SKY BET LEAGUE 2
Saturday October 6th, 3.00pm
The Energy Check County Ground
SWINDON TOWN 1
Matt Taylor 73
NORTHAMPTON TOWN 1
John-Joe O'Toole 60
Attendance: 6,138 (504 Cobblers supporters)
Swindon: Luke McCormick, Kyle Knoyle, Oliver Lancashire, Jermaine McGlashan (sub Scott Twine 63), James Dunne, Marc Richards (sub Keshi Anderson 63), Steven Alzate, Elijah Adebayo, Toumani Diagouraga, Matty Taylor, Luke Woolfenden
Subs not used: Lawrence Vigouroux, Jak McCourt, Ellis Iandolo, Martin Smith, Dion Conroy
Cobblers: David Cornell, Shay Facey, Aaron Pierre, Jordan Turnbull, David Buchanan, Shaun McWilliams (sub Kevin van Veen 57), Matt Crooks, Sam Foley, John-Joe O’Toole, Andy Williams (sub Billy Waters 73), Sam Hoskins (sub Dean Bowditch 87)
Subs not used: Lewis Ward, Jack Bridge, Hakeem Odoffin, Daniel Powell
Referee: Neil Hair
Booked:
Swindon: Kyle Knoyle (85)
Cobblers: Matt Crooks (65, 4th of the season), Billy Waters (86, 1st), John-Joe O'Toole (90, 2nd)
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:
Swindon: 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.
On the back of a 0-0 draw at home to Bury in midweek Keith Curle made three changes, two of which were enforced, for his first away game in charge, a trip to Swindon Town. Jordan Turnbull partnered Aaron Pierre in central defence with both Leon Barnett and Ash Taylor ruled out while David Buchanan and the fit again Shaun McWilliams (ankle) also came into the side. Swindon included four ex-Cobblers in their matchday squad with starts for Marc Richards and Matty Taylor while Jak McCourt and Keshi Anderson were named on the bench.
The rain, which had been relentless in the build-up to kick-off, eased as the game got underway. In a lively start Sam Hoskins and Andy Williams combined, Williams just wide with a snap volley against his former club while David Cornell made a terrific point blank save to deny James Dunne. The Cobblers keeper was at it again to prevent Richards opening the scoring as the game reached the 20-minute mark.
The deadlock was nearly broken midway through the first half as Hoskins raced clear but his shot from a wide angle struck the post via a slight touch from keeper Luke McCormick. Conditions weren’t easy for either side and the first half ended goalless.
Matt Crooks headed wide after linking up well with Hoskins on the counter-attack and Williams had an effort blocked in a strong start to the second half.
Kevin van Veen came on for McWilliams and not long after the Cobblers made the breakthrough, John-Joe O’Toole volleying in after a short corner was crossed in by Hoskins. The Cobblers were in the ascendancy and it needed a last-ditch tackle from a Swindon defender to prevent van Veen adding a quick second.
Robins substitute Keshi Anderson, on for Marc Richards, had a shot saved by Cornell as the home side responded and they were back on level terms when Matt Taylor curled in a free-kick.
A vital touch from Turnbull cleared the danger with Elijah Adebayo lurking while at the other end a shot from Billy Waters, on for Williams, landed on the roof of the net via a deflection.
Four minutes of injury time were added but the game ended all-square, making it two draws on the bounce for the new Cobblers boss.
SWINDON MATCH STATS (first half in brackets, match total out of brackets)
SHOTS ON TARGET: (3) 5
SHOTS OFF TARGET: (1) 4
CORNERS: (1) 4
FOULS: (4) 13
CAUGHT OFFSIDE: (0) 1
COBBLERS MATCH STATS (first half in brackets, match total out of brackets)
SHOTS ON TARGET: (3) 7
SHOTS OFF TARGET: (2) 6
CORNERS: (7) 12
FOULS: (13) 21
CAUGHT OFFSIDE: (0) 0