PRE-SEASON FRIENDLY
Friday July 14th, 6.30pm
Oliva Nova
BIRMINGHAM CITY DEVELOPMENT SQUAD 1
22 mins
NORTHAMPTON TOWN 4
Alex Revell 7
Billy Waters 55
Marc Richards 77
Dean Bowditch 89
Cobblers first half: David Cornell, Brendan Moloney, Regan Poole, Ash Taylor, David Buchanan, John-Joe O'Toole, Shaun McWilliams, Sam Foley, Leon Lobjoit, Alex Revell, Daniel Powell
Cobblers second half: James Goff, Aaron Phillips, Leon Barnett, Shaun McWilliams, George Smith, Matt Taylor, Yaser Kasim, Dean Bowditch, Joe Iaciofano, Marc Richards, Billy Waters
Booked:
Birmingham: none
Cobblers: none
Sent off:
Birmingham: none
Cobblers: none
Northampton Town rounded off their pre-season week in Spain by taking on the Birmingham City Development Squad in a friendly at the Oliva Nova complex on Friday evening.
In warm conditions, and backed by a band of supporters who had made the trip to Spain, the Cobblers XI that began the game included recent signings Ash Taylor and Regan Poole.
Fellow new arrival Daniel Powell had the first opportunity, but after working his opening well the keeper produced a good save. The Cobblers had the lead shortly afterwards however, thanks to a cool finish from Alex Revell. Powell was involved again, his through ball on the right released Moloney who pulled the ball back for the on-rushing Revell to score from close range.
16 minutes in and Revell nearly added to that lead. Excellent work from Leon Lobjoit saw him deliver a cross for the Cobblers number 10 but Revell’s header struck the bar and bounced to safety.
The Birmingham City side levelled as the first half reached the half way mark - a right footed curling effort from the left side of the box went in off the far-post.
Revell was a constant threat for the Cobblers and he was close again seven minutes before the break. Powell saw a shot well saved and the ball almost came back for Revell but the Birmingham defence managed to clear.
Powell was another causing regular headaches for the Birmingham defence, and he had a fine 41st minute finish ruled out by an offside flag,
Justin Edinburgh made ten changes at the break, and the Cobblers retook the lead ten minutes into the second half. Matt Taylor's free-kick was blocked but Billy Waters reacted quickest and rifled the ball into the bottom corner.
Joe Iaciofano had the ball in the net on the hour mark but the goal was ruled out for a nudge on the keeper, while five minutes later Marc Richards was denied by the woodwork.
Dean Bowditch sent a 75th minute volley wide of the post but two minutes later the Cobblers did extend their lead. A quick break was led by Waters who in turn played in Marc Richards and the Cobblers skipper made no mistake from the right side of the area.
The Cobblers rounded off the scoring with a minute to play. Richards won a header at the back post, sending the ball back for Dean Bowditch to nod home from close range.
The Cobblers had dominated the possession, particularly in the second half, to record their second victory of pre-season. The squad return to England on Saturday and are next in action at Frome Town on Tuesday night in a special game in memory of Tom Clark to support the SpecialEffect charity.