JUSTIN EDINBURGH LOOKING FORWARD TO SIXFIELDS OPENER

Cobblers boss looks ahead to first home game of the season

10 August 2017

Cobblers boss Justin Edinburgh is looking forward to the visit of Fleetwood Town on Saturday, a game he says is important for his side.

“It’s a big game and we want to get off the mark,” he said.

“We feel it's coming and I’ve got every confidence in the players to deliver.

“A lot of these players came in at different times and it will take a little bit of time but I’m sure that there are lots of good performances and good results to come from this group.

“We played with a lot more intensity on Tuesday night, we asked for an uplift in performance and we certainly got that. Defensively we have been solid in both games but with the ball we looked a lot brighter against QPR, we attacked with a purpose and had a lot of energy about us. It was disappointing not to get a goal and a result but in possession of the ball it was a much improved performance.

“Fleetwood had an excellent season last year and I’m sure they will be looking to continue that this campaign, Uwe Rosler is a big character and we look forward to testing ourselves against a team who will consider themselves one of the favourites for promotion.

“We need to continue the good work from Tuesday and we want to get our first goals and points on the board.”

Match Reports

NORTHAMPTON TOWN 0 FLEETWOOD TOWN 1

Northampton Town 0 Fleetwood Town 1 - the match report

12 August 2017

SKY BET LEAGUE 1
Saturday August 12th, 3.00pm
Sixfields

NORTHAMPTON TOWN 0

FLEETWOOD TOWN 1
Devante Cole 75

Attendance: 5,124 (103 away fans)

Cobblers: David Cornell, Regan Poole (sub Marc Richards 90), Ash Taylor, Aaron Pierre, Aaron Phillips (sub Brendan Moloney 74), David Buchanan, Matt Crooks, Yaser Kasim (sub Shaun McWilliams 74), Chris Long, Billy Waters, Alex Revell
Subs: James Goff, Matt Taylor, Dean Bowditch, Leon Lobjoit

Fleetwood: Alex Cairns, Lewie Coyle, Amari’i Bell, Ashley Eastham, Nathan Pond, Jordy Hiwula (sub Devante Cole 67), Kyle Dempsey, Conor McAleny (sub Wes Burns 35), Bobby Grant, Cian Bolger, George Glendon (sub Aiden O'Neill 46)
Subs: Chris Neal, Godswill Ekpolo, Markus Schwabl, Ashley Nadesan

Referee: Mr Brett Huxtable

Booked:
Cobblers: none
Fleetwood: Ashley Eastham (65), Aiden O'Neill (79)

Sent off:
Cobblers: none
Fleetwood: none

Northampton Town played their first home league game of the 2017/18 by welcoming last season’s play off beaten semi finalists Fleetwood Town to Sixfields. Boss Justin Edinburgh made one change to the side that was edged out of the Carabao Cup by Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Road in midweek, Regan Poole replacing the suspended Leon Barnett. The fit again Shaun McWilliams and Brendan Moloney were named among the substitutes.

The visitors began the game on the front foot, and David Cornell made a smart third minute save to keep out a Cian Bolger header from a corner. Jordy Hiwula then broke from midfield and the Cobblers keeper made another good stop, diving away to his left.

The Cobblers threatened the Fleetwood goal on 11 minutes, a Yaser Kasim free kick was deflected behind for a corner with Ash Taylor heading the resulting flag kick just over.

Kasim was involved again on 19 minutes, feeding Chris Long who tried his luck from an acute angle but keeper Alex Cairns turned the ball wide. From that corner, Regan Poole delivered a cross that Aaron Pierre volleyed powerfully just over the bar.

Kyle Dempsey was just off target with a low 33rd minute drive for the visitors, while a few minutes later Yaser Kasim curled a free kick over the bar.

The Cobblers could not believe they didn’t have the lead a minute before the break. A Billy Waters header from an Aaron Phillips cross was blocked on the line before Aaron Pierre was brilliantly denied three times by keeper Cairns from close range.

Alex Revell sent a 63rd minute drive over the bar for the Cobblers, while nine minutes later Chris Long cut in well from the right touchline but curled his shot wide.

The visitors had the lead with their first effort on target of the second half, Devante Cole keeping his cool when through to give Cornell no chance in the Cobblers goal.

Although the Cobblers saw plenty of the ball in the closing stages, the Fleetwood defence held firm to secure all three points.

COBBLERS MATCH STATS (first half in brackets, match total out of brackets)
SHOTS ON TARGET: (8) 8
SHOTS OFF TARGET: (5) 7
CORNERS: (6) 6
FOULS: (3) 8
CAUGHT OFFSIDE: (1) 4

FLEETWOOD MATCH STATS (first half in brackets, match total out of brackets)
SHOTS ON TARGET: (3) 4
SHOTS OFF TARGET: (4) 6
CORNERS: (2) 4
FOULS: (5) 10
CAUGHT OFFSIDE: (1) 1

Match Reports

Ticket News

PLEASE ALLOW PLENTY OF TIME FOR ADMISSION ON SATURDAY, 100% SEARCH POLICY IN OPERATION

Ticket details for the visit of Fleetwood Town

11 August 2017

Northampton Town play their opening home league game of the season against Fleetwood Town on Saturday.

Tickets for the game will be on sale on arrival. If paying by cash please visit the ticket point opposite the main entrance, if paying by card please visit the main ticket office.

If collecting pre-ordered match tickets, please visit the ticket point opposite the main entrance, if collecting season tickets please visit the main ticket office.

Please note that tickets for forthcoming games and season tickets are still on sale, but for the hour before kick off the ticket office will be selling Fleetwood Town match tickets only.

Remember, you can beat the queues by buying match tickets via ntfcdirect.co.uk and printing your tickets at home!

As part of increased security measures, a 100% search policy will be in operation. Because of this, supporters are advised to arrive as early as possible. Turnstiles will be open from the earlier time of 12.30pm.

Three points isn't the only priority on Saturday, making sure everyone goes home safe is the most important result.

Northampton Town have been working closely with the police and the EFL, over the summer, to review security at Sixfields. Now we are asking you to do your bit.

Following the dreadful Manchester Arena bombing in May, stadium managers from clubs have been briefed by counter terrorism police.

It is vital that everyone - players, staff and supporters - remain vigilant and report any concerns to stewards or police.

Attacks might be rare, and the chance of you being caught up in one unlikely, but the message is #ActionCountersTerrorism.

Here's a quick reminder of what you can do to help keep yourself and others safe:
• Arrive early, allowing more time for security checks
• Minimise what you carry, fewer bag searches will speed up entry to the ground
• Be vigilant at all times and if you see anything suspicious, tell a steward right away
• If you see anything that could pose an immediate threat to safety, call 999
• In an emergency, listen to the Public Address instructions and follow them
• If told to evacuate, do so immediately, do not wait around to film events on your mobile
• Move right away from the stadium as quickly as possible for your safety and to allow clear access for any emergency vehicles
• Once you are safe, follow Northamptonshire Police on Twitter for updates

Ticket News

Northampton Town Football Club

Standings

JUSTIN EDINBURGH LOOKING FORWARD TO SIXFIELDS OPENER

NORTHAMPTON TOWN 0 FLEETWOOD TOWN 1

PLEASE ALLOW PLENTY OF TIME FOR ADMISSION ON SATURDAY, 100% SEARCH POLICY IN OPERATION

TICKETS ON SALE FOR SATURDAY'S VISIT FROM FLEETWOOD