SKY BET LEAGUE 2      
Monday December 26th, 3.00pm      
One Call Stadium

MANSFIELD TOWN 1
Will Swan 83

NORTHAMPTON TOWN 1
Sam Hoskins 88

Attendance: 7,301

Mansfield: Christy Pym, Kellan Gordon, Stephen McLaughlin, Elliott Hewitt, Riley Harbottle (sub Anthony Hartigan 15), George Maris, Oli Hawkins, Stephen Quinn (sub Ollie Clarke 69), Rhys Oates, George Lapslie (sub Will Swan 46), Hiram Boateng (sub James Perch 46)
Subs not used: Scott Flinders, Lucas Akins, Kieran Wallace
 
Cobblers: Lee Burge, Aaron McGowan (sub Danny Hylton 78), Sam Sherring, Jon Guthrie, Akin Odimayo, Ben Fox (sub Mitch Pinnock 68), Marc Leonard, Shaun McWilliams (sub Jack Sowerby 78), Louis Appere (sub Josh Eppiah 78), Sam Hoskins, Kieron Bowie (sub Tyler Magloire 68)
Subs not used: Jonny Maxted, Ryan Haynes

Referee: Benjamin Speedie

Booked:
Mansfield: Riley Harbottle (7), Oli Hawkins (9)
Cobblers: Akin Odimayo (56)

Sent off:
Mansfield: none      
Cobblers: none

Jon Brady named an unchanged starting XI for the Boxing Day trip to Mansfield Town. Jack Sowerby was back on the bench after a bout of illness while for Mansfield there was no place in the matchday 18 for former Cobbler John-Joe O’Toole.

Kieron Bowie was almost in for the opening goal inside 30 seconds after being played in by Jon Guthrie and Sam Hoskins had a shot blocked behind in a bright start from the Cobblers. Ben Fox also saw a shot deflected over and Hoskins curled a free kick into the side netting in a strong period of pressure.

Louis Appere couldn’t quite get his shot away after breaking clear of the Mansfield defence before the home side were forced into an early change, Anthony Hartigan coming on for Riley Harbottle.

The Cobblers were having the better of things in the first half and Fox fired wide following another flowing move but despite their impressive play it was goalless at the break.

Appere was looking lively and saw a shot deflected behind after making a bursting run early in the second half while Hoskins forced a good save from Christy Pym.

In a tight second half it needed a good defensive header from Sam Sherring to deny Rhys Oates while substitute Josh Eppiah shot just wide from the edge of the area.

It was a Stags substitute though who eventually made the breakthrough, Will Swan scoring on the follow-up after a terrific initial save by Lee Burge.

Sam Hoskins stunning volley ensured the Cobblers weren’t behind for long however, Mitch Pinnock’s cross setting up the chance for Hoskins whose finish evoked memories of former West Ham striker Paolo di Canio.

It earned the Cobblers a point and although there performance perhaps warranted all three Jon Brady’s side kept themselves firmly inside the automatic promotion places.

MANSFIELD MATCH STATS (first half in brackets, match total out of brackets)     
SHOTS ON TARGET: (1) 3
SHOTS OFF TARGET: (1) 2
CORNERS: (1) 2       
FOULS: (8) 11       
CAUGHT OFFSIDE: (1) 2

COBBLERS MATCH STATS (first half in brackets, match total out of brackets)      
SHOTS ON TARGET: (5)  9
SHOTS OFF TARGET: (3) 5
CORNERS: (4) 5
FOULS: (3) 9
CAUGHT OFFSIDE: (0) 0