The Cobblers head north again this weekend and, after the disappointment of last Saturday’s defeat at Salford, will be hoping to bounce back at Edgeley Park.
The Opposition
County came back into the league on the back of much publicised investment but stuttered at the start of the season. After defeat at Sixfields, they sat with just eight points from their opening ten games and nerves were jangling that they may not have quite the impact many thought they would.
The Hatters did find their feet, though, and have lost just three times since then in the league with former Cobbler Fraser Horsfall growing into his new role as leader at the back. They’ve kept an impressive eight clean sheets in thirteen games since losing to the Cobblers but will be without Horsfall this weekend.
With the league being as tight as it is and with only four points separating County from the playoffs and with two games in hand, there’s every chance that they will be in the mix again very soon.
Last Time Out
Stockport were beaten 2-1 at home by Walsall in the FA Cup Third Round on Sunday afternoon. The Cobblers lost by the same scoreline in League Two at Salford.
One To Watch
As long as he makes a full recovery from recent illness, Paddy Madden will be the main threat for Stockport this weekend. Madden has scored everywhere he’s been in his career and it’s been no different since signing for County.
Team News
Stockport are definitely without former Cobbler Fraser Horsfall who is set to be out for two months with a foot injury. The Hatters have drafted in Tranmere defender Neill Byrne to cover for Horsfall and he could go straight into the side. Ryan Croasdale and Paddy Madden should both return to the starting lineup after illness forced them to the bench last weekend.
The Cobblers will still be without Ali Koiki, Shaun McWilliams and Tyler Magloire while we will wait on the fitness of keeper Lee Burge after he came off at half time during the Salford game last weekend. Josh Harrop is back in full training after returning from a couple of niggles since joining on a short term deal.
Line-Up Prediction
Match Officials
Rebecca Welch is in charge of this one. Welch was in the middle for last season’s 2-0 home defeat to Sutton United. She has brandished thirty yellow cards and no reds in ten games officiated this season. Robert Atkin and Steven Rushton are running the lines and Ian Smedley is fourth official.
Prediction
This should be an entertaining game and with both sides suffering from illness and injury there could be a few openings at either end. I’m going for a 2-2.
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.
