SKY BET LEAGUE 2
Tuesday February 5th, 7.45pm
Prenton Park
TRANMERE ROVERS 1
James Norwood 25
NORTHAMPTON TOWN 2
Sam Hoskins 2, 45
Attendance: not confirmed
Tranmere: Scott Davies, Liam Ridehalgh, Sid Nelson, Manny Monthe, James Norwood, Connor Jennings, Luke McCullough (sub Harvey Gilmour 86), Jake Caprice, David Perkins, Kieron Morris (sub Jonny Smith 72), Ben Pringle (sub Chris Dagnall 59)
Subs not used: Luke Pilling, Adam Buxton, Jay Harris, Paul Mullin
Cobblers: David Cornell, Shay Facey, Charlie Goode, Ash Taylor, Aaron Pierre, David Buchanan, Jordan Turnbull, Joe Powell (sub John-Joe O'Toole 58), Shaun McWilliams (sub Junior Morias 85), Jack Bridge, Sam Hoskins (sub Daniel Powell 79)
Subs not used: Luke Coddington, Morgan Roberts, Timi Elsnik, Andy Williams
Referee: Paul Marsden
Booked:
Tranmere: none
Cobblers: John-Joe O'Toole (67, 5th of the season), Aaron Pierre (82, 6th), Shay Facey (87, 4th)
10 cautions on or before 37 games; 2 match suspension
15 cautions at any time in season; 3 match suspension
Sent off:
Tranmere: 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.
David Buchanan, Joe Powell, Sam Hoskins and Jordan Turnbull all came into the side as boss Keith Curle made four changes for the midweek trip to Prenton Park.
On a rainy night in Birkenhead the Cobblers started brightly and took the lead inside two minutes, Sam Hoskins with a fine finish after getting away from the Tranmere defence.
Rovers responded and it needed a good block from Charlie Goode to deny top scorer James Norwood. Town continued to pose a threat on the break with Joe Powell firing over after a neat interchange between Hoskins and Jack Bridge.
A deflected effort from David Buchanan almost found its way to Bridge who was in on goal but Tranmere cleared the danger and they were back on level terms soon after, James Norwood turning Jake Caprice’s cross in from close range.
The remainder of the half was fairly quiet and with the score seemingly set to be 1-1 going in at half-time, Sam Hoskins had other ideas and he put the Cobblers back in front with a stunning back heel flick over the keeper after a ball in from Buchanan.
Norwood flashed a header just wide at the start of the second half before John-Joe O’Toole replaced Joe Powell with the hour mark approaching.
The Cobblers were holding their opponents at arm’s length but David Cornell was called into action on 73 minutes, making a good low save from Rovers substitute Jonny Smith.
Another Rovers substitute, Chris Dagnall went close with a header as the home side looked to build a spell of concerted pressure.
Cornell was alert to the danger when the ball ricocheted off Dagnall and a terrific clearing header from Goode denied Connor Jennings in stoppage time as Keith Curle’s side remained resolute to claim the three points.
TRANMERE MATCH STATS (first half in brackets, match total out of brackets)
SHOTS ON TARGET: (3) 7
SHOTS OFF TARGET: (3) 8
CORNERS: (3) 7
FOULS: (1) 5
CAUGHT OFFSIDE: (0) 0
COBBLERS MATCH STATS (first half in brackets, match total out of brackets)
SHOTS ON TARGET: (3) 3
SHOTS OFF TARGET: (2) 2
CORNERS: (2) 4
FOULS: (5) 17
CAUGHT OFFSIDE: (0) 1