SKY BET LEAGUE 2
Saturday September 11th, 3.00pm
The Fully Charged New Lawn
FOREST GREEN ROVERS 1
Jamille Matt 76
NORTHAMPTON TOWN 0
Attendance: 2,576
Forest Green Rovers: Luke McGee, Kane Wilson, Dominic Bernard, Dan Sweeney, Ben Stevenson, Matty Stevens (sub Josh March 83), Jack Aitchison, Nicky Cadden, Jamille Matt, Jordan Moore-Taylor, Regan Hendry
Subs not used: Lewis Thomas, Taylor Allen, Jack Evans, Opi Edwards, Jake Young, Sadou Diallo
Cobblers: Liam Roberts, Aaron McGowan, Ali Koiki, Fraser Horsfall, Jon Guthrie, Sam Hoskins, Paul Lewis, Jordan Flores (sub Mitch Pinnock 59), Shaun McWilliams (sub Nicke Kabamba 80), Danny Rose, Kion Etete (sub Dylan Connolly 59)
Subs not used: Jonny Maxted, Michael Harriman, Scott Pollock, Jack Sowerby
Referee: Scott Oldham
Booked:
Forest Green Rovers: Kane Wilson (43)
Cobblers: Aaron McGowan (21, 2nd of the season), Paul Lewis (74, 1st)
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:
Forest Green Rovers: 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.
It was second versus fifth in the embryonic Sky Bet League 2 table as Northampton Town returned to the Fully Charged New Lawn just 12 days after the two sides met in the Papa John’s Trophy. Shaun McWilliams replaced Mitch Pinnock in the Cobblers midfield with Sid Nelson joining Joseph Mills on the long-term injury list after sustaining knee ligament damage in training.
Kion Etete couldn’t find the target early on and Liam Roberts did well to tip over a cross/shot from Nicky Cadden in a tight opening half an hour.
Jordan Flores had a shot blocked but as the home side mounted a quick counter-attack Roberts made a fine save to deny Matty Stevens, ensuring an even first half ended goalless.
Sam Hoskins was close to setting up Danny Rose as the game started to open up a bit in the second half, his low cross just behind the Cobblers striker who was well-placed in the Forest Green penalty area. Roberts then made another terrific stop, turning behind a fierce strike from Jack Aitchison.
Roberts was at it again as Kane Wilson took aim but with his shot only parried Jamille Matt looked certain to score on the follow-up. Aaron McGowan had other ideas though and his superb goal-line clearance kept the scores level.
Jamille Matt wasn’t to be denied for long though and when Nicky Cadden swung in a cross the Rovers striker headed the home side in front.
Nicke Kabamba came on to partner Danny Rose in attack and the Cobblers substitute went close to an equaliser when his shot was well saved by Luke McGee. The Cobblers continued to press in the closing stages but the home side held on to record a 1-0 victory, a result which saw them move top of the table at this early stage of the season.
FOREST GREEN ROVERS MATCH STATS (first half in brackets, match total out of brackets)
SHOTS ON TARGET: (2) 6
SHOTS OFF TARGET: (2) 3
CORNERS: (3) 4
FOULS: (6) 13
CAUGHT OFFSIDE: (1) 2
COBBLERS MATCH STATS (first half in brackets, match total out of brackets)
SHOTS ON TARGET: (1) 2
SHOTS OFF TARGET: (2) 4
CORNERS: (0) 4
FOULS: (5) 12
CAUGHT OFFSIDE: (0) 1