Men’s 1s draw with National League outfit West Bridgford
An encouraging 2-2 draw sees Saints lay the foundation for strong progress
Northampton Saints 1’s v West Bridgford
Saturday 17 August 2013
Moulton College
Final score:2-2
Goal scorers: Tristan O’Connor, Scott Mahoney
Saint’s 1st team continued their six game pre-season fixture list with a home tie to new National League outfit West Bridgford, at Moulton on Saturday.
Building on a rusty performance the previous week to National League St. Albans, the 14-man Saints squad arrived with new faces to bolster the side and spirits. Also encouraging, was the continued support from the clubs supporters who see potential and good reason to watch the team play which is hugely appreciated by the players.
In overcast, humid and blustery conditions, the home side started out with a new formation in a bid to focus on attacking play. West Bridgford arrived with 14 payers as well and 3 new faces, to help maintain their league status. Bridgford set up with a traditional formation, playing to their strength of counter attack, with a number of their ranks claiming previous National League experience. The encounter was to be played over 3 x 25 minutes.
The first quarter saw equal possession with a fast start from both teams. But it was Saints who took the lion’s share of the attacking impetus. Joe Kopka saw lots of ball, breaking the half way line with silky turns and incisive skills on reoccurring occasions. The Northampton forward play was supported by substitutions after ten minutes to keep the pace alive whilst West Bridgford kept challenging the back line with 4 ‘D’ penetrations. It was Saints who earned 2 penalty corners, yet little came of them. At the end of the 25 minutes, the score was nil all.
A first break meant a regroup opportunity by the coaching team, but the confidence in the trial formation remained. The next 25 minutes started in a similar vein to the previous. Fast, sometimes overzealous, running from The Saints concluded with possession and opportunities being created deep in the visitors defence. The right became the choice side and was fruitful at the same time, seeing intricate play being displayed by Grant Carlin to generate some of the best moments of the period. No goals to this point, but Bridgford continued to show glimpses of the form that took them to the league title through their more artful players in midfield.
Encouraging from Northampton’s point of view, were the secure and safe performances from Ash Smith, Seb Jones and brand new face, Sam Brown, all demonstrating competence with the ball in crucial areas of the pitch. But it was a freak goal against the run of play that split the difference. West Bridgford turned a penalty corner into a goal with a low drag flick that struck the right post which fell to a waiting attacker, who couldn’t believe his luck with the way the ball rolled softly to his stick. One push and one nil.
Not to be deterred, Northampton restarted where they left off, with the clear desire to move forward and the hunger to hit back quickly, this time down the left, culminating with two chances from Tristian O’Connor. Then the moment of the second period with Bridgford stealing a march on the home sides’ defence and broke the ‘D’. With only the keeper to beat on a tight right angle, the attacker set himself to shoot across the goal to his anticipating striker on the back post. The ball was hit hard, tracking online, only to be dramatically intercepted by Jay Worsfield, Northampton’s keeper, who steered the ball away from danger causing shouts of frustration from the Bridgford attackers. One for the cameras.
The last third gave the Head Coach, Jon Noble, the chance to revert back to a more familiar formation. A few minor injuries caused a slight change in personnel early on, notably Steve Williams, who had an off the ball incident with a West Bridgford midfielder, meaning he had to leave the playing field with suspected bruised ribs. Despite this, Saint’s better fitness started to tell, causing the visitors to rely on an increasing number of aerials from the left side into the saints centre defence, which were comfortably cleared up by Sam Brown and Jamie Webb. Two particular attempts did sneak through to the central West Bridgeford forward, who relied on his close control to retain the ball on Saints’ 25 yard line, only to over play when in the ‘D’ forced into a mistake by a recovering Seb Jones.
It was soon after the visiting side made a breakthrough following a turnover on the half way line. Bridgeford played at pace into the Saints ‘D’ and their striker slotted comfortably home for a 2-1 lead. This was against the run of play, but Saints rallied where their fitness and commitment to winning the game showed.
Five excellent opportunities then appeared in quick succession for the home side, including a rebound strike from Scott Mahoney who scored to take the game into parity with ten minutes remaining. Northampton pressed with two penalty corners created by the ever eager Tritan O’Connor, but the crowd saw little payback. In the dying embers of the match, Alex Press found himself with a gilt edged chance to seal the game, but was forced into a miss with a diving, last ditch tackle, by the Bridgford left back.
The match concluded in a two all draw and an overall a battling performance from the home team. Given Saints were behind and tested a new formation, there is much to look forward to. The six game pre-season continues next week with an away tie to Bedford who are on a high for their top half finish in the equivalent East league last year.
Coach comment
Speaking after the game, Head Coach Noble gave an insight to his thoughts. Says Noble, “It was good progression from last week and a new formation worked as a trial. We saw a lot more from an attacking point of view and I was happy with the way the defence shut down break a-ways. Coming back from two nil down with the new shape was encouraging. We’re concentrating on bedding in the new players which has strengthened the squad with players still left to come back in.”
Captains pick of the day
Seb Jones for his consistent movement and support to the centre backs. Seb very rarely turned the ball over and when receiving the ball with back to goal, he always passed back or moved to the ball to the flanks rather than turning blindly. He made himself available and demonstrated great leadership on the pitch. Seb set the standard and was Saints’ strongest player on the day.
Saturday squad
Paul Madeley (GK), Jay Worsfold (GK), Jamie Webb, Sam Brown, Seb Jones, Ash Smith, Grant Carlin, Joe Kopka, Gareth Parker, Alex Press (c), Tristan O’Connor, Scott Mahoney, Greg Summers, Ian Cooper, Steve Williams and Ali Rose.