Northampton Town Under 18s won 7-0 at home to Newport County in the EFL Youth Alliance Merit League Two on Saturday afternoon.
Neo Dobson scored a brace whilst Francesco Obiagwu, captain Josh Rayfield, Kiantay Licorish-Mullings, Jason Okunnu and Joziah Barnett netted the young Cobblers’ other goals as they earned their second victory of the second stage of the season.
Coach Shane Goddard made four changes to the side that lost away to Forest Green Rovers last week, as Marcus Bald, Archie Murray, Charlie Carroll and Obiagwu replaced Elliot Smith, Barnett, Okunnu and Oliver Evans in the starting lineup.
The Cobblers came close to taking the lead inside 60 seconds as Matthew Ireland’s shot from the edge of the box rose narrowly over the crossbar.
Newport controlled possession in the opening quarter-of-an-hour, but the hosts threatened again when Dobson’s cross was mis-controlled by a defender and a teammate reached the ball before Harry Guess was able to capitalise on the mistake.
Licorish-Mullings’ wind-assisted throw-in was volleyed wide at the far post by captain Josh Rayfield and Guess’ curled effort from 20 yards was spilled onto the post by the goalkeeper as the Cobblers continued to create opportunities.
Newport almost opened the scoring against the run of play midway through the first half as a powerful strike from the edge of the area was beaten away by Bald and the loose ball was scrambled clear by Licorish-Mullings.
The visitors were denied by the woodwork shortly before half-time when Bald punched a floated corner onto the post and the ball bounced straight into the ‘keeper’s arms.
Dobson put the Cobblers ahead in first-half added time, firing into the bottom corner across goal after Carroll dispossessed a defender deep in the Newport half and Obiagwu found the striker.
Similarly to the opening period, the hosts had a chance within a minute of kick-off. James Owen hit the post with a drive from long range, and Dobson was flagged for a tight offside having finished the rebound.
The Cobblers doubled their advantage moments later when Owen’s in-swinging corner was inadvertently flicked-on by a defender, and Obiagwu turned the ball home at the far post.
Rayfield extended his side’s lead on the hour mark, sprinting onto Dobson’s square pass and placing into the far corner first-time.
Licorish-Mullings added a fourth goal going into the final quarter-of-an-hour when he flicked another Owen corner in off the back post.
Dobson closed-down the ‘keeper and forced the ball over the line to make it five less than two minutes later.
The striker recorded his second assist as the Cobblers scored a sixth late on. He headed a bouncing ball forward for Okunnu to run onto, and the substitute made an instant impact by poking into the bottom corner.
Two more subs combined to complete the scoring, Freddie Findlay taking a quick throw-in and Barnett finding the back of the net despite a touch from the ‘keeper.
The youth team travel to Gillingham in a rearranged fixture on Tuesday.
Cobblers: Marcus Bald, Josh Rayfield, Tom Cartwright, Kiantay Licorish-Mullings, Matthew Ireland, James Owen, Archie Murray, Charlie Carroll, Harry Guess, Neo Dobson, Francesco Obiagwu
Substitutes: William Ronald, Freddie Findlay, Joziah Barnett, Oliver Evans, Jason Okunnu
