SKY BET LEAGUE 2
Tuesday January 28th 2020, kick off 7.45pm
PTS Academy Stadium
NORTHAMPTON TOWN 3
Vadaine Oliver 7, 62
Sam Hoskins 71 pen
SCUNTHORPE UNITED 0
Attendance: 4,038 (181 away supporters)
Cobblers: David Cornell, Charlie Goode, Joe Martin, Michael Harriman, Nicky Adams (sub Chris Lines 75), Sam Hoskins, James Olayinka, Ryan Watson, Paul Anderson (sub Mark Marshall 54), Vadaine Oliver, Andy Williams (sub Callum Morton 55)
Subs not used: Steve Arnold, Matt Warburton, Reece Hall-Johnson, Morgan Roberts
Scunthorpe: Ian Lawlor, Matthew Lund, Andy Butler, Kevin van Veen, James Perch, Jordan Lawrence-Gabriel, Alex Gilliead, Harrison McGahey, Abo Eisa, Jacob Bedeau, John McAtee (sub George Miller 41)
Subs not used: Rory Watson, Levi Sutton, Alfie Beestin, Joe Cummings, Mason O’Malley, Tom Pugh
Referee: Sam Purkiss
Booked:
Cobblers: Ryan Watson (2, 2nd of the season)
Scunthorpe: Harrison McGahey (70), Jordan Lawrence-Gabriel (85)
10 cautions on or before 37 games; 2 match suspension
15 cautions at any time in season; 3 match suspension
Sent off:
Cobblers: none
Scunthorpe: Kevin van Veen (36)
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.
There was a debut for on-loan Arsenal midfielder James Olayinka while fellow new signings winger Mark Marshall and West Brom striker Callum Morton were named on the bench for the midweek clash with Scunthorpe United at the PTS Academy Stadium. Jordan Turnbull, who picked up a knock in the Emirates FA Cup fourth round tie with Derby, was replaced by Joe Martin in defence with Scott Wharton still suspended. Former Cobblers striker Kevin van Veen started for Scunthorpe.
Vadaine Oliver headed in a Nicky Adams cross to put the Cobblers in front early on, Olayinka also involved and it was his slide rule pass that set up the crossing opportunity for Adams.
Another Adams cross nearly lead to a second Cobblers goal but Paul Anderson’s volley was just too high while a van Veen corner caused a moment of danger for the home side.
Van Veen’s night was to soon turn sour though and following a push on Charlie Goode he was shown a straight red card by referee Sam Purkiss.
Goode cannoned a header against the post and Anderson fired wide as the Cobblers looked to make the most of their numerical advantage with a second goal before half-time. There was also a strong shout for a penalty when Andy Williams appeared to be pushed over in the area but the referee was unmoved.
Ian Lawlor saved with his legs to deny Adams at the start of the second half before substitute George Miller spurned a good chance to equalise. Mark Marshall and Callum Morton then came on to make their debut replacing Anderson and Williams in a double change from Keith Curle.
David Cornell saved from Jacob Bedeau and not long after that the Cobblers doubled their lead and it was a second of the night for Vadaine Oliver, who finished at the second attempt after being played through by Sam Hoskins.
Hoskins made it 3-0 from the penalty spot after Morton, on a good run in to the area, was dragged down by Harrison McGahey.
Oliver had a chance to complete his hat-trick late on but dragged his shot wide and 3-0 was how it finished as the Cobblers continued their impressive run of form to put pressure on the top three, unbeaten in January in the league and still involved in the Emirates FA Cup.
COBBLERS MATCH STATS (first half in brackets, match total out of brackets)
SHOTS ON TARGET: (4) 10
SHOTS OFF TARGET: (3) 4
CORNERS: (0) 1
FOULS: (6) 17
CAUGHT OFFSIDE: (1) 1
SCUNTHORPE MATCH STATS (first half in brackets, match total out of brackets)
SHOTS ON TARGET: (1) 7
SHOTS OFF TARGET: (2) 8
CORNERS: (3) 6
FOULS: (13) 17
CAUGHT OFFSIDE: (1) 3
SCRATCH CARD GOAL TIMES: 6:28, 61:08, 71:00