Peterborough United formed in 1934 and joined the Midland League. Having won the Midland League title for five consecutive seasons from 1955–56, they were elected into the Football League in 1960. Peterborough immediately won the Fourth Division title in 1960–61, scoring a Football League record 134 goals. Relegated in 1968, they won another Fourth Division title in 1973–74, though suffered a further relegation in 1979. Peterborough were promoted back into the Third Division at the end of the 1990–91 season and reached the second tier with victory in the 1992 play-off final. However they returned to the fourth tier with relegations in 1994 and 1997.
Peterborough won the Third Division play-offs in 2000 under the stewardship of Barry Fry, though were relegated in 2005. They secured a place in the Championship after manager Darren Ferguson led them to consecutive promotions in 2007–08 and 2008–09 and spent three of the next four seasons in the second tier, winning a play-off final in 2010 after relegation the previous year. They were relegated back into League One in 2013, though went on to win the Football League Trophy in 2014.
Northampton 1 Bristol Rovers – League One
Luke Leahy’s early goal had Rovers on course for back-to-back wins but Hoskins held his nerve to keep the Cobblers outside the relegation zone.
Rovers started well and were only denied the opening goal by Michael Harriman’s superb last-ditch tackle on Jonah Ayunga.
Jonathan Mitchell kept out Jack Baldwin’s header from the following corner but there was no denying Leahy at the next set-piece as he met Zain Westbrooke’s cross and blasted in at the second time of asking.
Northampton improved and went close to levelling, Anssi Jaakkola denying Fraser Horsfall, but Rovers could have been further ahead at the break after Luke McCormick cleared the crossbar.
Chances were at a premium in the second half but Northampton had one glaring opportunity to level when Danny Rose completely missed his kick just 10 yards out.
But the home side did salvage a point with 13 minutes to play when Hoskins scored from the spot after Jack Baldwin brought down Alex Jones in the area.
Swindon 0 Peterborough 3 – League One
After a quiet opening quarter of an hour, Dembele struck on the 17-minute mark after he was played in by Mo Eisa before rounding Lee Camp and slotting into the open goal.
It was 2-0 six minutes later when Dembele demonstrated lovely footwork to bamboozle a couple of Swindon defenders and then he slotted in well to as good as put the game out of sight as early as the 23rd minute.
Clarke-Harris made it 3-0 in stoppage time with a powerful effort to put the cherry on the Peterborough cake.
Joe Bursik had an easy afternoon in the Peterborough goal and was not tested until Scott Twine attempted a 40-yard free-kick that was saved after it bounced into his arms.
Clarke-Harris should have made it 3-0 earlier than he did just after the hour mark with a penalty, but he dragged his spot kick wide of the right post after h had been felled by Camp.
10 October 2020 – The Cobblers 0 Peterborough 2
The visitors dominated from start to finish and clinched their third league victory of the campaign thanks to a goal in each half from Nathan Thompson and Reece Brown.
Home goalkeeper Steve Arnold had to have his wits about him in the early stages, saving smartly from both Sammie Szmodics and Siriki Dembele in the opening 10 minutes.
Opposite number Christy Pym parried Danny Rose’s firm strike and he was forced into an even better save midway through the half when brilliantly thwarting Sam Hoskins.
But it was Peterborough who landed the first blow after 33 minutes when Dembele’s terrific through pass found Thompson and he drilled the ball into the bottom corner.
Arnold’s fingertips stopped Jonson Clarke-Harris scoring a second and Peterborough continued to threaten after half-time with Mark Beevers going close.
The victory was put beyond doubt nine minutes from time through Brown, who drove into the box and brilliantly fired the ball into the bottom corner.
| Played | Won | Draw | Lost | F | A |
| 18 | 21 | 19 | 34 | 84 | 97 |
| Biggest Win over Peterborough | 23/12/1948 – 8-1W FA Cup. |
| First-Ever Game | 14/12/46 – 1-1 D – FA Cup |
Played for both – Peterborough
Here’s a look at a selection of players that have played for both the Cobblers and Peterborough.
Lee Sawabey
The Devon-based official will take charge of the Nene Derby which will be the 28th game of the season.
His first game of the campaign was the Carabao Cup tie between Oxford United and AFC Wimbledon which finished 1-1 at the Kassam Stadium. The U’s won 4-3 on penalties and one caution was issued.In 2017-18, he officiated 17 games in the National League and one further match in the FA Cup’s preliminary rounds. He showed a total of 42 yellow cards and four reds in those matches. Meanwhile, in 2018-19, he took charge of 44 games, showing 102 yellow cards and three reds.
Swabey works for the Cornwall Football Association as Referee Development Officer and began his refereeing journey at just 17-years-old, completing the FA Referees course with Devon FA and building his experience officiating in the DJM and Plymouth & West Devon Football Leagues. He then progressed into the Devon League as a Level 4 Referee (now the South West Peninsula League), spending a year at his level before being promoted to Level 3.
In 2019-20, he took charge of 27 games, issuing 88 yellow cards and five reds. So far in this campaign, he has officiated in 10 encounters, showing 23 yellows and no red.
The first game this year for referee Thomas Bramall as his last game was a 1-0 win for Stevenage v Cambridge. 2 yellow cards were given. His first visit visit to the PTS Academy Stadium this season he was last here for the 0-0 draw v MK Dons back in November.
His latest Cobblers Game
| Date | Comp | Match | Y | R | |
| 19/10/19 | League Two | Northampton 2 Salford 0 | 6 | 0 | |
Paul Lister and Michael Chard
Fourth Official: Kevin Johnson
Northampton Town travel to Peterborough United on Friday and the game is live on iFollow.If you are looking to purchase a match pass for this game, a match pass costs just £10 for all UK based supporters and can be purchased here.
Fans overseas will be able to view on Season Passes or by purchasing a match pass.
Peterborough have won 75% of their last 20 home league games and Northampton have lost 60% of their last 20 away league games.
The last time Northampton won away in the league was 15 games ago against Burton. The last time Peterborough lost a home league game was 4 matches ago against Hull.
Peterborough last kept a clean sheet at home 2 games ago, and have kept 9 clean sheets in their last 20 home games. Northampton last failed to score away in the league 1 games ago and have missed the net in 10 of their last 20 away league games.
Of the 15 league games Peterborough has won at home, they scored first 10 times. Of the 12 away games Northampton has lost, they conceded first 9 times.
Northampton 2 Peterborough 1
Lee Collins
Interview – Andy Holt
Looking back on our last long campaign in the League Trophy back in the season 2003/2004 UnderI interviewed ex-cobbler Andy Hot, Andy played for the Cobblers between 2004 – 2012 making over 190 appearances scoring over 15 goals.
