Bayo score twice as Town come back again

On the day that was started with me becoming an uncle, with Harry Joseph Desborough Brothers entering the world on Saturday morning, the Cobblers produced yet another mix of ineptitude and fight that Harry will have to get used to should he rightfully choose the claret and white as his football colours.

After last week’s disparaging goalless treat against Grimsby Town at Sixfields it was back to the home of football to take on a Crewe side in a very similar and underachieving position to ourselves. Dario Gradi is back in charge and that meant that we expected exactly what we got – more of a footballing encounter. Unfortunately for us, we couldn’t deal with the style of the Alex in the opening 45 minutes and were two down by the interval.

It could have been more as well...Calvin Zola had numerous chances even before Clayton Donaldson had giving the visitors an early lead, as he raced worryingly away from the Cobblers back line to score after fourteen minutes.

The Cobblers’ best chance fell to Adebayo Akinfenwa as he followed up from a flick on to force Steve Phillips into a good stop. But it was 2-0 before the break as Zola broke and sent in a dangerous cross that John Johnson could only turn into his own goal and it was yet another uphill battle ahead in the second half.

Thankfully, Bayo wasn’t done and he once again proved himself to be our main threat in front of goal as he rejuvenated his side and earned us a point. With six minutes gone in the second half, Luke Guttridge found the big man who turned his man and fired home to hand us a massive lifeline.

There were chances at both ends before Bayo made it 2-2, curling home an unstoppable finish past Phillips and there was still time to complete the turn around with over twenty minutes still to play. Substitute Gary Mulligan almost got the winner but for a good save from Phillips whilst at the other end Chris Dunn denied Donaldson a second.

Loanee Josh Walker, making his debut, so nearly made it a dream start as he came close to a winner in the dying seconds but Phillips was again equal to the shot.
So another point it was and we can only be thankful that once again we pulled it out of the bag - the fourth recovery this season from a two goal deficit. We so badly need a good ninety minutes though to really get ourselves going. There’s a chance away from Sixfields this Tuesday as we travel to Aldershot, who got an excellent point at Notts County this weekend so it won’t be easy.

Then it’s onwards to the FA Cup tie with Southampton next Saturday and defending certainly needs to be stepped up by that one!

Boro midfielder signs on loan

Ian Sampson has completed a loan deal to bring in Middlesbrough midfielder Josh Walker until the start of the January transfer window. Walker has been earning rave reviews up north and looks a very promising prospect, having gone out on loan with Aberdeen last season and scoring a wonder goal against European giants Bayern Munich!

The fact that we're even mentioning that particular German side on this blog shows that we may have a very good player on our hands, albeit only for a couple of months. Walker has captained England at Under 16, 17, 18 and 19 level and has played for Boro at Premier League level.

Walker goes straight into the squad for tomorrow's visit from Crewe.

Herbert's absence giving Town a hole in the head

The absence of Courtney Herbert is starting to really show. Not even heard of before the season began, Herbert burst on to the scene to help secure Ian Sampson the permanent job at Sixfields but an injury put pay to the early hope that he would fire us out of the bottom half of League Two. Herbert’s raw pace was enough to give us at least some spark going forward and this is what is missed the most.

The goalless draw with Grimsby at the weekend was another example of frustration setting in that we just couldn’t get through on simply the strength of Bayo and the technique of Steve Guinan. We’re missing genuine urgency in the side at the moment and hopefully the young man signed from Long Buckby will be back in a couple of weeks.

Sammo’s hands are pretty much tied as far as transfers coming in goes and he’ll be praying that he can use January’s transfer window to inject at least some of his own players into the squad. Until then, it’s disappointing that we’re relying on Herbert’s return to give us some life back into the side but that appears the only thing to really hope for as a tough Christmas fixture list looms large.

High winds and red cards lead to stalemate

Northampton Town 0-0 Grimsby Town
League Two
Saturday, November 14th 2009

Treacherous weather conditions and a poor display of football from both sides led to the Cobblers' 0-0 draw with Grimsby Town on Saturday as we were left to try and pick out the positives of at least a clean sheet. Peter Gilbert, making his debut, was sent off in the second half before the visitors were also reduced to ten men in a game that never got going.

There were the obvious changes to the side that went out of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy on Tuesday night with Bay returning up front and Gilbert replacing the unfortunate Paul Rodgers at left back. Pat Kanyuka was fit enough to fill in for Dean Beckwith and would have been happy with his contribution at least to a much needed clean sheet.

The difficult conditions made it hard for chances to be created and it was Steve Guinan who had the best of the early opportunities when he was set up by Akinfenwa but the former Hereford man shot wide.

Bayo himself had a couple of half chances as the game wore on, heading wide from a Gilligan cross and then only finding visiting keeper Nick Colgan with a decent effort later on. The Cobblers were at least having the best of it and Andy Holt forced Colgan into a decent stop with a far post header.

The second half will only be remembered for the sendings off. Danny North was put clear on goal and Gilbert, having only signed on Friday night, was sent packing for denying him a goal scoring opportunity. The deficit in numbers forced Sammo into replacing Akinfenwa for Rodgers and bringing on Liam Davis in place of John Curtis.

Despite the ten men we were still trying to find a way through with Davis creating a good chance before shooting into the side netting and John Johnson's header testing Colgan and it wasn't long before the numbers were evened up. Grimsby's Rob Atkinson was shown the second red card of the afternoon after bringing down Davis and the sides were level.

But that didn't make a lot of difference and the Cobblers had to settle for a point despite a late penalty appeal being turned down. A disappointing start to a run of back to back home games and there's now a little bit of pressure on the game with Crewe next weekend as we go in search of a much needed three points to get this season back on track once more.

Cobblers v Grimsby: The Last minute drama!

It could all have been so much different. Grimsby Town visit Sixfields tomorrow in the first league meeting between the sides since that fateful afternoon in Cleethorpes back in 2006. With the Cobblers already promoted back to League One thanks to a 1-0 home win over Chester City the week before and it was party time in the away end. The home support had packed out Blundell Park themselves in the knowledge that victory over the Cobblers would send them to promotion as well, pipping Leyton Orient to the post. Orient were at the Kassam Stadium, Oxford on the same day and were waiting for any kind of slip up from Grimsby.


All of the early action came in Oxford as former Cobbler Eric Sabin put the hosts in front before a quick fire equaliser from Craig Easton had Orient back in the hunt a few minutes later. The Cobblers’ fans were partying in the away end for much of the first half at Blundell Park and for once it was nice knowing that we had already sealed promotion going into the final day. At half time it was all square in both games but the drama had only just begun.

Back at The Kassam, Orient turned the day back in their favor as Gary Alexander swooped to put them in front. Cue desperation at Grimsby. Two minutes of uncertainness passed before news filtered through that Chris Willmott had scored a leveler for Oxford and Grimsby’s promotion was back ON again!

With fifteen minutes left to play, the Cobblers conceded a penalty and when Jean-Paul Kalala stepped up to beat Lee Harper it looked like the day belonged to the fishy people. Down at Oxford, Orient were trying in vain to get a winner in case the Cobblers could square things up.

As stoppage time approached it was party time at Blundell Park as the hosts looked like they were on their way up. Then came a remarkable couple of minutes that sensationally turned it on its head again. The home fans were getting ready to come onto the pitch when Ryan Gilligan blasted in to make it 1-1 and suddenly the panic began. Radios in the home ends were being switched back on and just as Gilligan’s shot hit the net, news came through that a break away from Orient had led to Lee Steele scoring at Oxford and in the space of two of the most extraordinary minutes the football league has ever seen, Grimsby Town went from promoted to playoffs in seconds whilst Orient’s winner sent them up.

When you think of drama of days gone by you will struggle to ever find a final day like this one barring perhaps Jimmy Glass’ antics at Carlisle. I’m pretty sure there won’t be as much entertainment at Sixfields when the Mariners visit but rest assured, I think they’ll recognise the name of R. Gilligan on the home team sheet!

A case for the defence...

It's been something that's come up time and again this season and the bug keeping the Cobblers from really pushing on in all fronts this season is the frailties being shown at the back. The summer clear out of big players like Mark Hughes and Chris Doig meant suitable replacements had to be found...so far it's not been good viewing and the defensive signings made by Stuart Gray to attempt to propel us back to League One are not working well.

Pace is the general theme of goals against with the odd individual mistake thrown in for good measure and it's simple, it's not working. To be fair to Sammo he can do nothing short of bringing himself on at the moment with no transfer window until January and he has to work with what he has.

This is where the Cobblers boss needs to be clever, think back to the "good old days" and remember the promotion campaigns of old. Was Sammo himself speedy? Could Razor catch the quickest of forwards? Not on your life. Did Sean Dyche have players in his pocket from sheer speed of his reactions? No chance. But one thing linking all of those was that the lack of pace was supplemented by two, yes TWO others.

Let's go back to the Atkins era (go on, you know you want to!) and the back line that kept out Swansea City at Wembley, the defence that had steered us to many a victory through sheer doggedness. The line up that day in front of Woody was Clarkson, Frain, Sammo, Warbuton and Rennie. No pace whatsoever in the back three of Sammo, Razor and Rennie yet it worked because there were three of them. One mistake, one ball over the top was easier dealt with when we had three covering each others' backs.

