SKY BET LEAGUE 1
Saturday September 26th, 3.00pm
PTS Academy Stadium
MATCH SPONSORS: FLEXISPACE CONSTRUCTION
NORTHAMPTON TOWN 0
HULL CITY 2
Keane Lewis-Potter 34
George Honeyman 44
Cobblers: Steve Arnold, Luka Racic (sub Nicky Adams 84), Cian Bolger, Joe Martin, Joseph Mills, Mark Marshall (sub Caleb Chukwuemeka 72), Ryan Watson, Christopher Missilou, Sam Hoskins, Matt Warburton (sub Joe Nuttall 54), Harry Smith
Subs not used: Jonathan Mitchell, Chris Lines, Morgan Roberts, Michael Harriman
Hull: Matt Ingram, Callum Elder, Jordy De Wijs, Reece Burke, George Honeyman, Josh Emmanuel, Alfie Jones, Hakeeb Adelakun (sub James Scott 69), Keane Lewis-Potter (sub Daniel Batty 88), Josh Maggenis, Greg Docherty
Subs not used: George Long, Lewie Coyle, Sean McLoughlin, Thomas Mayer, Callum Jones
Referee: Alan Young
Booked:
Cobblers: Christopher Missilou (33, 2nd of the season), Ryan Watson (69, 1st)
Hull: Jordy De Wijs (26), Josh Magennis (30), Greg Docherty (52)
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
Hull: 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.
There was some better news on the injury front as Northampton Town welcomed Hull City to the PTS Academy Stadium with Harry Smith and Luka Racic back in the starting line-up while for the first time this season Keith Curle was able to name Nicky Adams and summer loan signing Joe Nuttall in the matchday squad.
On a windy afternoon the Cobblers started brightly, Sam Hoskins seeing an early shot blocked from close range and Racic an effort deflected behind from a corner.
Matt Ingram, who had a loan spell with the Cobblers back in the 2017/18 season, was alert to the danger, punching the ball away from the advancing Hoskins before the visitors went close through Keane Lewis-Potter, his rasping shot from the edge of the area flying just wide. Ingram then saved a Joseph Mills free-kick as the game reached the half hour mark.
Hull made the breakthrough on 34 minutes, George Honeyman delivering an inch-perfect free-kick that was met by the head of Keane Lewis-Potter.
The goal came somewhat against the run of play but with half-time approaching provider turned scorer as George Honeyman doubled the Tigers lead with a neat side-foot finish from close range.
Joe Nuttall came on to make his Cobblers debut ten minutes into the second half while Hull substitute James Scott flashed a header just wide.
Caleb Chukwuemeka came on for Mark Marshall in the Cobblers' second change before Steve Arnold made a good save to prevent Scott making it 3-0.
Nicky Adams made a welcome return to action, replacing Racic for the final few minutes and he nearly had a goal when his cross/shot caught out Ingram and landed on the roof of the net.
The Cobblers kept pressing and Hoskins had a shot blocked late on as Hull, relegated from the Sky Bet Championship last season, ensured their third win on the bounce at the start of the campaign.
COBBLERS MATCH STATS (first half in brackets, match total out of brackets)
SHOTS ON TARGET: (2) 3
SHOTS OFF TARGET: (2) 3
CORNERS: (2) 4
FOULS: (14) 18
CAUGHT OFFSIDE: (0) 1
HULL MATCH STATS (first half in brackets, match total out of brackets)
SHOTS ON TARGET: (2) 4
SHOTS OFF TARGET: (3) 4
CORNERS: (1) 4
FOULS: (10) 15
CAUGHT OFFSIDE: (1) 2