Cambridge United v Northampton Town
SKY BET LEAGUE 2
Saturday October 17th, 3.00pm
Abbey Stadium
CAMBRIDGE UNITED 2
Harrison Dunk 39
Barry Corr 50
NORTHAMPTON TOWN 1
Marc Richards 59 pen
Attendance: 5,494 (1,299 Cobblers fans)
Cambridge: Sam Beasant, Greg Taylor, Ryan Donaldson, Barry Corr, Harrison Dunk (sub Conor Newton 88), Alie Sesay, Robbie Simpson (sub Luke Berry 88), Liam Hughes, Jeff Hughes, George Taft, Mickey Demetriou.
Subs not used: Elliot Omozusi, Jordan Slew, Gearoid Morrissey, Rory Gaffney, Daniel Burns.
Cobblers: Adam Smith, Darnell Furlong (sub Chris Hackett 88), Ryan Cresswell, Shaun Brisley, David Buchanan, John-Joe O’Toole, Joel Byrom, Nicky Adams, Sam Hoskins (sub Dominic Calvert-Lewin 51), Lawson D’Ath, Marc Richards
Subs not used: Ryan Clarke, Zander Diamond, Jason Taylor, Josh Lelan, Ryan Watson
Referee: Mr Darren England
Booked:
Cambridge: Barry Corr (54)
Cobblers: John-Joe O'Toole (69, 3rd of the season)
5 cautions on or before 30 November; 1 match suspension
10 cautions on or before 11 April; 2 match suspension
15 cautions at any time in season; 3 match suspension
Sent off:
Cambridge: none
Cobblers: Lawson D'Ath (76)
Sendings off: 2 cautions in one game; 1 match suspension but cautions do not count towards above totals. Other sendings off; 1 or 3 match suspension. Extra match ban for additional sendings off.
After a difficult week off the field Northampton Town travelled to Cambridge United backed by a terrific following of over 1,000 Cobblers fans. In team news, Lawson D’Ath replaced Chris Hackett in the only change to the starting line-up.
An acrobatic save from Adam Smith denied Robbie Simpson a near certain goal from close range on 13 minutes before his opposite number Sam Beasant saved from Sam Hoskins following a quick Cobblers counter-attack.
As the frenetic first half action continued, Simpson tried a shot from 20-yards that was again saved well by Smith.
The Cobblers were enjoying their share of possession but it was Cambridge who took the lead on 39 minutes, Harrison Dunk finding the bottom left corner.
Barry Corr doubled the U’s lead early in the second half, tapping the ball home from close range having been played in by Greg Taylor.
Chris Wilder responded by making his first change of the afternoon, bringing on Dominic Calvert-Lewin in place of Sam Hoskins.
David Buchanan had a shot blocked at close range as the Cobblers tried to force their way back into the game and they were handed the chance to pull a goal back when Calvert-Lewin was tripped in the area.
Marc Richards stepped up and smashed home the spot kick to set up a thrilling last half hour.
Dunk saw a shot saved by Smith with the game stretched and the Cobblers task was made harder when they were reduced to ten men on 75 minutes, Lawson D’Ath shown a straight red card for a challenge on Dunk.
Cambridge had a shout for a penalty turned down when Ryan Cresswell made a challenge on Robbie Simpson before Beasant saved from David Buchanan.
Another terrific save from Smith denied Dunk a match clinching goal as Chris Hackett came on for the final few minutes, replacing Darnell Furlong.
John-Joe O’Toole flashed a shot just over deep into stoppage time and despite a gallant effort with ten men the Cobblers six-match unbeaten run in the league came to an end.
CAMBRIDGE MATCH STATS (first half in brackets, match total out of brackets)
SHOTS ON TARGET: (4) 8
SHOTS OFF TARGET: (3) 5
CORNERS: (4) 5
FOULS: (3) 9
CAUGHT OFFSIDE: (1) 2
COBBLERS MATCH STATS (first half in brackets, match total out of brackets)
SHOTS ON TARGET: (2) 9
SHOTS OFF TARGET: (1) 5
CORNERS: (3) 9
FOULS: (6) 13
CAUGHT OFFSIDE: (3) 4
The above stats are recorded by club staff. The stats shown elsewhere on this page are recorded by Opta