When Sean Dyche was brought in for 2006, Luke Chambers and Chris Doig covered for him whilst later on Mark Hughes would replace Chambers to help us to comfortable League One safety. Again, a case for three at the back.

This season we're left bemoaning the back line. Chris McCready, Craig Hinton and Dean Beckwith all seem as muddled and dodgy as each other so why not bung them all in (replacing one with the giant Pat Kanyuka where available) and that means should any mishap occur they have cover, giving us all a bit more confidence in them. Paul Rodgers and Liam Davis are more than adequate wing backs whilst Andy Holt can also do a job on the left side of a five.

As for the rest, Luke Gutteridge would be pushed into the middle where he's so sorely missed when put out wide and Gilligan and Curtis can use their individual talents in midfield (though i'm still in the Alex Dyer fan club and can't see shy Curtis is being played in such a position that he's seemingly never played).

And that my friends is how to do it. Of course, this is not Football Manager (or one of the other equally as good football manager simulation games out there)and what do I know?

I know the defence needs sorting before we get very found out.

Dons end interest in Trophy

MK Dons 3-1 Northampton Town
Johnstone's Paint Trophy, Southern Section Quarter Final
Tuesday, September 10th

The Cobblers crashed out of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy last night as a rampant MK Dons side eased through with a first half battering of Ian Sampson’s men. The Town defence couldn’t cope with the pace and style of the home side and despite a Steve Guinan effort early in the second half the damage was done and it was a disappointing evening for the 2,200 travelling fans.

It didn’t look good from as early as the sixth minute when Aaron Wilbraham volleyed home brilliantly and it was all downhill from there. Ten minutes later Sam Baldock made it 2-0 as he beat the offside trap to fire home and despite the calls from the Cobblers defenders it was still disappointing that we were beaten by pace once more, a worrying recurrence this season.

Baldock was in the middle of the action again just a few minutes later as Chris Dunn came out and collided with the Dons man and Pat Kanyuka, making his first start for the Cobblers and referee Mr Wright awarded a spot kick. Baldock slotted home the penalty, Kanyuka was forced out of the game and we were 3-0 down. It really couldn’t have been much worse at half time!

We at least gave the claret army something to cheer six minutes into the second half as Luke Guttridge swung in a free kick that the top scorer did well to divert past Willy Gueret. For a while it looked like we could make a fight of it with Liam Davis having a shot deflected wide and Guttridge shooting over from a free kick.
But despite Bayo and Michael Jacobs being introduced it wasn’t to be and you got the feeling that Dons were playing at reduced pace and could break at any time. The speed of their attack was always threatening and it was comfortable enough for the home side.

So the adventure of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy is over for another season and it’s back to the league for the visit of Grimsby this weekend. It’s looking worrying at the back for Sammo and it’s surely something he will look at come January. Hopefully we can keep our heads above water until then.

Cobblers out of Trophy

The Cobblers were beaten 3-1 at Stadium: MK this evening as we bow out of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy for another season.

More to follow...

Cod Army give Cobblers almighty scare

Northampton Town 2-1 Fleetwood Town
FA Cup First Round
Saturday, November 7th 2009

The drama and magic of the FA Cup brings with it all the nerves not usually associated with a game against a non league side. Fleetwood Town visited Sixfields and put up a hardy fight and deserved more than they got in a strange game that saw us stretched to the point where we so nearly made the headlines for all the wrong reasons.

The cod army were in full voice as kick off approached on a chilly November evening and as the start of the game drew near I found myself getting more and more nervous about facing the Conference North side. The beauty of the FA Cup is that it brings, year after year, a break from the league in which anything goes. We should have been easily too much for Fleetwood but by the same token Shrewsbury Town should have been too good for Staines Town, Grimsby Town for Bath City and Hartlepool United for our neighbours Kettering Town. It just doesn’t work like that and we have to be grateful that all we got was a scare on the way to round two. A big scare, but just a scare all the same.

It was a full strength side that took to the field for the Cobblers with Bayo and Steve Guinan leading the attack and Dean Beckwith returning in defence. It was, of course, the visitors who settled quickest and the early going saw just flashes from the Cobblers but real bite and a will to win from Fleetwood. Sixfields suddenly turned into an anxious cauldron, matching the shakiness of the players.

Fleetwood could easily have taken the lead in the first half with some hasty defending from Sammo’s team. But we thought that we’d got off the hook as the break approached when one of our only quality players, Luke Guttridge, got on the end of a right wing cross and turned the ball home into the far corner. Surely that would settle us? No such luck...this is the FA Cup remember.

That defending, or lack of it, I was talking about cost us before the half time whistle as a mix up from a long ball let in Sean Clancy to score with a neat left footed finish, sending the 400 or so away fans into delirium as they smelt the upset.
We needed a kick up the proverbial at half time and we at least came out with a better sense of control for the second 45. The visitors, though hard working, lacked any real end product but the Cobblers always looked dangerous despite fluffing our lines before finally getting the breakthrough mid way through the half.

Guttridge was again the man to edge the tie back in our favour with a rocket of a free kick that swerved in the air to leave the Fleetwood keeper motionless. That should have been that but of course it is the cup and back came the non league visitors. They were lucky to keep all eleven players on the pitch following a dreadful late challenge on Chris Dunn, the second time in a week that a booked player was glad of the referee bottling a second yellow.

After that scuffle, there was five minutes added on at the end of the game and we had to suffer through a nervous ending as Fleetwood came agonisingly close to taking us to a replay. It was harsh on the Conference North outfit who gave everything in this game and will be gutted that they couldn’t at least take us back to the Highbury Stadium.

The boot will be well and truly on the other foot in Round Two as we were drawn against Southampton in a bizarre repeat of 2004/05 where the Cobblers met the Saints in both the League Cup and FA Cup and that’s the case once again. This time we’re at home and will be the underdogs as a place in Round Three goes up for grabs. Fair to say that if we give anything like the effort the underdogs here gave we’ll stand a very good chance indeed.

Cod Army give Cobblers almighty scare

The drama and magic of the FA Cup brings with it all the nerves not usually associated with a game against a non league side. Fleetwood Town visited Sixfields and put up a hardy fight and deserved more than they got in a strange game that saw us stretched to the point where we so nearly made the headlines for all the wrong reasons.

The cod army were in full voice as kick off approached on a chilly November evening and as the start of the game drew near I found myself getting more and more nervous about facing the Conference North side. The beauty of the FA Cup is that it brings, year after year, a break from the league in which anything goes. We should have been easily too much for Fleetwood but by the same token Shrewsbury Town should have been too good for Staines Town, Grimsby Town for Bath City and Hartlepool United for our neighbours Kettering Town. It just doesn’t work like that and we have to be grateful that all we got was a scare on the way to round two. A big scare, but just a scare all the same.

It was a full strength side that took to the field for the Cobblers with Bayo and Steve Guinan leading the attack and Dean Beckwith returning in defence. It was, of course, the visitors who settled quickest and the early going saw just flashes from the Cobblers but real bite and a will to win from Fleetwood. Sixfields suddenly turned into an anxious cauldron, matching the shakiness of the players.

Fleetwood could easily have taken the lead in the first half with some hasty defending from Sammo’s team. But we thought that we’d got off the hook as the break approached when one of our only quality players, Luke Guttridge, got on the end of a right wing cross and turned the ball home into the far corner. Surely that would settle us? No such luck...this is the FA Cup remember.

That defending, or lack of it, I was talking about cost us before the half time whistle as a mix up from a long ball let in Sean Clancy to score with a neat left footed finish, sending the 400 or so away fans into delirium as they smelt the upset.
We needed a kick up the proverbial at half time and we at least came out with a better sense of control for the second 45. The visitors, though hard working, lacked any real end product but the Cobblers always looked dangerous despite fluffing our lines before finally getting the breakthrough mid way through the half.

Guttridge was again the man to edge the tie back in our favour with a rocket of a free kick that swerved in the air to leave the Fleetwood keeper motionless. That should have been that but of course it is the cup and back came the non league visitors. They were lucky to keep all eleven players on the pitch following a dreadful late challenge on Chris Dunn, the second time in a week that a booked player was glad of the referee bottling a second yellow.

After that scuffle, there was five minutes added on at the end of the game and we had to suffer through a nervous ending as Fleetwood came agonisingly close to taking us to a replay. It was harsh on the Conference North outfit who gave everything in this game and will be gutted that they couldn’t at least take us back to the Highbury Stadium.

The boot will be well and truly on the other foot in Round Two as we were drawn against Southampton in a bizarre repeat of 2004/05 where the Cobblers met the Saints in both the League Cup and FA Cup and that’s the case once again. This time we’re at home and will be the underdogs as a place in Round Three goes up for grabs. Fair to say that if we give anything like the effort the underdogs here gave we’ll stand a very good chance indeed.

1,000 sold already for JPT tie

The Cobblers have already sold 1,000 tickets for the Johnstone's Paint Trophy Area Quarter Finals at MK Dons on Tuesday night. Dons sent the initial batch of tickets through but fans can also pay on the day, meaning that there should be a good turn out of Cobblers in attendance at Stadium: MK as we look to make amends for a double defeat last season.

