SKY BET LEAGUE 2      
Saturday August 24th, 3.00pm      
JobServe Community Stadium

COLCHESTER UNITED 1
Luke Norris (pen) 66'

NORTHAMPTON TOWN 0

Attendance: 3,164 (428 away)

Colchester: Dean Gerken, Ryan Jackson, Luke Prosser, Courtney Senior, (Paris Cowan-Hall 83') Luke Norris, Jevani Brown (Luke Gambin 57'), Brandon Comley, Tom Eastman, Ryan Clampin, Ben Stevenson (Cameron James 88'), Frank Nouble.
Subs not used: Ethan Ross, Omar Sowumni, Noah Chilvers, Kwame Poku.
 
Cobblers: David Cornell, Shaun McWilliams, Charlie Goode (Capt.), Jordan Turnbull, Joe Bunney, Nicky Adams, Ryan Watson, Chris Lines (Scott Pollock 89'), Sam Hoskins, Vadaine Oliver (Billy Waters 62'), Andy Williams (Harry Smith 73').
Subs not used: Andrew Fisher, Jay Williams, Morgan Roberts, Matty Warburton.

Referee: Ollie Yates

Booked:
Colchester: none
Cobblers: Chris Lines (33', 2nd of the season), Joe Bunney (36', 2nd of the season).

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:
Colchester: none      
Cobblers: 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.

It was a glorious sunny afternoon in Essex as the Cobblers made the trip to Colchester United. Vadaine Oliver came into the side to make his first start for the club, replacing Scott Wharton who picked up a knock in the midweek win at Swindon.

The change meant a switch in formation with Oliver partnering Andy Williams in attack, Jordan Turnbull moving back into the defence. Goalkeeper Andrew Fisher was named on the bench 24 hours after joining on-loan from Blackburn Rovers as cover for the injured Steve Arnold.

Dean Gerken saved from Sam Hoskins in the first sight at goal for either side, the U’s keeper forced to parry after Hoskins let fly from 25-yards. A vital headed interception from Tom Eastman prevented Nicky Adams cross finding a well-placed Williams in front of goal before Oliver went agonisingly close to opening the scoring, his header from Hoskins cross cleared off the line.

Luke Norris curled a free-kick over the bar for the home side while from another set-piece the one-time Cobblers loanee went close with a header. The home side were growing into the contest and David Cornell was called into action to turn behind a shot from Ben Stevenson.

Charlie Goode and Joe Bunney combined to deny Frank Nouble early in the second half with Cornell out quickly to smother Courtney Senior’s follow-up effort. On a hot afternoon the game was starting to open up, Gerken saving a looping header from Ryan Watson and Goode making another important block as play quickly switched ends.

Another good save from Cornell was needed to deny U’s substitute Luke Gambin while a dipping effort from Watson went narrowly over the bar as Billy Waters came on for Oliver in the Cobblers first change.

Gambin was once again thwarted by another fine save from Cornell but from the subsequent corner the home side were awarded a penalty which Luke Norris converted to put the home side in front.

A first-time volley from Bunney flew just over the bar before Williams was replaced by Harry Smith. A diving save from Gerken was needed to turn behind a low shot from Adams and Hoskins had a shot deflected over as the Cobblers enjoyed a spell of pressure in search of an equaliser.

Scott Pollock came on for Chris Lines with stoppage time fast approaching but despite their best efforts, Pollock going close with a shot over the bar, the Cobblers couldn’t force an equaliser and Colchester held on to claim the three points.

COLCHESTER MATCH STATS (first half in brackets, match total out of brackets)     
SHOTS ON TARGET: (2) 9
SHOTS OFF TARGET: (4) 7
CORNERS: (3) 8       
FOULS: (4) 12        
CAUGHT OFFSIDE: (3) 4

COBBLERS MATCH STATS (first half in brackets, match total out of brackets)      
SHOTS ON TARGET: (2) 8 
SHOTS OFF TARGET: (1) 6
CORNERS: (0) 7
FOULS: (9) 11
CAUGHT OFFSIDE: (0) 0