Northampton Town v Cambridge United
SKY BET LEAGUE 2
Saturday March 12th, 3.00pm
Sixfields
NORTHAMPTON TOWN 1
John Marquis 71
CAMBRIDGE UNITED 1
James Spencer 90
Attendance: 5,828 (901 away fans)
Cobblers: Adam Smith, Brendan Moloney, Zander Diamond, Luke Prosser, David Buchanan, John-Joe O’Toole, Joel Byrom, Ricky Holmes, Lee Martin (sub Lawson D'Ath 62), John Marquis, James Collins (sub Danny Rose 80)
Subs not used: Ryan Clarke, Rod McDonald, Sam Hoskins, Jason Taylor, Nicky Adams
Cambridge: Will Norris, Leon Legge, Luke Berry, Harrison Dunk (sub James Spencer 70), Josh Coulson, James Dunne, Zeli Ismail (sub Elliot Omozusi 90), Ben Williamson, Ryan Ledson, Darnell Furlong, Ryan Haynes
Subs not used: Mark Roberts, Sam Beasant, Robbie Simpson, Shane O’Neill, Ryan Horne
Referee: Mr R Lewis
Booked:
Cobblers: James Collins (26, 5th of the season), Joel Byrom (79, 2nd)
Cambridge: Ryan Haynes (11), James Spencer (90)
10 cautions on or before 13 March; 2 match suspension
15 cautions at any time in season; 3 match suspension
Sent off:
Cobblers: none
Cambridge: none
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.
Chris Wilder named an unchanged side for the visit of Cambridge United in front of another sell out at Sixfields. Rod McDonald returned to the bench while Darnell Furlong, who had a loan spell at the Cobblers earlier in the season, started for the U’s.
There was a vibrant atmosphere inside the ground as the game got underway, both sets of fans in full voice.
After an early corner apiece, the Cobblers attacking intent was once again evident as they pressed for an opening goal. Cambridge though were doing well to restrict their hosts to very few clear cut chances.
Despite some good attacking play the first real attempt on goal came from Lee Martin on 39 minutes, his shot smothered by U’s keeper Will Norris. John-Joe O’Toole then fired an effort just wide following a flowing move from the home side.
The second half started in the same manner as the first with both sides seemingly at full tilt.
James Collins headed straight at Norris before Lawson D’Ath replaced Lee Martin just after the hour mark in the Cobblers first change.
The Cobblers were slowly cranking up the pressure and the deadlock was broken by John Marquis on 71 minutes, the on-loan striker bundling the ball over the line from a corner.
A looping Luke Berry header went over the crossbar as the clock ticked past the 80-minute mark with Danny Rose coming on for Collins.
D’Ath shot just wide as the Cobblers went close to a second goal while for Cambridge Leon Legge saw his header saved by Adam Smith.
Cambridge equalised in the 90th minute, substitute James Spencer scoring with a half-volley from the edge of the area. Although the Cobblers went close to scrambling a winner from a corner six minutes into stoppage time - John-Joe O'Toole hitting the post and Zander Diamond seeing his shot blocked - it was to finish 1-1.
COBBLERS MATCH STATS (first half in brackets, match total out of brackets)
SHOTS ON TARGET: (1) 6
SHOTS OFF TARGET: (5) 7
CORNERS: (3) 10
FOULS: (3) 10
CAUGHT OFFSIDE: (0) 1
CAMBRIDGE MATCH STATS (first half in brackets, match total out of brackets)
SHOTS ON TARGET: (2) 5
SHOTS OFF TARGET: (2) 5
CORNERS: (3) 5
FOULS: (6) 12
CAUGHT OFFSIDE: (2) 3
The above stats are recorded by club staff. The stats shown elsewhere on this page are recorded by Opta