The Cobblers visit Jonny Rocks Stadium after an impressive win over title contenders Exeter City. After the Cobblers took an impressive 54-second lead thanks to Olivers Goal, the Cobblers travel to the Cheltenham who are 5th in Sky Bet League Two. On Saturday Cheltenham also had a victory a 1-0 victory over 21st place Mansfield Town at the Jonny Rocks Stadium.

Last time out

Northampton Town 2 – Exeter City 0| February 22, 2020 | EFL Sky Bet League Two

The Cobblers stopped their four-game losing run thanks to Vadaine Oliver’s first-minute goal and Sam Hoskins’ late penalty as they moved back into the play-off places. Northampton were ahead after just 54 seconds as Exeter failed to clear Chris Lines’ ball into the box and Oliver emphatically thumped into the top corner from a tight angle.

The visitors responded through Matt Jay, who had a couple of attempts saved by David Cornell, but they were fortunate not to be further behind at the break after goalkeeper Lewis Ward brilliantly kept out Ryan Watson’s close-range effort. Exeter struggled to turn their dominance of possession into clear chances and, if anything, Northampton carried the greater threat on the break after half-time with Ward saving with his legs from Lloyd Jones.

The Cobblers scored their second goal with nine minutes to go when Callum Morton was tripped in the box and Hoskins sent Ward the wrong way from the penalty spot, wrapping up the victory. Exeter dropped out of the top two, slipping three points behind leaders Swindon and a point behind Crewe.

Cheltenham Town 1–0 Mansfield Town | February 22, 2020 | EFL Sky Bet League Two

Substitute Reid powered in Ryan Broom’s cross from the right after 65 minutes to earn the Robins their fifth successive home win and maintain their promotion push as they sit fifth. Mansfield wasted two golden chances to take the lead, denied by goalkeeper Owen Evans on both occasions.

Evans dived at the feet of Nicky Maynard after the striker raced through on goal after 15 minutes. Maynard also fired just wide 10 minutes before the break after a long throw from CJ Hamilton was flicked on by Danny Rose.

On-loan Wigan youngster Evans kept out Will Tomlinson, who was through one-one-one six minutes into the second half. It was a triple substitution and change of formation from Robins boss Michael Duff that made the difference, with Reid, Alex Addai and Conor Thomas all coming on just before the hour mark.

Alfie May touched in a low ball from Chris Hussey and thought he had made it 2-0, but the effort was ruled out for offside. But Reid, who had nodded in the winner from a Broom cross against Leyton Orient a week earlier, was Cheltenham’s match-winner for a third game in a row.

PREVIOUS ENCOUNTER

 Northampton Town 1 Cheltenham Town 1 | 29 December 2019

Jordan Turnbull cancelled out Conor Thomas’ early penalty but the Cobblers could not find a second as their winless run in League Two extended to three games. Cheltenham went ahead in the third minute after George Lloyd was bundled to the floor by Turnbull and Thomas sent David Cornell the wrong way from the penalty spot.

Andy Williams scuffed a shot just wide in response but it took until the 38th minute for Northampton to equalise. Visiting goalkeeper Scott Flinders parried Nicky Adams’ free-kick out to Vadaine Oliver, who teed up Turnbull for a simple finish.

Flinders was equal to Ryan Watson’s powerful shot, Williams hit the frame of the goal and Sam Hoskins fired into the side-netting as the hosts applied most of the pressure in the second half. Clear-cut chances remained at a premium though and the game finished level, albeit only after Robins substitute Alex Addai was shown a stoppage-time red card following an altercation with Charlie Goode.

Reuben Reid – Striker

The 31-year-old will line up for the Robins for the visit of Northampton Town on Tuesday evening at the Jonny-Rocks Stadium.He scored the only goal of the game last weekend to earn three points against Mansfield Town after finding the net with a goal that mirrored his winner against Leyton Orient seven days before. His header from a Ryan Broom cross ensured Michael Duff’s men made it five straight home wins in 2020 against the Stags.

