SKY BET LEAGUE 1
Saturday October 28th, 2.00pm
Sixfields
NORTHAMPTON TOWN 1
Sam Hoskins 20
BLACKPOOL 0
Attendance: 5,213 (371 away supporters)
Cobblers: Matt Ingram, Shaun McWilliams, David Buchanan, Ash Taylor, Aaron Pierre, Regan Poole, Matt Grimes, Daniel Powell, John-Joe O’Toole (sub Dean Bowditch 79), Sam Hoskins (sub Billy Waters 86), Chris Long (sub Marc Richards 75)
Subs not used: David Cornell, Yaser Kasim, Lewis McGugan, George Smith
Blackpool: Ryan Allsop, Kelvin Mellor, Will Aimson, Armand Gnanduillet (sub Danny Philliskirk 46), Sean Longstaff (sub Viv Solomon-Otabor 58), Curtis Tilt, Ollie Turton, Colin Daniel (sub Andy Taylor 13), Callum Cooke, Nathan Delfouneso, Jay Spearing
Subs not used: Ben Williams, Nick Anderton, Sessi D’Almeida, Scott Quigley
Referee: Mr John Busby
Booked:
Cobblers: Matt Grimes (66, 4th of the season), Regan Poole (80, 1st), Dean Bowditch (90, 2nd)
Blackpool: Callum Cooke (59), Curtis Tilt (90)
5 cautions on or before 19 games; 1 match suspension
10 cautions on or before 32 games; 2 match suspension
15 cautions at any time in season; 3 match suspension
Sent off:
Cobblers: none
Blackpool: 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.
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink named an unchanged team for the visit of Blackpool, keeping faith with the side that started the previous fixture, a 2-1 win at Gillingham. Lewis McGugan, back from a minor toe injury, replaced Sam Foley (ill) on the bench. The game kicked off at 2pm to avoid a direct clash with the Northampton Saints.
Ryan Allsop made a good early save to deny Daniel Powell before Armand Gnanduillet had a chance to put Blackpool in front, but could only find the side netting in a lively opening few minutes. The game then settled down somewhat with Blackpool forced into making an early change when Andy Taylor replaced Colin Daniel.
Chris Long couldn’t quite convert from an acute angle on 18 minutes but it wasn’t long before the deadlock was broken, Sam Hoskins with a terrific flicked finish into the bottom right corner, diverting Matt Grimes initial effort. The goal was an historic one, the 750th league goal scored by the Cobblers at Sixfields.
Will Aimson made a vital interception to prevent Long going through one-on-one with Allsop and the on-loan Burnley striker also shot wide as the Cobblers looked to double their lead before half-time, Grimes also going close with a free-kick that curled just over the bar.
A goal line clearance from Aaron Pierre denied half-time substitute Danny Philliskirk in a strong start to the second half from Blackpool, David Buchanan also making a vital block to prevent a shot on the Cobblers goal. Matt Grimes meanwhile fired over from the edge of the area as the Cobblers continued to pose a threat going forward in search of a second goal.
Marc Richards came on to make his 200th appearance for the club, replacing Chris Long in the Cobblers first change of the afternoon. John-Joe O’Toole then made way for Dean Bowditch with just over ten minutes to play.
Hoskins had a good chance to make it 2-0 but shot wide, some good link-up play involving Grimes and Powell having created the opportunity. There was still danger for the home side though and Pierre made a great tackle on the edge of the area to deny Kelvin Mellor.
The Cobblers navigated their way through four minutes of stoppage time without incident to claim the three points and make it back-to-back victories and three games unbeaten.
COBBLERS MATCH STATS (first half in brackets, match total out of brackets)
SHOTS ON TARGET: (3) 4
SHOTS OFF TARGET: (3) 5
CORNERS: (3) 4
FOULS: (6) 13
CAUGHT OFFSIDE: (1) 3
BLACKPOOL MATCH STATS (first half in brackets, match total out of brackets)
SHOTS ON TARGET: (0) 1
SHOTS OFF TARGET: (5) 6
CORNERS: (2) 4
FOULS: (6) 13
CAUGHT OFFSIDE: (1) 2