CHECKATRADE TROPHY      
Tuesday November 6th, 7.45pm       
PTS Academy Stadium

NORTHAMPTON TOWN 2
Aaron Pierre 17
Sam Hoskins 20

FULHAM UNDER 21S 0

Attendance: 1,059 (38 away supporters)

Cobblers: Lewis Ward, Hakeem Odoffin, Jordan Turnbull, Aaron Pierre (sub Camron McWilliams 46), David Buchanan, Billy Waters, Shaun McWilliams (sub Sean Whaler 83), Jay Williams, Daniel Powell, Sam Hoskins, Andy Williams (sub Joe Iaciofano 69)
Subs not used: Luke Coddington, Kevin van Veen, Morgan Roberts, Jack Bridge

Fulham under 21s: Taye Ashby-Hammond, Moritz Jenz, Luca De La Torre (sub Rob Atkinson 46), Tyrese Francois, Cameron Thompson, Jaydn Mundle-Smith, Jayden Harris, Steven Sessegnon, Ibrahima Cisse, Aron Davies, Nicolas Santos-Clase (sub Timmy Abraham 62)
Subs not used: Chris Kelly, Ben Davies, Luca Ashby-Hammond, Zico Asare

Referee: John Busby

Booked:
Cobblers: Shaun McWilliams (73), Camron McWilliams (85), Jay Williams (89)
Fulham under 21s: none

Sent off:
Cobblers: none       
Fulham under 21s: none

The group stage of the Checkatrade Trophy came to a conclusion at the PTS Academy Stadium on Tuesday night with the Cobblers knowing a win by two or more goals over Fulham under 21s would guarantee them a place in the knockout stages.

Aaron Pierre almost added to his recent goal tally early on, heading narrowly over from a David Buchanan corner. Jordan Turnbull also saw a shot blocked at close range as the Cobblers looked to make the breakthrough which came on 16 minutes, Aaron Pierre scoring with a powerful header from a Hakeem Odoffin free-kick.

Sam Hoskins quickly doubled the lead, firing a shot past Taye Ashby-Hammond. The Cobblers were looking dangerous with every attack and Billy Waters whipped a shot just wide after a neat interchange with Hoskins. Fulham U21s had one or two half chances but failed to test Lewis Ward in a fairly one-sided first half.

Camron McWilliams came on for the second half, replacing Pierre to make his professional debut. The flow of the game remained the same and a terrific half-volley from Hoskins whistled just wide from 35-yards.

A rising shot from Cameron Thompson was comfortably saved by Ward before Joe Iaciofano came on for Andy Williams. Fulham were starting to pose more of a threat and it needed a good save from Ward to deny Jaydn Mundle-Smith. Shaun McWilliams made way for Sean Whaler in the Cobblers final change as they booked their place in the second round as group runners up. 

COBBLERS MATCH STATS (first half in brackets, match total out of brackets)     
SHOTS ON TARGET: (5) 7  
SHOTS OFF TARGET: (4) 8
CORNERS: (10) 14          
FOULS: (2) 11        
CAUGHT OFFSIDE: (0) 0 

FULHAM UNDER 21S MATCH STATS (first half in brackets, match total out of brackets)       
SHOTS ON TARGET: (0) 2
SHOTS OFF TARGET: (0) 0 
CORNERS: (2) 9
FOULS: (4) 11
CAUGHT OFFSIDE: (1) 4