KEITH CURLE - 'THE MORE WHO GET ON BOARD THE WAVE, THE LONGER WE CAN RIDE IT'
The Cobblers boss looks ahead to Saturday's game
11 October 2018
Cobblers boss Keith Curle says that while he is encouraged by recent performance, there is still plenty to work on ahead of Saturday’s home game against unbeaten Forest Green Rovers, kick-off 2pm.
“We did the basics right at Oxford but winning one game doesn’t mean there is a platform in place and we are still laying down the foundations,” he said.
“There is a framework in place but we still need to earn the right to play the free flowing attacking football that we want.
“We are still putting the building blocks in place and once we have done that we can become a little more introcate.
“We want the supporters to be a part of what we are trying to do and hopefully they will enjoy coming on board with us.
“We want to include them on the journey we’re on and the more people who get on board the wave then the longer you can ride it.”
Daniel Powell is meanwhile to be assessed ahead of Saturday’s game after being forced off against Oxford United in the second half on Tuesday. Leon Barnett, Ash Taylor and Junior Morias remain unavailable for selection.
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Northampton Town 2 Forest Green Rovers 1 - the match report
13 October 2018
SKY BET LEAGUE 2 Saturday October 13th, 2.00pm PTS Academy Stadium
NORTHAMPTON TOWN 2 Aaron Pierre 63 Andy Williams 90
FOREST GREEN ROVERS 1 Reuben Reid 44
Attendance: 5,073 (234 away supporters)
Cobblers: David Cornell, Billy Waters (sub Daniel Powell 90), Shay Facey, Jordan Turnbull, Aaron Pierre, David Buchanan (sub Jack Bridge 78), Sam Foley, John-Joe O’Toole, Matt Crooks (sub Kevin van Veen 57), Andy Williams, Sam Hoskins Subs not used: Lewis Ward, Shaun McWilliams, Dean Bowditch, Hakeem Odoffin
Forest Green: Robert Sanchez, Liam Shephard, Lloyd James (sub Isaac Pearce 77), Farrend Rawson, Carl Winchester, Dayle Grubb, Reece Brown (sub George Williams 66), Nathan McGinley, Paul Digby, Joseph Mills, Reuben Reid (sub Gavin Gunning 66) Subs not used: Lee Collins, James Montgomery, Theo Archibald, Matt Worthington
Referee: Ollie Yates
Booked: Cobblers: Matt Crooks (54, 5th of the season, misses MK Dons), John-Joe O'Toole (72, 3rd), Sam Hoskins (86, 3rd), Kevin van Veen (90, 3rd) Forest Green: Robert Sanchez (60), Liam Shephard (90), Farrend Rawson (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 Forest Green: 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.
Billy Waters replaced Shaun McWilliams in the only change to the side that started in the previous league game at Swindon Town. Former Cobblers defender Lee Collins was named on the bench for Forest Green Rovers, who came to the PTS Academy Stadium unbeaten in 2018/19. The game kicked off at the earlier time of 2pm in order to avoid a direct clash with the Northampton Saints. A strong wind made conditions far from ideal for either side as the game got underway.
Matt Crooks headed wide from an early David Buchanan cross in a quick start from the hosts while David Cornell had to be at full-stretch in order to keep out an effort from Dayle Grubb in an early sight at goal for Rovers.
Robert Sanchez saved from Waters following a well-worked free-kick and a cross from Andy Williams just evaded Sam Hoskins in the box in a promising Cobblers move. Cornell made a second good save of the afternoon, this time to deny Lloyd James, before Waters fired over from 15-yards.
An accidental clash of heads between Matt Crooks and Forest Green centre-back Farrend Rawson led to a lengthy stoppage with Crooks coming off worse. The Cobblers midfielder was however able to continue after recieving treatment.
Grubb sent in a shot that kissed the top of the bar but that only proved to be a temporary reprieve for the Cobblers as Forest Green took the lead just before half-time, Reuben Reid racing through to score, the goal given despite appeals for an off-side flag.
Kevin van Veen came on for Crooks twelve minutes into the second half, Crooks having picked up his fifth booking of the season encurring a one-match ban as a result.
Sanchez made a good stop to turn behind a fierce drive from Sam Foley as the Cobblers upped the tempo in search of an equaliser.
That equaliser came in the shape of an Aaron Pierre header, his second goal in as many games coming from a Buchanan corner knocked back by Jordan Turnbull.
The Cobblers were now unquestionably in the ascendancy, Waters seeing a shot deflected behind and Turnbull heading just over from another corner. Hoskins then had a low free-kick well saved by Sanchez with Rovers somehow surviving the subsequent melay in the penalty area.
Daniel Powell came on for Waters in stoppage time as Keith Curle made his third and final change, Jack Bridge having earlier replaced Buchanan. Hoskins curled a shot agonisingly wide as the Cobblers continued to push hard for a winner which duly came deep into injury time, Andy Williams keeping his cool to finish van Veen’s excellent lay-off.
COBBLERS MATCH STATS (first half in brackets, match total out of brackets) SHOTS ON TARGET: (1) 7 SHOTS OFF TARGET: (2) 6 CORNERS: (1) 7 FOULS: (5) 14 CAUGHT OFFSIDE: (3) 4
FOREST GREEN MATCH STATS (first half in brackets, match total out of brackets) SHOTS ON TARGET: (5) 6 SHOTS OFF TARGET: (5) 5 CORNERS: (2) 2 FOULS: (5) 10 CAUGHT OFFSIDE: (1) 2
SCRATCH CARD GOAL TIMES: 43:04, 62:07, ET2
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Tickets for Saturday's game against Forest Green Rovers at the PTS Academy Stadium (2.00pm kick off) are now on sale from the ticket office and 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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