The Cobblers will be without suspended defender Joe Martin for the derby clash with Peterborough in Sky Bet League One. Martin serves a one-match ban after being dismissed for two bookings during last weekend’s defeat at Bristol Rovers.
Keith Curle has close to a fully-fit squad at his disposal and is hoping an unnamed player can overcome illness in time to play. Town midfielder Scott Pollock, who is yet to feature this term, remains sidelined with a groin problem.
Peterborough will be forced into a change in midfield as Jack Taylor is on international duty with the Republic of Ireland Under 21s. With Taylor absent at Sixfields, Louis Reed, Reece Brown and Ethan Hamilton will compete for the two spots in central midfield.
Posh’s 17-year-old forward Ricky-Jade Jones, who has made one substitute appearance this season, requires a leg operation and has been ruled out for at least two months. Attacking midfielder Ryan Broom is pushing for a starting role after coming off the bench to score in last weekend’s 3-1 win over Swindon.
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.
Peterborough has had the better of the Cobblers for many seasons the last time the Cobblers beat the Posh was in April 2006 in a 1-0 in Leauge Two. Is this year the time to change that and add another 1 to the Cobblers wins?
After beating Arsenal under 21s on penalties in their first group game the Cobblers were back in Leasing.com Trophy action on Tuesday night when they welcomed Peterborough United to the PTS Academy Stadium for what was Keith Curle’s 50th game in charge. A fit again Scott Wharton returned to the side, partnering Jay Williams at centre-back as Curle made six changes.
Matty Warburton drew an early save from Christy Pym but it was Peterborough who went close to the opening goal when Louis Reed’s free-kick struck the woodwork. A point blank save from Pym denied Harry Smith his first Cobblers goal after some good work by Billy Waters and not long after that the deadlock was broken, Idris Kanu getting the final touch from a corner as Peterborough took the lead somewhat against the run of play.
A fine individual goal then saw the visitors make it 2-0, Siriki Dembele embarking on a run through the Cobblers defence before firing the ball into the roof of the net.
It needed another good save from Pym to keep out a header from Chris Lines while Smith headed over from a Nicky Adams cross as the Cobblers pressed forward. Posh were still looking dangerous though and Kanu dragged a shot just wide under pressure from Ryan Watson.
Andy Fisher saved from Harry Burrows and Joe Ward at the start of the second half with the Cobblers forced into an early change when Warburton picked up a knock, Sam Hoskins on in his place.
Kanu drew another smart save from Fisher as Posh threatened a third goal while a whipped cross in from Hoskins was headed wide by Smith. Curle was then again forced into making a change, Ryan Watson this time picking up an injury after being tripped by Nathan Thompson when in full flow with Vadaine Oliver coming on.
Fisher was making some good saves and the on-loan Blackburn Rovers goalkeeper was at it again to keep out a low strike from Dembele. Morgan Roberts came on in the Cobblers final change with former Cobblers striker Ivan Toney on for Peterborough.
Oliver went close to pulling a goal back in stoppage time but his effort was deflected wide as Peterborough claimed the victory.
In all competitions, Northampton are winless in their last eight games against Peterborough (D2 L6).
Peterborough have won four of their last five away league matches against Northampton (D1).
Northampton have won just one of their last 10 home leagues matches in League One (D4 L5).
Each of Peterborough’s last five league wins have come at home – they have won just two of their last 13 away games in League One (D3 L8).
It only seemed right to remember Tomey as he passes this week a legend for both the Cobblers and Peterborough.
Cobblers Past and Northampton Town Football Club are saddened to learn the passing of former player Tommy Robson. We send our condolences to Tommy’s family and friends.
Tommy Robson Northampton Town in 1961, he was, however, their choice outside left on the Cobblers Books.
When Tommy Fowler left the club Tommy Stepped up to the Cobblers reserve side making his debut v Peterborough and scoring.
He found Barry Lines a hard player to displace but he did win himself the first-team spot on a regular basis in 1965 the season the club won promotion to the first division. Tommy ended joint top scorer for the Cobblers.
The following season 1966 he joined Chelsea for £30,000 but never settled due to ill health.
In 1997 he joined Newcastle nearer to his Gateshead home but still struggled to hold a regular place although he did appear in most of the ‘Magpies’ games during the 1967-68 season.
Tommy’s Next stop was Peterborough where he spent thirteen seasons breaking the appearance record for the club with 547 competitive games. During that period he saw the club promoted to division three and relegated back again.
He later turned out for Stamford Town playing in the Vase final for them.
On retiring Tommy worked for the ‘Peterborough Herald and Post’ as well as coaching the Peterborough youth team.
