Preview number 8- It's been a sad week in football and a sad week at Northampton Town.
Club president Bob Church MBE sadly past away this week, Bob became a Director of Northampton Town in 1986 and served on the Board for 10 years, before becoming the Club President. A huge Cobblers fan, even though his health was failing in recent years, Bob was still a regular attender of matches at the PTS Academy Stadium, and remained hugely supportive of the club. Beyond football, Bob was a world champion fly fisherman. Bob’s medal tally includes team gold medals at the world fly fishing championships in 1987 and 1988 and European team gold in 1990. The readers of Trout Fisherman magazine also voted Bob the Game Angler of the Millennium.
'Bob was a very close friend of Franks and it was a pleasure to meet him multiple times, Bob will be a man truly missed at Sixfields. Rest in peace Bob. Remember #OnceACobblerAlwaysACobbler.
Ahead of kick off on Saturday there will be a period of applause and a short tribute to Club President Bob Church MBE who passed away earlier this week.
Cobblers Past would also like to send our best wishes to former Cobblers winger Tommy Robson after he reveals his motor neurone disease fight.
Head to head
The Cobblers have played Newport 94 times 49 of these games coming at home for the Cobblers and the Cobblers have only won 36 of them.
Here is a look a there last visit:
Last 6 HOME meetingS
Substitute Joe Powell scored a dramatic late winner to secure Northampton Town's fourth successive league victory.
Powell fired home from 30 yards in the 88th minute to secure a vital three points for Keith Curle's team. Jamille Matt came closest to scoring for Newport, but his first-half header hit the crossbar.
He had another chance after the break but lifted the ball over the crossbar from close range.
County have slipped one place to 13th, while Northampton are up to 11th, six points off the play-off places.
Last time out
Defender Paudie O'Connor scored a dramatic late winner as Bradford came from behind to beat Northampton 2-1 at Valley Parade.
The win ended a run of two consecutive league defeats for Bradford, who ended the match with 10 men after substitute Zeli Ismail was sent off following a clash with Jordan Turnbull, who was also shown a yellow card in stoppage time.
The winning goal came in the 88th minute when Harry Pritchard, making his home debut after joining from Blackpool, crossed from the left.
David Cornell made a brilliant one-handed save to turn away Kelvin Mellor's goalbound header but the ball went straight to O'Connor, who side-footed the ball into the net from an acute angle.
Northampton led at half-time after going in front in the 20th minute when the Bradford defence failed to clear Joe Martin's right-wing corner and skipper Charlie Goode scored with a header from the edge of the six-yard box as a couple of Bradford defenders desperately tried to stop the ball crossing the line.
Bradford bossed the second half but nearly fell further behind in the 73rd minute, Richard O'Donnell making a fine save to turn substitute Vadaine's Oliver's close-range header over the bar.
The home side's dominance finally paid off with a 77th minute equaliser when Michael Harriman could only turn the ball into his own net under pressure from Clayton Donaldson as he tried to clear Ismail's cross.
Bradford's comeback was completed with O'Connor's winning goal before Ismail saw red after being booked twice in the space of eight minutes.
Report supplied by PA Media
Jamille Matt's first goal of the season helped Newport County to maintain their impressive start in League Two.
Matt's introduction proved crucial as he was assisted by Corey Whitely, another second half substitute. The Exiles had come close when Ryan Haynes struck the inside of the post, while Leon Legge headed against the woodwork in stoppage time for Vale.
Padraig Amond saw a penalty saved by Scott Brown moments after Matt tapped home County's 77th minute winner.
Newport remain second in League Two and unbeaten, while Port Vale slip to 14th.
Star Player
Last season’s standout performer was, without a doubt, forward Padraig Amond. The 31-year-old was one of very few Football League players to register double digits for both goals and assists with 24 in total (14G, 10A). Whilst the Englishman isn’t particularly quick, he’s good in the air, puts himself in goal-scoring positions and has excellent finishing skills for this level.
His partnership with fellow forward Jamille Matt could prove vital as County go in search of another play-off challenge. The two compliment each other incredibly well, evidenced by their combined 44 goals and assists last season. Their telepathy gives Newport a chance of winning any game, no matter the level of performance of their teammates.
Yet, to mount another push, other players will certainly have to support then and relieve some of the attacking burden.
Team News
Officials
ALAN YOUNG
Matthew Lee and Christopher Ward
Fourth Official : Paul Hobday
Support Northampton Laddies on Sunday!
Northampton Town Ladies will entertain their Peterborough United counterparts at the PTS Academy Stadium on Sunday!
The Cobblers will take on the Posh with a 2pm kick off.
Admission is free to Northampton Town season ticket holders and those who purchase a ticket for the Newport game on Saturday.
The prices for those who are not season ticket holders or who do not hold a Newport County match ticket are £3 per adult while all under 18s are free.
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