Sat 15th August - Northampton Town

Old favourites Northampton opened the home league campaign at Bescot and who will ever forget cuddly Johnny Gayle and his black belt manoeuvre on Wacka last Christmas.

Playing seventy nine minutes without a keeper is not the easiest thing in the world which was in stark contrast to the referee’s decision that followed the ‘infringement’.  Red card, early shower, cheerio - no problemo. Well any competent referee would have seen it that way, indeed I suspect that even Stevie Wonder would have seen this one. Everyone except that is twat who was refereeing on that particular afternoon who failed to witness what the rest of the stadium so blatantly saw.

Personally, I hate Northampton Town. Not in the way I hate wolves, it’s more to do with their style of play, or more to the point, their lack of style. I hate the way Kevin Wilson, once the beloved Kevin Wilson - pass and mover, appears to follow their negative footballing philosophies. I hate the niggle that inevitably comes with the over physicality and the entertainment value that rivals that at a funeral.

Uncle Ray stated in Fridays press that last year was old news and we had to forget about it. Fair enough, but he wasn’t there.

Last year, this was the type of game that would have resulted in defeat. Probably before half time, to be honest. Not any more. Uncle Ray has crafted an impressive resilience, a welcome solidness and decent shape into the shambles that was 1997/98 and we looked pretty comfortable against a very robust and determined Northants.

Nil each was the least we deserved and had we converted one of the few opportunities we had then the visitors may have opened up and been there for the taking.  Watson and Rammell both had chances but to be fair the visiting keeper did well.

The Cobblers started with Plan A (hoof it as far as you can), struggled to get a foot in the game, switched to Plan B (stick to Plan A) and created bugger all really. We weren’t going to concede if we had played until Sunday tea time but needed to take one of our chances. This wasn’t to be but we’re still unbeaten and clean sheeted at the back. Which is nice.