SKY BET LEAGUE 2      
Saturday January 7th, 12.30pm      
Peninsula Stadium

SALFORD CITY 2
Ethan Galbraith 9
Conor McAleny 33

NORTHAMPTON TOWN 1
Sam Hoskins 22

Attendance: 2,753 (529 Cobblers fans)

Salford: Alex Cairns, Ibou Touray, Jason Lowe, Elliot Watt, Ryan Watson, Odin Bailey (sub Luke Bolton 64), Ethan Galbraith, Matt Smith, Conor McAleny (sub Lorent Tolaj 76), Ryan Leak, Theo Vassell
Subs not used: Tom King, Ash Eastham, Kevin Berkoe, Liam Humbles, Alfie Henderson
 
Cobblers: Lee Burge (sub Jonny Maxted 46), Aaron McGowan, Sam Sherring, Jon Guthrie, Akin Odimayo (sub Jack Sowerby 88), Marc Leonard, Ben Fox, Josh Eppiah (sub Danny Hylton 72), Kieron Bowie (sub Louis Appere 79), Sam Hoskins, Mitch Pinnock
Subs not used: Ryan Haynes, Max Dyche, Harvey Lintott

Referee: Robert Lewis

Booked:
Salford: Ethan Galbraith (56)
Cobblers: Mitch Pinnock (60)

Sent off:
Salford: none      
Cobblers: none

Ben Fox and Aaron McGowan came into the Northampton Town side for the Saturday lunchtime clash with Salford City live on Sky Sports. The pair replaced injured duo Shaun McWilliams and Tyler Magloire but there was some good news for Jon Brady who was able to name Jack Sowerby and Louis Appere, back from illness and injury respectively, on the bench.

Former Cobblers midfielder Ryan Watson saw a low shot from distance turned behind by Lee Burge but it was only a temporary reprieve for the Cobblers who fell behind on 9 minutes when Ethan Galbraith scored from close range.

Sam Sherring headed straight at Alex Cairns as the Cobblers responded and they were back on level terms midway through the first half after Odin Bailey had gone close to a second for Salford, Akin Odimayo’s initial effort blocked before Sam Hoskins follow-up shot squirmed through Cairns.

Salford were posing a threat going forward and re-took the lead following a swift counterattack, Conor McAleny with a good finish after getting on the end of a ball into the box from Watson.

The Cobblers went close to a second equaliser before half-time but a good save from Cairns to deny Hoskins preserved the home side’s lead.

Jon Brady was forced into making a change in goal for the second half with Jonny Maxted coming on for the injured Lee Burge.

Kieron Bowie couldn’t quite get on the end of a cross come shot from Hoskins and Marc Leonard had an effort blocked as the Cobblers tried to get themselves back on level terms for a second time. Elliot Watt meanwhile appeared fortunate to remain on the pitch after going over the top of the ball. Leonard then made an important goal-line clearance to keep the scoreline at 2-1 before Josh Eppiah was denied a goal by the linesman’s off-side flag.

Ibou Touray survived a strong handball appeal when a shot from Fox appeared to strike the arm of the Salford defender and despite some late Cobblers pressure the home side held on for the win.

SALFORD MATCH STATS (first half in brackets, match total out of brackets)     
SHOTS ON TARGET: (5) 6
SHOTS OFF TARGET: (4) 5
CORNERS: (2) 2      
FOULS: (2) 9      
CAUGHT OFFSIDE: (1) 2

COBBLERS MATCH STATS (first half in brackets, match total out of brackets)      
SHOTS ON TARGET: (3)  9
SHOTS OFF TARGET: (1) 1
CORNERS: (1) 4
FOULS: (9) 13
CAUGHT OFFSIDE: (0) 3