Northampton Town v Sutton United Preview – After a last gasp Salford goal robbed us of three points last weekend, the Cobblers host improving league newcomers Sutton United to Sixfields…
Match Preview
You don’t have to look too far back to a time when Sutton United manager Matt Gray was answering questions about the possibility of becoming the new Cobblers boss. Back in February, Saturday’s opponents were embroiled in a battle with Torquay United for top spot in the National League and Gray’s name was heavily linked to Sixfields.
Whether or not there was any official approach, the fact that The U’s now sit just four points – rather than two divisions – below us probably vindicates Gray in staying put and he’ll now bring his National League champions to town with the aim of continuing a steady improvement since the season’s early days.
Jon Brady will need to guard against any kind of complacency in what should be a very new kind of test for his charges.
The Opposition
Sutton won the National League after powering through plenty of games in hand on Torquay last season to top the table by four points. It means that, for the first time in the club’s 123 year history, United started this season as a league club.
They had a fairly slow start to life in League Two with just two points from their opening four games but three wins, all at home, from their last four means that Sutton are sitting comfortably in mid-table going into the weekend.
The U’s are yet to win away from home so will be looking to get that particular monkey off their back this weekend,
Last time out
The Cobblers drew 2-2 at Salford with victory agonisingly denied thanks to an injury time equaliser from Salford’s Ash Eastham. Sutton won emphatically 4-0 at home to Carlisle United.
One to watch
The exciting winger David Ajiboye could cause plenty of problems for the Cobblers at the weekend after netting his second goal of the season at the weekend. The 22-year-old is a direct runner and with former Notts County man Enzio Boldewijn on the other flank, the Town full backs look set for a busy afternoon.
Team News
Jon Brady has hinted that there may be more “surprises” to come as he looks to build an adaptable Cobblers side depending on the team we’re facing. Joseph Mills is definitely still missing through his long term injury but there are no fresh injury worries for the Town boss.
Sutton will be without Tobi Sho-Silva and goalkeeper Brad House with Harry Palmer signed on a month long deal this week to cover between the sticks. Adam Lovatt could be back in the squad after returning from a loan spell at Tonbridge.
Last meeting
This is the first ever league meeting between the two clubs!
Line-up Prediction
Match Officials
History is set to be made at Sixfields on Saturday with the highly rated Rebecca Welch becoming the first female referee to take charge of a Cobblers game. Welch was the first woman to be added to the Football League referee list during the summer.
Score Predictions
Charles: Cobblers 2-0 Sutton
Danny: Cobblers 2-1 Sutton
Neil: Cobblers 4-4 Sutton
Jefe: Cobblers 5-0 Sutton
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.