The previous round, the home game with AFC Bournemouth attracted just 1,718 fans in TOTAL but the reduced prices and local derby feel means that there could now be close to that many away fans come Tuesday night!

Fleetwood Town (H) FA Cup First Round Preview

The Cobblers welcome Conference North side Fleetwood Town to Sixfields tomorrow afternoon and we’ll be desperately hoping for no headlines to be made. The magic of the cup returns but that means the chance of many an upset in this weekend’s fixtures and some will be looking to Fleetwood to provide a shock to Sammo and his men.

Dean Beckwith may return for the Cobblers while Pat Kanyuka is also pressing for a first team place after coming up to full fitness. Liam Davis could have the opportunity to play after his successful return from injury at Torquay last week but Courtney Herbert is cup tied after playing in a previous round with Long Buckby. John Johnson has received permission from parent club Middlesbrough to play in the game.
Steve Torpey suffers the same problem as Herbert and is also cup tied for the game but striker Adam Warlow could return.

This is set to be the first meeting between the sides with the visitors having won through two qualifying rounds to get to this stage of the competition. Vauxhall Motors and Kidderminster Harriers have been beaten on Town’s road to the first round proper. They reached the second round last season and narrowly went out to Hartlepool United so will hoping to at least match that this season.

Sammo has been on both ends of the giant killing spectrum in his playing days but hopefully tomorrow isn’t a game that brings us into the public attention for all the wrong reasons!

Beware the banana skin

Ah, the magic of the cup...

It’s that time again as we beckon in the first round of the FA Cup this weekend. When the draw was made and we had sat through just about every team until the Cobblers were pulled out of the hat and paired with either Kidderminster Harriers or Fleetwood Town. Great, a non league side at home, we couldn’t have asked for more! Well that is, until Fleetwood won through in the replay and the cup drew ever nearer with talks of the usual banana skins and slip ups.

I’m becoming a little nervous about the game and the possible pit falls it holds. Knowing the Cobblers’ history with non league sides it could well be a more nervous afternoon than needed. All I need say is Canvey Island for shivers to go down claret spines. Sammo was, of course, a part of the side beaten by Julian Dicks et al down at Canvey and he’ll be desperate to avoid becoming a victim of the headlines this weekend.

Fleetwood come into the game in a good run of form, sitting just outside the playoff places in Conference North with a game in hand and boast the experience of Alan Wright and Steve Torpey in their ranks.

The Cobblers will need to try and hit back from the anger and frustration felt at Torquay from both the referee and the late defeat and hopefully we will be back firing on all cylinders. There were clear signs of anger towards the end of the Plainmoor defeat with Ryan Gilligan and Bayo both showing signs of fire in the belly. They must now use that as a positive and blow Fleetwood away this Saturday.
Something tells me it won’t be as easy as that though. Something called the FA Cup.

Marshall returns to Stoke

Ben Marshall's time at Sixfields has come to an end after Stoke City recalled the winger from his loan spell today. Contrary to earlier reports, Tony Pulis wants to have a closer look at the 18-year-old and he will now return to the Britannia Stadium.

Marshall made seventeen appearances for the club and scored two goals in his time with the club.

Cobblers hopeful on Marshall loan

If Ben Marshall can find his legs again after being chopped down by the Torquay left back on Saturday he could well find himself with an extended deal at Sixfields. The current loan contract runs out after the FA Cup tie against Fleetwood on Saturday but all parties seem in agreement that the deal can go on.

The 18 year old has shown glimpses of real talent already and it would be a big boost for Sammo should the winger agree to more time with the club. The player is said to be enjoying his time here so hopefully some good news will come before the weekend!

Hargreaves comes back to haunt Town

Torquay United 1-0 Northampton Town
Saturday, October 31st 2009
League Two

Sometimes it’s just in the script. Try as you might, no matter what you throw at the opposition, it’s just meant to go another way. When Chris Hargreaves joined Torquay United with the team in the Blue Square Premier League and with the Cobblers safe in League One he could have no idea that this season he would be in the same division as his former employers let alone scoring the winner against them.

Hargreaves is one of just a handful of players that you can just about forgive for a winning goal, his battling displays in midfield winning the adulation of the claret faithful during his time at Sixfields. It was still, though, a bitter pill to swallow as Ian Sampson’s unbeaten run came to an end at Plainmoor.

The day began full of optimism and with the return of the silly boy game reserved for extra anticipated away trip. It’s become a tradition between myself and the honorary Cobbler, Jamie, as we head to random spots around the country to follow the town. This time, he’d prepared a Halloween themed “Zombie Cobblers” quiz game that I spectacularly failed in as I answered questions on past Cobblers. Little did we know that another old face would signal the biggest disappointment of the day.

The first half was disjointed to say the least with neither side getting a foot hold in the game. Torquay stuck to their programme of playing for set pieces and despite a couple of scares we were standing up to the test. Perhaps tellingly, we were most in trouble when the hosts tried to play their way through our back line and an early cross shot forced Chris Dunn into a fine save as he clawed the ball away before it could creep in following Chris McCready’s header.

The Cobblers only had snippets of opportunities at the other end early on with Adebayo Akinfenwa, booed throughout for his Gulls past, going close with an angled shot across the body of former Town loan keeper Michael Poke that went just wide.
Kevin Nicholson, another former Cobbler, tested Dunn with a late free kick but the edgy first half ended with a deserved goalless score line.

Cobblers fans had every reason to be optimistic at the break with some strong second half performances over the past couple of weeks and we came storming out of the blocks at the start of the second half. Poke was in sublime form to keep out a close range header from Bayo that looked a certain goal before Steve Guinan controlled the ball well before slamming a left footed effort onto the under side of the bar.

Ben Marshall was brought off the bench in place of John Curtis as Sammo looked for the winner and Marshall was to be involved in the most controversial piece of play in the game. The loan man took on the Gulls left back but was brought down with a cynical challenge. The defender in question was not booked and we later realised that he’d already been shown a yellow and another one would have had him off. The referee bottled it, plain and simple and you can bet your house that he would have been booked had it been a first offence.

The fact that the home side went on to win the game summed up a frustrating afternoon as Hargreaves, of course from a set piece, nodded home from close range. With Bayo now off the park in Sammo’s first strange substitution of his reign so far, we had little to threaten an equaliser and we handed Torquay an end to their run of five league games drawn in a row.

We will hopefully learn lessons, particularly in how to deal with sides like that, teams that play for the set plays and launch long balls towards our area. Two home league games follow the FA Cup tie against Fleetwood on Saturday as we look to get back on track. As long as there’s no upset at Sixfields on Saturday we should bounce back from this set back.

It’s a new test as Fleetwood come to town looking for a cup scalp but hopefully we can use the game as a means of letting out our frustration at this one.

Cobblers go west in search of three on the bounce

We make the long trip to Torquay this afternoon looking for three wins in a row against a newly promoted Gulls outfit,who are draw specialists in League Two this season. United's last six games have ended all square if you count the 2-2 scoreline at the end of ninety minutes in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy at Southampton. But this run also included and impressive performance at Notts County, another 2-2, so it's not going to be easy.

The Cobblers are flying at the moment with back to back league wins and the goals flying in. Adebayo Akinfenwa looks like he's getting back to his old ways and hitting the net again but not just that - he's been getting stuck in and chasing balls down and the ninety minutes at Morecambe last weekend would have done him the world of good. His form along with the goals of Steve Guinan, who now tops the club's leading scorer's charts with six, means that the absence of Courtney Herbert is not so disastrous as it could have been.

We will, of course, be saying hello to an old friend in Chris Hargreaves this afternoon and he's sure to get a fine reaction from the Claret faithful. How we needed someone with even half of Chrissy's energy during the relegation fall last season!

Elsewhere for the Gulls, Marvin Williams sits out through injury but Jake Thomson could start after joining from Southampton and should certainly have somewhat of an unknown quantity about him. Michael Brough returns to Torquay squad for the game as well after his loan spell at Stevenage ended.

So all set for a good 'un this afternoon with both sides scoring freely and conceding almost just as freely...anyone for a 0-0?! Surely, if Sammo can lead us to a third straight win he could well be looking at his first month as boss ending with the Manager of the Month award.

Come on Town!

It's Fleetwood in the cup!

The Cobblers' FA Cup First Round opponents will be Blue Square North side Fleetwood Town won through in the Fourth Qualifying Round on Tuesday night. Fleetwood saw off Kidderminster Harriers to win a place in the First Round proper at Sixfields on Saturday week.

The non league outfit entered the competition in the Second Qualifying Round, meaning that they have had to come through three rounds already to reach this stage of proceedings. The Fishermen had beaten Farsley Celtic and Vauxhall Motors before seeing off Kidderminster and will provide a potential banana skin for the Cobblers.

Memories of that awful day at Canvey Island and the replay at Basingstoke Town come to mind but it's a massive chance to reach Round Two for Sammo's team in the new Cobblers boss' first FA Cup encounter as manager.

Cobblers given home tie in FA Cup

The Cobblers will host one of two non league sides in the first round of this season's FA Cup after the draw was made this afternoon. Either Kidderminster Harriers or Fleetwood Town will make the trip to Sixfields in two weeks after they decide their replay on Tuesday night at Fleetwood's Highbury Stadium.

