Fully replenished, I ventured the last 5 miles to Sixfields for the 2nd time in little over a month. Along with 200 other hardy souls venturing up from the south coast and 4 exiles including the aforementioned Mr Nesbitt, the Cherries fans were in good voice. With only the main stand and away seats open and programmes, the obligatory 14 pages of nothing for £2, only available inside the ground from the main stand seemingly, this had all the hallmarks of a typical JPT game.
The 2 line-ups suggested so also. Several first teamers rested totally and a wholly inexperienced bench of 3 youngsters, 2 of which were apparently just out of nappies! A standard 4-4-2 formation for the Cherries was only surprising in that it had our retired No.2 Jason Tindall starting in the midfield alongside Danny Hollands, Bartley at centre-back and Bradders partnering Connell up front.
This said the Cherries started strong with Jase excellent in the middle of the park. Dominating from the outset the Cobblers were very much on the back foot. Alan Connell had an early chance latching onto a back pass but his first touch took him too wide. McQuoid had a rasper of shot that also flew wide. Dan Thomas debuting in goal was a little uncertain at first but as the half wore on his kicking became much surer and handling better. The goal on the half hour was the least we deserved. The ball was delivered into the box and fell at the feet of Danny who made no mistake. Our passing was good as the half finished and, despite Northampton getting back into the game, Wazza and Ryan were on top form at the back to deny them any clear opportunities.
Dan Thomas was called upon to make 2 excellent saves at the start of the 2nd half while Jase gave us a glimpse of the player we never thought he was with a deft back heel to split the defence but no one else read it. Mind you he resorted to type minutes later with a clumsy tackle on the halfway line and picking up a yellow card. The equaliser came midway into the half, a shot leaving Dan with no chance. Cherries responded positively ekeing out more chances. 2 changes saw Webb and Inks introduced. However, the flow seemed against us and on the hour mark Stockley also came on. Then as we pushed forward for a winner Robinson was felled inside the box as a Northampton player stumbled at his feet. Fairly innocuous from where I sat but 'never look a gift horse in the mouth'! Still Bradders effort was weak and easily saved by the keeper. Just as we were settled for more penalties, Bradders compounded his miss by tangling with a Northampton attacker in our box in time added-on and the ref pointed to the spot. Dan went the wrong way and it was game over. We dominated the game in long parts and were unlucky not to win overall I think, particularly considering the side we put out. So the Phil Nesbitt hoodoo continues as we prepare for Chesterfield on Saturday. Come on you Cherries!
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AFCB: Thomas, Robinson, Garry, Bartley, Cummings, McQuoid, Hollands, Tindall, Edgar, Connell, Bradbury
Subs: Ings (for McQuoid, 72 mins), Webb (for Tindall, 72 mins), Stockley (for Cummings, 79 mins)
Nick Wallinger, Ickenham