Referee: Neil Hair

Booked:
Cobblers: Tyreece Simpson (90)
Cheltenham: Liam Smith (22), Lewis Freestone (66)

Sent off:
Cobblers: none
Cheltenham: none

Shaun McWilliams, back from injury, and Akin Odimayo came into the Northampton Town side for the New Year’s Day clash with in-form Cheltenham at Sixfields. Skipper Jon Guthrie and Jack Sowerby dropped to the bench.

A difficult early chance for Tyreece Simpson was saved by Luke Southwood while Kieron Bowie was almost played in by a fabulous cross from Marc Leonard in an encouraging start by Jon Brady’s side. The Robins were posing an early threat of their own however with Odimayo making an important challenge to deny Will Ferry a clear shot on goal and George Lloyd seeing a shot blocked by his own teammate.

Tom Bradbury headed over and Max Thompson saved from Lloyd in a good spell from the visitors but neither side was able to make the breakthrough before half-time.

Elliot Bonds struck the post early in the second half with Lloyd unable to find the target on the follow-up while McWilliams drilled a shot just over from the edge of the area and Mitch Pinnock also went close after some good work by Simpson to set up the opportunity. Sowerby, on for McWilliams, then set up another chance for the Cobblers following a swift counter-attack but Simpson was unable to convert at the back post.

The Cobblers were enjoying a good spell of pressure and they were awarded a penalty on 65 minutes when Lewis Freestone brought down Kieron Bowie, who quickly dusted himself off to convert the spot-kick.

Thompson made a terrific save to deny Aidan Keena an equaliser before Brady made a triple change, bringing on Danny Hylton, Jon Guthrie and Manny Monthe.

A shot on the turn from Simpson was well saved by Southwood and Bradbury blocked a shot from Pinnock as the Cobblers looked to seal the win with a second goal. There were still some nervy moments at the other end though with a vital clearance from Odimayo and Thompson making a good save from Lloyd.

Pinnock was denied by the woodwork in stoppage time with his chipped shot coming back off the post but in the end Bowie’s second half penalty proved enough as the Cobblers claimed their third win of the festive period.

COBBLERS MATCH STATS (first half in brackets, match total out of brackets)
SHOTS ON TARGET: (1) 5
SHOTS OFF TARGET: (0) 5
CORNERS: (3) 6
FOULS: (3) 8
CAUGHT OFFSIDE: (1) 1

CHELTENHAM MATCH STATS (first half in brackets, match total out of brackets)
SHOTS ON TARGET: (3) 5
SHOTS OFF TARGET: (2) 6
CORNERS: (3) 2
FOULS: (6) 10
CAUGHT OFFSIDE: (1) 3