SKY BET LEAGUE 2
Saturday January 29th, 3.00pm
Sixfields
NORTHAMPTON TOWN 1
Paul Lewis 12
SALFORD CITY 0
Attendance: 5,237 (including 128 away supporters)
Cobblers: Liam Roberts, Aaron McGowan, Fraser Horsfall, Jon Guthrie, Ali Koiki, Jack Sowerby, Shaun McWilliams, Sam Hoskins (sub Danny Rose 86), Paul Lewis (sub Tyler Magloire 71) Mitch Pinnock, Idris Kanu (sub Josh Eppiah 71)
Subs not used: Jonny Maxted, Michael Harriman, Dylan Connolly, Jordan Flores
Salford: Tom King, Theo Vassell (sub Matthew Lund 78), Jason Lowe, Ash Eastham, Corrie Ndaba, Ryan Watson, Ash Hunter (sub Liam Loughlan 78), Jordan Turnbull, Conor McAleny (sub Stephen Kelly 78), Matt Smith, Liam Shephard
Subs not used: Tylor Golden, Joel Torrance
Referee: Tom Nield
Booked:
Cobblers: none
Salford: Jason Lowe (35), Corrie Ndaba (66)
10 cautions on or before 37 games; 2 match suspension
15 cautions at any time in season; 3 match suspension
Sent off:
Cobblers: none
Salford: 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.
New loan signings Idris Kanu and Josh Eppiah were both named in the Cobblers matchday squad for the visit of Salford City. Kanu replaced Chanka Zimba in the starting line-up with Eppiah named on the bench. Former Cobblers duo Jordan Turnbull and Ryan Watson both started for Salford who were forced into a late change, Theo Vassell coming in after Donald Love picked up an injury in the warm-up.
Liam Roberts saved an early Ash Eastham header but it was the Cobblers who struck first, the goal awarded to Paul Lewis although there were some claims Jon Guthrie’s initial connection from Sam Hoskins' corner had already crossed the line before being cleared to Lewis who then smashed the ball home to make sure there was no doubt about the goal.
Vassell made a vital interception to prevent Lewis getting on the end of a pin-point cross in from Aaron McGowan and Tom King saved from Mitch Pinnock as the midfielder took aim from 35-yards. The Cobblers weren’t sitting on their lead and Pinnock had another chance to test King with a free-kick in a good position but his effort this time curled just wide.
A goal line clearance from Matt Smith denied Kanu a debut goal before a terrific reaction save from Roberts kept the Cobblers in front as the game neared the hour-mark.
Josh Eppiah and Tyler Magloire both came on to make their Cobblers debut, replacing Kanu and Lewis in a double change. Matthew Lund, Stephen Kelly and Liam Loughlan came on in a triple change for the Ammies.
Danny Rose came on in place of Hoskins for the final few minutes which the Cobblers comfortably saw out to claim a well earned and well deserved three points, Ali Koiki almost getting on the scoresheet in stoppage time only to be denied by a good save from King.
COBBLERS MATCH STATS (first half in brackets, match total out of brackets)
SHOTS ON TARGET: (3) 6
SHOTS OFF TARGET: (4) 4
CORNERS: (5) 8
FOULS: (3) 11
CAUGHT OFFSIDE: (0) 1
SALFORD MATCH STATS (first half in brackets, match total out of brackets)
SHOTS ON TARGET: (2) 3
SHOTS OFF TARGET: (1) 2
CORNERS: (3) 8
FOULS: (6) 15
CAUGHT OFFSIDE: (1) 2
GOLDEN GOAL PEEL & REVEAL TIME: 11:16