PONTINS HOLIDAY COMBINATION
Tuesday November 13th, 2.00pm
Sixfields

Attendance: 130

Cobblers:  Ademola BANKOLE (trialist), Danny MAY, Brett JOHNSON, Mark HUGHES, Marcin ADAMSKI (trialist), Giles COKE, Sam AISTON, Alex DYER, Greg TAYLOR (sub Sam MAUDE 70), Shaun GOODALL (sub Joe BENJAMIN 65), Daniel JONES
Substitutes not used: Jake SUCKLING, Richie JONES, Nick THOROGOOD

Peterborough United: Shwan JALAL, Callum REED, Daniel BLANCHETT, Peter GAIN, Josh JIRABANDY, Guy BRANSTON, Adam NEWTON, Gavin STRACHAN, Rene HOWE, Jack LYONS (sub Scott GINTY 72), Josh LOW
Substitutes not used: Hakeem ARABA, Billy CROOK, Luke ABRAHAM, James McKEOWN

Referee: Mr M McLAUGHLIN

Booked:
Cobblers: none
Peterborough: none

Sent off:
Cobblers: none
Peterborough: none

The Cobblers reserves were back in action on Tuesday afternoon as they took on Peterborough United in a Pontins Holiday Combination league clash at Sixfields.

Giles Coke started for the Cobblers as he continued his comeback from injury while the fit again Brett Johnson, Alex Dyer and Daniel Jones along with Mark Hughes (suspended for the first team's trip to Crewe this Saturday) and Sam Aiston (back from his loan spell at Burton Albion) were all given a run out.

The Cobblers also included in their side two trialists, goalkeeper Ademola Bankole and Polish defender Marcin Adamski.

Former Cobblers winger Josh Low lined up for Peterborough who also included former Kettering front man Rene Howe in their starting eleven.

On a cold wet afternoon it was Peterborough who took the lead after just four minutes, Josh Low providing the cross for Adam Newton to slot home from six-yards.

Both sides then proceeded to cancel each other out for the next 20 minutes before Rene Howe had an effort which was deflected out for a corner. The Cobblers defence dealt with the flag kick comfortably and the game then settled back down again into a midfield battle with both sides struggling to create chances in the blustery conditions.

Peterborough nearly increased their lead on 35 minutes but Adamola Bankole pulled off a great finger-tip save to deny Posh skipper Peter Gain. At the other end Shaun Goodall tried his luck from 20-yards only to see his half-volley loop just over the cross bar.

Goodall was involved in the action again on 42 minutes when he headed over from a Giles Coke free kick. That proved to be the last action of note in the first half and Peterborough went in at the break 1-0 ahead.

With the hour mark fast approaching some good build up play from the Cobblers saw Sam Aiston's right-wing cross met by Shaun Goodall but unfortunately for Ian Sampson's side the young striker's header was narrowly off-target.

The Cobblers then made their first change on 65 minutes, Joe Benjamin replacing Shaun Goodall.

Just a minute later and it was 1-1, Aiston doing well to rob the ball off a Boro defender before playing in substitute Benjamin who scored with what was his first touch. The goal was almost a carbon copy of Posh's opener. A nice reverse pass from Benjamin then set up Aiston but his shot was saved well by Peterborough keeper Shwan Jalal.

Ian Sampson made his second change on 70 minutes, Sam Maude coming on for Greg Taylor. Peterborough then made their first change with Scott Ginty replacing Jack Lyons.

As the Cobblers continued to press Aiston set up Benjamin but he perhaps delayed just a little too long allowing Jalal to make the save. The lively Aiston then created another opportunity for Benjamin on 76 minutes but his shot went wide. The persistent Benjamin tried again on 79 minutes but Jalal was there to make the save.

Despite half chances at either end in the closing stages the local derby ended with honours even at 1-1.

COBBLERS MATCH STATS
SHOTS ON TARGET:  4
SHOTS OFF TARGET: 4
CORNERS: 3
FOULS:  12
CAUGHT OFFSIDE: 1

PETERBOROUGH MATCH STATS
SHOTS ON TARGET: 2
SHOTS OFF TARGET: 3
CORNERS: 6
FOULS: 7
CAUGHT OFFSIDE: 6