SKY BET LEAGUE 2
Saturday September 8th, 3.00pm
PTS Academy Stadium
NORTHAMPTON TOWN 1
Kevin van Veen 62 pen
CHELTENHAM TOWN 3
Will Boyle 36
Conor Thomas 77 pen
Kelsey Mooney 83
Attendance: 4,608 (223 away supporters)
Cobblers: David Cornell, Shay Facey, David Buchanan, Ash Taylor, Aaron Pierre, Matt Crooks, Sam Foley (sub Shaun McWilliams 62), John-Joe O’Toole (sub Daniel Powell 46, sub Andy Williams 64), Jack Bridge, Sam Hoskins, Kevin van Veen
Subs not used: Lewis Ward, Leon Barnett, Dean Bowditch, Billy Waters
Cheltenham: Scott Flinders, Johnny Mullins, Nigel Atangana, Ryan Broom, Will Boyle, George Lloyd (sub Conor Thomas 72), Jacob Maddox (sub Ben Tozer 90), Jordon Forster, Tom Field, Kelsey Mooney, Tyrone Barnett (sub Manny Duku 85)
Subs not used: Rhys Lovett, Kelvin Kalala, Chris Clements, Craig Alcock
Referee: Lee Collins
Booked:
Cobblers: none
Cheltenham: Scott Flinders (61)
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:
Cobblers: none
Cheltenham: 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.
David Buchanan made his 150th appearance for the club as the Cobblers played their third home game in a week. John-Joe O’Toole replaced Junior Morias (hamstring) while former Cobbler Ben Tozer started the afternoon on the bench for Cheltenham.
A delightful cross field ball from Matt Crooks found Sam Hoskins in front of goal early on but after beating Scott Flinders to the ball Hoskins couldn’t find the target. Kevin van Veen, from a tight angle, was also just off target as the Cobblers fast start continued. A whipped free-kick from Jack Bridge then did force Flinders into making a save which he tipped around the post.
Cheltenham’s first chance of the game on 36 minutes led to the opening goal, Jordan Forster’s knock down setting up Will Boyle to tuck the ball home from close range.
David Cornell saved from George Lloyd as Cheltenham had a chance to double their lead before half-time while Flinders saved from Crooks as the first half drew to a close.
Daniel Powell came on for O’Toole at half-time with Hoskins shifted up front to partner van Veen. The Cobblers upped the tempo without creating any clear cut chances but with just over an hour played were awarded a penalty when Flinders brought down Hoskins following a slack back-pass. Kevin van Veen kept his cool to level things up from the spot.
Shaun McWilliams replaced Sam Foley in the Cobblers second change before Powell had to make way for Andy Williams after appearing to pick up an injury.
Forster headed wide from a Jacob Maddox corner with the game opening up and the referee pointed to the spot for a second time when Shay Facey fouled Maddox. Substitute Conor Thomas converted the subsequent penalty to put the Robins back in front.
Kelsey Mooney got the final touch from a corner to make it 3-1 and from there, there was no way back for the Cobblers.
COBBLERS MATCH STATS (first half in brackets, match total out of brackets)
SHOTS ON TARGET: (4) 7
SHOTS OFF TARGET: (4) 4
CORNERS: (3) 4
FOULS: (6) 12
CAUGHT OFFSIDE: (0) 0
CHELTENHAM MATCH STATS (first half in brackets, match total out of brackets)
SHOTS ON TARGET: (1) 4
SHOTS OFF TARGET: (0) 3
CORNERS: (0) 4
FOULS: (7) 13
CAUGHT OFFSIDE: (0) 0
SCRATCH CARD GOAL TIME(S): 35:31, 61:04, 76:04, 82:11