SKY BET LEAGUE 1
Saturday December 23rd, 3.00pm
Sixfields
NORTHAMPTON TOWN 2
Kieron Bowie 50
Tyreece Simpson 90
OXFORD UNITED 1
Cameron Brannagan 62 pen
Attendance: 7,581 (1,467 away fans)
Cobblers: Max Thompson, Aaron McGowan, Sam Sherring, Jordan Willis (sub Jon Guthrie 68), Patrick Brough (sub Akin Odimayo 68), Jack Sowerby (sub Will Hondermarck 90), Shaun McWilliams, Marc Leonard, Sam Hoskins (sub Tyreece Simpson 90), Kieron Bowie (sub Danny Hylton 90), Mitch Pinnock
Subs not used: James Dadge, Ryan Haynes
Oxford: James Beadle, Ciaron Brown, Elliott Moore, Stanley Mills (sub James Henry 70), Cameron Brannagan, Mark Harris (sub O'Donkor 90), Joe Bennett, Fin Stevens, Marcus McGuane, Ruben Rodrigues (sub Oisin Smyth 90), Josh Murphy (sub Tyler Goodrham 46)
Subs not used: Jordan Thorniley, Josh McEachran, Simon Eastwood
Referee: Craig Hicks
Booked:
Cobblers: Patrick Brough (66), Tyreece Simpson (90)
Oxford: Ciaron Brown (90)
Sent off:
Cobblers: none
Oxford: none
Jordan Willis and Aaron McGowan came into the Cobblers side for the pre Christmas visit of Oxford United with long-term injury victim Danny Hylton named on the bench. Before kick off there was a minute's applause to remember the members of the Shoe Army who passed away in the second half of 2023.
James Beadle made a comfortable early save from Sam Hoskins who also fired over from 25-yards inside the opening fifteen minutes. Max Thompson meanwhile made a terrific save with his legs to keep out a strike from Josh Murphy following a swift Oxford counter-attack.
Mitch Pinnock and Marc Leonard combined superbly to play in Hoskins but his shot went just over and Beadle saved from Pinnock in another half chance for Jon Brady’s side. Both sides were creating chances and in an opening for Oxford Stanley Mills shot straight at Thompson.
Kieron Bowie went agonisingly close to breaking the deadlock early in the second half but his downward header came back off the base of the post.
It was only a momentary reprieve for Oxford however with the opening goal coming soon after, Mitch Pinnock providing a Christmas cracker of a cross for Bowie to head home.
Leonard volleyed just wide after a neat one-two with Pinnock but with just over an hour played Oxford got themselves back on level terms from the penalty spot, Cameron Brannagan converting from 12-yards after Mills had been brought down by Patrick Brough.
Jon Guthrie came on for Willis midway through the second half with Akin Odimayo also on in a double change.
Hylton made his playing return against one of his former clubs, coming on alongside Tyreece Simpson and Will Hondermarck with the 90 minutes nearly up.
The game seemed to be heading for a draw but deep in stoppage time the Cobblers won it, substitute Simpson heading in a Pinnock free-kick to send the Sixfields faithful delirious.
COBBLERS MATCH STATS (first half in brackets, match total out of brackets)
SHOTS ON TARGET: (2) 6
SHOTS OFF TARGET: (2) 6
CORNERS: (2) 5
FOULS: (6) 15
CAUGHT OFFSIDE: (0) 2
OXFORD MATCH STATS (first half in brackets, match total out of brackets)
SHOTS ON TARGET: (2) 4
SHOTS OFF TARGET: (1) 3
CORNERS: (1) 1
FOULS: (3) 10
CAUGHT OFFSIDE: (0) 1