PRE-SEASON FRIENDLY
Saturday July 7th, 12.30pm
Clarence Park
ST ALBANS CITY 0
NORTHAMPTON TOWN 4
Daniel Powell 8, 10
Billy Waters 68, 84
Cobblers first half: David Cornell, Aaron Phillips, David Buchanan, Ash Taylor, Aaron Pierre, Daniel Powell, Matt Crooks, Sam Foley, Jack Bridge, Sam Hoskins, Andy Williams
Cobblers second half: James Goff, Shay Facey, Jay Williams, Leon Barnett, Jordan Turnbull, Billy Waters, Shaun McWilliams, John-Joe O’Toole, Morgan Roberts, Joe Iaciofano, Kevin van Veen (sub Camron McWilliams 75)
St Albans City: none
Cobblers: none
Sent off:
St Albans City: none
Cobblers: none
The Cobblers travelled to St Albans of the National League South for their second pre-season fixture, the game moved to a lunchtime kick-off to avoid a direct clash with England’s World Cup quarter-final against Sweden.
Matt Crooks, who missed the game against Sileby as a precaution, played the first 45 minutes as boss Dean Austin again opted to field two separate teams.
Sam Hoskins tested former Cobblers goalkeeper Dean Snedker early on in a lively start to the game at Clarence Park, St Albans also going close with a header that clipped the top of the crossbar.
Two quickfire goals from Daniel Powell put the Cobblers 2-0 up, the first coming via a deflection before Crooks played in the winger for his second.
A smart save from Snedker denied Powell his hat-trick and the winger then turned provider to play in Andy Williams but Williams' shot from outside the area rattled the bar.
A fine double save from James Goff prevented St Albans pulling a goal back at the start of the second half while John-Joe O’Toole saw a shot blocked.
Billy Waters increased the Cobblers lead, calmly slotting the ball home after being played through by Shay Facey.
O’Toole headed over from a good cross in from Camron McWilliams and Joe Iaciofano had a shot well saved before Waters bagged a second and the Cobblers fourth late on, curling a shot inside the far post.
ST ALBANS CITY MATCH STATS (first half in brackets, match total out of brackets)
SHOTS ON TARGET: (1) 6
SHOTS OFF TARGET: (5) 7
CORNERS: (2) 4
FOULS: (2) 4
CAUGHT OFFSIDE: (2) 2
COBBLERS MATCH STATS (first half in brackets, match total out of brackets)
SHOTS ON TARGET: (4) 8
SHOTS OFF TARGET: (4) 8
CORNERS: (1) 2
FOULS: (3) 11
CAUGHT OFFSIDE: (2) 3