Hartlepool United 2 Northampton Town 0 - the match report
SKY BET LEAGUE 2
Saturday November 23, 3.00pm
Victoria Park
HARTLEPOOL UNITED 2
Luke James 23
Simon Walton 49 pen
NORTHAMPTON TOWN 0
Attendance: 3,617 (206 Cobblers fans)
Hartlepool: Scott Flinders, Michael Duckworth, Jack Baldwin, Christian Burgess, Neil Austin, Jack Compton, Simon Walton, Matty Dolan (sub Bradley Walker 75), Andy Monkhouse, James Poole (sub Antony Sweeney 59), Luke James (sub Nialle Rodney 89).
Subs not used: Andy Rafferty, Sam Collins, Jonathan Franks, Jordan Richards
Cobblers: Matt Duke, Ben Tozer, Joe Widdowson, Mathias Kouo-Doumbe, Paul Reid, Stuart Dallas (sub Clive Platt 71), Ricky Ravenhill, Kane Ferdinand, Danny Emerton, Jacob Blyth, Luke Norris (sub Ian Morris 61)
Subs not used: Ben McNamara, Gary Deegan, Lee Collins, Matt Heath, Kevin Amankwaah
Referee: Mr M Haywood
Booked:
Hartlepool: Andy Monkhouse (28), Matty Dolan (58)
Cobblers: Danny Emerton (31, 1st of the season), Paul Reid (45, 3rd)
5 cautions on or before 31 December; 1 match suspension
10 cautions on or before 11 April; 2 match suspension
15 cautions at any time in season; 3 match suspension
Sent off:
Hartlepool: none
Cobblers: none
Sendings off: 2 cautions in one game; 1 match suspension but cautions do not count towards above totals. Other sendings off; 1 or 3 match suspension. Extra match ban for additional sendings off.
Stuart Dallas replaced Chris Hackett (groin) in the only change to the Cobblers side for the long trip to Hartlepool. Clive Platt, Matt Heath and Kevin Amankwaah were all named on the bench having recovered from injury.
The Cobblers went agonisingly close to scoring in the opening moments, Jacob Blyth's header coming back off the post following a delightful cross from Danny Emerton. Paul Reid then headed just wide from a corner.
Despite that bright start from the Cobblers it was Hartlepool who took the lead midway through the first half, Luke James bringing down a long ball before keeping his composure to fire a shot past Matt Duke.
Luke Norris saw a free-kick saved by Scott Flinders as the Cobblers looked to quickly restore parity.
Hartlepool went close to doubling their lead in first half stoppage time, goalscorer Luke James with a terrific volley that struck the bar.
HARTLEPOOL MATCH STATS (first half in brackets, match total out of brackets)
SHOTS ON TARGET: (5) 11
SHOTS OFF TARGET: (3) 5
CORNERS: (4) 8
FOULS: (5) 10
CAUGHT OFFSIDE: (0) 1
COBBLERS MATCH STATS (first half in brackets, match total out of brackets)
SHOTS ON TARGET: (2) 3
SHOTS OFF TARGET: (3) 4
CORNERS: (2) 3
FOULS: (9) 13
CAUGHT OFFSIDE: (0) 1
The above stats are recorded by club staff. The stats shown elsewhere on this page are recorded by Opta.