Cobblers Past

History Never Forgotten

Oxford City 2 Northampton Town 1

Ethan Grande

ByEthan Grande

Nov 9, 2020

Non-league Oxford City stunned Northampton Town to set up an FA Cup second-round tie against Shrewsbury.

The National South side, 63 places below League One Northampton on the football ladder, deservedly came from behind to secure a second-round spot for the third time in their history.

Sam Hoskins’ goal for the Cobblers was cancelled out by James Roberts’ header.

And even though Roberts saw a penalty saved, Joe Ashby converted his own spot-kick for a famous win.

It looked like it might be a straightforward evening for Keith Curle’s Northampton when Hoskins swept in Mark Marshall’s cut-back in the seventh minute.

But the Hoops, full of energy, were a constant threat, equalising when Roberts nodded in Louis Hall’s looping cross.

The hosts’ commitment was epitomised by Aaron Drewe’s stunning, sliding goalline clearance to stop Mark Marshall’s strike restoring the Cobblers’ lead.

And after Roberts was denied from the spot following a foul by Joe Martin, Ashby converted a penalty of his own after a tug by Fraser Horsfall on Elliot Benyon.

Hoskins had Northampton’s best chance late on, firing at keeper Ben Dudzinski, but Oxford City will now look to reach the third round for the first time when they travel to League One Shrewsbury on the weekend of 28-29 November.

Report from bbc.co.uk