The two sides drew 0-0 at Aggborough yesterday and must go again to decide who makes it into the first round proper. Ties will take place on the weekend of November 6th/7th.

Another grand fight back earns Town all three points

Morecambe 2-4 Northampton Town
League Two
Saturday, October 24th 2009


It’s getting quite entertaining following the fortunes of the Cobblers under Ian Sampson. We thought the incredible opening to Sammo’s tenure with back to back fight backs to draw 2-2 was settling down with a single goal win over Lincoln last week but this afternoon we once again turned a game around, this time coming out on top after a thrilling second half at Morecambe.

Without Courtney Herbert once again, Sammo handed Adebayo Akinfenwa a start up front with Steve Guinan. Guinan had been the only scorer against Lincoln and he was off the mark early in this one as the Cobblers took the lead from his delightful curling effort from long range that beat Ben Smith in the home goal.

We had started brightly and had a good spell following the goal with Luke Guttridge twice coming close and Guinan having a volley saved well by Smith. With so much possession and chances it was somewhat inevitable that Morecambe would equalise and they duly did so from the spot with twenty five minutes gone.

Mark Duffy went down under a challenge from Andy Holt and Phil Jevons stepped up to send Chris Dunn the wrong way. The game calmed down for a while but the Shrimps took advantage of our slip and took the lead before half time as Ian Craney crossed for Stewart Drummond to head home and undo all of the Cobblers’ early promise.
But once again a half time resurgence spurred us into life. Akinfenwa shot wide in our first real effort of the second half before Andy Holt’s free kick broke to Guttridge who fired in a good strike only for Smith to pull off another good save. The tide was turning as Ben Marshall came off the bench to replace John Curtis as we looked for more spark from the middle of the pitch.

John Johnson almost made it 2-2 after being set up by Bayo before we were denied a spot kick when the same player appeared to be kicked inside the area.
The pressure paid off in dramatic style though as Marshall crossed for Holt to volley home with twenty minutes to go and it was well and truly game on. The fighting spirit installed under Sammo can not be questioned and the Cobblers pulled the game back on its head when Johnson started and finished a move that ended in our third goal as he stabbed in from close range.

With the game swinging from end to end, it was always looking like a sixth goal would come and luckily it came in the right end as Bayo turned his man and scored his second in three games to seal a terrific three points for the Cobblers.
The win takes us up to fifteenth and we’re still six points from a place in the top six but it’s real signs of life from a season that looked buried back in August. Slowly but surely, Ian Sampson is proving to be the right man for this immense task of reigniting the spark of Northampton Town.

Town keen to keep unbeaten run going

Two seaside trips are up next for the Cobblers as we hope to build on the solid foundation of the early Sammo era. We’ve now gone five game unbeaten in all competitions and with the promise of Courtney Herbert and the tremendous fight backs against Bradford and Bury it was nice to get a clean sheet and a good three points last week.

Lincoln are typical of a lot of sides that will come to Sixfields this season, setting up to frustrate and it was important that we struck the winner whilst not being tested to the extremes at the other end. Chris Dunn has done well to reclaim his place in the first team and keeping out the Imps will add to his confidence. Simon Brown coming in must have done something for Dunn, with the extra competition a real benefit to go alongside Brown’s experience.

Herbert was missing for the Lincoln game but I don’t believe any of the reports linking him with a move away from Sixfields already. For one thing the lad is still very raw despite the blistering pace that takes him away from his marker. Add to that the fact that he’s made just four appearances for the club in League Two and you get basic logic that he’ll surely be here until the end of this season at the very least. We’ve seen many a young gun come through the ranks over the years and Herbert now needs to be settled and allowed to do his job. We can’t afford to heap pressure on his shoulders and hopefully, again, experience can help him through with the likes of Bayo and Steve Guinan around.

Morecambe away represents another big test for Sammo’s men. Away games under his leadership haven’t fell kindly so far with trips to Notts County, Shrewsbury and Bury yielding just the one point, at Gigg Lane, but this is a chance to really kick on and extend that unbeaten run. Four points from these two away games - we’re at Torquay next Saturday – would be very nice indeed!

Cobblers sign out of contract defender

The Cobblers have today brought in defender Pat Kanyuka on an initial three month contract after the former Swindon Town and QPR man impressed during a recent trial. Kanyuka played along side two other trialists in the reserves this week in a 3-1 defeat to Norwich City. Kanyuka, 22, has been with the club for two weeks and has made an impression on Ian Sampson as he earns a short term deal.

Competion for places is now heating up in the Cobblers' back line with Chris McCrady, Dean Beckwith, Craig Hinton already in the squad. Kanyuka joins the ranks just in time for Saturday's trip to Morecambe and looks likely to at least make the bench.

Guinan goal pushes Lincoln aside

Northampton Town 1-0 Lincoln City
League Two
Saturday, October 17th 2009


Two managers new to life in a top job, two former players from completely opposite sides of the ladder of success, two rookies at taking a managerial position at this level. Ian Sampson took on Chris Sutton and came out on top in a tight game typical of the old battles between these two teams. The two men leading their sides to battle couldn’t have had any more of a different upbringing in the game with Sutton playing at the highest level and Sammo plugging away with loyal graft in the bottom two leagues of English football. But it was Sammo to come out of the game with all three points on a scrappy afternoon at Sixfields.

Lincoln were always tough opponents in days gone by and the trend didn’t change on Saturday afternoon. The Imps were always in and around the Cobblers’ faces in League Two, denying us on several occasions with their bustling ways. Time, it seems, hasn’t changed things. It’s credit to Sammo that he led us to this victory, gained with a bundle of a goal from Steve Guinan.

Guinan was an automatic choice up front in the absence of injury victim Courtney Herbert and Billy McKay also began the game with Bayo still in use as an impact substitute. That title certainly ringed true, for until the big man’s half time introduction the game was flat with Lincoln battling away and causing us few chances to attack.

The Imps, in fact, had the better of the actual chances with a Stefan Oakes free kick sailing just wide and Sergio Torres breaking through the Town defence to test Chris Dunn, who was equal to the shot and the sides went in level at half-time.

Bayo was brought on and immediately had an impact, setting up Luke Guttridge who fired in the first real shot of the game for his side that Rob Burch had to be alert to. Akinfenwa then headed wide from a trademark long throw from Andy Holt but we did find the breakthrough as we stepped things up, the clock running past the seventy minute mark.

A free kick from Guttridge was nodded back by Holt and Guinan eventually scrambled the ball home from close range to score the only goal of the game. Lincoln’s only contribution to the rest of the game was adding to their growing number of bookings, a total of six by the end of the game that earned the club a fine.

Pretty it was not, exciting it most definitely was not but three points it was and a clean sheet to go with it makes the previous two draws against Bradford and Bury look a lot better now. We’re slowly starting to move up the table and are unbeaten in five games in all competitions. There will be plenty of games like this one to come and the fact that we managed to grab the three points here could be vital come the final knockings.

League Two will be frustrating at times but it’s games like these that will be the backbone of any possibly push for the top half and the playoffs and with two tough away trips coming up at improving Morecambe and Torquay (who shared a 2-2 draw this weekend) we can be happy with the weekend’s work.

Lincoln City (H) Preview

The Cobblers host Chris Sutton’s Lincoln City at Sixfields tomorrow afternoon with the Imps back on form following the appointment of the former Norwich City and Blackburn Rovers star. Sutton has helped City to back to back wins in the last two outings and leads his side to Sixfields full of confidence. The Cobblers have reason to be upbeat themselves having secured fight backs in the last two games, coming from two down against Bradford and Bury to earn draws.


Team News

Dean Beckwith should come back into contention for the Cobblers and Liam Davis is the only other long term injury, with the midfielder due back in a couple of weeks. Ryan Gilligan returns to the squad after serving a one match ban for the bury game last weekend.

Lincoln are boosted by the return of Robert Kovacs and Cian Houghton to their side. Both were missing through suspension and international duty respectively last weekend and come back into the squad. The Imps are without Paul Connor and Paul Green who are still a few weeks away from a return to the first team.


Last Time Out...Cobblers 1-1 Lincoln (26/11/05)

The Cobblers salvaged a point in the last meeting between the teams at Sixfields with a last gasp goal from Josh Low. Gary Birch had given the visitors an early lead but Low swooped to equalise in stoppage time for earn us a share of the spoils.

Cobblers: Harper ,Bojic ,Chambers ,Doig ,Crowe ,Low ,Taylor ,Jess (Mendes ,56 ) ,Martin Smith ,Kirk ,McGleish (Hunt ,85)

Lincoln: Marriott ,McAuley ,Morgan (Bloomer ,71 ) ,McCombe ,Brown ,Kerr ,Keates ,Mayo ,Asamoah ,Birch (Foster ,89 ) ,Logan


Head to Head...Cobblers v Imps...

Games Played: 48

Cobblers Wins: 12

Draws: 23

Lincoln Wins: 13

Would the real Bayo please stand up?

Is it me or is Bayo still a little bit unhappy? The interview after the Bury game sees him a but less Bayo like to me...he seems TOO laid back and care free. Last season for the most part he seemed over the moon whenever he scored and was a prety happy fella but after Saturday's draw he seemed a little less himself.

