SKY BET LEAGUE 2
Saturday February 19th, 2.00pm
Sixfields
NORTHAMPTON TOWN 3
Fraser Horsfall 16
Sam Hoskins 49
Benny Ashley-Seal 90
COLCHESTER UNITED 0
Attendance: 5,309 (413 away supporters)
Cobblers: Liam Roberts, Aaron McGowan (sub Danny Rose 79), Tyler Magloire, Fraser Horsfall, Jon Guthrie, Ali Koiki, Paul Lewis, Jack Sowerby (sub Beryly Lubala 71), Sam Hoskins, Mitch Pinnock, Louis Appere (sub Benny Ashley-Seal 81)
Subs not used: Jonny Maxted, Joseph Mills, Michael Harriman, Scott Pollock
Colchester: Sam Hornby, Luke Chambers, Tommy Smith, Cole Skuse, Alan Judge, Freddie Sears (sub Tyreik Wright 81), Owura Edwards, Myles Kenlock, Tom Eastman (sub Corie Andrews 60), Junior Tchamadeu, Emyr Huws (sub Noah Chilvers 70)
Subs not used: Brendan Wiredu, Tom Dallison, Cameron Coxe, Shamal George
Referee: Scott Oldham
Booked:
Cobblers: none
Colchester: Alan Judge (35)
10 cautions on or before 37 games; 2 match suspension
15 cautions at any time in season; 3 match suspension
Sent off:
Cobblers: none
Colchester: 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.
Aaron McGowan and Jack Sowerby were both back from injury for the visit of Colchester United but boss Jon Brady was without the suspended Shaun McWilliams. Former Cobblers defender Luke Chambers started for Colchester in the 2pm kick-off, the game moved forward an hour in order to avoid a direct clash with the Northampton Saints.
The Cobblers, playing into a strong wind in the first half, were first to threaten with both Mitch Pinnock and Sowerby seeing early deflected efforts blocked before Sam Hoskins saw a shot saved by Sam Hornby.
Fraser Horsfall headed home his sixth goal of the season to put the Cobblers in front on 16 minutes, the goal coming from a Pinnock corner.
Hoskins couldn't quite get a shot away under pressure from Chambers and Hornby saved from Louis Appere as Town pressed for a second goal. Jon Guthrie had a header cleared off the line from another Pinnock corner but there was a moment of danger for the Cobblers with Tyler Magloire making an important block to deny Owura Edwards.
Sam Hoskins finished off a slick Cobblers move to make it 2-0 at the start of the second half, Magloire making a bursting run forward before finding Paul Lewis who in turn fed the ball to Hoskins who curled his shot into the top corner from just inside the area.
Ali Koiki had a scuffed effort saved by Hornby and Hoskins fired over as Jon Brady’s side looked to kill the game off before the hour-mark.
Sowerby was replaced by Beryly Lubala after picking up a knock before Colchester twice went close to pulling a goal back, McGowan making a terrific clearance and Alan Judge denied by the inside of the post.
Danny Rose and Benny Ashley-Seal came on for the closing stages and Ashley-Seal scored from close range in stoppage time to add a bit of gloss to the scoreline as the Cobblers maintained their push for automatic promotion.
COBBLERS MATCH STATS (first half in brackets, match total out of brackets)
SHOTS ON TARGET: (5) 10
SHOTS OFF TARGET: (2) 3
CORNERS: (4) 4
FOULS: (5) 12
CAUGHT OFFSIDE: (1) 3
COLCHESTER MATCH STATS (first half in brackets, match total out of brackets)
SHOTS ON TARGET: (1) 5
SHOTS OFF TARGET: (2) 3
CORNERS: (2) 5
FOULS: (6) 9
CAUGHT OFFSIDE: (1) 1
GOLDEN GOAL PEEL & REVEAL TIMES: 15:52, 48:30, ADTM2