Bristol City 1 Northampton 3

Last updated : 21 January 2002 By Mark Kennedy
The Cobblers travelled to 2nd placed Bristol City, again with a patched up squad. Chris Carruthers returned in place of Paul Dempsey, but with a whole host of missing players still, Roy Hunter retained the right back slot.

A crowd of almost 12000 turned up and it was the home side that came closest to breaking the deadlock in the opening minutes. First Ian Sampson's sliced clearance was dealt with comfortably by Adam Sollitt in the second minute, before Lee Peacock slipped the Cobblers defence two minutes later, only to be denied by a brilliant tackle from James Hunt.

Joe Burnell curled an effort just wide of Sollitt's goal on 10 minutes and Brain Tinnion broke through the Town defence minutes later but was denied by a brilliant save from Sollitt.

Town carved out their first attack on 21 minutes, Carruthers and McGregor combined well and Sam Parkin touched the cross almost into the path of Marco Gabbiadini, but former Cobbler, Micky Bell just managed to squeeze the ball out for a corner.
Jamie Forrester celebrates
Jamie Forrester - Two Goal Hero

Four minutes later Murray shot wide from 18 yards as the home side went in search of the opening goal.

On 35 minute, The Cobblers got their break, Parkin beat Coles in the penalty area, but the City defender pulled on Parkin's shirt and the linesman immediately flagged for a penalty. Jamie Forrester stepped up to shoot past Steve Phillips for his 9th goal of the season.

Forrester didn't have to wait too long for his tenth, no sooner had the game restarted when Gabbiadini won the ball, split the City defence, before rolling the ball into the path of Forrester, who smashed it into an empty net. Ashton gate was silent but for the 450 or so Cobblers fans at the other end.

The home side clearly reacted to their half time telling off and began the second half strong. Tony Thorpe headed just over the bar four minutes in, before Jamie Forrester almost scored from 30 yards on the break. His effort going just wide of Phillips' post.

The Robins forced corner after corner but Town's defence dealt with everything comfortably. The closest the came was through Tinnion, who's shot deflected off one of his own players but rolled just wide of Sollitt's post.

On 61 minutes Parkin broke forward and fed the ball to McGregor. He in turn played a lovely ball to Gabbiadini, who's' shot went agonisingly wide of Phillips' far post. The miss looked to have proved costly as City immediately scored. Peacock beat Carruthers before rolling the ball to Tony Thorpe, who beat Sollitt from close range. Six minutes later Peacock missed a golden opportunity to equalise, as he headed wide from close range.

Town restored their two goal advantage with a goal that would have grace any Premiership ground. Hunt picked up the ball deep in his own half before combining with Parkin. He found his strike partner Forrester, down the left, Forrester hit a beautiful crossfield ball to McGregor who brought the ball down with his chest just inside the penalty area and crossed from the byline. James Hunt arrived at the far post to volley a low shot past Phillips to send the Cobblers fans wild.

Only a minute later though Hunt was in the book for a late two footed challenge on Marvin Brown, but the resulting free kick hit the Cobblers wall. On 75 minutes Forrester tried to complete his hatrick, but his shot sailed just over the crossbar. The final fifteen minutes saw plenty of possession for the home side, but the Cobblers happily defended everything that was throw at them. The final whistle was greeted by cheers from the Cobblers faithful who made the journey, it was a well deserved win and three valuable points.

Editor's View
Brilliant!!! Nearly didn't make the trip as well!!! We deserved the three points against a Bristol City side who really underestimated the Cobblers. Apart from the opening ten minutes, it was a solid team performance.

Cobblers Man of the Match - Joint Award between Jamie Forrester who never stopped running and scored twice and Chris Carruthers, who defended brilliantly on his return.

Referee Watch - Lee Cable put in a good performance, with few mistakes. Two good refs in a row for the Cobblers.

Ground - Ashton Gate usually creates a good atmosphere, but was unusually quiet, even when the scores were 0-0. Cobblers fans were housed in a corner behind the goal. £14 for adults isn't too bad either.



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