The Northampton Town teams enjoyed a busy weekend of multi disability football.
Players from our Championship and League multi disability squads combined to make a 13-man squad to compete in the South East Regional 11v11 Cup First Round.
On a fresh morning in St Albans, the squad began with a very hard fought 1-0 win against MK Dons, Tyler netting from close range after great work down the wing from Joe.
A superb defensive effort followed to make sure the Cobblers started with a clean sheet and more importantly put three points on the board.
Unfortunately, the second game of the day did not go to plan, losing 1-0 to St Albans City Youth. St Albans scoring early in the game through a fantastic strike from 25 yards.
Tyler thought he had rescued a point for the Cobblers only to be denied by the offside flag.
So it came to the final game of the day, Northampton Town needing to win by three clear goals to secure qualification into the next round, Herts Youth inclusive were the opponents.
The Cobblers had the ball in the net from their first attack of the game, Joe playing a neat one two with Liam only to be denied again by the assistant referee's flag.
Tom then made a great run from centre back but dragged a shot just wide of the post but the Cobblers kept up the pressure and finally got the breakthrough with a great strike in the box from George.
With seven minutes left on the clock, great work from George saw him drive into the box before a shot-come-cross evaded everyone and found the far bottom corner of the goal. Still needing another goal, the Cobblers squandered more chances.
Joe was next to try his luck, but his one on one was fantastically saved by the keeper. However, from the resulting corner, the ball dropped kindly into Tom’s path to tap home the third. Northampton were not finished there though, a fourth was added late on with Joe getting on the scoresheet thanks to a lovely cushioned header from a great corner by Liam. This was the cherry on the cake for the Cobblers who qualified by finishing second behind MK Dons. The next round is to be played in the new year.
Meanwhile, on Saturday our multi disability under 10s and under 14s took part in the latest Leicester and Rutland Inclusive League fixtures at Market Harborough FC.
A new look under 10s side performed with passion and plenty of effort.
They turned in some great performances given this was the first time they has played together as a team.
An under strength under 14s squad were down to four players. The four who played gave everything they had and came away from the event leaving nothing on the pitch so well done to all involved for a great effort.
For more details on the club's disability football programme please email r.lewis@ntfc.co.uk