SKY BET LEAGUE 2
Tuesday September 17th, 7.45pm
Lamex Stadium
STEVENAGE 0
NORTHAMPTON TOWN 1
Harry Smith 56
Attendance: not announced
Stevenage: Paul Farman, Luther James-Wildin, Chris Stokes, Scott Cuthbert, Charlie Carter (sub Paul Taylor 78), Ben Kennedy, Noor Husin, Dany Newton, Kelland Watts, Kurtis Guthrie, Elliott List (sub Craig Mackail-Smith 67)
Subs not used: Sacha Bastien, Jason Cowley, Arthur Iontton, Adam El-Abd, Tyler Denton
Cobblers: David Cornell, Michael Harriman, Joe Martin, Charlie Goode, Scott Wharton, Jordan Turnbull (sub Harry Smith 46), Shaun McWilliams, Chris Lines, Nicky Adams (sub Egli Kaja 75), Sam Hoskins, Andy Williams (sub Vadaine Oliver 70)
Subs not used: Andrew Fisher, Matt Warburton, Scott Pollock, Billy Waters
Referee: Charles Breakspear
Booked:
Stevenage: Chris Stokes (21), Luther James-Wildin (41), Paul Farman (67)
Cobblers: Jordan Turnbull (25, 4th of the season), Charlie Goode (38, 3rd), Shaun McWilliams (64, 2nd), Harry Smith (67, 2nd), Vadaine Oliver (80, 2nd)
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:
Stevenage: none
Cobblers: Harry Smith (68, one match ban)
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.
Keith Curle named an unchanged side for the midweek trip to Stevenage with midfielder Shaun McWilliams passed fit having been substituted in the win over Newport County.
Stevenage started well, forcing a number of early corners but it was the Cobblers with the first shot on goal of the night, Paul Farman saving from Andy Williams. An overhead kick from Elliott List drifted just over following a scramble in the Cobblers box while a header back across the face of goal from Charlie Goode just evaded Jordan Turnbull.
A fine save from David Cornell to keep out a header from midfielder Charlie Carter maintained parity with the home side pressing for the opening goal before half-time. The Cobblers defence stood firm though as the teams left the field at the break goalless.
Turnbull, booked in the first half, was replaced by Harry Smith at half-time and it was the summer signing who broke the deadlock, heading in Nicky Adams cross for his first Cobblers goal.
Farman saved from Chris Lines as the Cobblers had a chance for a quick second before Stevenage brought on experienced frontman Craig Mackail-Smith.
Goalscorer Smith’s night turned sour midway through the second half when referee Charles Breakspear produced a second yellow card in a matter of minutes for the former Macclesfield striker, the Cobblers down to ten men and Vadaine Oliver on for Williams.
Nicky Adams made way for Egli Kaja in the Cobblers final change as Stevenage pushed forward looking to capitalise on their numerical advantage in the time remaining. Kurtis Guthrie had a shot blocked at close range following a scramble in the area but the Cobblers were defending resolutely looking to see the game out.
Mackail-Smith headed wide in a good chance for Stevenage as the game moved into six minutes of stoppage time but Town's ten men stood firm to claim the three points, making it back-to-back wins and three wins out of four for Keith Curle’s side in the league.
STEVENAGE MATCH STATS (first half in brackets, match total out of brackets)
SHOTS ON TARGET: (3) 6
SHOTS OFF TARGET: (3) 9
CORNERS: (7) 14
FOULS: (10) 13
CAUGHT OFFSIDE: (0) 0
COBBLERS MATCH STATS (first half in brackets, match total out of brackets)
SHOTS ON TARGET: (2) 5
SHOTS OFF TARGET: (0) 0
CORNERS: (0) 2
FOULS: (6) 11
CAUGHT OFFSIDE: (0) 1