SKY BET LEAGUE 2
Saturday November 23rd, 3.00pm
PTS Academy Stadium
NORTHAMPTON TOWN 2
Scott Wharton 25
Vadaine Oliver 41
GRIMSBY TOWN 0
Attendance: 5,211 (597 away supporters)
Cobblers: David Cornell, Paul Anderson (sub Ryan Watson 77), Charlie Goode, Scott Wharton, Jordan Turnbull, Chris Lines, Alan McCormack, Sam Hoskins, Nicky Adams, Vadaine Oliver (sub Scott Pollock 80), Andy Williams (sub Harry Smith 67)
Subs not used: Steve Arnold, Reece Hall-Johnson, Matt Warburton, Michael Harriman
Grimsby: James McKeown, Liam Gibson, Harry Davis, Luke Waterfall, Matt Green (sub Moses Ogbu 68), Jake Hessenthaler, James Hanson, Jordan Cook (sub Ahkeem Rose 68), Ethan Robson (sub Elliott Whitehouse 55), Harry Clifton, Elliott Hewitt
Subs not used: Harry Cardwell, Sebastian Ring, Sam Russell, Joseph Starbuck
Referee: Andy Haines
Booked:
Cobblers: Vadaine Oliver (60, 3rd of the season)
Grimsby: Matt Green (52), Harry Clifton (81), Ahkeem Rose (90)
5 cautions on or before 19 games; 1 match suspension
10 cautions on or before 37 games; 2 match suspension
15 cautions at any time in season; 3 match suspension
Sent off:
Cobblers: none
Grimsby: 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.
Ryan Watson returned on the bench as boss Keith Curle named an unchanged side for the visit of Grimsby Town. The midfielder was back in the matchday squad for the first time since suffering a broken collarbone in early September.
The visitors started brightly on a dark late November afternoon, Jake Hessenthaler shooting just wide when perhaps squaring the ball to a team mate was an option and James Hanson on the volley also going close.
There was a moment of controversy when Andy Williams went down under a challenge in the area but referee Andy Haines said no penalty despite strong protestations from the Cobblers players and supporters. The play then quickly switched to the other end with David Cornell pulling off a smart stop to deny Matt Green.
The Cobblers looked dangerous from set pieces and it was from a Nicky Adams free-kick that the breakthrough came, Scott Wharton heading home at the far post for his third goal in two games.
James McKeown was out quickly to deny Vadaine Oliver and Sam Hoskins saw a shot deflected behind, although a goal kick was given before Jordan Cook headed wide in a good chance for Grimsby.
Oliver looked a threat and he doubled the Cobblers lead before half-time, showing great alertness to pick up the scraps to prod the ball home from close range after Grimsby failed to clear the danger following a good initial header from Hoskins.
Paul Anderson fired wide and Hoskins drew a good save from McKeown in a strong start to the second half from the Cobblers, Charlie Goode also going close with a header just wide from an Adams free-kick.
James Hanson unleashed a powerful shot from 20-yards but Cornell was there to make the save to keep the scoreline at 2-0.
Elliott Hewitt then had a good chance to pull a goal back for Grimsby but couldn’t find the target from six-yards following a well-worked free-kick routine.
Ryan Watson then made his return to action, replacing Anderson with just over ten minutes to play as the Cobblers comfortably closed the game out to continue their impressive recent run of results.
COBBLERS MATCH STATS (first half in brackets, match total out of brackets)
SHOTS ON TARGET: (3) 6
SHOTS OFF TARGET: (3) 7
CORNERS: (2) 6
FOULS: (5) 10
CAUGHT OFFSIDE: (0) 1
GRIMSBY MATCH STATS (first half in brackets, match total out of brackets)
SHOTS ON TARGET: (3) 4
SHOTS OFF TARGET: (5) 6
CORNERS: (2) 3
FOULS: (4) 13
CAUGHT OFFSIDE: (1) 1
SCRATCH CARD GOAL TIMES: 24:41, 40:38