Whilst the Cobblers were preparing to take on Walsall for the first of two meetings, the Shoemakers were playing their first home game of the season on 24th November. Meeting up in the car park made us all realise how much we'd missed the Racecourse on a crisp Saturday morning.

So who on earth are Boing FC? They aren't from Walsall, but from very close by. West Bromwich to be precise! The Baggies were without a game as they were to take on Wolves the very next day.

Boing arrived at the same time as the Shoemakers, keen to get a game under their belts after a few weeks absence. This was the first meeting between the two sides, but a quick scout through the IFA website showed them in the top 15, so we knew we'd be in for a tough game.

How right we were, Boing were soon spraying passes across the back and piled early pressure on the Shoemakers' defence. Despite enjoying the possession, the visitors could not break down a stubborn home defence and chances were few and far between. The visitors did go in at half time a goal to the good, Ste Jones curled a delightful shot past Richard Fletcher, but it was only one of two saves that the stand in keeper had to make in the half.

The Shoemakers created a couple of chances of their own. Martin Holmes forced a good save from the keeper and Sean Bellham was inches wide after good work from Holmes, putting the keeper under pressure.

The second half was a similar affair, Boing kept up the pressure and again breached the team in claret's defence once more with a powerful shot from an acute angle following a half cleared corner. Two unstoppable shots of sheer quality from Ste Jones were to eventually win the game for the Baggies' fans.

James Averill came close to pulling a goal back for the Shoemakers with ten minutes to go but a dipping volley from 20 yards fell just the wrong side of the post.

West Brom are amongst the best sides that we've faced in the IFA and despite the result, we were pleased with the performance. After the first goal went in, we could've easily folded.

"Thanks to Mark & his lads for the game Saturday. It was a great game with a well organised Northampton side. Eadsey - Boing FC"

Team - Richard Fletcher, James Averill, Steve Marley, Ant Collett, Mark Kennedy, Simon Sidwell, Tom Robinson, Rob Ellam, Ian Errington, Sean Bellham, Martin Holmes, (Bob Payne)

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