Northampton Town Football Club

Attendance: 2,515 (599 away)

Cobblers: Andrew Fisher, Shaun McWilliams, Charlie Goode (Capt.), Jordan Turnbull, Joe Bunney, Sam Hoskins, Ryan Watson, Scott Pollock (Chris Lines 70), Billy Waters, Matty Warburton (Andy Williams 84), Harry Smith (Vadaine Oliver 76).
Subs not used: David Cornell, Jay Williams, Nicky Adams, Morgan Roberts.

Arsenal: Matt Macey, Emile Smith-Rowe, Folarin Balogun, Tolaji Bola (Tobi Omole 30), Harry Clarke (Capt.), Trae Coyle, Jordan McEneff (Robbie Burton 76), James Olayinka, Joseph Olowu, Zak Swanson (Mazeed Ogbungbo 85), Nathan Tormey. 
Subs not used: Tyreece John-Jules, James Hillson, Miguel Azeez.

Referee: Robert Lewis

Booked:
Cobblers: Sam Hoskins (40), Joe Bunney (69)
Arsenal: Tobi Omole (36, 62), Joseph Olowu (64)

Sent off:
Cobblers: none       
Arsenal: Tobi Omole (62)

The Cobblers' Leasing.com Trophy campaign got underway on Tuesday night when Arsenal Under 21s visited the PTS Academy Stadium. On-loan Blackburn Rovers goalkeeper Andrew Fisher made his debut with young midfielder Scott Pollock also named in the starting XI.

On an extremely humid evening in Northampton it was Fisher who was first called into action, turning behind a shot from Arsenal’s Nathan Tormey. It was a fairly even contest but the Cobblers enjoyed a spell of pressure just after the half hour mark, Matt Warburton having a shot deflected wide and Sam Hoskins seeing an effort saved by Matt Macey.

Clear cut chances for either side were at somewhat of a premium but it needed a smart save from Fisher to deny Trae Coyle ten minutes into the second half. The pacy Tormey then drilled a shot into the side netting as Arsenal pushed forward but Steve Bould’s side were reduced to ten men when substitute Tobi Omole was shown a second yellow card for a foul on Hoskins.

Macey saved from Hoskins following a Cobblers free-kick with Billy Waters finding the side-netting on the follow-up. Chris Lines came on for the final twenty minutes and Vadaine Oliver soon followed, Scott Pollock and Harry Smith making way.

Warburton curled a shot wide but it was Arsenal who made the breakthrough on 78 minutes, James Olayinka side-footing the ball home from close range after a strong run and cross from Folarin Balogun.

The Cobblers weren’t behind for long though, Sam Hoskins with a stunning volley into the roof of the net after a chest down from Oliver. Keith Curle then played his final substitutes card with Andy Williams on for Warburton.

Lines cracked a shot just over from 30-yards as the game entered stoppage time But with neither side able to find a late winner and with the scores level at 90 minutes a penalty shoot-out followed to decide which team would be awarded an extra point in the group stage of the competition.

PENALTIES

Sam Hoskins – scored 1-0

Trae Coyle – saved 1-0

Shaun McWilliams – scored 2-0

Robbie Burton – scored 2-1

Ryan Watson – scored 3-1

Nathan Tormey – scored 3-2

Billy Waters – scored 4-2

Folarin Balogun – scored 4-3

Charlie Goode – saved 4-3

Emile Smith-Rowe – missed 4-3

Cobblers win 4-3 on penalties (Cobblers 2 points, Arsenal U21s 1 point)

COBBLERS MATCH STATS (first half in brackets, match total out of brackets)     
SHOTS ON TARGET: (1) 4
SHOTS OFF TARGET: (3) 7
CORNERS: (4) 6          
FOULS: (6) 12         
CAUGHT OFFSIDE: (0) 1 

ARSENAL MATCH STATS (first half in brackets, match total out of brackets)       
SHOTS ON TARGET: (2) 4 
SHOTS OFF TARGET: (1) 3
CORNERS: (3) 6
FOULS: (6) 15 
CAUGHT OFFSIDE: (0) 0