As the fixture list continues to throw up festive football, New Year’s Day has become a familiar date for Cobblers supporters in recent seasons. Whether it’s been battling for points at Sixfields or enduring difficult afternoons on the road, the first game of the calendar year has often set the tone for what’s to come.

With another New Year’s fixture on the horizon this season, we take a look back at Northampton Town’s last six New Year’s Day (or nearest equivalent) encounters.

2026 – Northampton Town 0–0 Stockport County

The Cobblers began 2026 with a hard-fought goalless draw against promotion-chasing Stockport County at Sixfields. Kevin Nolan shuffled his pack for the clash, and Northampton stood firm to earn a valuable point in front of over 7,000 supporters. It wasn’t a classic, but it was a disciplined defensive display to start the year. 

2025 – Northampton Town 0–0 Stevenage

A year earlier, it was another New Year’s Day stalemate as Stevenage visited Sixfields. Chances were limited throughout, but the Cobblers showed resilience to grind out a point in a game that never truly caught fire.

2024 – Northampton Town 1–0 Cheltenham Town

One of the brighter festive memories came in 2024 when the Cobblers edged past Cheltenham thanks to a narrow but important victory. It was a tense contest, but Town found the breakthrough and held on to collect all three points.

2023 – Northampton Town 1–0 Leyton Orient (2nd January)

Promotion rivals Leyton Orient were the visitors for Northampton’s first fixture of 2023, and the Cobblers rose to the occasion. In front of a lively Sixfields crowd, Town claimed a huge three points with a single goal enough to separate the sides in a game that proved significant later in the promotion race.

2022 – Swindon Town 5–2 Northampton Town

The toughest New Year’s result in recent memory came away at Swindon. Despite finding the net twice, Northampton were undone by an attacking Swindon side in an open and chaotic game. It was a harsh start to the year and one supporters were quick to forget.

2021 – Northampton Town 0–0 Sunderland (2nd January)

During the Covid-affected season, the Cobblers hosted Sunderland behind closed doors. Against one of the division’s biggest sides, Town battled to a respectable point, frustrating the Black Cats in a goalless draw.

The Festive Record

Looking back, Northampton’s recent New Year fixtures have been defined by tight margins:

• Played: 6
• Won: 3
• Drawn: 3
• Lost: 1
• Goals scored: 4
• Goals conceded: 6

It’s a mixed record, but one thing stands out — Sixfields has often been a tough place to beat the Cobblers when the calendar turns.