PAPA JOHN'S TROPHY   
Tuesday November 17th, 7.00pm      
PTS Academy Stadium

NORTHAMPTON TOWN 0

STEVENAGE 0

Cobblers: Jonathan Mitchell, Fraser Horsfall, Cian Bolger, Alan Sheehan, Michael Harriman, Jack Sowerby, Ryan Watson (sub Shaun McWilliams 56), Nicky Adams, Ricky Holmes (sub Chris Lines 60), Benny Ashley-Seal (sub Caleb Chukwuemeka 60), Danny Rose
Subs not used: Steve Arnold, Christopher Missilou, Mark Marshall, Morgan Roberts

Stevenage: Jamie Cumming, Luke Prosser, Tyrone Marsh, Remeao Hutton, Terence Vancooten (sub Arthur Read 85), Arthur Iontton, Elliott List (sub Charlie Carter 70), Femi Akinwande, Marcus Dinanga (sub Danny Newton 70), Jack Smith, Ross Marshall
Subs not used: Scott Cuthbert, Inih Effiong, Billy Johnson, Aramide Oteh

Referee: Christopher Sarginson

Booked:
Cobblers: none 
Stevenage: Arthur Iontton (60)

Sent off:
Cobblers: none      
Stevenage: none

A place in the knockout stage of this seasons Papa John’s Trophy was up for grabs for both Northampton Town and Stevenage as the sides met at the PTS Academy Stadium on Tuesday night. Going into the final group game the sides were level on 3 points with MK Dons having already qualified.

Ricky Holmes made his first start since returning to the club as Keith Curle named a strong side. Benny Ashley-Seal was the only other change while Nicky Adams made his 100th appearance for the club.

Before the game got under way there was a minute’s silence as the club paid their respects to long-serving former physio Denis Casey who sadly passed away on Sunday.

The first chance of the night fell to Stevenage and Femi Akinwande but having gone through one-on-one and rounded Jonathan Mitchell the Cobblers keeper managed to get back just in time to make the save.

In a tight first half Stevenage, managed by former Cobblers striker Alex Revell were making it difficult for the home side but Cian Bolger fired wide from 30-yards and Ashley-Seal laid the ball back for Adams who saw his shot parried by Jamie Cumming on the half-hour mark, Jack Sowerby unable to find the target on the follow-up.

Bolger blocked a shot from Remeao Hutton in the early stages of the second half before Keith Curle made his first change, Shaun McWilliams on for Ryan Watson. Chris Lines and Caleb Chukwuemeka came on for the final half an hour in place of Holmes and Ashley-Seal.

Cumming saved a Michael Harriman header and Danny Rose curled a shot just over the bar as the Cobblers enjoyed a spell of pressure while Arthur Iontton shot wide for Stevenage after being played in by Akinwande. Neither side could however force a winner in normal time, meaning a penalty shoot out would decide who progressed to the knockout stages as group runners-up.

PENALTIES
Chris Lines - scored 1-0
Danny Newton – saved 1-0
Danny Rose – saved 1-0
Charlie Carter – scored 1-1
Shaun McWilliams - scored 2-1
Tyrone Marsh – scored 2-2
Fraser Horsfall – scored 3-2
Femi Akinwande – missed 3-2
Caleb Chukwuemeka – scored 4-2

The Cobblers won 4-2 on penalties

COBBLERS MATCH STATS (first half in brackets, match total out of brackets)     
SHOTS ON TARGET: (3) 4
SHOTS OFF TARGET: (2) 4
CORNERS: (0) 2       
FOULS: (2) 6      
CAUGHT OFFSIDE: (0) 0

STEVENAGE MATCH STATS (first half in brackets, match total out of brackets)      
SHOTS ON TARGET: (2)  5
SHOTS OFF TARGET: (5) 6
CORNERS: (4) 6
FOULS: (10) 11
CAUGHT OFFSIDE: (0) 0