Northampton Town Football Club

Attendance: 6,929 (1,213 away supporters)

Cobblers: Max Thompson, Aaron McGowan, Jordan Willis (sub Akin Odimayo 81), Sam Sherring, Patrick Brough, Jack Sowerby, Shaun McWilliams, Marc Leonard (sub Manny Monthe 90), Sam Hoskins, Kieron Bowie (sub Tyreece Simpson 81), Mitch Pinnock (sub Louis Appere 71)
Subs not used: James Dadge, Will Hondermarck, Ryan Haynes

Cambridge: Jack Stevens, Liam Bennett, Danny Andrew, Paul Digby, Michael Morrison, Ryan Bennett, James Brophy (sub Elias Kachunga 63), Fejiri Okenhabirhie, Jack Lankester (sub Sullay Kaikai 63), Adam May (sub Gassan Ahadme 63), Jordan Cousins (sub George Thomas 63)
Subs not used: Jubril Okedina, Will Mannion, Glenn McConnell  

Referee:  Lewis Smith

Booked:
Cobblers: Shaun McWilliams (42)
Cambridge: James Brophy (40), Liam Bennett (44), Paul Digby (79), Danny Andrew (90)

Sent off:
Cobblers: none
Cambridge: Paul Digby (80)

The Cobblers starting XI was unchanged from the previous league fixture as they welcomed Cambridge United to Sixfields. Skipper Jon Guthrie was not included in the matchday squad as the club continued to manage his return to fitness. 

Jack Stevens saved from Marc Leonard, Sam Hoskins curled a shot over from the edge of the area following a flowing Cobblers move and Kieron Bowie headed wide from a Patrick Brough cross in an encouraging opening half hour.

Max Thompson meanwhile made a good low save to deny Cambridge forward Jack Lankester.

Kieron Bowie broke the deadlock four minutes into the second half, slotting the ball home after capitalising on a defensive mix up between a Cambridge defender and goalkeeper Jack Stevens.

Sam Hoskins made it 2-0 on 55 minutes, capping off a move involving Mitch Pinnock, Marc Leonard and Patrick Brough whose cross was smashed in off the post by Hoskins for his 10th goal of the season.

Michael Morrison made a vital interception to deny Bowie as the Cobblers looked to put the game to bed with a third goal but Cambridge went close to halving the deficit when Danny Andrew curled a free-kick just wide.

Louis Appere, on for Pinnock, forced a good save from Stevens but Cambridge were back in the game on 77 minutes, Gassan Ahadme scoring on the follow-up after an initial save from Max Thompson to keep out a long range effort from Elias Kachunga.

Paul Digby was sent off after being shown two cards in quick succession but despite their numerical disadvantage the U’s weren’t out of it and it needed a good save from Thompson in stoppage time to deny Morrison and ensure the Cobblers claimed the victory.

COBBLERS MATCH STATS (first half in brackets, match total out of brackets)
SHOTS ON TARGET: (3) 7
SHOTS OFF TARGET: (5) 5
CORNERS: (3) 6
FOULS: (6) 10
CAUGHT OFFSIDE: (2) 2

CAMBRIDGE MATCH STATS (first half in brackets, match total out of brackets)
SHOTS ON TARGET: (2) 5
SHOTS OFF TARGET: (2) 5
CORNERS: (0) 1
FOULS: (8) 12
CAUGHT OFFSIDE: (0) 1