3 minute read
Northampton Town Youth Team
from NTFC v Rochdale
by Weatherbys
NORTHAMPTON TOWN 1 LUTON TOWN 1
PETER ABIMBOLA
Northampton Town Under 18s drew 1-1 with Luton Town in the EFL Youth Alliance League South East on a cold morning at Moulton College a week and a half ago.
Under 16s coach Shane Goddard took charge and made two changes from the team that lost 3-2 away to Southend United a week earlier, as Josh Tomlinson and Kieran WatkinsRobinson replaced Courtney Lashley and Miguel Ngwa in the line up.
Both sides made a slow start to the first half. On the half-an-hour mark, Liam Cross won a penalty but he was denied from 12 yards by the goalkeeper.
On the stroke of half-time, Luton put together a string of passes in the attacking third, resulting in a strike which went just over.
The match improved in an entertaining, end-to-end second half. Josh Tomlinson's header was cleared off the line five minutes in.
Ten minutes later, substitute Miguel Ngwa aimed for the top corner at the back post, but his drive was well-saved by the goalkeeper.
Jack Connor headed over from Liam Cross’ floated ball in as the Cobblers continued to threaten.
They made a deserved breakthrough 20 minutes from time when Peter Abimbola took a touch and fired into the top right corner from 25 yards for his third of the campaign.
However, Luton equalised five minutes later. A shot from range left Charlie Woods rooted to the spot
P W D L F A GD PTS 1 Peterborough United 18 11 4 3 39 16 23 37 2 Luton Town 18 8 6 4 39 25 14 30 3 Southend United 16 9 2 5 35 23 12 29 4 Cambridge United 17 9 2 6 35 27 8 29 5 Northampton Town 16 7 4 5 28 18 10 25 6 AFC Wimbledon 17 6 3 8 27 34 -7 21 7 Gillingham 16 5 5 6 19 26 -7 20 8 Milton Keynes Dons 16 5 2 9 24 37 -13 17 9 Stevenage 17 3 5 9 26 44 -18 14 10 Leyton Orient 17 2 5 10 23 45 -22 11 and flew into the corner.
The Cobblers searched for a late winner. First, Liam Cross’ dangerous ball was parried to substitute Lewis Gilbert, but he was denied from close range.
Then, Cross was denied by another fantastic save from the goalkeeper, who tipped his shot wide as it looked destined to find the top corner.
It ended level. Both sides had numerous opportunities, but the Cobblers arguably had the better of the chances, especially in the second period.
Starting XI - Woods (GK); Bailey, Tomlinson, Dyche, Flanagan; Lack (sub Scott, HT), Cross, Abimbola; Watkins-Robinson (sub Gilbert, 65), Connor, Curry (sub Ngwa, 38). Unused subs - Lashley, Hill.
Goal - Abimbola (1-0, 71). By James Wiles
2020/21 EFL YOUTH ALLIANCE FIXTURES AND RESULTS
Sat Sep 12 Peterborough United H 0-0 Sat Sep 19 Milton Keynes Dons A 0-1 Sat Oct 10 Leyton Orient H 3-0 Sat Oct 17 Gillingham H 3-0 Sat Oct 24 AFC Wimbledon A 0-1 Wed Oct 28 Cambridge United EFL Cup H 1-2 Sat Oct 31 Southend United H 3-2 Sat Nov 7 Luton Town A 2-2 Sat Nov 14 Stevenage A 5-1 Sat Nov 21 Gillingham A 2-0 Sat Nov 28 Peterborough United A 1-2 Sat Dec 5 Cambridge United H 0-1 Sat Dec 12 AFC Wimbledon H 3-2 Sat Jan 9 Leyton Orient A 2-1 Sat Jan 30 Cambridge United A 1-1 Sat Feb 6 Southend United A 2-3 Sat Feb 13 Luton Town H 1-1 Sat Feb 20 Milton Keynes Dons H 3-1 Sat Feb 27 Stevenage H
MERIT LEAGUE FIXTURES
Sat Mar 13 MK Dons
H Sat Mar 20 Luton Town A Sat Apr 17 Southend United H Sat Apr 24 Peterborough United A Sat May 8 Stevenage H Sat May 15 Cambridge United A
