TRIO SET TO MAKE FIRST APPEARANCES IN FRIDAY'S FRIENDLY
Ash Taylor, Regan Poole and Yaser Kasim all set to play on Friday
14 July 2017
Having sat out the pre-season opener at Sileby Rangers last week, Regan Poole, Ash Taylor and Yaser Kasim are all expected to feature against the Birmingham City Development Squad at Oliva Nova in Spain on Friday evening.
“All of the new players have integrated into the squad really well this week and it will be good for the players who didn’t play against Sileby to get 45 minutes under their belt," said Cobblers boss Justin Edinburgh.
“Regardless of the result we want to finish the week on a high. Hopefully we will get through the game without picking up any injuries and then we look forward to getting back home.
“The games start to come thick and fast when we get back and we will continue to build up the minutes to ensure that everyone is in tip top shape ready for the first game of the season."
Speaking about Sam Hoskins, Edinburgh added:
“It’s been great to have Sammy back in amongst the group.
“He’s done a lot of work on his own over the last six months and it’s been great to have him back involved.
“He’s made great progress and it will be great to have him with the group again.”
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BIRMINGHAM CITY DEVELOPMENT SQUAD 1 NORTHAMPTON TOWN 4
Birmingham City Development Squad 1 Northampton Town 4 - the match report
14 July 2017
PRE-SEASON FRIENDLY Friday July 14th, 6.30pm Oliva Nova
BIRMINGHAM CITY DEVELOPMENT SQUAD 1 22 mins
NORTHAMPTON TOWN4 Alex Revell 7 Billy Waters 55 Marc Richards 77 Dean Bowditch 89
Cobblers first half: David Cornell, Brendan Moloney, Regan Poole, Ash Taylor, David Buchanan, John-Joe O'Toole, Shaun McWilliams, Sam Foley, Leon Lobjoit, Alex Revell, Daniel Powell
Cobblers second half: James Goff, Aaron Phillips, Leon Barnett, Shaun McWilliams, George Smith, Matt Taylor, Yaser Kasim, Dean Bowditch, Joe Iaciofano, Marc Richards, Billy Waters
Booked: Birmingham: none Cobblers: none
Sent off: Birmingham: none Cobblers: none
Northampton Town rounded off their pre-season week in Spain by taking on the Birmingham City Development Squad in a friendly at the Oliva Nova complex on Friday evening.
In warm conditions, and backed by a band of supporters who had made the trip to Spain, the Cobblers XI that began the game included recent signings Ash Taylor and Regan Poole.
Fellow new arrival Daniel Powell had the first opportunity, but after working his opening well the keeper produced a good save. The Cobblers had the lead shortly afterwards however, thanks to a cool finish from Alex Revell. Powell was involved again, his through ball on the right released Moloney who pulled the ball back for the on-rushing Revell to score from close range.
16 minutes in and Revell nearly added to that lead. Excellent work from Leon Lobjoit saw him deliver a cross for the Cobblers number 10 but Revell’s header struck the bar and bounced to safety.
The Birmingham City side levelled as the first half reached the half way mark - a right footed curling effort from the left side of the box went in off the far-post.
Revell was a constant threat for the Cobblers and he was close again seven minutes before the break. Powell saw a shot well saved and the ball almost came back for Revell but the Birmingham defence managed to clear.
Powell was another causing regular headaches for the Birmingham defence, and he had a fine 41st minute finish ruled out by an offside flag,
Justin Edinburgh made ten changes at the break, and the Cobblers retook the lead ten minutes into the second half. Matt Taylor's free-kick was blocked but Billy Waters reacted quickest and rifled the ball into the bottom corner.
Joe Iaciofano had the ball in the net on the hour mark but the goal was ruled out for a nudge on the keeper, while five minutes later Marc Richards was denied by the woodwork.
Dean Bowditch sent a 75th minute volley wide of the post but two minutes later the Cobblers did extend their lead. A quick break was led by Waters who in turn played in Marc Richards and the Cobblers skipper made no mistake from the right side of the area.
The Cobblers rounded off the scoring with a minute to play. Richards won a header at the back post, sending the ball back for Dean Bowditch to nod home from close range.
The Cobblers had dominated the possession, particularly in the second half, to record their second victory of pre-season. The squad return to England on Saturday and are next in action at Frome Town on Tuesday night in a special game in memory of Tom Clark to support the SpecialEffect charity.
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