TOTESPORT.COM COMBINATION
Tuesday April 14th, 2.00pm
Sixfields

Attendance: 126

Cobblers: Paul WALKER, Greg TAYLOR, Luke CRAY, Alex DYER, Paul RODGERS, Liam DOLMAN, Michael JACOBS, Abdul OSMAN, Aleksandar PRIJOVIC (sub Liam RUDDICK 79), Ikechi ANYA (sub Tom McBRIDE 63), Joe BENJAMIN 
Substitutes not used: Josh URQUHART

Watford: Stuart SEARLE, Lee HODSON, Matthew SADLER (sub Louis LAVERS 46), Kurtney BROOKS, Jordan PARKES, Eddie OSHODI, Michael BRYAN, Cole PENNY (sub Piero MINGOIA 73), Liam HENDERSON, Lewis YOUNG, Matthew WINCHELOW
Substitutes not used: Fabrice OTSHUDI, Jonathan NORTH, Theo ANGUS

Referee: Mr S Beck

Booked:
Cobblers: Greg TAYLOR (34), Tom McBRIDE (79)
Watford: Eddie OSHODI (16), Matthew WINCHELOW (23) 

Sent off:
Cobblers: none
Watford: none

The Cobblers reserves welcomed Watford to Sixfields on Tuesday afternoon for their penultimate fixture in this season's totesport.com combination.

Ikechi Anya, Abdul Osman and Aleksandar Prijovic were all included in Ian Sampson's side while former Cobblers defender Sean Dyche was among the visitors coaching staff.

The first chance of the game fell to Matthew Winchelow after just 5 minutes but his curled effort from 20-yards went over the cross bar. Joe Benjamin then created an opportunity for Ikechi Anya on 10 minutes but his shot on the turn was well saved by Stuart Searle.

As play quickly switched to the other end Lewis Young played in Liam Henderson but Paul Walker, at full stretch, pulled off a fine save. Eddie Oshodi was the first player to enter the referee's notebook following a foul on Anya.

Michael Jacobs headed just wide from a Luke Cray cross on 20 minutes before at the other end Michael Winchelow was booked for diving in the Cobblers penalty area. Watford took the lead on 28 minutes, Lewis Young's corner powerfully headed home by Eddie Oshodi.

Lewis Young then doubled Watford's lead from the penalty spot on 36 minutes after Paul Rodgers was penalised for holding a Watford player inside the area. An incisive run from Joe Benjamin on 41 minutes set up a chance for Anya but he pulled his shot just wide of the post.

Watford made a change at half-time with Louis Lavers coming on for ex-Cobblers loanee Matthew Saddler.

Alex Dyer burst into the penalty area on 58 minutes but his fiercely-struck effort was well saved by Searle. From the resulting corner Anya rose highest but his header was cleared off the goal-line. Ian Sampson then made his first change on 63 minutes with Tom McBride replacing Anya.

Aleksandar Prijovic came close to pulling a goal back on 71 minutes but his shot was superbly tipped round the post by Searle.

Watford made their second change with Piero Mingoia coming on for Cole Penny. Joe Benjamin then did well to hold off the attentions of two Watford defenders before his low effort was well held by Searle. The Cobblers second change came on 79 minutes, Liam Ruddick replacing Prijovic. Joe Benjamin found himself in space on 81 minutes following a good run into the penalty area but his curled effort drifted just wide of the far post.

The Cobblers pulled a goal back on 86 minutes, Tom McBride tapping the ball home into an empty net following some good work in the penalty area. The home side couldn't muster a late equaliser though and Watford held on to secure a 2-1 victory.

COBBLERS MATCH STATS (first half in brackets, match total out of brackets)
SHOTS ON TARGET: (3) 10
SHOTS OFF TARGET: (4) 8
CORNERS: (6) 11
FOULS: (10) 18
CAUGHT OFFSIDE: (1) 2

WATFORD MATCH STATS (first half in brackets, match total out of brackets)
SHOTS ON TARGET: (3) 3
SHOTS OFF TARGET: (1) 2
CORNERS: (2) 2
FOULS: (7) 10
CAUGHT OFFSIDE: (0) 1