PAPA JOHN'S TROPHY   
Tuesday August 31st, 7.00pm      
The Fully Charged New Lawn

FOREST GREEN ROVERS 1
Josh March 14

NORTHAMPTON TOWN 1
Scott Pollock 51

Attendance: 892 (number of Cobblers supporters not confirmed)

Forest Green: Lewis Thomas, Dom Bernard, Dan Sweeney, Ben Stevenson (sub Jack Aitchison 67), Ebou Adams, Taylor Allen, Jordan Moore-Taylor, Jack Evans, Jake Young (sub Jamille Matt 76), Sadou Diallo, Josh March (sub Matty Stevens 78)
Subs not used:  Luke McGee, Baily Cargill, Regan Hendry, Jack Carter
 
Cobblers: Jonny Maxted, Michael Harriman, Sid Nelson, Sam Hoskins (sub Fraser Horsfall 69), Dylan Connolly, Shaun McWilliams, Jordan Flores (sub Ali Koiki 63), Jack Sowerby (sub Danny Rose 68), Scott Pollock, Nicke Kabamba, Benny Ashley-Seal
Subs not used: Charlie Woods, Peter Abimbola, Josh Tomlinson, Miguel Ngwa

Referee: Christopher Pollard

Booked:
Forest Green: none
Cobblers: Jordan Flores (26), Scott Pollock (73), Michael Harriman (79)

Sent off:
Forest Green: none      
Cobblers: none

Northampton Town kicked off their 2021/22 Papa John’s Trophy campaign at Forest Green Rovers. Jon Brady made a number of changes to the side with Michael Harriman and Jack Sowerby, the latter back from a shoulder injury, handed their first match action of the new season. Academy quartet Charlie Woods, Miguel Ngwa, Peter Abimbola and Josh Tomlinson, who would be the youngest player ever to feature for the club should he come on, were named on the bench. New loan signing Dominic Revan was not signed in time to feature.

The home side enjoyed some early pressure, Josh March failing to work Jonny Maxted from a tight angle.

Forest Green and Josh March weren’t to be denied for long though and when Jack Evans played in March his shot found the bottom corner, all be it via a deflection.

Nicke Kabamba was denied one-on-one by Lewis Thomas after some good work by Shaun McWilliams and Benny Ashley-Seal had a shot blocked by Jordan Moore-Taylor as the Cobblers pressed for an equaliser, Sowerby also seeing an effort saved by Thomas.

March had the ball in the back of the net at the start of the second half but the flag was already up and the Cobblers were back on level terms when Scott Pollock headed home a Sam Hoskins cross.

Thomas made a good save from Kabamba as the Cobblers continued in the ascendancy. Ali Koiki replaced Jordan Flores in Brady’s first change with the Town boss then bringing on Fraser Horsfall and Danny Rose for Hoskins and Sowerby.

Ebou Adams shot wide and Maxted saved a header from substitute Jamille Matt as Forest Green pushed for a winner. It was the home side who were now back in the ascendancy and Maxted made a terrific save as another substitute Matty Stevens took aim from 30-yards.

The Cobblers held out though and a penalty shoot-out followed to determine which team would pick up an extra point in the first group fixture.

PENALTIES

Danny Rose – scored 1-0 Cobblers
Matty Stevens – scored 1-1
Nicke Kabamba – scored 2-1
Jack Evans – missed 2-1
Dylan Connolly – scored 3-1
Jamille Matt – saved 3-1
Shaun McWilliams – missed 3-1
Ebou Adams – scored 3-2
Scott Pollock – scored 4-2

The Cobblers win 4-2 on penalties

FOREST GREEN MATCH STATS (first half in brackets, match total out of brackets)     
SHOTS ON TARGET: (2) 5
SHOTS OFF TARGET: (1) 5 
CORNERS: (3) 8         
FOULS: (8) 16       
CAUGHT OFFSIDE: (1) 2

COBBLERS MATCH STATS (first half in brackets, match total out of brackets)      
SHOTS ON TARGET: (2) 4
SHOTS OFF TARGET: (2) 2
CORNERS: (0) 3
FOULS: (8) 14
CAUGHT OFFSIDE: (0) 2