Northampton Town Football Club

Alex Morgan 63

Boreham Wood: Terrell Annakie, Samuel Walsh, Blake Nwosu, Jack Gibbs, Ionut Radu, Ben Goodcliffe, Alex Morgan, Archie Pepper, Bradley Sach, Cass Grant, Sorba Thomas.

Subs not used: Simon Office, Fred Burbidge, Ejike Akubude, Daniel Crease, Cheyce Grant.

Cobblers: James Goff, Josh McCammon, Jay Williams, Ben Toseland, Jamie Hall, Sean Whaler (sub Shama Bako 60), Seth Patrick, James Hammond, Vaughn Marett (sub Shama Bako 77), Joe Iaciofano, Lewis Irwin.

Subs not used: Adam North, Matthew Slinn, Morean Roberts.

Northampton Town’s FA Youth Cup campaign came to an end after a 1-0 defeat at Boreham Wood on Tuesday evening thanks to a second half goal from Alex Morgan.

Familiar names on the Cobblers teamsheet included Joe Iaciofano, Jamie Hall, James Goff, Josh McCammon and James Hammond who all featured for the first-team during pre-season, with Iaciofano also making the matchday squad for the Checkatrade Trophy tie at Coventry City last month.

It was the young forward who had the first opportunity inside the opening couple of minutes but saw his curling right footed effort hit the post after a good passing move in the Boreham final third. 

Northampton continued to dominate the possession during the early stages and had a couple of dangerous crosses towards Lewis Irwin headed away and a Sean Whaler effort looped over. 

On 15 minutes it was the hosts who almost took the lead when Archie Pepper played in a teasing cross towards the back-post but Boreham couldn’t apply a finishing touch and McCammon managed to get the ball away from danger.   

The Cobblers came close again on 24 minutes when another Whaler effort dipped just over the crossbar after a decent move which saw James Hammond and Seth Patrick dictate the play from central midfield.

Goff was forced into a brilliant diving save moments later after Sorba Thomas dribbled in from the left and had a strike but the ‘keeper was at full stretch to tip a deflected effort around the post. The Cobblers cleared the consequent corner.

The sides went in level at the break and although the Cobblers dominated they couldn’t quite find a way through the Boreham back line to give them the goal their dominance deserved.

The first chance of the second half came through Irwin who held the ball up well and had a shot from range but Terrell Annakie saved well.

Boreham Wood then scored what turned out to be the only goal after good left wing play from Thomas lead to the ball being played across the face of goal for Alex Morgan to tap in from close range.

The Cobblers rallied and pressed for an equaliser but they almost got caught on the break when Thomas cut in from the left side and curled an effort towards goal, only for it to fly wide of the post.

Goff was then called into a fine save with seven minutes remaning, Bradley Sach showed good physicality upfront to hold the ball up and find room for a shot, but the ‘keeper got down well to his left to turn the ball behind for a corner. 

Northampton then flooded forward in the final 10 minutes and the introduction of Shama Bako brought some pace into the Cobblers attack, with Bako himself coming close but hitting the side netting from a tight angle.

There was then a late shout for a penalty after Iaciofano was caught late in the box but the referee waved play on and Boreham held on for a 1-0 win.