PRE-SEASON FRIENDLY
Tuesday July 24th, 7.45pm
PTS Academy Stadium
NORTHAMPTON TOWN 3
Andy Williams 22
Sam Hoskins 30
Billy Waters 78
BARNET 0
Attendance: 883 (46 away supporters)
Cobblers: David Cornell, Hakeem Odoffin (sub Billy Waters 67), David Buchanan, Ash Taylor, Aaron Pierre, Sean Whaler (sub Camron McWilliams 71), Matt Crooks, Shaun McWilliams, Jack Bridge, Sam Hoskins, Andy Williams
Subs: James Goff, Jay Williams, Morgan Roberts
Barnet: Mark Cousins, David Tutonda, Elliott Johnson, Charlee Adams, Shaq Coulthirst, Daniel Sparkes, Andre Boucaud, Wesley Fonguck, Trialist, Josh Walker, Dan Sweeney
Subs: Dave Tarpey, Jack Taylor, Aymen Azaze, Nana Kyei, Ephron Mason-Clark, Jack Barham, Joe Payne
Referee: Mr Andy Woolmer / Mr Dean Whitestone
Cobblers: none
Barnet: none
Sent off:
Cobblers: none
Barnet: none
After a week away at a Spanish training camp the Cobblers welcomed Barnet to the PTS Academy Stadium for their penultimate pre-season fixture. Summer signings Andy Williams and Hakeem Odoffin made their first home appearances but Shay Facey (ankle) and John-Joe O’Toole (compassionate leave) were both unavailable for selection.
Barnet goalkeeper Mark Cousins made a good save to tip an early shot from Williams on to the bar and Aaron Pierre saw a close range header well blocked in a strong start from the Cobblers on a warm night in Northampton.
Sam Hoskins' ingenuity almost lead to the Cobblers striker opening the scoring with a neat lob but Cousins recovered well to keep the ball out.
It wasn’t long before the Cobblers opened the scoring though, Andy Williams heading into the bottom corner, connecting perfectly with a cross in from Hoskins.
The Cobblers were passing the ball round well and Sam Hoskins made it 2-0 with a cool finish from 8 yards, Matt Crooks creating the opening with a ball in behind the Barnet defence.
Williams then rattled the cross bar with a dipping volley from the edge of the area just before half-time.
Cousins saved from Sean Whaler at the start of the second half and the woodwork again came to the visitors rescue when a Crooks chip at the end of a fine run bounced back off the bar. Half-time substitute Dave Tarpey fired a shot into the side netting for Barnet.
Billy Waters and Camron McWilliams both came on for the Cobblers before Jack Bridge fired a shot just wide.
A terrific strike from Waters made it 3-0 late on, the former Cheltenham striker controlling the ball first time before unleashing an unstoppable shot that gave Cousins no chance as it went in via the post.
That rounded off the scoring at the end of another good work out for Dean Austin's side.
COBBLERS MATCH STATS (first half in brackets, match total out of brackets)
SHOTS ON TARGET: (3) 6
SHOTS OFF TARGET: (5) 7
CORNERS: (3) 3
FOULS: (6) 13
CAUGHT OFFSIDE: (0) 0
BARNET MATCH STATS (first half in brackets, match total out of brackets)
SHOTS ON TARGET: (1) 1
SHOTS OFF TARGET: (0) 1
CORNERS: (0) 1
FOULS: (6) 8
CAUGHT OFFSIDE: (2) 3