SKY BET LEAGUE 2
Tuesday February 11th, 7.45pm
PTS Academy Stadium
NORTHAMPTON TOWN 0
SWINDON TOWN 1
Jordan Lyden 77
Attendance: 5,759 (1,319 away supporters)
Cobblers: David Cornell, Charlie Goode, Lloyd Jones, Scott Wharton, Nicky Adams, Mark Marshall, Jordan Turnbull, Chris Lines (sub Ryan Watson 70), Sam Hoskins, Vadaine Oliver (sub Callum Morton 65), Andy Williams
Subs not used: Steve Arnold, Michael Harriman, Joe Martin, Paul Anderson, Matt Warburton
Swindon: Steven Benda, Zeki Fryers, Lloyd Isgrove (sub Kaiyne Woolery 82), Michael Doughty, Jordan Lyden, Rob Hunt, Diallang Jaiyesimi (sub Jerry Yates 67), Eoin Doyle, Paul Caddis (sub Tom Broadbent 27), Anthony Grant, Rarmani Edmonds-Green
Subs not used: Matt Palmer, Luke McCormick, Hallam Hope, Admiral Muskwe
Referee: Tom Nield
Booked:
Cobblers: Charlie Goode (58, 6th of the season), Vadaine Oliver (63, 4th), Lloyd Jones (68, 1st)
Swindon: Eoin Doyle (70)
10 cautions on or before 37 games; 2 match suspension
15 cautions at any time in season; 3 match suspension
Sent off:
Cobblers: none
Swindon: 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.
League leaders Swindon Town were at the PTS for a midweek fixture as the Cobblers looked to close the gap on one of their promotion rivals. Andy Williams came back into the side to make his 600th career appearance with Chris Lines and Jordan Turnbull also recalled. Richie Wellens was a notable absentee from the dugout, the Robins boss missing the game through illness.
There was an early sight at goal for the EFL’s leading goalscorer Eoin Doyle but his shot was comfortable for David Cornell. Steven Benda made a top save to turn behind a stinging drive from Mark Marshall and Cornell again saved from Doyle but with less than half an hour played Swindon were forced into a defensive change, Tom Broadbent on for the injured Paul Caddis.
It was a tight first half and it needed another good save from Benda, this time to deny Sam Hoskins, to ensure the first half ended goalless.
Turnbull fired over from a well-worked corner at the start of the second half before Diallang Jaiyesimi had a chance to put Swindon in front but failed to connect with Michael Doughty’s cross.
Callum Morton came on for Vadaine Oliver in the Cobblers first change with Jerry Yates on for the Robins. Ryan Watson then replaced Lines with twenty minutes to play.
Williams was denied by a perfectly timed sliding tackle inside the area and not long after that Swindon made the breakthrough, Jordan Lyden heading in a left-wing cross.
Benda saved Charlie Goode’s header as the Cobblers responded to falling behind but that was the closest they came to an equaliser, the league leaders seeing the game out to claim the three points.
COBBLERS MATCH STATS (first half in brackets, match total out of brackets)
SHOTS ON TARGET: (2) 3
SHOTS OFF TARGET: (3) 6
CORNERS: (2) 6
FOULS: (8) 13
CAUGHT OFFSIDE: (1) 1
SWINDON MATCH STATS (first half in brackets, match total out of brackets)
SHOTS ON TARGET: (2) 6
SHOTS OFF TARGET: (0) 2
CORNERS: (4) 8
FOULS: (5) 15
CAUGHT OFFSIDE: (2) 2
SCRATCH CARD GOAL TIMES: 76:50