JOHNSTONE'S PAINT TROPHY
Tuesday September 1st, 7pm
Adams Park

WYCOMBE WANDERERS 2
Jean-Paul Pittman 62 pen, 90

Attendance: 1,035 (Wycombe did not confirm the number of Cobblers fans in attendance)

Wycombe: Jamie Young, Craig Woodman (sub Joe Cobb 46), Leon Johnson, Chris Westwood, Adam Smith, Ian Westlake, Jon-Paul Pittman, Marlon Pack, Stuart Beavon (sub Ashley Chambers 35), Lewis Montrose, Matt Phillips (sub Lewwis Spence 71). Subs not used: Scott Shearer, Luke Oliver.

Cobblers: Chris Dunn, Craig Hinton, Robbie Threlfall, Chris McCready, Dean Beckwith, Ben Marshall (sub Joe Benjamin 73), Ryan Gilligan, Abdul Osman, Luke Boden (sub Alex Dyer 73), Andy Holt, Gary Mulligan (sub Steve Guinan 80). Subs not used: Paul Walker, Paul Rodgers.

Referee: Mr G Sutton

Booked:
Wycombe: Leon Johnson (39), Matt Phillips (66)
Cobblers: none

5 cautions on or before 28 February; 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:
Wycombe: none
Cobblers: 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 travelled to Wycombe Wanderers for this first round tie in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy. Gary Mulligan and Robbie Threlfall made their first starts for the club, replacing Paul Rodgers and Steve Guinan. Abdul Osman returned to the side in place of the absent Billy McKay.

The surface at Adams Park was very greasy following several heavy pre-match showers which had cleared just in time for the early 7pm kick-off. It wasn't until the 11th minute that either goal was seriously threatened, Jon-Paul Pittman managed to race clear of the Cobblers defence, but Chris Dunn read the situation very well and managed to get a good block at the strikers feet to clear the ball away to safety.

Wycombe were starting to get the better of the opening exchanges, and Ian Westlake should probably have done better with his side footed volley on 21 minutes, which went comfortably wide of the far post.

A good passing move from the Cobblers on 30 minutes looked to have given Robbie Threlfall a shooting opportunity, but a crude push by Pittman gave away a free-kick 25 yards from goal. The ball was rolled to Ryan Gilligan, but his powerful drive was just too high.

The home side made an enforced substitution on 35 minutes as the lively Stuart Beavon appeared to pick up a hamstring injury and was replaced by Ashley Chambers.

It was the Cobblers who drew first blood on 40 minutes, when Ryan Gilligan converted from the penalty spot for the second consecutive match. A great deep cross from Threlfall was met by the head of Ben Marshall, but the referee was well placed to notice that Leon Johnson had pushed him as he made contact with the ball and awarded the spot kick. That goal gave the Cobblers a slender lead as the referee brought an end to the first period.

The Chairboys made a change at the break with Craig Woodman being replaced by Joe Cobb.

The home side came at the Cobblers and enjoyed the lion's share of possession for the first 15 minutes after the restart, but the defence held firm until a harsh penalty was given for handball against Dean Beckwith, the ball being hit at him from close range. Jean-Paul Pittman took the spot kick and smashed home to equalise.

Matt Phillips picked up a 66th minute caution after a foul on Boden.

Wycombe made their final substitution on 71 minutes as Lewwis Spence came on for Matt Phillips. On 73 minutes the Cobblers made a double change with Joe Benjamin and Alex Dyer replacing Ben Marshall and Luke Boden respectively. Stuart Gray made his final swap on 80 minutes as the hard working Gary Mulligan was given a breather and Steve Guinan introduced in the Cobblers attack.

It was the experienced Guinan who regained the lead for the Cobblers on 86 minutes, Alex Dyer initially made a superb interception and released Joe Benjamin who travelled into the Wanderers half and tried his luck from 25 yards, his effort ricocheted off a covering defender and Steve Guinan was well placed to slot home past Jamie Young from 12 yards.

Just as it looked as though penalties had been avoided, from Wycombe's 10th corner Ian Westlake managed to get the ball back into the danger area and Pittman was on hand at close range to grab his second equaliser of the night and take the game to a shoot out.

Ian Westlake (Wycombe Wanderers) saved 0-0
Ryan Gilligan (Northampton Town) scored 0-1
Ashley Chambers (Wycombe Wanderers) saved 0-1
Steve Guinan (Northampton Town) scored 0-2
Leon Johnson (Wycombe Wanderers) missed 0-2
Abdul Osman (Northampton Town) scored 0-3
Northampton Town win 3-0 on penalties

WYCOMBE MATCH STATS (first half in brackets, match total out of brackets)
SHOTS ON TARGET: (2) 4
SHOTS OFF TARGET: (3) 6
CORNERS: (4) 10
FOULS: (10) 11
CAUGHT OFFSIDE: (0) 1

COBBLERS MATCH STATS (first half in brackets, match total out of brackets)
SHOTS ON TARGET: (1) 4
SHOTS OFF TARGET: (3) 6
CORNERS: (2) 6
FOULS: (7) 14
CAUGHT OFFSIDE: (2) 3

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

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