SKY BET LEAGUE 2
Sunday December 29th, 3.00pm
PTS Academy Stadium
NORTHAMPTON TOWN 1
Jordan Turnbull 38
CHELTENHAM TOWN 1
Conor Thomas 3 pen
Attendance: 5,090 (367 away supporters)
Cobblers: David Cornell, Charlie Goode, Jordan Turnbull, Scott Wharton, Michael Harriman, Nicky Adams, Sam Hoskins (sub Scott Pollock 88), Ryan Watson, Paul Anderson, Vadaine Oliver, Andy Williams
Subs not used: Steve Arnold, Matt Warburton, Reece Hall-Johnson, Joe Martin, Chris Lines, Billy Waters
Cheltenham: Scott Flinders, Sean Long, Chris Hussey, Ben Tozer, Charlie Raglan, Conor Thomas, Ryan Broom, Max Sheaf (sub Alex Addai 66), George Lloyd (sub Tahvon Campbell 81), Jake Doyle-Hayes (sub Rohan Ince 31), Jacob Greaves
Subs not used: Chris Clements, Will Boyle, Josh Debayo, Rhys Lovett
Referee: Martin Coy
Booked:
Cobblers: Jordan Turnbull (2, 7th of the season), Sam Hoskins (14, 5th)
Cheltenham: Jacob Greaves (55), Max Sheaf (58), Alex Addai (90)
10 cautions on or before 37 games; 2 match suspension
15 cautions at any time in season; 3 match suspension
Sent off:
Cobblers: none
Cheltenham: Alex Addai (90)
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.
Cheltenham Town were the final visitors of 2019 to the PTS Academy Stadium with the Cobblers looking to bounce back from defeat at Crawley on Boxing Day.
Harry Smith (ankle) and Shaun McWilliams (knee) were both unavailable after being stretchered off late on in that game with Keith Curle making five changes, including a return in goal for David Cornell. Andy Williams, Vadaine Oliver, Paul Anderson and Michael Harriman also all came into the side while former Cobbler Ben Tozer captained the Robins who went into the game just one point and two places above the Cobblers in the table.
Before kick-off there was a period of applause to remember those who sadly passed away over the previous few months with tributes also shown on the big screen.
As the final Cobblers game of the decade got under way, Conor Thomas put Cheltenham in front from the penalty spot early on with Jordan Turnbull booked for bringing down George Lloyd.
Williams, on the volley, went close to an equaliser after a good knock down from Oliver while the Cobblers had their own appeals for a penalty turned down when Sam Hoskins went down in the area.
Jordan Turnbull had the Cobblers back on level terms before half-time, stabbing home from close range after Scott Flinders could only parry a Nicky Adams free-kick to Oliver and his flick back into the danger area set up the equaliser.
Paul Anderson was denied by a last-ditch challenge from a Cheltenham defender before Charlie Goode fired over on the follow-up at the start of the second half.
The Cobblers were probing and it needed a terrific save from Flinders to keep out a Watson drive while Williams curled a shot against the post.
Watson made an important challenge after Alex Addai cut the ball back to Sean Long in a rare foray forward from the visitors in the second half before the Cobblers again went close, Hoskins finding the side netting.
For the second time in the afternoon the Cobblers appeals for a penalty were turned down when Williams went over in the area in stoppage time but despite pressing hard for a winner Keith Curle’s side had to settle for a point while Cheltenham ended the game with ten men after Alex Addai was sent off for raising his hands to Charlie Goode.
COBBLERS MATCH STATS (first half in brackets, match total out of brackets)
SHOTS ON TARGET: (3) 8
SHOTS OFF TARGET: (3) 7
CORNERS: (0) 1
FOULS: (4) 6
CAUGHT OFFSIDE: (4) 4
CHELTENHAM MATCH STATS (first half in brackets, match total out of brackets)
SHOTS ON TARGET: (1) 1
SHOTS OFF TARGET: (1) 2
CORNERS: (1) 1
FOULS: (10) 18
CAUGHT OFFSIDE: (0) 0
SCRATCH CARD GOAL TIMES: 2:35, 37:52