Gone was the glint in the eye, the thrill of scoring, in its place a mere shrug of the shoulders attitude and you have to wonder if he'll ever be the same player for us again and whether he still wants to be here.

I do wonder whether he'll still be here come January and whether he actually still wants to be here despite the change in manager. If Sammo can get the big man back on his side and firing the way he used to, get the real Bayo back, then it'll be like a new signing without having to wait until the transfer window.

Battling Cobblers come back again

Bury 2-2 Northampton Town
League Two
Saturday, October 20th 2009

The Cobblers completed their third comeback of the week to secure a hard fought draw at Bury this afternoon. Following the recovery against Bradford from two goals down last weekend and the 2-1 reversal against Bournemouth in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy on Tuesday we once again came back from a two goal deficit at Gigg Lane.

It was once again Courtney Herbert who took the game by the scruff of the neck to turn it around with the first strike of the comeback trail but even before that he was causing his usual problems. In the thirteenth minute the 20-year-old took the ball down and shot just wide of the post to signal his intent.

But it was Bury that had the best of the first half and deservedly took the lead and it was a Cobblers corner that led to it. The home side cleared their lines and David Worrall broke to have a shot blocked by John Curtis before tucking home the rebound past Chris Dunn.

It was to get worse just a couple of minutes later as we were suddenly 2-0 down as Ryan Lowe latched onto a hoof up field to lob the ball home and we were once again facing an uphill struggle, this time away from home though.

The half time team talk had to match the one from the last couple of games and the players’ character shone through once again in the second half. The game could well have been tucked away early on though as Chris McCready had to clear off the line.
But then it was time for another fight back. Herbert sprang into life and took the ball past three or four men before finishing well past Wayne Brown in the Bury goal. Suddenly we were right back in it and a substitution turned the game again. Adebayo Akinfenwa had been brought on before Herbert’s goal in the place of Steve Guinan and it was the big man that equalised with fifteen minutes left.

Akinfenwa got himself on the end of a Luke Guttridge cross and his header eluded Brown and flew in off the far post. Unlike last weekend, there was still time to even win it!

Bury had a couple of good chances to take the lead again but Chriss Dunn made a good double save before Akinfenwa headed over the bar from a corner in the last action of the game.

It was another show of real character from the Cobblers and a decent away point at the end of it. The league table isn’t exactly being eaten into but the next three games are critical with Lincoln, Morcambe and Torquay up next.

MK Dons trip in JPT

The Cobblers will take on MK Dons in the Third Round of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy after the draw was made this morning on Soccer AM. Ian Sampson's team will travel to Stadium: MK for the tie, to be played in week commencing November 9th.

Last season, we fell to a double defeat to the Dons, losing home and away by a single goal, the second of which was the first nail in our relegation coffin. With a place in the area semi-final up for grabs, this game should provide a bit more interest for the competition.

Bury (A) Preview...

Sammo takes charge of his first league game in full charge of the Cobblers tomorrow as we make the tough trip to Bury. After two good fight backs in the space of a week, the new boss will be hoping to record his first league win on the road at Gigg Lane and start to finally move up the League Two ladder.


Team News

Bury are without Andy Bishop who will be out for around two months with a number of problems. Danny Carlton is another long term absentee whilst Andy Morrell is also missing. Richie Baker limped out of the Shakers’ game against Tranmere Rovers on Tuesday night and is doubtful for the Cobblers’ visit.

Ryan Gilligan sits out of the game as he serves a one match ban having picked up a fifth booking of the season in the Bournemouth game on Tuesday night. But Andy Holt, Luke Guttridge, Adebayo Akinfenwa and John Curtis have all trained this week and could play some part in the game.



Last Time Out…Bury 0-2 Northampton Town …League Two…28/01/06…

The Cobblers won at Gigg Lane in the side’s last meeting as we moved towards promotion in 2006. An own goal from Andy Parrish gave Colin Calderwood’s side the lead before Andy Kirk sealed it in the second half.

Bury: Anthony Williams ,Scott ,Fitzgerald ,Challinor ,Parrish ,Jarman (sent off 45),Flitcroft (Barry-Murphy ,89 ) ,Mattis ,Buchanan ,Smart (Marrison ,64 ) ,Tipton

Northampton: Harper ,Chambers ,Dyche ,Doig ,Low (Johnson ,78 ) ,Taylor ,Martin Smith (Bojic ,78 ) ,Hunt (Rowson ,69 ) ,Crowe ,McGleish ,Kirk



Head to Head…Shakers v Cobblers…

Games Played: 51

Cobblers Wins: 21

Draws: 11

Bury Wins: 19


Saturday’s other League Two games…

Accrington Stanley v Cheltenham
Aldershot v Morecambe
Bournemouth v Chesterfield
Bradford v Crewe
Bury v Northampton
Dag & Red v Darlington
Grimsby v Burton Albion
Macclesfield v Lincoln City
Rochdale v Barnet
Rotherham v Hereford
Shrewsbury v Port Vale

Crosby appointed Assistant Manager

Sammo has moved quickly after being appointed Cobblers boss on Monday by naming Malcolm Crosby as his assistant. Crosy came in to help Sammo during his spell in caretaker charge and was confirmed as Assistant Manager this afternoon ahead of Saturday's trip to Bury.

Meanwhile, Jim Barron has left the club after three years at the club.

Dramatic finish sends Cobblers through in JPT

Northampton Town 2-1 AFC Bournemouth
Johnstone's Paint Trophy, Southern Area Second Round
Tuesday, October 6th 2009

If Saturday’s last minute equaliser against Bradford was dramatic, then last night’s Johnstone’s Paint Trophy Second Round game was an epic finish as the Cobblers progressed through to the Southern Area Quarter Finals with a last gasp penalty from Ryan Gilligan to give Sammo an ideal start in his first game in full charge of the club.

With both sides struggling with injuries, there was no chance of “reserve” teams being put out for this one and Sammo had already reiterated his desire to go as far as possible in the competition with a place in the Wembley final at stake. Michael Jacobs started for the first time in the absence of John Curtis while Alex Dyer came into midfield following his heroics on Saturday.

Jacobs set up the first real chance of the game, an inviting cross that just missed its targets of Ben Marshall and Steve Guinan. Guinan had a couple of decent efforts after that, having a shot blocked before shooting wide but it was the Cherries that took the lead just after the half hour mark as Danny Hollands smashed the ball home after a knock down.

It stayed that way until half-time and we would need some more of the same fighting qualities shown on Saturday if we were to get back into the tie. Billy McKay replaced Gary Mulligan at the break and the Cobblers started brightly with Gilligan’s volley well saved by visiting keeper Dan Thomas.

The breakthrough came on 66 minutes and Steve Guinan was the man to get the crucial equaliser. Guinan scored in the First Round at Wycombe and headed home a free kick from Gilligan to put us right back in the game. This competition is not know for its dramatic endings so no-one in the ground could predict a manic last few minutes.
With just three minutes to go, Bournemouth won a penalty for a hand ball on Chris McCready but Lee Bradbury’s spot kick was saved by Chris Dunn. It looked like penalties would decide it after that and they did but fortunately for us just one was needed.

Substitute Courtney Herbert was felled in the area and Gilligan stepped up to slot home the winning goal in the 93rd minute and we were through to the next round and the last eight of the Southern Section. It’s not often we get past one round of the JPT, let alone two so this was a very good start for Sammo and the tide is slowly but surely starting to turn.

Our possible opponents, with the draw coming up on Saturday morning on Soccer AM are: Charlton, Swindon, Norwich, Hereford, Leyton Orient, MK Dons and Southampton so still a tough road ahead but either way this was another step in very much the right direction.

AFC Bournemouth (H) JPT Second Round Preview...

Ian Sampson takes charge of his first game in full charge of the Cobblers this evening as we look to progress in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy. There's a Southern Area Quarter Final place up for grabs and interest should increase in the competition should we see off the Cherries at Sixfields.

Team News
Sammo looks likely to be without strikers Adebayo Akinfenwa and Courtney Herbet for the game with Luke Guttridge and Dean Beckwith also struggling. Andy Holt and John Curtis are rated at 50/50 so Seb Harris could play for the first time.

Bournemouth are also struggling with injuries with Sammy Igoe missing with a knee injury and Ryan Garry out of the squad having being diagnosed with swine flu. The Cherries are also without Jeff Goulding and Marvin Bentley.


Last Time Out…Northampton 2-0 AFC Bournemouth…League Two...22/08/09...

In Bournemouth’s first league defeat of the season and the Cobblers’ first victory, Adebayo Akinfenwa gave us a sixth minute lead before Ben Marshall’s late strike sealed the points at Sixfields.


Head to Head…Cobblers v Cherries…

Games Played: 98

Cobblers Wins: 36

Draws: 24

Cherries Wins: 38


Tonight’s other JPT Second Round ties…

Accrington Stanley v Shrewsbury
Bradford v Notts County
Bury v Tranmere,
Carlisle v Macclesfield
Charlton v Barnet
Chesterfield v Huddersfield
Exeter v Swindon
Gillingham v Norwich
Hartlepool v Grimsby
Hereford v Aldershot
Leeds United v Darlington
Leyton Orient v Brighton
MK Dons v Southend
Port Vale v Stockport
Southampton v Torquay

Ian Sampson's Barmy Army!

