The Stags travel to The PTS Academy Stadium on Saturday 07 March for their latest clash in Sky Bet League Two. Here’s all you need to know ahead of the game…
Grimsby 0 Northampton Town 3 | February 29, 2020 | EFL Sky Bet League Two
Northampton moved up to sixth place in League Two courtesy of a comfortable 3-0 victory against Grimsby Town at Blundell Park with two goals from Callum Morton.
In blustery conditions, the visitors were quickest to settle and took the lead on nine minutes when Charlie Goode fired past Sam Russell. Midway through the first half, Grimsby had claims for a penalty when James Tilley took a tumble – but the appeal was waved away and Sam Hoskins nearly added salt into the wounds with a drive at the other end.
It soon was two, though, as Morton eyed up a gap between two players and picked his spot with precision. Elliot Grandin had two good chances amid a wave of Grimsby pressure, but Northampton remained in full control at half-time.
Upon the restart, the advancing Goode hit one into the side netting. Billy Clarke dragged wide for Grimsby, before missing the target once again when presented with an open goal during the closing stages of the game. Morton then rubber-stamped all three points with a low finish eight minutes from time.
Mansfield Town
Saturday will mark two weeks since the Stags’ last outing, following the postponement of last weekend’s home match against league leaders Swindon Town due to a waterlogged pitch.
In the amber and blue’s previous outing, Cheltenham Town emerged as narrow 1-0 winners at the Jonny-Rocks Stadium.
Graham Coughlan’s hopes of winning his first game as Mansfield manager were ruined by an 84th-minute Harry Smith equaliser as visiting Northampton claimed a draw. Smith’s strike wiped out Andy Cook’s 74th-minute goal as the Stags, who appointed former Bristol Rovers boss Coughlan this week after sacking John Dempster, went a seventh game without a win.
The Cobbles came close to taking the lead inside 15 seconds as Sam Hoskins crashed a shot against the bar. It was end to end as Will Tomlinson sent a 25-yard volley wide for the hosts, then Mansfield goalkeeper Bobby Olejnik had to beat away a far-post effort from Nicky Adams.
Danny Rose sent an overhead kick straight at David Cornell while Ryan Watson’s cross had Olejnik clawing the ball from under the crossbar as the half ended 0-0. Home midfielder CJ Hamilton went close on the break as he cut inside but just missed the target after 61 minutes.
But Cook then broke the deadlock as he turned from Malvind Benning’s throw and drilled inside the near post from 25 yards. Hamilton blazed over a glorious chance to seal it in the 82nd minute and two minutes later Northampton substitute Smith levelled when he looped a header over Olejnik and under the bar from Adams’ ball.
Cobblers boss Keith Curle says he is expecting a very tough game as he previews Saturday’s home game with Mansfield Town.
“If you look at their squad in isolation you would probably say it’s a squad that should be in the top seven,” he said.
“They shouldn’t be where they are but for whatever reason it hasn’t quite happened for them this season.
“Graham Coughlan has come in and he will be putting down his fundamentals and a platform in place looking to next season.
“They are a dangerous team because they have still got a lot of good players and they still have a lot of the players who got them near the top of the league last season.
“I like to win games at home because that’s where the majority of our fans see us but in saying that I want to win every game we play and we know we are capable of winning games home and away.
“It was a very professional performance last Saturday and if you read Ian Holloway’s comments after the game that epitomises what we want to do. We stopped them from playing, we played when we could and when we couldn’t, we put balls into good areas.
The referee for Saturday’s game against Mansfield Town will be Peter Wright, assisted by Conor Farrell and Matthew Lee. The fourth official will be Paul Kelly.
His last game for the Cobblers was away at Oldham in a 2-2 draw thanks to goals from Matty Warburton and Ady Williams. Referee Mr Wright booked Wharton and Anderson for the Cobblers on this game.
In this issue we have the latest views of Keith Curle and James Whiting, we look back on the win at Grimsby Town, we take a look at some of the League 2 news, and we have the latest from the Northampton Town Community Trust, the Northampton Town Ladies, the Academy, the club’s Football & Education programme and more.
I also take a look at one of the most memorable games in the 25-year history of Sixfields Stadium. Make sure you grab yourself a copy.
There is also loads to have a read on our website Cobblerspast.com make sure you have a look.
As a result of the ongoing concerns posed the by Coronavirus outbreak and following specific medical advice, the Fair Play handshake between players and match officials will not take place at this weekend’s EFL matches and until further notice.
