SKY BET LEAGUE 1
Friday April 16th, 7.45pm
Weston Homes Stadium
PETERBOROUGH UNITED 3
Sammie Szmodics 33, 48
Jonson Clarke-Harris 76 pen
NORTHAMPTON TOWN 1
Sam Hoskins 43 pen
Peterborough: Josef Bursik, Dan Butler, Nathan Thompson, Mark Beevers, Frankie Kent, Jack Taylor, Jonson Clarke-Harris (sub Ricky-Jade Jones 88), Sirki Dembele (sub Harrison Burrows 62), Reece Brown (sub Ethan Hamilton 88), Sammie Szmodics, Joe Ward
Subs not used: Daniel Gyollai, Mo Eisa, Louis Reed, Niall Mason
Cobblers: Jonathan Mitchell, Michael Harriman, Lloyd Jones, Fraser Horsfall, Joseph Mills, Shaun McWilliams (sub Danny Rose 71), Bryn Morris, Ryan Watson, Sam Hoskins, Mark Marshall (sub Caleb Chukwuemeka 59), Alex Jones (sub Ricky Korboa 77)
Subs not used: Charlie Woods, Ryan Edmondson, Liam Cross, Cian Bolger
Referee: Lee Swabey
Booked:
Peterborough: Mark Beevers (42)
Cobblers: Shaun McWilliams (56, 10th of the season), Danny Rose (79, 4th), Lloyd Jones (90, 4th)
15 cautions at any time in season; 3 match suspension
Sent off:
Peterborough: 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.
Alex Jones shook off an Achilles problem to make his first start for Northampton Town while Mark Marshall also came back into the side as Jon Brady made two changes for the local derby with Peterborough United. Alan Sheehan was once again sidelined by injury however with Peter Kioso, Mickel Miller, Jack Sowerby, Scott Pollock and Steve Arnold also all still unavailable.
The game was moved forward to Friday night to avoid a direct clash with the funeral of HRH Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh.
Josef Bursik made a comfortable early save from Bryn Morris as the Cobblers started brightly but it was Peterborough who made the breakthrough with just over half an hour played, Sammie Szmodics tucking home from close range.
The goal was harsh on the Cobblers who had been more than holding their own and they responded well to falling behind, Ryan Watson volleying wide from the edge of the area after a good spell of pressure.
Sam Hoskins equalised from the penalty spot after Mark Beevers held back Alex Jones to see the sides go in level at the break.
Szmodics restored Posh’s lead at the start of the second half, chipping the ball over Jonathan Mitchell after latching onto a ball over the top.
Watson saw a shot blocked as the Cobblers responded, the ball also just failing to fall for Jones inside the area.
Caleb Chukwuemeka replaced Marshall in the Cobblers first change before Mitchell denied Szmodics his hat-trick. Not long after that Peterborough did have a third goal, Jonson Clarke-Harris scoring from the spot following a foul on Nathan Thompson.
Danny Rose, on for Shaun McWilliams, went down in the area as the Cobblers appealed for a penalty but the referee instead booked the striker for simulation. Hoskins drew a smart save from Bursik as Town continued to battle for a way back into the game but despite their best efforts it was Peterborough who claimed the three points.
PETERBOROUGH MATCH STATS (first half in brackets, match total out of brackets)
SHOTS ON TARGET: (1) 7
SHOTS OFF TARGET: (2) 5
CORNERS: (0) 2
FOULS: (6) 15
CAUGHT OFFSIDE: (4) 5
COBBLERS MATCH STATS (first half in brackets, match total out of brackets)
SHOTS ON TARGET: (2) 5
SHOTS OFF TARGET: (2) 2
CORNERS: (1) 3
FOULS: (6) 14
CAUGHT OFFSIDE: (0) 0