SKY BET LEAGUE 2     
Thursday December 29th, 7.45pm
Sixfields

NORTHAMPTON TOWN 1
Sam Hoskins 90

SWINDON TOWN 2
Tyrese Shade 26
Marcel Lavinier 57

Attendance: 7,156 (1,455 away fans)

Cobblers: Lee Burge, Aaron McGowan (sub Tyler Magloire 68), Sam Sherring, Jon Guthrie, Akin Odimayo (sub Danny Hylton 85), Ben Fox (sub Kieron Bowie 60), Marc Leonard, Shaun McWilliams, Louis Appere, Sam Hoskins, Mitch Pinnock (sub Josh Eppiah 60)
Subs not used: Jonny Maxted, Ryan Haynes, Josh Harrop
 
Swindon: Solomon Brynn, Remeao Hutton, Ellis Iandolo (sub Ronan Darcy 85), Ben Gladwin, Jonny Williams (sub Rushian Hepburn-Murphy 65), Luke Jephcott (sub Jacob Wakeling 65), Frazer Blake-Tracey, Angus MacDonald, Marcel Lavinier, Saidou Khan (sub Louis Reed 74), Tyrese Shade 
Subs not used: Harrison Minturn, Morgan Roberts, Jack Copland

Referee: Lewis Smith

Booked:
Cobblers: Kieron Bowie (82), Sam Hoskins (89)
Swindon: Ellis Iandolo (45), Tyrese Shade (80), Rushian Hepburn-Murphy (90)

Sent off:
Cobblers: none      
Swindon: none

Mitch Pinnock replaced Kieron Bowie in Jon Brady’s final starting XI of 2022 as the Cobblers continued their festive schedule against fellow promotion contenders Swindon Town under the lights at Sixfields. Josh Harrop came back onto the bench in place of Jack Sowerby (illness) while former Cobblers academy graduate Morgan Roberts was amongst the Robins substitutes.

Solomon Brynn made a terrific flying save to deny Louis Appere the opening goal midway through the first half before Pinnock side-footed wide after being set up by a neat backheel from the Scotsman.

It was Swindon though who made the breakthrough against the run of play on 26 minutes, Tyrese Shade scoring on the follow-up after a good initial save from Lee Burge to deny Jonny Williams. The goal, which had a hint of off-side about it, was harsh on the Cobblers who were looking the more likely of the two teams to score before Swindon hit them on the break.

Sam Hoskins volleyed wide, Jon Guthrie had an effort deflected behind after making a good forward run and Brynn saved a Ben Fox header as the Cobblers pressed for an equaliser before half-time. The Swindon keeper was called upon again in first half stoppage time, saving a Guthrie header to ensure his side lead at the break.

Marcel Lavinier doubled the visitors lead on 56 minutes, Burge given no chance as Lavinier found the top corner with an unstoppable 30-yard strike.

Brynn made another good save to deny Appere as the Cobblers responded with Jon Brady bringing on Josh Eppiah and Kieron Bowie in a double change. The home side were pressing hard for a way back into the game and Hoskins flashed a shot just wide after combining with another substitute Tyler Magloire.

Time was ticking away but with the 90 minutes all but up Sam Hoskins pulled a goal back to set up a grandstand finale. It was a fine finish from Hoskins into the top corner but Swindon managed to see out six minutes of stoppage time to cling on for the victory.

COBBLERS MATCH STATS (first half in brackets, match total out of brackets)     
SHOTS ON TARGET: (4) 11
SHOTS OFF TARGET: (3) 6
CORNERS: (9) 15         
FOULS: (2) 9       
CAUGHT OFFSIDE: (3) 4

SWINDON MATCH STATS (first half in brackets, match total out of brackets)      
SHOTS ON TARGET: (2) 6
SHOTS OFF TARGET: (1) 4 
CORNERS: (0) 3
FOULS: (6) 12
CAUGHT OFFSIDE: (1) 2