Referee: Marc Edwards

Booked:
Cobblers: Kieron Bowie (49)
Fleetwood: Danny Mayor (23)

Sent off:
Cobblers: none
Fleetwood: none

Skipper Jon Guthrie started a league game for the first time since early October as he continued his return to full fitness against Fleetwood Town. Akin Odimayo, back from a one-match ban for accumulated bookings, also came into the side with Aaron McGowan missing out through injury.

On a blustery afternoon conditions were set to be tough for both sides but despite some considerable rainfall in the build-up to the game the groundstaff had done an excellent job on the Sixfields surface and, although the pitch was a little heavy, it was playable.

November’s Sky Bet League 1 player of the month Sam Hoskins drew an early save from Jay Lynch who reacted quickly to prevent Mitch Pinnock scoring on the follow-up. Max Thompson meanwhile made a good early save to deny Jack Marriott from close range.

Pinnock saw a shot from a tight angle well saved by Lynch and Hoskins fired into the side netting in a good spell from the Cobblers. Fleetwood were posing a threat though and it needed some good goalkeeping from Thompson to prevent Marriott tapping home a cross from Ryan Broom while referee Marc Edwards turned down the visitors appeals for a penalty when Odimayo challenged Brendan Wiredu

The Cobblers broke the deadlock on 27 minutes, Marc Leonard playing in Mitch Pinnock who beat Lynch with a good finish into the bottom corner.

Sam Hoskins then made it 2-0 from the penalty spot after Shaun McWilliams was tripped by Danny Mayor.

Some good work from Kieron Bowie set up another chance for Hoskins before half-time but Lynch saved with his legs and Leonard fired over on the follow-up.

Bowie had a chance to make it 3-0 but his shot was blocked before Fleetwood manager Lee Johnson made a triple change. One of those substitutes, Jayden Stockley, drew a fine stop from Thompson while Hoskins shot just wide and Lynch denied McWilliams with another terrific save.

Jordan Willis and Louis Appere replaced Guthrie and Bowie in a double change from Jon Brady. Fleetwood were still pushing for a goal and Thompson had to be alert to tip over a backward header from Willis and the on-loan keeper also did well to keep out a deflected effort from Stockley.

As the game moved into stoppage time Pinnock sealed the win for the Cobblers with his second goal of the afternoon a terrific strike into the roof of the net. There was still time for Lynch to deny Hoskins his second with a fantastic save but the three points were already secure.

COBBLERS MATCH STATS (first half in brackets, match total out of brackets)
SHOTS ON TARGET: (8) 13
SHOTS OFF TARGET: (3) 8
CORNERS: (1) 2
FOULS: (5) 8
CAUGHT OFFSIDE: (0) 1

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