Northampton Town v Barnet
SKY BET LEAGUE 2
Saturday January 2nd, 3.00pm
Sixfields
NORTHAMPTON TOWN 3
Sam Hoskins 5
Ricky Holmes 52
Marc Richards 60
BARNET 0
Attendance: 5,153 (398 away fans)
Cobblers: Adam Smith, Brendan Moloney, Zander Diamond, Ryan Cresswell, David Buchanan, John-Joe O’Toole, Joel Byrom, Lawson D’Ath, Ricky Holmes (sub Nicky Adams 75), Sam Hoskins (sub Dominic Calvert-Lewin 82), Marc Richards (sub Jason Taylor 86)
Subs not used: Ryan Clarke, Evan Horwood, Josh Lelan, Rod McDonald
Barnet: Ian Lawlor, Elliot Johnson, Bira Dembele, Bondz N'Gala, Andy Yiadom, Curtis Weston (sub Hakeem Odofin 72), John Akinde, Luke Gambin, Sam Togwell, Tom Champion (sub Gavin Hoyte 58), Aaron McLean (sub Shaun Batt 58)
Subs not used: Kevin Lisbie, Sam Muggleton, Michael Gash, Kai McKenzie-Lyle
Referee: Mr R Joyce
Booked:
Cobblers: none
Barnet: Aaron McLean (17), Tom Champion (26), Bondz N'Gala (82), Andy Yiadom (83), Elliot Johnson (90)
10 cautions on or before 11 April; 2 match suspension
15 cautions at any time in season; 3 match suspension
Sent off:
Cobblers: none
Barnet: 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.
Northampton Town kicked off 2016 with a home game against Barnet. Ricky Holmes and Sam Hoskins came into the side, replacing Alfie Potter (rib) and Nicky Adams who dropped to the bench.
After a bright start the Cobblers took the lead on 5 minutes, Sam Hoskins finishing well after being set up by Lawson D’Ath’s low cross.
Ian Lawlor prevented D’Ath from making it 2-0 soon after, saving well after parrying Ricky Holmes initial effort following a surging run from the latter. Adam Smith then saved from John Akinde as Barnet looked to respond, Luke Gambin also seeing a shot deflected behind.
As the game neared half-time the Cobblers had penalty appeals turned down when Sam Togwell appeared to bring down Brendan Moloney in the area but referee Ross Joyce said play on.
Ricky Holmes doubled the Cobblers lead on 52 minutes, his calm, low finish beating Lawler in the Barnet goal. Marc Richards supplying the key touch in the build-up.
Barnet boss Martin Allen brought on Gavin Hoyte and Shaun Batt in a double change before David Buchanan pulled a shot just wide.
Marc Richards increased the Cobblers lead on the hour mark, the leading goalscorer on hand to sweep home a Ricky Holmes pass.
Lawler saved from D’Ath, Holmes and Moloney as the home side continued to press forward.
Nicky Adams came on for the final 15 minutes as Ricky Holmes left the field to a standing ovation. Sam Hoskins and Marc Richards were then also afforded the same reception as Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Jason Taylor came on for the closing stages.
With the heavy rain coming down the Cobblers saw out the remainder of the game to begin 2016 with three points.
COBBLERS MATCH STATS (first half in brackets, match total out of brackets)
SHOTS ON TARGET: (3) 12
SHOTS OFF TARGET: (2) 8
CORNERS: (3) 7
FOULS: (5) 9
CAUGHT OFFSIDE: (0) 1
BARNET MATCH STATS (first half in brackets, match total out of brackets)
SHOTS ON TARGET: (3) 3
SHOTS OFF TARGET: (1) 3
CORNERS: (2) 5
FOULS: (6) 13
CAUGHT OFFSIDE: (1) 3
The above stats are recorded by club staff. The stats shown elsewhere on this page are recorded by Opta