SKY BET LEAGUE 1
Tuesday October 17th, 7.45pm
Spotland
ROCHDALE 2
Ian Henderson 25, 62
NORTHAMPTON TOWN 2
Ash Taylor 71
David Buchanan 78
Attendance: 2,138 (number of Cobblers fans not confirmed)
Rochdale: Josh Lillis, Joe Rafferty, Jimmy McNulty, Harrison McGahey, Calvin Andrew (sub Jordan Slew 89), Callum Camps, MJ Williams, Matt Done (sub Steven Davies 77), Bradden Inman, Joe Bunney, Ian Henderson
Subs not used: Brendan Moore, Kgosi Ntlhe, Jordan Williams, Oliver Rathbone, Donervon Daniels
Cobblers: Matt Ingram, Brendan Moloney, David Buchanan, Ash Taylor, Aaron Pierre, Sam Foley (sub John-Joe O'Toole 73), Regan Poole, Matt Grimes, Daniel Powell, Chris Long (sub Sam Hoskins 82), Billy Waters
Subs not used: David Cornell, Dean Bowditch, Yaser Kasim, George Smith, Shaun McWilliams
Referee: Mr Darren Drysdale
Booked:
Rochdale: Joe Bunney (10)
Cobblers: John-Joe O'Toole (89, 2nd of the season)
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:
Rochdale: none
Cobblers: 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.
Regan Poole, Sam Foley and Chris Long, back from a hamstring injury, all came into the Cobblers side for the midweek trip to Rochdale.
Matt Done headed just over in an early chance for the home side, former Cobbler Ian Henderson creating the chance for Done with a dangerous cross into the box. Billy Waters had the first effort on goal for the Cobbblers but his shot was comfortably saved by Josh Lillis.
Lillis made a good save to keep out a powerful close range header from Sam Foley but it was Rochdale who opened the scoring, Ian Henderson with a driven finish after latching onto a throughball forward from Callum Camps.
The goal boosted the home side and Matt Ingram denied Bradden Inman as Dale looked for a quick second to press home the advantage.
Chris Long fired wide after linking up with Daniel Powell, a block on the goal line denied Aaron Pierre and Matt Grimes went close with a curled free-kick in a bright start to the second half from the Cobblers.
Rochdale were awarded a harsh looking penalty on the hour mark and although Matt Ingram saved Ian Henderson’s spot-kick, Henderson finished at the second attempt to double Dale’s lead.
The Cobblers pulled a goal back on 70 minutes, when a Grimes corner was met by a diving header from Ash Taylor.
Town were back on level terms 8 minutes later, Powell doing well to set up David Buchanan who smashed a shot into the corner after making a good run into the box.
Long headed straight at Lillis and Billy Waters couldn’t keep his shot down with the Cobblers now in the ascendancy, not settling for a point and instead looking to leave Lancashire with all three.
There was more drama when referee Darren Drysdale pointed to the spot after substitute John-Joe O’Toole was bundled over in the area but Lillis saved O’Toole’s spot-kick to keep the score at 2-2 and that was how it finished.
ROCHDALE MATCH STATS (first half in brackets, match total out of brackets)
SHOTS ON TARGET: (3) 6
SHOTS OFF TARGET: (6) 9
CORNERS: (2) 3
FOULS: (5) 15
CAUGHT OFFSIDE: (3) 3
COBBLERS MATCH STATS (first half in brackets, match total out of brackets)
SHOTS ON TARGET: (3) 8
SHOTS OFF TARGET: (2) 6
CORNERS: (2) 4
FOULS: (4) 9
CAUGHT OFFSIDE: (0) 1