“With the history of the week before the minute the ball went out to Broomy I knew he was capable of putting a good ball in. He has got that ability and that quality to do that,” Reid said.

“I just made the box and thankfully the ball was there to attack again as it was the week before. It was a nice feeling for that to go in.”

The powerful forward spent the final few months of the 2005/06 season on loan at Torquay United from Plymouth Argyle where Northampton manager Keith Curle was in charge. He netted two times against Stockport County and Walsall in seven appearances for the Gulls as he helped Curle’s team avoid relegation out of the Football League, with Oxford United and Rushden & Diamonds ultimately falling through the trap door instead.

“Torquay were a struggling team facing relegation and we made some signings,” Reid continued. “I had a good couple of months under Keith and it was enjoyable – another good learning curve in my career.

“He has his style and his way of football. That wasn’t too apparent back then when I was playing under him but I think as his managerial career has progressed his teams have a very set way of playing.

“You know it’s a Keith Curle team when you play them. He’s been a successful manager. He will be demanding a lot from his boys.”

Keith Curle

“We need to be up for every single challenge that comes our way,” he said.

“I’ve read some reports from their manager saying he wants to win every game but so do we and that’s what should make for a good game on Tuesday night.

“This is the time of the season now when all the clichés about six pointers come out but ultimately we know we have got good characters and a good belief in what we are trying to do.

“We’ve got a changing room who are receptive to the information we give them and the players know the job they have to do but we still give them the room to express themselves.

“Saturday was about us doing the basics well and we were prepared to do the harder side of the game which I felt we did very well.

“There were fine margins in all three games we lost but we refreshed our beliefs last week and we will get rewards with how we play.”

Match Officials

CRAIG HICKS
Darren Wilding and Kevin Morris
Fourth Official : Mike Desborough

Mr Hicks has been in charge of 26 games this season, Mr Hicks has shown 78 yellow cards and 4 red cards so far this season. Mr Hicks last Cobblers game was on Saturday 16th November 2019 with a 4-1 victory over Crewe Alexander with goals from Scott Wharton (10, 18)Sam Hoskins (pen 24)Andy Williams (56).

Away Fan Guide

The Jonny-Rocks Stadium has been home to Cheltenham Town since 1932, though it did not host league football until 1999 when Cheltenham were promoted as Conference Champions. The stadium has a fairly modern feel about it, with two of the stands opening in the 2000’s, though it still has a lot of character.

The Colin Farmer Stand and the Hazlewoods Stand are the most recent additions to the stadium, opened in 2001 and 2005 respectively. The stadium is enclosed between these two new stands, although it isn’t used for supporters. The Main Stand, opened in 1963 is a combination of seating and terraces, but doesn’t stretch the full length of the pitch.

Away fans visiting the Jonny-Rocks Stadium are located in the Hazlewoods Stand, with a typical allocation of around 1,100.

For directions to Cheltenham Town’s Jonny-Rocks Stadium use postcode GL52 5NA for Sat Navs.

Prices

Pies – £3.20

Hot Drink £2

Beer -£3.50

Program- £3

Car Parking

There is limited parking at the stadium itself, but the nearby social club does offer parking as well. There is also the option to park and ride at Cheltenham Racecourse. We’ve compiled a list of car parks, below, near to the Jonny-Rocks Stadium for hassle free parking while you’re at the match.

Train

Cheltenham Railway Station is around 2 miles away from the stadium, so many away fans choose to take a taxi rather than walk. Alternatively, The Stagecoach D bus will take you into the town centre which is much closer.

However, for those that wish to walk, exit the station and turn right onto Gloucester Road. Continue until you reach St George’s Road and take a right. Follow St George’s Road before taking a left onto Royal Well Road which becomes Clarence Parade. Turn right on to Clarence Street and then follow this all the way up until you can turn right onto Fairview Road. You will eventually turn left on to Winchcombe Street which then becomes Prestbury Road. Follow this around and over the roundabout, and then turn right onto Whaddon Road. You’ll then see the stadium approaching in front of you.