SKY BET LEAGUE 2
Saturday January 11th, 3.00pm
Peninsula Stadium
SALFORD CITY 1
Jack Baldwin 20
NORTHAMPTON TOWN 2
Sam Hoskins 29
Andy Williams 63
Attendance: 2,919 (1,066 Cobblers fans)
Salford: Kyle Letheren, Scott Wiseman (sub Nathan Pond 86), Ibou Touray, Luke Armstrong (sub Adam Rooney 70), Sam Hughes, Cameron Burgess, Jack Baldwin, Richie Towell, Brandon Thomas-Asante, Jake Jervis, Craig Conway (sub Ash Hunter 70)
Subs not used: Chris Neal, Liam Hogan, Danny Lloyd, Alex Doyle
Cobblers: David Cornell, Charlie Goode, Jordan Turnbull, Scott Wharton, Sam Hoskins, Nicky Adams (sub Michael Harriman 86), Chris Lines, Ryan Watson, Paul Anderson (sub Matt Warburton 77), Vadaine Oliver, Andy Williams (sub Morgan Roberts 90)
Subs not used: Steve Arnold, Reece Hall-Johnson, Joe Martin, Scott Pollock
Referee: Ross Joyce
Booked:
Salford: Brandon Thomas-Asante (22), Jack Baldwin (67)
Cobblers: Sam Hoskins (46, 7th of the season), Chris Lines (69, 3rd), David Cornell (85, 1st), Jordan Turnbull (90, 8th)
10 cautions on or before 37 games; 2 match suspension
15 cautions at any time in season; 3 match suspension
Sent off:
Salford: none
Cobblers: 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.
Keith Curle named an unchanged side for the Cobblers first ever trip to relative EFL newcomers Salford City. Winger Morgan Roberts, back from a loan spell at Banbury United, was named on the bench with Alan McCormack, Harry Smith and Shaun McWilliams all still unavailable for selection.
An early Nicky Adams free-kick almost resulted in an Ibou Touray own goal and Vadaine Oliver went close with a delightful overhead kick in a bright start from the Cobblers.
It was Salford though who drew first blood when Craig Conway’s corner was headed home by Jack Baldwin. The home side had been growing into the contest and Jake Jervis shot wide from the edge of the area before the Cobblers equalised, Sam Hoskins with a fine strike into the bottom corner after being played in by Adams.
Salford nearly re-took the lead on the stroke of half-time but Brandon Thomas-Asante’s shot came back off the inside of the post with Charlie Goode making an important challenge to deny Baldwin a shooting opportunity on the follow-up.
Vadaine Oliver found some space in the box early in the second half but after seeing his initial effort blocked by Cameron Burgess he could only find the side netting on the follow-up. There was then a half chance for Andy Williams who couldn’t quite convert from an acute angle.
Jervis dragged a shot wide and David Cornell saved from Conway before the Cobblers took the lead, Paul Anderson’s deflected cross falling for Andy Williams who found the net with a sweetly struck shot.
Thomas-Asante fired over, Scott Wharton made an important block to deny substitute Ash Hunter and Cornell made a terrific save to tip over a shot from Nathan Pond as Salford pressed for an equaliser but the Cobblers stood firm to continue their 100% winning record in 2020.
SALFORD MATCH STATS (first half in brackets, match total out of brackets)
SHOTS ON TARGET: (1) 5
SHOTS OFF TARGET: (8) 11
CORNERS: (7) 9
FOULS: (6) 14
CAUGHT OFFSIDE: (0) 1
COBBLERS MATCH STATS (first half in brackets, match total out of brackets)
SHOTS ON TARGET: (2) 7
SHOTS OFF TARGET: (0) 5
CORNERS: (4) 6
FOULS: (7) 15
CAUGHT OFFSIDE: (2) 2