Cobblers’ legend Ian Sampson has landed the managers’ job on a full time basis as he was officially named boss of Northampton Town this afternoon. Sammo has been steadily improving the side over the last few weeks and the fight, determination and heart of the group can not be questioned any more after the last couple of performances.

The former Town defender made 449 appearances for the club, agonisingly falling short of what could have been a dream farewell in the playoff final in game 450 when we were beaten at Mansfield Town in the dramatic semi final shoot out of 2004. Sammo had partnered Ray Warburton in a solid defence as the Cobblers reached Wembley in 1997 and 1998 and was within touching distance of the Championship before Grimsby Town ruined our day on that second appearance under the twin towers.

He’s now been given the job on a full time basis until the end of the season where it will more than likely be reviewed based on the previous months.

Youth comes good again as Dyer stars

Youth is most certainly the buzz word at Sixfields this week and Alex Dyer was the latest young gun to fire the Cobblers in Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Bradford City. After Courtney Herbert had introduced himself onto the League Two stage on Tuesday night, it was the turn of Dyer to repay the faith installed in him by Ian Sampson to lift his team back from the brink of defeat.

Dyer was introduced with around twenty minutes to play and with the Cobblers two goals down and looking down and out against the Bantams. But the player who had been blooded by Sammo in the youth and reserve teams in years gone by injected energy and flair into proceedings to hit the first goal of the comeback.

The Cobblers, of course, recovered fully to claim the point and Dyer should now earn a starting place in Tuesday night’s Johnstone’s Paint Trophy Second Round tie with Bournemouth. With the early season full of doom and gloom, we’re starting to finally find some good news with the young Cobblers players stepping up to the plate and giving the long suffering claret faithful something to sing about.

Cobblers fight back to earn draw

Northampton Town 2-2 Bradford City
League Two
Saturday, October 3rd 2009

After the 3-1 midweek success over Rotherham came a fight back full of character and heart, traits always present from Sammo the player and now seemingly installed in Sammo the manager. The top job crept closer to the former defender’s grasp but it could have so easily slipped from his grasp as Bradford let slip a two goal lead to allow us back in late on.

It was a stirring recovery from the Cobblers, one that we certainly wouldn’t have seen a few months ago, with John Johnson heading home an equaliser in the last minute to send us home happy with a good week at the office.

Sammo was without Adebayo Akinfenwa and Dean Beckwith so young Courtney Herbert started once more after shaking off a rib injury. Chris McCready slotted in at the back in Beckwith’s absence. Bradford’s vocal travelling support were in full voice from the off, a proud Yorkshire fallen giant still standing as they look for promotion this season.

But it was the Cobblers who made the more impressive start. A battling and gallant opening saw us pick apart the visitors with short passes in the absence of Bayo and it worked wonders despite the end product not always being there. Luke Guttridge had a chance at the back post with a header that a fit and willing Akinfenwa would surely have put away whilst Herbert was causing problems with his pace once more and came close to making it two in a week.

You felt that we needed to score during the opening twenty minutes while we were on top but when that didn’t materialise the game took a worrying turn in the opposite direction as Bradford came more and more into the game as the half went on. In the end, we were happy with the half-time whistle and a chance to regroup.

The break didn’t stop the Bantams’ pressure though and they came out of the blocks flying in the second half, leading to a deflected goal five minutes in. Simon Ramsden’s shot cruelly struck a Town boot and the ball looped over the unfortunate Chris Dunn to send the hoards of Bantams into hysteria. Shell shocked by the goal, the Cobblers were wounded and Bradford struck again just four minutes later as Michael Boulding beat the offside trap to fire home what looked to be the sealer.

It was frustrating stuff with all the hard work of the early exchanges turned to dust in a matter of moments and it looked as if there would be no saviour. Cue the unlikely hero, Alex Dyer, a 70th minute substitute for John Curtis. Dyer grabbed hold of the game and immediately looked as if he could produce something.

That, he most certainly did but even his 77th minute well placed volley of a goal that looped in didn’t seem to be enough to salvage anything with desperate long balls late on and a flurry of corners and free kicks coming to nothing in the high winds of Sixfields. But then, late, late in the day it was John Johnson’s moment to savour.

The on loan Middlesbrough mad stooped to nod home a free kick and grab a delightful point from what looked like a certain defeat. The Bantam army fell silent for the first time and it could even have been more. It would have been greedy to hope for Ryan Gilligan’s low drive into the box in stoppage time to hit someone and go in but at the same time it was a relief to hear the final whistle with Bradford threatening to counter attack with pace.

So a point it was and a very entertaining one at that, with a frantic finish more suited to a match late in the season with points being scrambled for but this point could yet be part of a turn around that lands Ian Sampson with the position he desires.

Onwards to another Tuesday night outing, this time it’s the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy Second Round as we welcome league leaders Bournemouth to Sixfields.

Bradford City (H) Preview

Bradford City visit Sixfields tomorrow with the Cobblers looking for back to back wins to boost Sammo’s chances of getting the top job full time. The 3-1 win over Rotherham on Tuesday night saw relief all round but another big test is just around the corner as the Bantams come to town.

Team News

Adebayo Akinfenwa and Dean Beckwith are both doubts for the Cobblers with Liam Davis the only long term absentee. Bayo is struggling with a knee injury that’s limited him to small appearances in the last couple of games. Beckwith, meanwhile, has a groin problem and Ian Sampson will wait until the final minutes before a decision on him is made.

Bradford come into the game on the back of a goalless draw at Morecambe on Tuesday night but are without the suspended Gareth Evans so Michael Boulding should come in to replace him.

Last Meeting…Bradford City 1-2 Northampton Town (17/03/07)

With both sides struggling at the foot of League One in the last meeting between the two sides, Billy Paynter handed City the lead just after the hour mark. But two minutes later, Bradley Johnson fired the Cobblers level before Kenny Deuchar hit an 87th minute winner to steer us further away from the bottom four.

Head to Head…Cobblers v Bantams…

Games Played: 18

Cobblers Wins: 5

Draws: 2

Bradford Wins: 11

Herbert emerges from the depths of Long Buckby...

It was a dream home debut that helped earn Ian Sampson his first win in temporary charge of the Cobblers. The emergence of 20-year-old Courtney Herbert after signing from Long Buckby sparked us into life at Sixfields and may yet be the key moment in Sammo’s fledging post playing Cobblers career.

Herbert came off the bench in tough circumstances at Shrewsbury with the side already beaten and the game all but over. But Herbert’s pace and unpredictability earned him a wildcard start in Tuesday’s game with Rotherham to dramatic effect, with a well taken goal off the underside of the cross bar and his celebrations reflected the emotions of a week in which Herbert went from the Unibond league to local hero in a matter of days.

An rib injury called a halt to Herbert’s night on Tuesday but scans have revealed that nothing is broken so the youngster could be back in contention to play some part against Bradford tomorrow afternoon...could he put Sammo even further into favour with the Cardozas come decision time on the new boss?

Relief all round as Cobblers WIN!

Northampton Town 3-1 Rotherham United
League Two
Tuesday, September 29th 2009

The doom and gloom may be only temporarily lifted but Sixfields is finally cheering this evening with a, quite surprising if truth be told, success over in form Rotherham United. Ronnie Moore, leading the Millers properly once again, brought his newest set of Millers to the home of football and left with nothing as a young Town forward made his mark for the first time.

The man in question, Courtney Herbert, will never forget this evening for it was his strike just inside the second half that made it 2-0 and for the local lad signed from Long Buckby last week it was a dream come true on his first start for the Cobblers.

By then, Ryan Gilligan had already stooped to give Town the lead and leap to the top of the club’s scoring charts for this season, smashing home a half volley in the tenth minute. That seemed to give us confidence and Herbert broke before being denied by a defender on the half hour mark but it was the youngster’s pace causing all the problems.

Rotherham could have equalised before the break but John Curtis headed away a free kick from Nicky Law to keep us in front. Then it was time for Herbert to shine.
Herbert grabbed back possession in midfield and played a neat one-two with Steve Guinan before looping a shot over the Millers’ keeper Andy Warrington. The ball struck the under side of the cross bar and bounced down just behind the line and Herbert capped his first start with a fine goal.

With chances still at a premium despite the 2-0 lead, the three goal margin was handed to the Cobblers on a plate by Rotherham’s Ian Sharps who could only divert his header into his own net following a powerful volley from Luke Guttridge. 3-0, and a crazy notion that a game was just about wrapped up with half an hour to play!
Adam Le Fondre was causing most of the problems for the visitors and he came close once before grabbing a goal back. Andy Holt brought him down and was booked despite the offence seemingly occurring outside the area. Le Fondre picked himself up to slot home the consolation but it was nothing more and Sammo finally had his first win in charge.

It may yet be a result that the Town legend needs to kick start his campaign for taking the job full time, with the pressure on tonight for him to achieve that victory. Bradford at home on Saturday is another massive test and it’ll be a tough decision for Mr Cardoza to make should we get a repeat of this relief of a result!

Rotherham United (H) Preview

A Rotherham side buoyed by the return of Ronnie Moore visits Sixfields tonight as the Cobblers search for a first win in six league games. Five defeats on the trot along with the sacking of Stuart Gray has dramatically given our season the worst start imaginable. Ian Sampson remains in charge this evening and we somehow need to scrape a win out by hook or by crook!

