PRE-SEASON FIXTURE
Saturday July 6th, 3.00pm
Fernie Fields
SILEBY RANGERS 0
NORTHAMPTON TOWN 7
Andy Williams 2
Junior Morias 21
Vadaine Oliver 58, 76, 88
Billy Waters 78
Matt Warburton 82
Sileby: Sachin Tayal, Dom Okanu, Joe Shanley, Ryan Chamberlain, Luke Archer, Lewis Carpenter, Daniel Raymond, Jacob Cox, Ben Drinkwater, Ryan Ansell, Warren McSkelly
Subs: Dom Roberto, Dan Hall, Sidiki Atcha, Luca Purse, Justin Wilks, Kyle Ansell, Sam Durrant, Hilton Arthur, Ross Edwards
Cobblers first half: David Cornell, Shaun McWilliams, Jay Williams, Ryan Hughes, Joe Bunney, Morgan Roberts, Chris Lines, Curtis Yebli (trialist), Nathan Tyson (trialist), Junior Morias, Andy Williams
Cobblers 2nd half: Steve Arnold, Reece Hall-Johnson, Joe Bunney (sub Ryan Hughes 70), Joe Martin, Sam Hoskins, Nicky Adams, Jack Newell, Matt Warburton, Billy Waters, Vadaine Oliver, Harry Smith
Booked:
Sileby: none
Cobblers: none
Sent off:
Sileby: none
Cobblers: none
It was a cloudy afternoon at Fernie Fields as the Cobblers took on Sileby Rangers in the now traditional opening pre-season fixture.
Of the eleven summer signings made by boss Keith Curle to date only Chris Lines was named in the starting eleven for the first half with trialists Curtis Yebli and Nathan Tyson also given a run out.
Andy Williams neat touch and finish put the Cobblers in front inside the opening five minutes with debutant Chris Lines also heavily involved in the build-up. Lines' lofted ball forward found Shaun McWilliams who in turn played in Williams for the opening goal.
It was nearly 2-0 when a chipped effort from Junior Morias clipped the cross bar while Nathan Tyson saw a shot saved by the Sileby goalkeeper.
Morias did double the Cobblers lead midway through the first half though, unleashing a powerful strike from range that took a deflection before finding the back of the net.
Williams was denied a second goal when his shot on the turn was saved following some good work down the left hand side by Tyson and Morias was likewise denied a second goal of the afternoon when the Sileby keeper saved with his legs, Lines' vision again creating the opportunity. Morgan Roberts also had a couple of efforts on goal in a strong first half showing with Morias again denied by a superb save from the Sileby goalkeeper before half-time.
Summer signing Steve Arnold replaced David Cornell in goal at half time with fellow new arrivals Reece Hall-Johnson, Joe Martin, Matt Warburton, Vadaine Oliver and Harry Smith also named in the side for the second half. Nicky Adams also made his playing return in a Cobblers shirt having re-joined the club.
Matt Warburton had a shot blocked behind in the early stages of the second half with Smith also having a sight at goal, heading narrowly over the bar from a left-wing cross.
Vadaine Oliver made it 3-0 just before the hour mark, heading home a perfectly delivered cross from Nicky Adams. Oliver went close again a few minutes later but this time his header from Billy Waters cross went over the bar.
Warburton couldn’t quite find the finish to match his good initial touch as his shot rolled just wide but there was nothing wrong with Vadaine Oliver’s finish as he made it 4-0 with a spectacular overhead kick.
Billy Waters then tapped home from close range, Adams again providing the assist as the Cobblers made it a nap hand.
They weren’t done though and Matt Warburton made it 6-0 with a fine left-foot strike from distance before Oliver wrapped things up by sidefooting home for his hat-trick and the Cobblers' seventh goal of the afternoon.
SILEBY MATCH STATS (first half in brackets, match total out of brackets)
SHOTS ON TARGET: (0) 0
SHOTS OFF TARGET: (0) 2
CORNERS: (1) 1
FOULS: (4) 6
CAUGHT OFFSIDE: (0) 0
COBBLERS MATCH STATS (first half in brackets, match total out of brackets)
SHOTS ON TARGET: (10) 17
SHOTS OFF TARGET: (8) 16
CORNERS: (5) 9
FOULS: (5) 12
CAUGHT OFFSIDE: (0) 0