PAPA JOHN'S TROPHY
Tuesday November 2nd, 7.00pm
Sixfields
NORTHAMPTON TOWN 1
Nicke Kabamba 37
BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION UNDER 21S 2
Evan Ferguson 71
Lorent Tolj 90
Attendance: 1,014 (21 away supporters)
Cobblers: Charlie Woods, Sam Hoskins, Dominic Revan, Josh Tomlinson, Josh Flanagan, Scott Pollock, Peter Abimbola, Liam Cross, Miguel Ngwa (sub Tommy Curry 72), Nicke Kabamba, Benny Ashley-Seal
Subs not used: Liam Roberts, Courtney Lashley, Kenny Ndefo, Dylan Hill, Jack Connor
Brighton under 21s: Tom McGill, Jack Spong, Marc Leonard, Lorent Tolaj, James Furlong, Ed Turns, Sam Packham, Odel Offiah, Andy Moran, Cam Peupion (sub Evan Ferguson 57), Todd Miller (sub Ulrick Ella 82)
Subs not used: Adam Desbois, Jack Hinchy, Ben Jackson, Casper Nilsson, Jack Hinshelwood
Referee: Christopher Pollard
Booked:
Cobblers: Liam Cross (73)
Brighton: Jack Spong (26), Ed Turns (64), Ulrick Ella (87)
Sent off:
Cobblers: none
Brighton: none
15-year old centre-back Josh Tomlinson became the youngest player ever to represent Northampton Town as boss Jon Brady named a very youthful side for the final group game in the Papa John’s Trophy. A number of players were unavailable for selection due to injury or illness while Jordan Flores was suspended having picked up two bookings in the competition.
Going into the game the Cobblers knew a win would see them through to the knockout stages while a draw might also be enough depending on the result between Forest Green Rovers and Walsall.
Miguel Ngwa just failed to get on the end of a ball in from Sam Hoskins and Liam Cross found the side netting in a bright start from the Cobblers.
Brighton had a chance to take the lead following a slick counter-attack but having been played in by Todd Miller, Cam Peupion put his shot wide. The pacy Miller also had a shot blocked before Nicke Kabamba put the Cobblers in front with a composed finish to beat Tom McGill, Benny Ashley-Seal providing the assist.
Ashley-Seal shot just wide and Peter Abimbola drew a smart save from McGill as the Cobblers looked for a second goal.
Evan Ferguson drew a finger-tip save from Charlie Woods but the Seagulls substitute wasn’t to be denied a second time when he curled a terrific shot into the top corner.
Scott Pollock had a shot deflected behind as the Cobblers forced a run of corners in a bid to restore their lead while Brighton had an appeal for a penalty turned down when Ulrick Ella went down in the area and was booked for simulation.
Brighton were pressing for a late winner and they got it deep in stoppage time, Lorent Tolaj turning the ball home from close range to end the Cobblers interest in this season’s competition.
COBBLERS MATCH STATS (first half in brackets, match total out of brackets)
SHOTS ON TARGET: (2) 6
SHOTS OFF TARGET: (3) 9
CORNERS: (3) 9
FOULS: (6) 9
CAUGHT OFFSIDE: (0) 1
BRIGHTON MATCH STATS (first half in brackets, match total out of brackets)
SHOTS ON TARGET: (2) 6
SHOTS OFF TARGET: (2) 8
CORNERS: (3) 5
FOULS: (5) 12
CAUGHT OFFSIDE: (1) 1