MOLONEY COULD MAKE INSTANT RETURN FROM KNEE INJURY
Right-back could return against Blackpool
27 October 2017
Brendan Moloney could return to the Cobblers squad for the visit of Blackpool on Saturday (2pm kick off) after missing the game at Gillingham with a knee injury.
Alex Revell is back in contention after completing a three-game ban following his sending off against Bristol Rovers.
Lewis McGugan (toe) has been passed fit for Saturday's game while Matt Crooks (knee), Leon Barnett (Achilles) and Aaron Phillips (thigh) are all making good progress.
“Brendan is back running and we are hoping he will be fine for Saturday,” said boss Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink.
“He had a lot of fluid in his knee last weekend but the scan came back fine and there is no damage to the knee.
“Brendan is a player we have to manage but he played ten games in a row because I haven’t had another option. I have that now though with Shaun McWilliams and I thought he came in and did a magnificent job at Gillingham.
“Matt Crooks and Aaron Phillips are running again and they are both heading in the right direction.
“Lewis McGugan had a toe problem but he will be back for Saturday and Leon Barnett will hopefully be out of his boot and back out on the grass next week.
“John-Joe O'Toole is fine and he was only ever going to play 60 minutes at Gillingham.
“We’ve trained him hard in the last few weeks and he’s ahead of schedule but nothing phases him and we needed that kind of character in the game last Saturday. We know if we can get him 100% right as quickly as possible he can be dangerous in both boxes and we need people like that.”
SKY BET LEAGUE 1 Saturday October 28th, 2.00pm Sixfields
NORTHAMPTON TOWN 1 Sam Hoskins 20
BLACKPOOL 0
Attendance: 5,213 (371 away supporters)
Cobblers: Matt Ingram, Shaun McWilliams, David Buchanan, Ash Taylor, Aaron Pierre, Regan Poole, Matt Grimes, Daniel Powell, John-Joe O’Toole (sub Dean Bowditch 79), Sam Hoskins (sub Billy Waters 86), Chris Long (sub Marc Richards 75) Subs not used: David Cornell, Yaser Kasim, Lewis McGugan, George Smith
Blackpool: Ryan Allsop, Kelvin Mellor, Will Aimson, Armand Gnanduillet (sub Danny Philliskirk 46), Sean Longstaff (sub Viv Solomon-Otabor 58), Curtis Tilt, Ollie Turton, Colin Daniel (sub Andy Taylor 13), Callum Cooke, Nathan Delfouneso, Jay Spearing Subs not used: Ben Williams, Nick Anderton, Sessi D’Almeida, Scott Quigley
Referee: Mr John Busby
Booked: Cobblers: Matt Grimes (66, 4th of the season), Regan Poole (80, 1st), Dean Bowditch (90, 2nd) Blackpool: Callum Cooke (59), Curtis Tilt (90)
5 cautions on or before 19 games; 1 match suspension 10 cautions on or before 32 games; 2 match suspension 15 cautions at any time in season; 3 match suspension
Sent off: Cobblers: none Blackpool: none
Sendings off: 2 cautions in one game; 1 match suspension but cautions do not count towards above totals. Other sendings off; 1 or 3 match suspension. Extra match ban for additional sendings off.
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink named an unchanged team for the visit of Blackpool, keeping faith with the side that started the previous fixture, a 2-1 win at Gillingham. Lewis McGugan, back from a minor toe injury, replaced Sam Foley (ill) on the bench. The game kicked off at 2pm to avoid a direct clash with the Northampton Saints.
Ryan Allsop made a good early save to deny Daniel Powell before Armand Gnanduillet had a chance to put Blackpool in front, but could only find the side netting in a lively opening few minutes. The game then settled down somewhat with Blackpool forced into making an early change when Andy Taylor replaced Colin Daniel.
Chris Long couldn’t quite convert from an acute angle on 18 minutes but it wasn’t long before the deadlock was broken, Sam Hoskins with a terrific flicked finish into the bottom right corner, diverting Matt Grimes initial effort. The goal was an historic one, the 750th league goal scored by the Cobblers at Sixfields.
Will Aimson made a vital interception to prevent Long going through one-on-one with Allsop and the on-loan Burnley striker also shot wide as the Cobblers looked to double their lead before half-time, Grimes also going close with a free-kick that curled just over the bar.
A goal line clearance from Aaron Pierre denied half-time substitute Danny Philliskirk in a strong start to the second half from Blackpool, David Buchanan also making a vital block to prevent a shot on the Cobblers goal. Matt Grimes meanwhile fired over from the edge of the area as the Cobblers continued to pose a threat going forward in search of a second goal.
Marc Richards came on to make his 200th appearance for the club, replacing Chris Long in the Cobblers first change of the afternoon. John-Joe O’Toole then made way for Dean Bowditch with just over ten minutes to play.
Hoskins had a good chance to make it 2-0 but shot wide, some good link-up play involving Grimes and Powell having created the opportunity. There was still danger for the home side though and Pierre made a great tackle on the edge of the area to deny Kelvin Mellor.
The Cobblers navigated their way through four minutes of stoppage time without incident to claim the three points and make it back-to-back victories and three games unbeaten.
COBBLERS MATCH STATS (first half in brackets, match total out of brackets) SHOTS ON TARGET: (3) 4 SHOTS OFF TARGET: (3) 5 CORNERS: (3) 4 FOULS: (6) 13 CAUGHT OFFSIDE: (1) 3
BLACKPOOL MATCH STATS (first half in brackets, match total out of brackets) SHOTS ON TARGET: (0) 1 SHOTS OFF TARGET: (5) 6 CORNERS: (2) 4 FOULS: (6) 13 CAUGHT OFFSIDE: (1) 2
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Tickets for Saturday's game against Blackpool at Sixfields (2pm kick off) are now on sale from the ticket office and www.ntfcdirect.co.uk
Matchday tickets are priced as follows, the prices shown in brackets are the matchday prices, a £2 discount on the matchday prices can be secured by buying tickets in advance of matchday:
All Stands, the East Stand includes the Mick George Family Area Adult £22 (£24) Senior £18 (£20) Under 21s £18 (not available on a matchday) Under 18s £10 (£12) Under 7s FREE
Proof of age may be required.
Disabled supporters will pay the appropriate age category price, with a free carer ticket available for those who qualify.
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