PRE-SEASON FIXTURE
Friday July 12th, 5.00pm
Pinatar Arena
COVENTRY CITY 1
Jamie Allen 47
NORTHAMPTON TOWN 1
Harry Smith 40
Coventry: Marko Marosi, Fankaty Dabo, Brandon Mason, Josh Eccles, Tom Bayliss, Morgan Williams, Jordan Shipley, Gervane Kastaneer, Kyle McFadzean, Jordy Hiwula, Amadou Bakayoko.
Subs: Ben Wilson, Josh Pask, Michael Rose, Liam Kelly, Dominic Hyam, Jamie Allen, Wesley Jobello, Conor Chaplin, Zain Westbrooke, Maxime Biamou
Cobblers: Steve Arnold, Shaun McWilliams, Jordan Turnbull, Joe Martin, Joe Bunney, Nicky Adams, Chris Lines, Ryan Watson, Matty Warburton, Harry Smith, Andy Williams.
Subs: Jay Williams, Ryan Hughes, Morgan Roberts, Scott Pollock, Sam Hoskins, Curtis Yebli (trialist), Vadaine Oliver
Northampton Town took on League 1 side Coventry City at the Pinatar Arena on Friday evening as the club’s pre-season training camp in Spain drew to a close. Keith Curle named seven of his summer signings in his starting XI - Steve Arnold, Joe Martin, Chris Lines, Matty Warburton, Ryan Watson, Nicky Adams and Harry Smith.
The first opportunity for the Cobblers came on twelve minutes when Nicky Adams and Matt Warburton created a shooting opportunity for Andy Williams that was blocked for a corner. Adams then just failed to pick out Harry Smith with a cross after picking up a loose ball just outside the Coventry area.
Jordan Shipley fizzed a long range effort over the bar for the Sky Blues as the first half reached its mid-way point, before the Cobblers went close on 35 minutes.
Shaun McWilliams found Harry Smith who knocked the ball down for Williams on the edge of the area but his shot was saved by Markosi. Matty Warburton fired the loose ball wide from outside the area.
Harry Smith opened the scoring just before half time, keeping his cool to slot beyond Markosi having been played through and the big striker almost had a second moments later, but his shot fell just wide of the post.
The Cobblers made three changes at the break but it was a Sky Blues substitute, Jamie Allen, who found the net at the start of the second half, scoring from close range to restore parity.
Conor Chaplin fired a rebound over the bar for City just before the hour mark, before Vadaine Oliver headed a Joe Martin corner over.
Steve Arnold saved low from the lively Chaplin with just over 20 minutes to go, while Oliver was involved again on 78 minutes setting up a shooting chance for Morgan Roberts, but the City keeper was there to make the save.
The final real opportunity of note was an audacious effort from Ryan Watson, who almost lobbed keeper Wilson from the half way line, but the City substitute stopper recovered to make the save and ensure the game ended in a 1-1 draw.
The Cobblers fly back to England on Saturday night and are next in action against Championship side Sheffield Wednesday at the PTS Academy Stadium on Tuesday evening (7.30pm) before a Sheffield double header is completed with a visit of Premier League Sheffield United on Saturday July 20th at 3pm. Tickets for both games are available via ntfcdirect.co.uk