TOTESPORT.COM COMBINATION
Tuesday March 16th, 2.00pm
Sixfields

SOUTHEND UNITED 0

Attendance: 117

Cobblers: Paul Walker, Josh Urquhart, Charlie Death, Malachi Farquharson, Seb Harris, Joe Cornforth, Courtney Herbert (sub Will Green 76), Michael Jacobs, Steve Guinan (sub Greg Kaziboni 61), Stephen O'Flynn, Gary Mulligan. Substitutes not used: Mark Withers, Mihai Gherasim, Ben Islam

Southend: Daniel Bentley, Adetayo Osifuwa, Teddy Nesbitt, Merrick James Lewis, Jean Yves M'Voto (sub Kane Ferdinand 12), Osei Sankofa (sub Coskun Ekim 38), Marcus Milner, Stuart O'Keefe (sub Alex Woodyard 46), Scott Spencer, Harry Crawford, Julian Okai. Substitutes not used: Duane Ofori Archempong, Luke Chambers.

Referee: Mr J Hopkins

Booked:
Cobblers: none
Southend: none

Sent off:
Cobblers: none
Southend: none

The Cobblers reserves welcomed Southend United to Sixfields on Tuesday afternoon for their first totesport.com combination home fixture since the end of October.

Included in Sean Parrish's side was trialist defender Joe Cornforth while Steve Guinan started his first game following a lengthy lay-off due to a hernia injury.

The Cobblers nearly took the lead in the first minute when with the Southend goalkeeper off his goal-line Stephen O'Flynn tried an audacious effort from just inside the centre-circle but the keeper recovered just in time to tip his effort over the cross bar.

The Cobblers then took the lead on 3 minutes when the hard-working O'Flynn unselfishly squared the ball to the returning Steve Guinan who side-footed home from 12-yards.

With the Cobblers front two looking lively Guinan played in O'Flynn on 7 minutes but the Irishman's fiercely struck effort whistled narrowly wide of the post.

Southend made an early change on 12 minutes with Kane Ferdinand replacing Jean Yves M'Voto.

Courtney Herbert then made a good run down the right but from his resulting cross Guinan couldn't quite guide his effort inside the post.

The lively Herbert then cut inside on 23 minutes before producing a stinging 30-yard drive which was parried by Daniel Bentley. The keeper then recovered quickly to save Gary Mulligan's follow-up header.

Steve Guinan grabbed his and the Cobblers second of the afternoon when on 34 minutes he headed home a perfectly delivered set-piece from Michael Jacobs.

The visitors made their second change on 38 minutes with Coskun Ekim coming on for Osei Sankofa.

Southend's first real effort on goal came after 42 minutes but despite looking destined for the top corner Stuart O'Keefe's free-kick sailed just over the angle of post and bar.

In first-half stoppage time Herbert fired in a shot but Bentley made the save to keep matters at 2-0 going into the break.

Southend made their third and final change at half-time with Alex Woodyard coming on for the aforementioned O'Keefe.

Steve Guinan was involved in the first action of the second half when he connected with a cross from Michael Jacobs but he couldn't quite direct his first-time effort on target.

The Cobblers lead was extended further on 57 minutes when from a short-corner routine Courtney Herbert crossed for the predatory Guinan who stabbed home from close range to complete his hat-trick.

Guinan was then withdrawn from the action on 61 minutes with Sean Parrish bringing on Greg Kaziboni.

Stephen O'Flynn slotted home the Cobblers fourth goal on 65 minutes, the striker reacting quickly to turn home a low cross from Jacobs.

The Cobblers made their second change on 76 minutes with will Green introduced in the place of Courtney Herbert.

The Cobblers saw the rest of the game out in relative comfort to secure an easy victory.

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

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