Will it be a Good Friday for the Cobblers or will the Shezzarection bring us another nail in our promotion coffin?
Match Preview
The Cobblers head into their two Easter games with a sense of limbo hanging over the season. Having dropped out of the top three, the playoffs now seem the most viable option if we’re to win what still looks like it would be an unlikely promotion.
Oldham, on the other hand, would bite any of our hands off to have this kind of dilemma as they battle hard against what would be an absolute disaster of a relegation to the National League.
We wanted more from Town ahead of last weekend’s game against Bradford and got it right up until the end product that’s deserted us for a lot of this season. We could have had the game won by half time but then tired and became disjointed late on with a flurry of substitutions ending any kind of flow.
This is one where we need to go and attack again but it won’t be easy thanks to a new found belief in the home camp.
The Opposition
Against the backdrop of owner Abdallah Lemsagam banning fans for voicing opinions and of endless uncertainty about the future of the club, Oldham seemed a shoe in for relegation back in December.
Having sacked Keith Curle, the interim youth team manager Selim Benachour didn’t fare any better and their season was spiralling towards the drop. But after a 3-0 defeat at Harrogate in January that left them seven points from safety came the news that gave anyone of a Latics persuasion hope – John Sheridan was back for another attempt at the Shezzarrection in his fourth spell at the club.
Despite a sticky patch following the initial bounce, Sheridan’s appointment has had the desired affect and a huge win at fellow strugglers Stevenage a couple of weeks ago catapulted them above their relegation rivals. A narrow defeat at Port Vale shouldn’t dampen spirits too much as a home game and a passionate atmosphere looms on Good Friday for the Cobblers’ visit.
Last time out
The Cobblers could only draw 0-0 with Bradford last weekend, sending us down to fifth place in League Two. Oldham were on the end of a ding dong, losing 3-2 at high flying Port Vale.
One to watch
If you’re building a side to fight relegation in League Two, Nicky Adams should be on top of your shopping list. Adams, after two promotions with the Cobblers, is still the motivator and the example on the pitch for Oldham and his crosses are still stuff of dreams for strikers.
Team News
Oldham should be able to welcome back Harrison McGahey and Tope Obadeyi from injury while Jack Stobbs is also nearing a return.
The Cobblers will be without Paul Lewis, who will likely now miss the rest of the season but Shaun McWilliams and Ali Koiki are looking to win their places back after their injury setbacks.
Last meeting
Last Meeting – Northampton Town 2-1 Oldham Athletic – 23/11/21
Keith Curle suffered defeat on his first return to Sixfields since leaving as goals from Jon Guthrie and Kion Etete were enough to seal a win which was enough to see him sacked by the Latics.
Line-up Prediction – Powered by FanHub
Match Officials
Sam Purkiss takes charge of this one having last officiated both clubs in games at Bristol Rovers. The Cobblers were beaten 2-0 in October of 2020 and Oldham lost 1-0 in August 2021. Abbas Khan and Billy Smallwood are running the line and Thomas Harty is fourth official.
Score Predictions
Charles: Oldham 0-1 Cobblers
Danny: Oldham 1-1 Cobblers
Neil: Oldham 7-11 Cobblers
Jefé: Oldham 2-1 Cobblers
Preview Show
We were joined this week by Dave from The Boundary Park Alert System podcast as we looked ahead to the game:
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.
