Men's 2nd XI 2-4 Birmingham University 2nd XI

Goals: Stuart Clark, David Haggan

After a disappointing performance the previous week, Saints went into the game with a lot to prove. They started off very well as they evenly matched a strong Birmingham side across the pitch.

Birmingham did take a 2 goal lead which was slightly harsh at the time. But Saints soon got back into the game. Their 1st goal was in open play: After some good work in midfield David Wennington, making his 2nd team debut, played a defence splitting ball into the D which David Haggan latched onto, his shot was saved but Stuart Clark was on hand to send the ball into an open goal. 

The second half saw Birmingham claw back their 2 goal lead but a determined Saints side came back again from a well worked short corner. At the top of the D a cool headed Tom Lewington expertly fired the ball to the right hand post were David Haggan was on hand to deflect the ball passed the flailing keeper and into the goal. 3-2 and all was to play for, and as Northampton went in search of an equaliser, the University side caught them on the counter-attack to end the game as 4-2 winners.

MOTM: Will Powell - some outstanding saves and superb communcation to the defence.
DOTD: James Knibb - no explanation required!  
 

Squad: Will Powell (GK), Matt Gausden (c), Ben Northedge, Ricard Pryce, Tom Lewington, Alex Blunt, Dave Wennington, David Haggan, Dan Whittaker, Harry York, Sam Mitchell, Pete Comden, Alex Clark, Stuart Clark, James Knibb.

Men's 4th XI 2-2 Beeston 4th XI

Goals: Ed Arnold, Joe Wightman

The first home game of the season proved to be a challenging affair with a quality Beeston side containing a good mix of old heads and young legs making a real game of it. We started off slowly again with a few changes to side meaning we are still trying to gel as a unit but the further into the game we got the more we grew into it. With a real ebb and flow to the game it was an even first half with chances a plenty for both sides. With our radar's being a little off so far we went into half time 1-0 down and but feeling positive that the goals would come.

Having started the second half well on top with some great transfers around back solid ball retention we were left feeling very cheated finding ourselves 2-0 down to a goal of real quality on the counter attack from Beeston. Still positive with the chances being created we battled on and managed to grab a quick reply through Ed Arnold finally converting from a tight angle.

With the momentum in our favour we piled on the pressure and had a little patience which eventually paid off when Joe Wightman's flick from the top of the D found the back of net. For the second week in a row we came back from two down with periods of real dominance, we are showing we can compete, now to put it together for 70 minutes away to Cannock next weekend!