After an up and down season in 2016/17, it was important that the Northampton Town Ladies recruited some new players to strengthen the squad with the ambition of looking to improve on last season’s third place finish. A managerial change has seen Gary Moss and Steve Croft take over for the 2017/18 season.
Pre-season didn’t start too well for the girls as they faced Enfield Town who play 2 leagues higher in the Women’s Premier League. The Cobblers had a few players missing including our goalkeeper; a 9-1 loss wasn’t the best of starts with Emma Dunmore scoring the consolation.
The Cobblers then travelled to Royston Town where they found themselves on the wrong end of a 7-4 score line. In an entertaining game, new signing Leah Stacey bagged herself a hat-trick, with Beth Hope getting the fourth goal. The Ladies then made the short trip to Corby on a Wednesday night to play Hellenic, a hat-trick for Tash Folwell, braces for Fran Speck, Georgia Tear, Leah Stacey and a goal apiece for Georgie Powell and Harley Collyer, as well as an own goal secured a 12-0 win.
In the next friendly the Cobblers played Cambridge United, where Town scored through Emma Dunmore, Chloe Carpenter and Zoe Webster, but were beaten 5-3 in a close game.
In their last two pre-season fixtures the Cobblers face a midweek game against Corby Town on the 24th and then a game at Haddenham on Sunday 27th August.
This season Northampton Town are competing in the East Midlands Women’s League Division 1 South, their first game is on Sunday 3rd September at home to Cosby United, followed by another home game against Thrapston Town on 6th September. The Cobblers have also been drawn away to Riverside in the League Cup on 10th September, and will also be playing in the County Cup which has yet to be drawn. You can keep up to date with matches and scores by following @NT_LFC on Twitter.