PAPA JOHN'S TROPHY
Sixfields
Tuesday September 20th 2022, 7.00pm

NORTHAMPTON TOWN 0

CAMBRIDGE UNITED 2
Fejiri Okenabirhie 68, 77

Attendance: 1,230 (69 away supporters)

Cobblers: Jonny Maxted, Harvey Lintott (sub Brad Smith-Howes 74), Max Dyche, Josh Tomlinson, Ryan Haynes, Peter Abimbola, Ben Fox (sub Dylan Hill 46), Liam Cross, Josh Eppiah (sub Kai O'Keeffe 23), Jack Connor (sub Ayo Lekuti 74), Miguel Ngwa (sub Reuben Wyatt 84)
Subs not used: James Dadge

Cambridge: Will Mannion, George Williams (sub Adam May 61), Lloyd Jones, James Brophy, Liam O’Neil (sub Jubril Okedina 61), Joe Ironside (sub Sam Smith 61), Jack Lankester (sub Shilow Tracey 73), Zeno Ibsen Rossi, Saikou Janneh (sub Harvey Knibbs 73), Fejiri Okenabirhie, Lewis Simper
Subs not used: Dimitar Mitov, Paul Digby

Referee: Craig Hicks

Booked:
Cobblers: Brad Smith-Howes (89)
Cambridge: none

Sent off:
Cobblers: none
Cambridge: none

Max Dyche captained a young Cobblers side as boss Jon Brady made eleven changes for the Papa John’s Trophy tie against Cambridge United.

The average age of the Cobblers squad was just 19 with the bench made up entirely of academy players.

Liam Cross thought he had opened the scoring after being played in by Josh Eppiah but with the ball in the back of the net the goal was ruled out for off-side. It was a terrific finish from the youngster with subsequent replays showing the goal should have stood.

Jonny Maxted made a terrific double save to deny Jack Lankester while his opposite number Will Mannion made a good save from Miguel Ngwa.

Eppiah was taken off midway through the first half with Kai O’Keeffe coming on to make his Cobblers debut.

Joe Ironside spurned a good chance to put Cambridge in front but after rounding Maxted he put his shot wide. The Cobblers keeper was however tested towards the end of the first half, making saves from Ironside and Saikou Janneh to ensure the first half ended goalless.

Brady made one change at half-time with under 18s captain Dylan Hill coming on to make his debut in place of Ben Fox.

Fejiri Okenabirhie flashed a shot just wide and substitute Adam May fired over, Cambridge bringing on some more senior players in an attempt to win the game.

Having gone close at the start of the second half, Fejiri Okenabirhie made the breakthrough on 68 minutes, firing home from 8-yards following a U’s corner.

Brad Smith-Howes and Ayo Lekuti came on for their debuts before Okenabirhie scored his second goal of the night after combining well with U’s substitute Harvey Knibbs.

Maxted made a good block to prevent Sam Smith making it 3-0 as Reuben Wyatt became the latest youngster to make his debut, the 16-year old coming on for the final few minutes which Cambridge saw out to claim the victory.

COBBLERS MATCH STATS (first half in brackets, match total out of brackets)
SHOTS ON TARGET: (3) 3
SHOTS OFF TARGET: (0) 1
CORNERS: (1) 2
FOULS: (4) 9
CAUGHT OFFSIDE: (4) 6

CAMBRIDGE MATCH STATS (first half in brackets, match total out of brackets)
SHOTS ON TARGET: (5) 7
SHOTS OFF TARGET: (2) 7
CORNERS: (4) 6
FOULS: (2) 5
CAUGHT OFFSIDE: (2) 3