SKY BET LEAGUE 2     
Saturday September 17th, 3.00pm
Sixfields

NORTHAMPTON TOWN 3
Jon Guthrie 42
Sam Hoskins 73, 81

ROCHDALE 0

Attendance: 4,691 (196 away supporters)

Cobblers: Lee Burge, Sam Sherring, Tyler Magloire (sub Harvey Lintott 40), Jon Guthrie, Ali Koiki, Marc Leonard, Jack Sowerby (sub Josh Eppiah 84), Sam Hoskins, Mitch Pinnock, Kieron Bowie (sub Ben Fox 68), Louis Appere
Subs not used: Jonny Maxted, Max Dyche, Peter Abimbola, Ryan Haynes

Rochdale:  Richard O’Donnell, Aidy White, James Ball, Devante Rodney, Abraham Odoh, Jimmy Keohane, Ethan Brierley (sub Liam Kelly 59), Sam Graham, Ben Nelson, Scott Quigley, Toumani Diagouraga (sub Tyrese Sinclair 79)
Subs not used: Femi Seriki, Tahvon Campbell, Cieran Slicker, Connor Malley, Ian Henderson

Referee: Sam Purkiss

Booked:
Cobblers: none
Rochdale: James Ball (57), Toumani Diagouraga (60), Sam Graham (90)

5 cautions on or before 19 games; 1 match suspension
10 cautions on or before 37 games; 2 match suspension       
15 cautions at any time in season; 3 match suspension

Sent off:
Cobblers: none      
Rochdale: none

Louis Appere came in for the injured Shaun McWilliams for the visit of Rochdale in the only change to the starting XI while Josh Eppiah and Ben Fox were both named on the bench. It was Eppiah’s first-time back in the matchday squad after the striker re-joined on-loan from Leicester City with Fox making an early return after his knee injury was not as bad as first feared.

Prior to kick-off there was a minute’s silence in memory of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II followed by the playing of the National Anthem.

Richard O’Donnell was involved in an accidental early collision with Appere but after receiving treatment the former Cobblers goalkeeper was able to continue.

Sam Hoskins thought he had put the Cobblers in front midway through the first half but the goal was ruled out for off-side, subsequent replays showing Hoskins level with the Dale defender.

Kieron Bowie then fired a shot just wide as the Cobblers enjoyed a good spell of pressure but boss Jon Brady was forced into a change after Tyler Magloire required treatment, Harvey Lintott coming on in his place.

Jon Guthrie broke the deadlock on 42 minutes, the defender with a sublime volley from the edge of the area.

Ali Koiki fired just over at the start of the second half but there was a chance for Dale when substitute Liam Kelly shot wide from 12-yards.

The Cobblers were awarded a penalty when Ben Fox, on for Kieron Bowie, was fouled and although Sam Hoskins' spot-kick was saved by Richard O’Donnell, Hoskins wasn’t to be denied on the follow-up.

Hoskins had his second goal of the afternoon and tenth of the season on 81 minutes, the Sky Bet League 2 player of the month for August on the end of a teasing cross in from Fox to tap home at the back-post.

Josh Eppiah replaced Jack Sowerby for the final few minutes as the Cobblers closed the game out to make it three wins on the bounce in September.

COBBLERS MATCH STATS (first half in brackets, match total out of brackets)     
SHOTS ON TARGET: (2) 7
SHOTS OFF TARGET: (2) 4
CORNERS: (0) 2         
FOULS: (4) 5       
CAUGHT OFFSIDE: (2) 2

ROCHDALE MATCH STATS (first half in brackets, match total out of brackets)      
SHOTS ON TARGET: (2) 3
SHOTS OFF TARGET: (0) 5
CORNERS: (2) 6
FOULS: (5) 15
CAUGHT OFFSIDE: (1) 2