BURTON ALBION 2
Ryan Edwards 45
Scott Fraser 90
NORTHAMPTON TOWN 4
Nicky Adams 10
Ryan Watson 23
Charlie Goode 45
Sam Hoskins 70
Attendance: 3,810 (number of travelling supporters not confirmed)
Burton: Kieran O’Hara, John Brayford (sub Oliver Sarkic 74), Colin Daniel, Ryan Edwards, Jake Buxton, Stephen Quinn, Scott Fraser, Lucas Akins, David Templeton (sub Joe Sbarra 70), Richard Nartey (sub John-Joe O'Toole 37), Liam Boyce
Subs not used: Ben Garratt, Teddy Sharman-Lowe, Reece Hutchinson, Oliver Sarkic, Chris Beardsley
Cobblers: David Cornell, Charlie Goode, Jordan Turnbull, Scott Wharton, Sam Hoskins, Nicky Adams, Chris Lines, Ryan Watson, Paul Anderson (sub Scott Pollock 74), Vadaine Oliver (sub Matt Warburton 70), Andy Williams (sub Michael Harriman 55)
Subs not used: Steve Arnold, Reece Hall-Johnson, Joe Martin, Billy Waters
Referee: Jeremy Simpson
Booked:
Burton: none
Cobblers: Chris Lines (43), Scott Wharton (58), Jordan Turnbull (62)
Sent off:
Burton: none
Cobblers: none
Backed by a terrific away following, the Cobblers travelled to Burton Albion in the third round of the Emirates FA Cup. Chris Lines and Andy Williams came into the side while former Cobbler John-Joe O’Toole, back from suspension, was on the bench for the Brewers.
As with all Emirates FA Cup third round ties, kick-off was delayed by one minute in support of the FA’s 'Take A Minute' campaign to encourage fans to think about their mental health.
The League One side started strongly with David Templeton drawing an early save from David Cornell. It was the Cobblers though who struck first, Nicky Adams finding the bottom corner of the net after the home side failed to deal with a Charlie Goode long-throw.
Colin Daniel had a shot deflected behind and there was a moment of danger for the Cobblers when Templeton - from an acute angle - shot across the face of goal as Burton mounted a response to falling behind.
Templeton looked a threat and Cornell made a good low save to keep the Cobblers in front before Vadaine Oliver shot wide with play quickly switching to the other end.
The Cobblers doubled their lead midway through the first half, Ryan Watson timing his run to perfection to head home a whipped in cross from Sam Hoskins.
Scott Wharton made a vital interception to take the ball off the advancing Templeton before Burton were forced into making a change, O’Toole on for Richard Nartey.
The Cobblers were finishing the first half strongly, and Charlie Goode headed in from a Nicky Adams corner in stoppage time to make it 3-0.
There was still time though for Burton to pull a goal back before the break, Ryan Edwards turning in Daniel’s cross from close range.
Goode made a terrific block and Liam Boyce rattled the cross bar from 8-yards in a strong start to the second half from Burton.
Cornel saved comfortably from Edwards while his opposite number Kieran O’Hara could only parry a Watson effort from distance on the counter-attack.
The Cobblers were threatening on the break and Sam Hoskins side-footed home to restore their three-goal lead, Vadaine Oliver showing real strength and quality to provide the assist.
Burton pulled a goal back through Scott Fraser in stoppage time but the Cobblers had done more than enough to ensure a victory and a place in the fourth round for the first time since 2004.