Team News

Liam Davis is the only player missing for Sampson but Luke Boden has returned to Sheffield Wednesday as his loan spell came to an end. Adebayo Akinfenwa limped off after half an hour at Shrewsbury last weekend but could yet make the squad.

Rotherham are unbeaten in seven league games and sit pretty in third place in League Two. Ronnie Moore has no new injury concerns ahead of the trip with a full bill of health following last weekend’s 3-0 win over Barnet at the Don Valley Stadium.


Last Meeting...Northampton Town 3-0 Rotherham United (24/02/07)

The Cobblers were comfortable winners in the sides’ last meeting with Kenny Deuchar giving Stuart Gray’s side a fifteenth minute lead. Mark Hughes added a second six minutes later and Ian Taylor completed the scoring on the stroke of half time.

Cobblers: Bunn ,Pearce ,Mark Hughes ,Doig ,Crowe ,Aiston (Kirk ,79 ) ,Taylor (Laird ,62 ) ,Johnson ,Holt ,Robertson ,Deuchar

Rotherham: Cutler ,Streete ,Sharps ,Fleming ,Brogan ,Partridge (Mills ,46 ) ,Cochrane (Bopp ,62(Newsham ,70 )) ,Diagouraga ,Martin Woods ,Facey ,O'Grady



Head to Head...Cobblers v Millers

Games Played: 32

Cobblers Wins: 12

Millers wins: 15

Draws: 5

Set play woes equals Shrews defeat

Shrewsbury Town 3-0 Northampton Town
League Two
Saturday, September 26th 2009

It’s now five league defeats in a row for the Cobblers as the 2009/10 season goes from bad to worse following another heavy defeat, this time contributed to by poor defending of set plays and a mix of bad finishing and bad luck at the other end. It was our first trip to the New Meadow and we certainly won’t want to be returning any time soon after a defeat that signified once more how big a job this is for whoever our new boss should be.

Looking back on the match stats, we look like the team that should have won the game by the 3-0 score line that Shrewsbury Town ran away with. But dismal defending, an unusual trait to have under former rock solid defender Ian Sampson, was the defining factor to settle this game.

Chris Dunn quite rightly earned a recall in goal with Simon Brown looking quite unremarkable in his first couple of games whilst John Johnson made his debut after joining from Middlesbrough. Gary Mulligan, Steve Guinan and Luke Guttridge also came in for starts.

It was almost inevitable that after the Cobblers had made a good start that the home side would take the lead in the most simple of circumstances. A right wing cross was met by Jake Robinson who finished with ease and it was an uphill battle from then on in with yet another game being chased from the early going.

The agitation continued when Adebayo Akinfenwa had to come off after just half an hour because of injury with Ben Marshall replacing the big man. Guinan shot just wide as the Cobblers continued to have the lions’ share of possession but there was just no finishing touch. Gilligan shot over the bar after connecting well with a half volley before Luke Guttridge went close on a couple of occasions before half time to at least give the 450 travelling fans something to cling to as the sides went in at the break.

But it was all undone in a matter of moments after the break as Joss Labadie was given space to head home a free kick and it was to get even worse a few minutes later when Kelvin Langmead did exactly the same thing and nodded the ball in from another set play and it was 3-0 and game well and truly put to bed.

Guttridge continued his one man crusade to get shots away at the Shrews’ goal but was frustrated twice more before new signing Courtney Herbert was given a debut after replacing Gary Mulligan. Not the ideal situation for the young lad to come into but he showed some real pace at least to trouble the home defence. It was never going to be enough though and it was typical of the day when Ryan Gilligan hit the post in the dying moments.

So another defeat for the Cobblers and Ian Sampson’s fury at the final whistle at the defending was justified and backed by a real desire to get himself the top job. Those hopes may be well and truly over after the Town legend oversaw four defeats in a row and it could be his final game this Tuesday at home to Rotherham United who are, of course, under a new/old boss themselves in Ronnie Moore.

It’s a shame for Sammo who will feel that he hasn’t had the best of chances to bring in his own players and who knows, Mr Cardoza may see him as the answer long term. But surely we need this mess sorted before a fear of relegation begins again. This time though, it would be so much more serious should we face a disastrous drop once more. It may seem an overreaction but can anyone else see where the next win is coming from?

Shrewsbury Town (A) Preview

A trip to Shrewsbury is next for Ian Sampson and the boys with a win now more desperately needed than ever. It’s our first ever trip to the Prostar Stadium/New Meadow and we’ll be looking to give Sammo his first victory in caretaker charge against a Shrews side full of confidence following back to back victories over Crewe Alexandra and Lincoln City.

Team News

The Cobblers could hand John Johnson a start after the Boro defender signed on loan this week whilst Courtney Herbert may get a place on the bench following his arrival from Long Buckby. Chris McCready is still suspended so Craig Hinton and Dean Beckwith should keep their places at the back.

Shrewsbury boss Paul Simpson is without Craig Disley after he was stretchered off whilst playing for the reserves in midweek. Further casualties Omer Riza, Chris Neal, Glyn Garner, Mike Jackson and Terry Dunfield are also missing.


Last Meeting...Cobblers 1-0 Shrewsbury (League Two,17/12/05)

Scott McGleish scored the only goal of the game in the last meeting of the two sides in our promotion season of 2005/06 at Sixfields. Earlier in the season we has recorded a 1-1 draw at Gay Meadow but McGleish’s goal was enough in the return game.

Cobblers: Harper, Chambers, Dyche, Doig, Low, Hunt (Bojic), Taylor, Jess (Rowson), Smith (Kirk), McGleish, Mendes

Shrewsbury: Hart ,Herd ,Whitehead ,Hope ,Ashton ,Edwards ,Sorvel ,Tolley ,Langmead ,Stallard (Lyng ,68 ) ,McMenamin (Jackson ,87)


Head to Head...Shrews v Cobblers...

Games Played: 41

Shrews wins: 17

Draws: 7

Cobbelrs Wins: 17

Johnson joins on loan as Herbert signs on

Middlesbrough defender John Johnson has joined the Cobblers on a month's loan. Ian Sampson has used Malcolm Crosby's contact book to bring in the Boro man, who played in the side when Crosy was at the Riverside stadium last season. Johnson signed professional terms with Boro in 2008 and played numerous games in their Premier League campaign last season and also spent some time on loan at Tranmere Rovers.

He can play at right back or in midfield and should shake up a defense that has looked uncomfortable over the past few weeks. Johnson signs in time for Saturday's trip to Shrewsbury Town.

The Cobblers have also revealed that striker Courtney Herbert has signed with the club after a trial with the club. Herbert joins from local side Long Buckby.

The coming of age of Ryan Gilligan

A battling midfielder? A striker? A right back even?! Ryan Gilligan has certainly been around the pitch in his time with the Cobblers and not just in the positional sense. And now, maybe just maybe the young man signed from Watford in 2005 seems to be coming of age and is the stand out player of a disappointing season so far.

Gilligan’s never going to be a player to stand out in terms of wonder goals, winding runs or outbursts of pace but we’re seeing the real fight of the man that’s grown under Colin Calderwood, John Gorman, Stuart Gray and now Ian Sampson. When the chips are down you learn a lot about your players and Gilli is an example that the others should follow.

A man of the match performance at the weekend was marred by defeat for the team but it’s just reward for the player who is finally coming good. Gilli was all over the pitch doing the simple stuff, something that sometimes goes unnoticed and deserved his goal that looked to have given us a route back into the game, for a couple of minutes at least.

Last season I lorded the efforts of Danny Jackman in the time of crises...now it’s time to recognise the man that has stepped into his shoes as the whole hearted core of the Cobblers midfield.

The rise of Ryan...

12/08/05: Gilligan signs for the Cobblers on free transfer from Watford.

13/08/05: First team debut as an 85th minute substitute for Josh Low in 0-0 draw with Wrexham.

10/09/05: First Cobblers goal as he rescues a point at Sixfields against Bury.

27/09/05: Scores the first in 3-1 derby win for Cobblers at Rushden.

25/02/06: Scores the only goal of the game at Wrexham in massive win to help Town on the way to promotion.

06/05/06: His last kick of the game spoils Grimsby’s party in dramatic fashion to send the Mariners into the playoffs and deny them automatic promotion.

07/09/07: After no goals in the 06/07 season, Gilly’s back on track with a strike in the 2-0 home win over Doncaster Rovers.

22/11/08: Grabs one of the goals in important 2-0 away win at Hereford.

01/09/09: Gilly scores a penalty in normal time and one in the shoot out as Town progress in the JPT.

Dale take all three points

Northampton Town 1-2 Rochdale
League Two
Saturday, September 19th 2009


Desperately seeking a win, desperately seeking three points and desperately unlucky not to gain at least one point in the end. Sammo’s reign at Sixfields won’t last too much longer should results not turn but you have to feel for the man. With no pre-season to build his side, no friendlies to try out formations and no time to bring in his own players barring any loans that come in this week it’s a near impossible task. The big players have gone but now we’re still expecting to do well against strong League Two opposition, one of which, Rochdale, came away from Sixfields with three points.

