PRE-SEASON FRIENDLY
Tuesday July 3rd, 7.45pm
Fernie Fields
SILEBY RANGERS 0
NORTHAMPTON TOWN 2
Morgan Roberts 72
Sam Foley 86
Cobblers first half: David Cornell, Aaron Phillips, Ash Taylor, Jordan Turnbull, Camron McWilliams, Joe Iaciofano, Sean Whaler, John-Joe O’Toole, Jack Bridge, Kevin van Veen, Andy Williams
Cobblers second half: James Goff, Shay Facey, Leon Barnett, Aaron Pierre, David Buchanan, Billy Waters, Shaun McWilliams, Sam Foley, Daniel Powell, Morgan Roberts, Sam Hoskins
Referee: Mr Andy Woolmer
Sileby: none
Cobblers: none
Sent off:
Sileby: none
Cobblers: none
As has become tradition in recent years, the Cobblers pre-season campaign kicked off with a game against Sileby Rangers at Fernie Fields.
Matt Crooks (hamstring) and Dean Bowditch (knee) were unavailable for selection, Crooks not risked as a precaution. Summer signing striker Andy Williams made his first appearance for the club while right-back Aaron Phillips, invited back for pre-season training after missing virtually the entirety of the 2017/18 campaign through injury, was also given a run out as boss Dean Austin opted to field a different eleven in each half.
Former Cobblers striker Courtney Herbert, playing as a centre-back captained Sileby.
Despite some good early possession from the Cobblers there were very few chances for either side before Kevin van Veen curled a 25th minute free-kick just wide. At the other end David Cornell made a smart save, diving to his right to keep out a free-kick from Joyce.
Sam Hoskins curled a free-kick just over the bar as the game approached the hour mark before Morgan Roberts also went close with a free-kick after Aaron Pierre and Leon Barnett both had headers blocked.
Academy graduate Morgan Roberts then broke the deadlock, his header from a Daniel Powell cross going in off the post. Sam Foley added a second late on, heading home powerfully from a delivery from Shay Facey.
SILEBY MATCH STATS (first half in brackets, match total out of brackets)
SHOTS ON TARGET: (2) 2
SHOTS OFF TARGET: (2) 2
CORNERS: (2) 2
FOULS: (4) 8
CAUGHT OFFSIDE: (1) 1
COBBLERS MATCH STATS (first half in brackets, match total out of brackets)
SHOTS ON TARGET: (1) 5
SHOTS OFF TARGET: (1) 4
CORNERS: (2) 4
FOULS: (5) 6
CAUGHT OFFSIDE: (1) 3