OXFORD UNITED 2 NORTHAMPTON TOWN 2

Oxford United 2 Northampton Town 2 - the match report

20 February 2024

SKY BET LEAGUE 1
Tuesday February 20th, 7.45pm
Kassam Stadium

OXFORD UNITED 2
Josh Murphy 6
Will Goodwin 81

NORTHAMPTON TOWN 2
Will Hondermarck 35
Tony Springett 90

Attendance: 8,732 (1,268 Cobblers fans)

Oxford: Jamie Cumming, Sam Long, Ciaron Brown, Cameron Brannagan (sub Josh McEachran 71), Mark Harris (sub Will Goodwin 71), Billy Bodin (sub Jay Matete 83), Joe Bennett (sub Tyler Goodrham 66), Greg Leigh, Josh Murphy (sub Owen Dale 71), Ruben Rodrigues, Stephen Negru
Subs not used: Simon Eastwood, Jordan Thorniley

Cobblers: Louie Moulden, Jordan Willis, Sam Sherring (sub Liam Moore 85), Jon Guthrie, Patrick Brough, Ben Fox (sub Shaun McWilliams 61), Marc Leonard, Will Hondermarck, Mitch Pinnock (sub Tony Springett 85), Kieron Bowie (sub Louis Appere 61), Tyreece Simpson (sub Sam Hoskins 80)
Subs not used: James Dadge, Dominic Gape

Referee: Charles Breakspear

Booked:
Oxford: Owen Dale (89)
Cobblers: Will Hondermarck (74), Tyreece Simpson (78), Mitch Pinnock (82), Sam Hoskins (90)

Sent off:
Oxford: none
Cobblers: none

Top goalscorer Sam Hoskins was back on the bench after recovering from a hamstring injury as boss Jon Brady named an unchanged starting XI for the re-arranged midweek trip to Oxford United. After missing the win over Bristol Rovers, Dom Gape was also back amongst the substitutes but Jack Sowerby was left out of the 18 with his return to action still being managed.

Oxford, who started the night sixth in Sky Bet League 1, took the lead on 6 minutes with Josh Murphy firing a shot in at the near post.

The game entered somewhat of a lull after that early goal but, having grown into the contest, the Cobblers levelled ten minutes before the break, Will Hondermarck heading home a pin-point cross from Marc Leonard.

With the game now opening up, Patrick Brough was nearly in one-on-one while Louie Moulden saved a Cameron Brannagan shot from distance and Sam Sherring made a vital defensive interception to put the ball behind for a corner.

Greg Leigh rattled a shot just wide as Oxford looked to get themselves back in front at the start of the second half but after a double change for the Cobblers just after the hour mark it was Marc Leonard’s turn to go close.

The U’s re-took the lead on 81 minutes when Will Goodwin turned in a cross from fellow substitute Owen Dale but in injury time the Cobblers equalised for a second time on the night, substitute Tony Springett scoring from a ball from the returning Sam Hoskins.

2-2 was how it finished with Jon Brady’s side again showing terrific character to twice come from behind to pick up a hard fought point away from home against a side chasing promotion.

OXFORD MATCH STATS (first half in brackets, match total out of brackets)
SHOTS ON TARGET: (4) 9
SHOTS OFF TARGET: (2) 7
CORNERS: (2) 7
FOULS: (1) 5
CAUGHT OFFSIDE: (0) 2

COBBLERS MATCH STATS (first half in brackets, match total out of brackets)
SHOTS ON TARGET: (2) 3
SHOTS OFF TARGET: (0) 2
CORNERS: (0) 0
FOULS: (6) 11
CAUGHT OFFSIDE: (0) 0