Dale’s solid defence was a basis to frustrate Town and anyone expecting an easy time in League Two was taught a lesson on Saturday as the visitors produced a fine away performance. Sammo began the game with Ben Marshall playing off Adebayo Akinfenwa up front but it took time for him to settle into a new role and the Stoke loan man only got going when switched wide to accommodate the introduction of Luke Guttridge. It was that change that gave us some stability and Guttridge could yet be the player to ignite the season.

Before that substitution though, Sammo watched on as Rochdale frustrated his Town side in the early going with no-one willing to take responsibility and shoot when given the chance. There appeared to be a real fear of taking the shot on and for all the hard graft there was no end product.

It was Rochdale who broke the deadlock when Chris O’Grady slid in a shot under the body of Simon Brown, who is yet to convince Cobblers fans that he is a better option than Chris Dunn in between the sticks for Town. A half-time deficit didn’t look like being turned over after the break and it would take a lot to turn the game around against a stubborn resistance.

Enter Guttridge and a change of shape that brought us back into the game. Ryan Gilligan was having a terrific game and his battling midfield play earned him the man of the match award along with a goal that briefly brought us level. It was always going to be a scrappy one and when a corner wasn’t cleared, Gilligan forced the ball home and it was game on once more.

Unfortunately for us, Dale didn’t take long to respond and stunned Sixfields with a beauty of a winner. Will Buckley was given space and he took it with real quality with a fine curling finish into the top corner of Brown’s net. It was a killer blow that took the stuffing right out of Sammo’s men and ended up sending the small band of away fans home happy.

The Cobblers were still so close to pulling level late on though, as Ben Marshall connected with a cross from the right to head the ball onto the cross bar. The ball bounced away to safety, taking away any chance of even a draw.

And so we go to 21st in League Two and it’s a massive job for whoever take this job full time. The players are giving it a go at least but the simple fact is that they’re not quite good enough. Bayo was poor with his shooting worryingly wayward. Shining lights came in the form of the 3 G’s, Guttridge and Guinan but it’s going to tough to turn this season back on its head.

Shrewsbury away next Saturday is not what we need...another side in and around the playoffs for the past couple of seasons and it’s going to be another big game. Points need to be put on the board soon, however and wherever we really don’t mind. Plain to say, we’ll take a Pat Gavin ‘in off the arse’ next weekend!

Sammo's Second Chance

Sammo gets his second bite of the cherry tomorrow afternoon as the Cobblers take on Rochdale at Sixfields. It’s make or break time for the Town legend in his bid to take the job that he seems to want and the job that David Cardoza looks likely to give him should results turn in the next couple of weeks.

Notts County brushed us aside last weekend and reports were that we were completely inept in trying to deal with the money bags of League Two. Whilst that result wasn’t overlooked, it certainly won’t get as much focus as tomorrow’s game with the boys from Spotland. Sammo has now had a week with his players to get over that result and a positive one tomorrow could still keep him in line for the top job.

Now is the time for us all to get behind him...we all want the Cobblers to be back in the top knockings of the league, none of us want to be where we are. It’s time to channel the spirit of ’97 when Sammo was at the heart of the defence to take us to Wembley. The hard times are back and this is when we’re needed the most.

Whoever stands in that dugout needs our full support and we desperately need three points tomorrow against a Rochdale side struggling on the road so far this season. There is a great number who aren’t bothered about going, who have become so disillusioned at things that you don’t want to return until it’s sorted. But having been through adversity with this club many a time before, believe me, it makes it a hell of a lot better when the good times do come around knowing that you were there behind the team from the start.

So if you’re reading this umming and arring about going to the game and circumstances mean that you can make it if you wanted to, get down to Sixfields, support the team, support Sammo and help to bring this great club back to where we belong!

Home...did I miss anything?

Well what a week to take off...I'm not sure if I can face even mentioning the 5-2 defeat at Notts County, never mind the abject performance reports coming from it. My initial thought of Sammo for the top job went down the pan at Meadow Lane but he should be given a last chance for the home game with Rochdale on Saturday.

We managed to find a pub with Sky Sports News in on Saturday to watch the results roll in but started to wish we hadn't...Dyer's early goal brought a single cheer to confuse the mix of Spanish locals and Liverpool fans, in to see their game with Burnley, but it wasn't to be and we were well and truly battered!

Dad's reported back yesterday to say that it's in complete disarray and he walked out early for one of the first times ever at the game on Saturday and his views are that a brand new regime, not just a manager is needed very very quickly.

Whether any of the "40" applicants received in the hour after David Cardoza announced the job vacancy are any good we will wait to see but something needs to be done as we're already way off even a playoff place at the moment.

I don't think I dare go on holiday again...

Quick update...

Well all I needed to do was leave the conutry and it all kicks off! Gray is gone and Sammo takes temporary charge once more as the powers that be look for the right man to follow Gray. Personally I feel it´s time for Sammo but more on all the views of myself when I get back...just popped online to say hello and that there will be all the reaction from aloadofcobblers.net when I return.

In the meantime, here´s hoping for Town to kick on at Notts Conuty on Saturday...good luck Sammo!

Out of Office: Auto Reply

I will be away from Aloadofcobblers.net for 7 days, returning on Sunday, 13th September for a welcome break in sunny Spain. I look forward to returning for a catch up in a week's time.

Happy Cobblering!

Danny

Gray's tenure on a knife edge as Barnet take the points

Northampton Town 1-3 Barnet
League Two
Friday, 4th September 2009

If Stuart Gray was given ten games to prove that he is the man to take the Cobblers back into League One then he’s quickly running out of time after a defeat that shot us right back down to earth and the parallels between Gray’s opening of the season to Martin Wilkinson’s ill fated start are becoming strangely apparent.

Last time we were relegated into this league, Wilkinson took charge with a wealth of talent as his disposal but started with a 1-0 defeat at home to newly promoted Torquay. Whilst the Macclesfield game didn’t end in a loss it was as good as in a game that we should be taking maximum points from. Another defeat the following week at York didn’t help matters, a la the single goal reverse at Chesterfield this time around. Then came a run of three wins in a row. We all thought the tide had turned, that the season had finally began and that the promotion bid could start. Sound familiar? (see 2009/10’s two game winning ‘streak vs Accrington and Bournemouth). It all went wrong from there, with a 3-1 lead at Cheltenham let slip as we conceded three in the last ten minutes to lose 4-3...last weekend’s shipping of three in ten at Burton, anyone?

Last night Stuart Gray got to the point, if we’re to stick to the comparison, of having five games to go. Win against Barnet and, combined with a win in midweek, he’d be breathing again. As it was, Barnet wanted it more and ended up sitting pretty on top of League Two for the night at least.

Gary Mulligan had kept his place in the starting line-up after impressing in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy win at Wycombe in mid-week whilst Bayo returned to partner him up front, replacing Abdul Osman. The story began brightly enough in the first Friday night game of the season with Mulligan breaking away early on only to be penalised for handball.

After a quiet opening, it was the Cobblers who struck first and all was happy at Sixfields. Ben Marshall broke into the box and blasted a deflected shot into the net via a deflection. Ismail Yukubu headed over in Barnet’s best effort of the half but it was looking comfortable as we went into the break a goal up.

It was there that things began to go wrong. Barnet were soon level after the second half kicked off with a free kick placed beyond the reach of Chris Dunn, Ahmed Deen the scorer as the visitors drew level. Marshall went close to putting us back in front at the other end but we never sustained the pressure and were caught out as Barnet took the lead.

Veteran striker Paul Furlong volleyed home well from a left wing cross and suddenly the Cobblers were behind in a game that looked so positive before half-time. A defensive nightmare rounded off the game in the worst possible way as Chris Dunn was embarrassed again following last week’s howlers at Burton. A header back to him from Dean Beckwith had Dunn hesitating and John O’Flynn chased it down and got to the ball first to make it 3-1 and game over.

A more than disappointing night at Sixfields then and the Cobblers boss won’t be sleeping easily this weekend. If this pattern of mirroring 2003/04 continues and Gray stays to see out September then we’ll win our next game and he’ll have a bit more time. Pity that it’s away at Notts County...

Barnet on a high as they prepare for Sixfields

Barnet come into tomorrow's league game on a real high after three straight league wins, including a 1-0 victory over Notts County last weekend, and a Johnstone's Paint Trophy upset against Millwall on Tuesday night. The Bees are really flying at the moment and will be a stern test in the first Friday night fixture of the season.

After an opening day defeat at Lincoln and a home draw with Shrewsbury, our visitors tomorrow night have seen off Morecambe, Torquay, County and Millwall without even conceding a goal and are sitting pretty in fourth place in League Two. The club managed to hold on to promising 21-year-old Albert Adomah during the transfer window after a late deal with Blackpool fell through and he will be a real handful for the Cobblers.

As for Town, we have Adebayo Akinfenwa back in contention and the big man was also the subject of an offer from Swansea City during the window but that deal fell by the wayside and he will be here until January at least. Steve Guinan has bagged two in two, as has Ryan Gilligan and both should start again with Billy McKay on internationl duty with Northern Ireland Under 21s.

A tough tussel expected then as we look to build on the penalty shoot out win on Tuesday and get back in the reckogning at the right end of the table.