It’s a top of the table clash this weekend as runaway leaders Forest Green Rovers come to town, looking to protect an unbeaten away record.
Match Preview
The Cobblers have still no risen from a slumber after their enforced Covid break in December. A 5-2 defeat at Swindon and, perhaps even more worryingly, a 1-0 reverse at home to Crawley, have given us the jitters and Jon Brady will be desperate to get back on track this weekend.
But standing in our way are the run away leaders of League Two, Forest Green Rovers. Ever since becoming the early pace setters in the division there’s been no stopping the Nailsworth outfit and it’s going to take a monumental effort from Town if we’re to stick a diversion in to their inevitable rise to League One.
It’s a huge weekend as the course of our season hangs in the balance.
The Opposition
Fifty one points, nine points clear at the top and unbeaten away from home all season. That’s the task facing the Cobblers this weekend as Forest Green bring their seemingly unstoppable runaway train to Sixfields. The only two blotches on the league copy book so far have been home defeats to Port Vale and Swindon Town and there’s been plenty of entertainment along the way as Rovers have hit forty seven goals in the league so far.
For head coach Rob Edwards it’s been a whirlwind since leaving his role as England Under 16s boss in the summer and joining a club who are constantly looking to progress. Taking a punt on a man with no league experience as a top boss was a big gamble for chairman Dale Vince but so far it’s paid off spectacularly.
With fifteen wins from the first half of the season, Rovers will be looking to begin the second half in similar style so it’s fair to say this will be a massive challenge for the Cobblers.
Last time out
The Cobblers were beaten 1-0 at home to Crawley Town last weekend. Forest Green didn’t play until Tuesday and picked up a 2-0 home win over Colchester United to go well clear at the top.
One to watch
The top of the pitch is where the main danger lays for Rovers. The “two Matts” (Jamille Matt and Matt Stevens) have bagged thirty goals between them this season and, with their partnership renewed after Steven’s recent absence, they will likely give us all kinds of problems on Saturday.
Team News
Chanka Zimba will be pushing for a start for the Cobblers after coming off the bench for his debut last weekend. Other than that, there are no reported issues at the moment.
Forest Green came through midweek with no new injury worries but Ebou Adams is still missing as he’s on international duty with The Gambia in the African Cup of Nations.
Last meeting
Forest Green 1-0 Northampton Town
A tight game at the New Lawn saw Forest Green run out winners earlier this season with Jamille Matt scoring the only goal of the game.
Line-up Prediction – Powered by FanHub
Match Officials
Marc Edwards takes charge on Saturday. His last Cobblers game was the 1-0 home defeat to Wigan Athletic last February. Dean Treleaven and Abbas Khan are the assistants and Marvyn Amphlett is fourth official.
Score Predictions
Charles: Cobblers 3-2 Forest Green Rovers
Danny: Cobblers 1-0 Forest Green Rovers
Neil: Cobblers 9-1 Forest Green Rovers
Jefe: Cobblers 2-0 Forest Green Rovers
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.
