After the excitement and drama witnessed at the CCS with Wales in mid-week (other International teams were also available for drama too) we once again return to the league, our beloved Bluebirds and what feels like the millionth game in a row away from home (by my calculations it’s been 5 weeks since we last had a home league game – crazy). Anyhow, this weekend sees us trek up to Northamptonshire, the home of F1 in the UK and of course Northampton Town FC. We head up there in what can now only be described as poor form, having suffered back to back losses in the league, however, remarkably, we still remain just 2 points off top spot and now with 1 or 2 games in hand over all above us (though it is also worth noting Stevenage a lurking just below us with a game in hand over us too). Will this weekend see us turn around our fortunes once more and begin to climb the table again? All I know is just like Lando Norris, we really need to get off to a fast start and find our top gear once more. Who Are You? Founded in 1897, the Cobblers are one of the perennial lower league clubs, spending the majority of their years in the 3rd and 4th tiers of the league. However, they did have a remarkable rise (and fall) during the 60’s, when, under Dave Bowen’s leadership, the club achieved three promotions from the Fourth Division to the First Division within five years. However, they only survived for one season in the top tier and experienced two further relegations in three years to return to the Fourth Division by 1969 – this set a record in English football of moving from the fourth tier to the first tier and back in just nine years. That single, glorious season in 1965-66 remains their only taste of top flight football. The club vacated their previous home at the County Ground in 1994 (their last home game ended in a 1-0 defeat to Mansfield) and moved to their current home of Sixfields, an all seater stadium with around an 8k capacity (around 25% of the CCS). Managed by former Bolton stalwart Kevin Nolan (always liked him as a player), since taking the hot seat in December of last year, Nolan has achieved an ok 35.6% win rate. There aren’t really any names that immediately leap out at you within their squad, but forward Tom Eaves has previous form against us (I recall him running riot for Hull against us not too long back) and current top scorer Sam Hoskins (4 goals in 14 for the long serving attacking midfielder) will be one to keep an eye on. Ex-Sky Blue stopper Lee Burge is a familiar face, having also played for Sunderland, and N Ireland defender Michael Forbes on loan from West Ham appears to be a regular starter. First And Last Our first ever meeting with the Cobblers was back in 1931, a game that ended in a 1-0 defeat for the Bluebirds in the opening Division Three (South) game of the season played out in front of just under 13.5k fans at the County Ground. The Bluebirds had suffered relegation from the 2nd Division the season prior, finishing bottom of the table and some 9 points adrift of safety and would again struggle in the lower division that year, finishing a disappointing 9th. Fulham would be promoted that year with Mansfield in 20th transferred to the Third Division North, Gillingham in 21st gaining re-election to the division and Thames, bottom of the table resigning from the league and folding at the end of season. Our top scorer that season was Irishman Jimmy McCambridge with 28 goals (26 league goals). He’d go on to notch 51 league goals in 95 games for the City – not too shabby but not as good as another striker who gets a mention below!! Jimmy McCambridge - A scholar in the art of goal scoring - Not to be confused with Reece Oxford - very different boat races! Our most recent league meeting with Northampton was during the 2003 season, a game that saw a 1-0 win on the road for City at Sixfields, the goal that day coming courtesy of Rob Earnshaw (who else at that time??) in front of just over 4.5k fans. We would of course go on to secure that play-off final win at the Millenium Stadium that season, with Earnie bagging an impressive 31 league goals along the way. Looking at the Northampton team that day, they had some decent players in their side too, with Marco Gabbiadini, Paul Trollope and Derek Asamoah all featuring. In the absence of footage of the game, we have footage of our record goal scorer instead - Got to appreciate the talent! Form Going into this one, Northampton’s for isn’t much worse than our own, with them having picked up 7 points from the last 18 on offer (we have 9 in that period) but with them also having won their last game before the break (2-1 at home to Mansfield). Looking at the stats, they have the 2nd worst attack, scoring just 12 times in their 15 games but defensively they have the joint 2nd best defence overall (along with ourselves), conceding 14 in those 15. Taking just their home form and they are still placed 15th overall, winning 50% of their 8 home games, but also losing 3 times. Defensively though they do have the 3rd best record in their own patch, conceding just 5 times in those 8 home games, pointing to them being a tough nut to crack on their own patch. On The Pitch It appears we came through the International break with a clean bill of health. Perry Ng and Chris Willock returned to training this week, but it may be a little too early for either of them to be in contention for a start you’d think, and really positive news is that Ollie Tanner is also back running, though clearly some way off a return to 1st team action just yet. You wonder if some our young Welsh starlets will have gained a lift from this most recent break, hopefully so and fingers crossed that carries into this game. Predicted Starting 11 Trott Bagan Lawlor Fish Kpakio Robertson Colwill (R) Colwill (J) Kellyman Ashford Salech The Odds Having got it so very, very wrong last time out, it seems the bookies are being a little more cautious this time around. This could be a tempting one for someone of a Bluebirds persuasion methinks? C’mon The City!!!!
Remember us losing to Northampton in the play-off’s back in the day 2-3? We were at our lowest ebb at the time!
Look it up Masky for fug sake, entertain your fans….forgot how Thomas Crapper we were: In their play-off semi-final, Northampton Town faced Cardiff City, with the first match of the two-legged tie taking place at Ninian Park in Cardiff on 11 May 1997.[2] After a goalless first half, Northampton Town were reduced to ten players when Mark Cooper was sent off for violent conduct with 20 minutes of the match remaining. Seven minutes later, Sean Parrish scored with a lob from the edge of the Cardiff City penalty area to give Northampton Town a 1–0 victory.[3] The second leg was held at Sixfields Stadium in Northampton three days later.[4] Ian Sampson put Northampton Town ahead midway through the first half with a header and three minutes later, Cardiff's Jeff Eckhardt was sent off for the use of an elbow. Jason Fowler scored for Cardiff in the 36th minute before goals from Ray Warburton and John Gayle made it 3–1. Simon Haworth scored a late goal for Cardiff but the match ended 3–2 to Northampton Town who progressed to the final with a 4–2 aggregate victory.
Remember that home game well Oh Masked one. I happened to bump into my estranged wife and the bloke she left me and our young son to go shack up with. Alas my bad mood at the result turned even darker when she tried to be all chirpy and friendly with me. Cue me going for new guys throat, her diving in between us to try actually as peacemaker and him making a sharp exit knowing full well I wouldn't lay a hand on her!! Happy days eh?? All worked out for the best though as I'd never have met Mrs Brizzle if it weren't for the ex's infidelity!!
I saw us win there 5-1 (and miss a penalty) back in 2004, promotion season to boot. Best of luck tomorrow. The views expressed in my posts are not necessarily mine.
