COCA-COLA LEAGUE ONE
Tuesday January 29th, 7.45pm
Sixfields

MATCH SPONSOR
Rix & Kay Solicitors

MATCHBALL SPONSOR
MJM Data Capture

PROGRAMME SPONSOR
Jackson Grundy

Attendance: 4,657 (642 away fans)

Cobblers:  Mark BUNN*, Jason CROWE, Mark LITTLE, Mark HUGHES, Brett JOHNSON, Danny JACKMAN, Giles COKE (sub Andy HOLT 58), Joe BURNELL (sub Ian HENDERSON 78), Jonathan HAYES, Ryan GILLIGAN, Poul HUBERTZ
Substitutes not used: Chris DUNN, Adebayo AKINFENWA, Liam DOLMAN

* Rix & Kay Solicitors man of the match

Brighton: Michel KUIPERS, Andrew WHING, Adam EL-ABD, Dean COX, Nicky FORSTER, Steve THOMSON, Paul REID (sub Tommy FRASER 51), Nathan ELDER (sub Glenn MURRAY 64), Tommy ELPHICK, David MARTOT (sub Jake ROBINSON 64), Matt RICHARDS
Substitutes not used: Kerry MAYO, Guy BUTTERS

Referee: Mr D McDermid

Booked:
Cobblers: Ryan GILLIGAN (84, 9th of the season)
Brighton: David MARTOT (59), Michel KUIPERS (63), Adam EL-ABD (90)

5 cautions on or before 28 February; 1 match suspension
10 cautions on or before 8 April; 2 match suspension
15 cautions at any time in season; 3 match suspension

Sent off:
Cobblers: none
Brighton: none

Sending offs: 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.

Northampton Town welcomed Brighton & Hove Albion to Sixfields on a chilly January evening. Stuart Gray made one change to the team that had beaten Leyton Orient a few days previously, with Jonathan Hayes replacing the departed Daniel Jones.

The visitors forced Mark Bunn into action on 7 minutes, the Cobblers keeper doing well to tip Nathan Elder's header around the post. Dean Cox fired the rebound into the side netting from an acute angle.

On 21 minutes Jason Crowe won the ball in midfield and broke for the Cobblers but fired a shot over the bar. At the other end Bunn made another fine save on 26 minutes after David Martot had met a right wing corner with a powerful header, the Cobblers keeper tipping the ball over the bar.

The visitors thought they had the lead from the resulting flag kick moments later when Nicky Forster's close range shot hit the underside of the bar and bounced down but the assistant referee said the ball had not crossed the line.

Ryan Gilligan headed over the bar from a Poul Hubertz cross on 34 minutes, while Brett Johnson saw his shot from Danny Jackman's corner cleared off the line by Paul Reid.

The Cobblers had the lead in the closing stages of the first half. Jonathan Hayes was fouled as he broke down the left and that gave Danny Jackman the chance to deliver one of his quality set plays. The inch perfect free kick was met by a powerful header from Mark Hughes at the far post that beat Kuipers.

Tommy Fraser came on for Paul Reid six minutes after the break, before neat play from Poul Hubertz and Danny Jackman created a chance for the big striker. Hubertz fed Jackman out wide and was in the right place to meet his cross, but headed the ball over bar.

Andy Holt then came on for Giles Coke, before David Martot was booked for comments made to the referee.

Jackman's 63rd minute corner was met by Mark Hughes header but the ball bounced down and over the bar. Keeper Kuipers was then booked after an extraordinary spat with one of his own defenders, Adam El-Abd.

Dean Wilkins then made a double change with Jake Robinson and Glenn Murray coming on for Martot and Nathan Elder.

The visitors had the ball in the net on 71 minutes but their celebrations were cut short by an offside flag, while Stuart Gray made his second change as Ian Henderson replaced Joe Burnell.

Bunn made another fine save on 81 minutes, this time from a well struck Dean Cox free kick from the edge of the area.

Ryan Gilligan was booked for dangerous play after a high foot caught Adam El-Abd, before 4 added minutes were indicated on the fourth official's board.

El-Abd was booked himself for a late foul on Hubertz before the final whistle went and the Cobblers had recorded a third straight win with a third successive clean sheet.

COBBLERS MATCH STATS (first half in brackets, match total out of brackets)
SHOTS ON TARGET: (4) 4
SHOTS OFF TARGET: (3) 6
CORNERS: (3) 4
FOULS: (8) 16
CAUGHT OFFSIDE: (0) 1

BRIGHTON MATCH STATS (first half in brackets, match total out of brackets)
SHOTS ON TARGET: (4) 6
SHOTS OFF TARGET: (3) 5
CORNERS: (4) 5
FOULS: (5) 14
CAUGHT OFFSIDE: (1) 5

The above stats are recorded by club staff. The stats shown elsewhere on this page are recorded by the Press Association.

Advertisement
The Northampton Chronicle & Echo, which prints Cobblers Jr every Friday, wants your views on anything to do with Northampton Town Football Club to include in their Fanzone feature. Text your opinion to 07734 717374 or email fans@northantsnews.co.uk