Boxing Day football has always been part of the festive tradition, but in recent years it’s often been a difficult afternoon for Northampton Town. Here’s a look back at some of the Cobblers’ most recent Boxing Day fixtures.
2025/26 – Burton Albion 5 Northampton 1
A miserable Boxing Day afternoon at the Pirelli Stadium saw Northampton well beaten as Tyrese Shade struck twice in a five-goal Burton demolition.
The hosts got off to the perfect start after just three minutes when Jake Beesley converted from the penalty spot after Nesta Guinness-Walker brought down Kyran Lofthouse.
Burton doubled their lead soon after through Jack Armer, who netted his first goal for the Brewers on his 50th league start after reacting quickest to a blocked effort.
Things went from bad to worse for Town before the half-hour mark when Jordan Thorniley’s clearance ricocheted off Max Dyche and looped into his own net.
Tom Eaves gave the Cobblers a glimmer of hope six minutes before the break when he glanced home Terry Taylor’s corner, but Burton restored their three-goal cushion before half-time as Shade finished coolly into the bottom corner.
An injury to substitute Michael Forbes left Northampton to play the final 10 minutes with 10 men, and Burton capitalised late as Shade raced clear to add his second and Albion’s fifth.
2024/25 – Reading 4 Northampton 1
Kevin Nolan’s first game in charge could hardly have gone worse as the Cobblers were comfortably beaten at promotion-chasing Reading.
The Royals were ahead inside five minutes when Harvey Knibbs volleyed home cleverly from a tight angle, before Sam Smith doubled the lead in the 28th minute after latching onto a Lewis Wing pass.
Reading remained in control throughout and Charlie Savage made it 3-0 in the 75th minute with a curling effort from 20 yards.
Tom Eaves pulled one back late on for Northampton, but Mamadi Camara quickly restored the three-goal advantage to complete a miserable afternoon for Nolan’s side.
2023/24 – Stevenage 3 Northampton 0
Stevenage strengthened their play-off push with a dominant victory over the Cobblers at the Lamex Stadium.
Jamie Reid opened the scoring after just two minutes after capitalising on a defensive error, before Jordan Roberts doubled the advantage just before half-time.
Northampton struggled badly in attack and failed to register a shot on target, with Elliott List wrapping things up in the second half after racing through and finishing neatly.
It was a Boxing Day to forget for the Cobblers against an impressive Stevenage side.
2022/23 – Mansfield 1 Northampton 1
The Cobblers had to settle for a point in a hard-fought draw against old play-off rivals Mansfield.
Northampton were the better side for much of the game and created the better openings, with Ben Fox, Louis Appéré and Sam Hoskins all going close.
But Mansfield looked to have snatched victory in the closing stages when Will Swan reacted quickest after Lee Burge could only save an effort from a corner.
Town hit back almost immediately though, as Mitch Pinnock’s cross found Hoskins at the far post and he volleyed home brilliantly to rescue a point.
2019/20 – Crawley 4 Northampton 0
After two pitch inspections, the game eventually got underway and Crawley made the most of it.
Nathan Ferguson opened the scoring in style before Bez Lubala doubled the lead shortly after the hour.
Ollie Palmer and Mason Bloomfield added late goals to complete a heavy defeat, while injuries to Shaun McWilliams and Harry Smith in stoppage time added further misery.
2018/19 – Northampton 1 Swindon 1
Andy Williams gave the Cobblers an early lead after Kevin Van Veen’s excellent delivery, and Town looked the stronger side for much of the first half.
Van Veen, Williams and Michael Doughty all went close to extending the lead, but Swindon improved after the break and levelled through Anderson.
Both sides had chances to win it late on, but the points were shared.
2017/18 – Doncaster 3 Northampton 0
A difficult trip to Doncaster ended in defeat as James Coppinger, Niall Mason and Andy Butler all found the net for the hosts.
Coppinger opened the scoring before Mason doubled the lead from the penalty spot just before half-time after Matt Grimes fouled John Marquis.
Butler sealed the points midway through the second half as Northampton struggled to create much going forward.
2016/17 – Oxford United 0 Northampton 1
One of the brighter Boxing Day memories for Town came at the Kassam Stadium.
After a tightly contested game, substitute Harry Beautyman nodded Matt Taylor’s corner back across goal for Marc Richards to flick home the winner.
The goal ended Oxford’s eight-game unbeaten run and handed the Cobblers a valuable away victory.
2014/15 – Northampton 2 Bury 3
Northampton took an early lead through Marc Richards after good work from Ivan Toney, but Bury hit back strongly through Andrew Tutte, Tom Soares and Danny Mayor.
The game boiled over with both Toney and Hayden White sent off after an altercation behind the goal.
Chris Hackett pulled one back from a corner, but Bury held on to leave the Cobblers empty-handed.
Recent Boxing Day fixtures have largely brought frustration for Northampton, with just two wins in the last nine festive outings listed here. Supporters will be hoping future Boxing Days bring more cheer than despair.