After the big freeze hit on Saturday, the Cobblers and Carlisle quickly rearranged their game and so we’re heading into a Tuesday night Special at Sixfields looking to pick up a win to give us some Christmas cheer!
It’s been a stop-start few weeks for both sides but this should be an exciting game if both teams can avoid the kind of rustiness apparent in our 0-0 draw with Tranmere Rovers a couple of weeks ago. With no other games in League Two on Tuesday, this is a big chance to put more distance between ourselves and fourth place.
The Opposition
When Carlisle drafted in Paul Simpson for a return to the club in the second half of last season, any doubts about their league place were quickly put to bed. ‘Simmo’ had previously had huge success with the Cumbrians and the instant good feeling about the club meant that they started with a bang including a late 2-1 win over the Cobblers at Brunton Park.
With a full summer behind him, Simpson has again sprinkled his magic on the U’s with an impressive start to the season leading to Carlisle sitting inside the playoff places going into this one. The profile of player he’s brought in matches exactly what the manager wants in a player with former Cobblers loanee Ryan Edmondson rejuvenated, Paul Huntington providing much needed experience in the back line and loanees like Sonny Hilton and Jack Stretton showing real promise.
With just three defeats all season, this Carlisle outfit are no mugs and this will be a big game to navigate for Jon Brady in his 101st game in charge of the Cobblers.
Last Time Out
The Cobblers’ last game was the 0-0 draw at home to Tranmere Rovers just over two weeks ago while Carlisle were last in action on the same weekend as they drew 1-1 at home with Sutton United.
One To Watch
After just two goals in seventeen games having signed in January last season, no-one could have foreseen Kristian Dennis hitting the heights he has so far. Paul Simpson has got the very best out of him and the front man has already found the back of the net twelve times in the league this season.
Team News
The Cobblers’ new signing Josh Harrop is not quite at the point of starting games yet but the midfielder may be on the bench on Tuesday night. Sam Sherring could make a return having been lined up to play at Harrogate before the postponement while Ali Koiki and Tyler Magloire are not too far away.
Carlisle will still be without Omari Patrick with the forward on the way back from a hamstring injury but not quite ready for the trip to Sixfields. Defenders Ben Barclay and Joel Senior are still missing but the few extra days’ rest between Saturday and Tuesday could allow others in Simpson’s squad to return.
Line-Up Prediction
Match Officials
James Oldham is the referee on Tuesday night as the replacement for Saturday’s official Marc Edwards. Oldham has taken charge of 16 games so far this season showing 55 yellow cards and 6 reds. He last took charge of the Cobblers in a 2-0 defeat at Blackpool in February 2021. Christopher Husband and Andrew Hendley are running the lines and Ryan Whitaker is fourth official.
Prediction
This is likely to be a tight affair with Carlisle a very difficult team to beat. I’m going for a 1-1 draw.
A Cobblers fan all his life, Danny is the most down to earth football supporter from Northampton.
While at university in Southampton, Danny kept up to date with all things NTFC from afar, sharing his thoughts on his ‘A Load Of Cobblers’ online blog.
