time and is described as “very athletic, strong with power and pace,” by the new Town boss. If Reckord does well, it is thought that a season long deal next season could be in the pipeline.

So Gary Johnson wasting little time then in assessing the squad and with all three of his new men straight into the squad for tonight’s game there could be a real shake up as we prepare to take on the league leaders on their own patch.

Posh defender set for Town loan?

Ghanian born defender Nana Ofori-Twumasi could be on his way to crossing the divide from Posh to Cobblers if rumours are to be believed. The full back, who began his career in the Chelsea youth team and went on to captain them, looks like he could follow his old boss Gary Johnson to Sixfields, possibly in time for Tuesday night’s game at Chesterfield.

Ofori-Twumasi, 20, was on loan with Dagenham and Redbridge for a month in 2009 and joined Boro on a free transfer last summer. The defender, despite his roots, has represented England at Under 16, Under 17, Under 18 and Under 20 level.

He’s seen chances at London Road to be limited so far though and could well be the first new face of Johnson’s regime.

League Two round up: Spireites open eleven point gap...Bury go second as Lowe scores again...rare win for County...

Chesterfield are now eleven points clear at the top of League Two after a comfortable 3-0 away win at Cheltenham yesterday. Craig Davies scored twice to help the Spireites on their way with Kieron Djilali getting the other one. Wycombe came from a goal behind to lead 2-1 at home to Aldershot but succumbed to a John Halls equaliser as the Shots drew for a seventh time in eight games. That allowed Bury to go second with Ryan Lowe netting for the ninth game in a row in a 3-0 away win at Hereford.

Rotherham’s promotion hunt stuttered again with a 0-0 home draw with struggling Barnet. The Millers finished the game with ten men after Tom Newey shoved Izale McLeod with twenty minutes to play. Port Vale kept up the heat with a 2-1 home win over Macclesfield Town with Louis Dodds scoring what turned out to be the winner with a fine goal from distance and Bayo Akinfenwa scored to help Gillingham keep hold of seventh place in their 2-0 win against Bradford City.

Torquay moved into eighth after beating Stevenage Borough at Plainmoor with Danny Stevens and Jake Robinson getting the goals. The Gulls also had the luxury of missing a second half penalty with Chris Zebroski hitting the bar – Mark Roberts was sent off for the visitors for the challenge that led to the spot kick.

Elsewhere, the Shrimps defeated the Shrimpers as Morecambe ended Southend’s recent good run with a 2-1 win at the Globe Arena, only their fifth win at the new stadium. Two headers from corners, one from former Cobbler Chris McCready earned the points for Morecambe there.

Stockport picked up a rare win at the bottom of the table as they came from behind to beat Oxford United at Edgeley Park. Tom Craddock gave United the lead but Anthony Tonkins then saw red before Matt Paterson levelled the game and Greg Tansey came off the bench in stoppage time to score with one of his first touches.

Burton couldn’t follow up their Tuesday night win at Sixfields as they were beaten at Crewe 4-1 in a game that saw Clayton Donaldson score a hat-trick for the home side. Shaun Miller got the other one for Alex with Sam Winnall replying for Burton.

And Lincoln and Accrington played out the ultimate mid-table battle with a goalless draw at Sincil Bank.

As many questions as answers for new boss

Northampton Town 2-3 Shrewsbury Town
League Two
Saturday, March 5th 2011

Gary Johnson learned the best and worst from his new side yesterday as the Cobblers were unlucky to lose against impressive Shrewsbury Town. With the new era starting as the old one ended, with a 3-2 home defeat, it was still an improvement and gave Johnson plenty to think about.

One thing he will be delighted about will be that Michael Jacobs is tied down to a new contract. His two belters that twice gave the Cobblers the lead at Sixfields would have very much impressed the new boss who didn’t pick the team but did insist on being in the dug out despite only joining the club on Friday morning.

Jacob’s crackers weren’t enough though to see off a strong resistance from Shrewsbury who got back on track after a heavy home defeat to promotion rivals Bury on Tuesday night. Their goals weren’t exactly tap ins either as Sixfields was treated to their own mini goal of the month competition.

Shaun Harrad returned but Leon McKenzie was missing through injury as was Kevin Thornton with an illness. Marcus Hall missed out as well so Paul Rodgers filled in at left back. Jacobs was the one setting the pace though and a stunning strike on six minutes, blasted in off the under side of the bar from distance, set the tone for a frantic afternoon.

Shrewsbury were back on terms a couple of minutes later though just as the home fans were catching their breath with David Davis smashing the ball home from just inside the area – game on!

Chances at both ends followed with Harrad unlucky after being sent through with a shot blocked after he lifted the ball over visiting keeper Ben Smith and Jon Taylor testing Chris Dunn and Matt Harrold wasting the rebound for the Shrews.

It didn’t stop in the second half though and Jacobs would go on to net an even better second goal than his opener when he beat one man, dribbled past another and curled an absolute beauty into the top corner.

With our recent record of holding leads, though, it was no surprise that Shrewsbury would hit back. The speed of response was almost as quick as the first with James Collins’ shot beating Dunn all ends up for 2-2 and yet another terrific goal.

It was all set up for a frantic finale but it wasn’t to be for Johnson in his first game in charge. Taylor, having gone close earlier, made the most of hesitant defending from the Cobblers and fired the winner from the edge of the area. Nerves may have played a part but we just didn’t seem to want to clear the ball and paid the ultimate price.

So all three points were lost and Shrewsbury got their reward. They’ll certainly be up there come the end of the season and there’s no real shame in losing to them – as there won’t be should we come back from Chesterfield pointless on Tuesday night. The big test, and a game more likely for Johnson to be judged on, comes next Saturday at home to Macclesfield Town.

Big week in the reshuffling of the Cobblers then, with Johnson already implying that more players will be brought in on loan from his contact book. Defenders are surely on that list after another frustrating result but on the flip side he will have seen the potential of one or two of his most prized new assets.

Johnson on becoming Cobblers boss

Gary Johnson spoke for the first time this afternoon on becoming the new Cobblers boss, stating ambitions as a major reason for accepting the job. He said,

"This is the right club at the right time for me. I've taken clubs up at this level before and I am really looking forward to getting going.”

"It has been done very quickly but the chairman has pushed the boat out to get me in and I appreciate that. It isn't necessarily the league you are in, it’s the club you are at and this club matches my ambitions."

For the full interview, check out Cobblers World via the official website (currently running a 14 day free trial offer!)

Johnson named Town boss!

David Cardoza has got his man and Gary Johnson has been named the new Northampton Town manager. The former Yeovil, Bristol City and Peterborough man was quickly identified as the number one target and joins on a two and a half year contract.

Having taken Yeovil to two promotions from conference to League One and steered City back to the Championship as well as being the Latvian national manager for two years there’s a wealth of experience coming into the club and having suffered from a real down day with Sammo’s departure the other day this has really lifted the spirits.

We’re yet to learn whether Johnson will be in charge tomorrow or not but either way it’s a tough, tough start for him with Shrewsbury and Chesterfield waiting this week.

Gary Johnson...from Latvia to London Road...

1988: Appointed Reserve team manager at Cambridge United before going on to become assistant manager to John Beck in 1990.

1992: Becomes Cambridge first team manager.

1999: Named Latvian national team coach.

2001: Joins Yeovil Town as manager and wins the FA Trophy in first season.

2002: Helps the Glovers to promotion into the football league.

2004: Leads Yeovil to the League Two title in only second season in the league.

2005: Appointed Bristol City boss.

2007: Gains promotion from League One with City in a season that included an 18 match unbeaten run.

2008: Takes City all the way to the Championship Playoff Final where they are eventually beaten by Hull City.

2010: Departs Ashton gate and joins Peterborough United a few months later.

2011: Sacked by Posh in January.

New era begins as Shrews come to town

Northampton Town v Shrewsbury Town
League Two
Saturday, March 5th 2011

With the shock of Sammo’s departure behind us, the Cobblers take on League Two high flyers Shrewsbury Town with new boss Gary Johnson watching on. Will we see a dramatic change in fortunes as players look to impress the new man? Or will the Shrews prove too much for a group still feeling the reverberations from the events of this week?

The visitors will be well up for it as well after a heavy 3-0 defeat at home to Bury on Tuesday night that saw them overtaken by the Shakers. So both sides perhaps with a point to prove as we hit the final straight of the season.

The Cobblers will welcome back Shaun Harrad from a three game ban but Liam Davis is missing with an Achilles problem. Ryan Gilligan has returned from a loan spell at Torquay but is not eligible to play until next weekend.

Shrewsbury boss Graeme Turner has admitted that he would happily swap February's manager of the month award for three points tomorrow afternoon. He has Ian Sharps available again after a one match suspension but Sean McAllister is missing. Defender Jermaine Grandison is doubtful after collecting a knock in midweek.

So a new era begins at Sixfields tomorrow and the players will be desperate to end this winless run against one of the sides that we should be very envious of in terms of league position at the moment!


Elsewhere in League Two this weekend...

Chesterfield, who went nine points clear at the top on Tuesday night, travel to Cheltenham hoping to get their promotion band wagon rolling on. Wycombe, defeated by the Spireites on Tuesday, are at home to Aldershot and will be desperate to get back to winning ways. Bury are now in the top three and go to Hereford full of confidence after that midweek victory.

Meanwhile, Rotherham host Barnet with high value points for both sides at stake. Only goal difference separates the Millers from the top three while Barnet are two points from safety. Port Vale take on Macclesfield Town whilst Bradford begin life after Peter Taylor with a tough trip to one of his former sides, Gillingham.

The Shrimps and the Shrimpers collide at The Globe Arena with Morecambe and Southend doing battle and bottom club Stockport will be aiming to put a dent into both Oxford’s playoff hopes and the four point gap between themselves and safety.

Burton are at Crewe looking to build on the Tuesday night win that got Sammo the sack and the two sides just above the Cobblers, Lincoln and Accrington meet at Sincil Bank. And it’s eleventh v tenth as Torquay and Stevenage both try to keep up their playoff hopes.