v 
SHRIMPERS
This game will be far tougher now than it may have been on paper, for a start the Cobblers one win was away from home, but this is a tough looking squad that manager Gary Johnson has put together and they have to start clicking at some time, especially after five successive defeats with four of them were at Sixfields.
With a patched up strike force, and remember if it is Blair and Bilel, the last time they played together was the 3-1 defeat at Wycombe on the last day which saw the son of Luggy limp off and the Frenchman marked out of the game, and another probable defensive looking midfield, chances will be far and few between, are those two good enough to take them.
Mark Ryan Hall tightly and it could be hard going, Jemal Johnson will get game time, let's hope he starts to show he's worth the hypw.
Defensively all things seem brighter, great to see Mark Phillips, good luck with the charity Mark, (justgiving.com/b4bmarkphillips), playing three games in a week, with some big blokes barging around for the Cobblers we will need him and skipper Chris Barker to be in top from, the height of Luke Prosser will help too, leaving Sean Clohessy to make his trademark runs up the right so please Luggy, Ryan on the left for starters.
As for keeper Glenn Morris, more on that later, but the fact that Sturrock has to come out and defend him says it all.
As with anybody who steps out in the Blue shirt, er, or green in his case, S24 supports them, and welcome back to Michale Timlin on that point, but his decision making, which was much improved I thought lasts eason from his Orient days, is suspect at the moment and Northampton have players to take advantage.
In all honesty I see a goalless draw here, but if there is a winner it looks as if the team that gets the first will keep the points.
Possible Southend United: Morris, Clohessy, Phillips, Barker, Prosser, Leonard, Ferdinand, Grant, Hall, Mohsni, Sturrock.
Subs: Bentley, Gilbert, Timlin, Johnson, Crawford.
COME ON YOU BLUES!!!!
Southend United 1 Crawley Town 0 - Match Highlights: http://news.bbc.co.uk
OPPOSITION
Northampton could be boosted by the return of three players.
Defenders Seth Nana Ofori-Twumasi and Ashley Westwood and striker Jake Robinson are closing in on returns from injury.
Cobblers assistant manager David Lee told www.ntfc.co.uk: "We are hoping to have both Nana and Jake available for selection. With Nana back we've got options in defence and Ashley Westwood is ready for a return to the first team as well. Ben Tozer went to left-back on Tuesday night and did very well against a good player."
Kelvin Langmead, along with Westwood, has extended his stay at Sixfields but midfielder Kevin Thornton and striker Shaun Harrad left during the transfer window.
Cobblers stay, Cobblers go: www.southendunited-mad.co.uk
A local preview: http://aloadofcobblers2012.wordpress.com/
A local look at the season's prospects: www.itsroundanditswhite.co.uk
That one away win
Aldershot Town 0 Northampton Town 1 (played on Saturday, August 13th): Report; www.ntfc.co.uk
Beeb highlights of last game, Northampton 0 Morecambe 2 and boss Johnson's after match comments; http://news.bbc.co.uk
Player to watch
Adebayo Akinfenwa (sporting his post meeting Bilel Mohsni look)
In a strong looking squad on paper, that includes an old friend in Bas Savage, and let's hope they don't find form until next week, we pick the player that Luggy felt last season would make such a good partner for Barry Corr, what, over our Blair.
When he eventally played for Gillingham against us, as we couldn't afford his wages, he looked slow, over weight and, frankly, crap.
Let's hope he doesn't decide to make this the game that he shows the Blues boss why he liked the look of him in the first place.
(Full player info here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adebayo_Akinfenwa)
Tough start for Cobblers
| 16 | Burton Albion | 5 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 0 | ||||
| 17 | Barnet | 5 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 8 | 11 | 5 | -3 | ||||
| 18 | Bradford City | 5 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 6 | 7 | 4 | -1 | ||||
| 19 | Northampton Town | 5 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 4 | -3 | ||||
| 20 | Aldershot Town | 5 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 4 | -3 | ||||
| 21 | Swindon Town | 5 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 3 | -1 | ||||
| 22 | Crewe Alexandra | 5 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 9 | 3 | -6 | ||||
| 23 | Hereford United | 5 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 9 | 2 | -8 | ||||
| 24 | Plymouth Argyle | 5 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 11 | 1 | -9 | ||||
PREVIOUSLY
| At Southend Utd. (55) | At Northampton (56) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Results | Total | % | Results | Total | % | |
| Southend Utd. | 29 | 52.73 | Northampton | 29 | 51.79 | |
| Northampton | 15 | 27.27 | Southend Utd. | 13 | 23.21 | |
| Draws | 11 | 20.00 | Draws | 14 | 25.00 | |
| Goals | Total | Av.pg | Goals | Total | Av.pg | |
| Southend Utd. | 101 | 1.84 | Northampton | 120 | 2.14 | |
| Northampton | 63 | 1.15 | Southend Utd. | 72 | 1.29 | |
| On Neutral Ground (0) | Overall (111 matches) | |||||
| Results | Total | % | Results | Total | % | |
| Southend Utd. | 0 | 0.00 | Southend Utd. | 42 | 37.84 | |
| Northampton | 0 | 0.00 | Northampton | 44 | 39.64 | |
| Draws | 0 | 0.00 | Draws | 25 | 22.52 | |
| Goals | Total | Av.pg | Goals | Total | Av.pg | |
| Southend Utd. | 0 | 0.00 | Southend Utd. | 173 | 1.56 | |
| Northampton | 0 | 0.00 | Northampton | 183 | 1.65 | |
| Records | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Highest Aggregate | 9 | Southend Utd. | 6 - 3 | Northampton | 1957/1958 |
| Highest Southend Utd. score: | 6 | Southend Utd. | 6 - 1 | Northampton | 1925/1926 |
| Highest Northampton score: | 8 | Northampton | 8 - 0 | Southend Utd. | 1923/1924 |
| Season | Date | Home | Score | Away | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010/2011 | Sat 26 Feb | Southend Utd. | 1 - 1 | Northampton | League Two |
| Sat 11 Sep | Northampton | 2 - 1 | Southend Utd. | League Two | |
| 2008/2009 | Mon 13 Apr | Northampton | 2 - 3 | Southend Utd. | League One |
| Fri 26 Dec | Southend Utd. | 1 - 0 | Northampton | League One | |
| 2007/2008 | Sat 12 Apr | Southend Utd. | 1 - 1 | Northampton | League One |
| Sat 03 Nov | Northampton | 0 - 1 | Southend Utd. | League One | |
| 2004/2005 | Sat 21 May | Southend Utd. | 1 - 0 | Northampton | Football League Play-Offs (Lvl 4) |
| Southend United won 2-1 on aggregate | |||||
| Sun 15 May | Northampton | 0 - 0 | Southend Utd. | Football League Play-Offs (Lvl 4) | |
| Sat 19 Feb | Northampton | 1 - 2 | Southend Utd. | League Two | |
| Tue 30 Nov | Northampton | 0 - 2 | Southend Utd. | (Associate Members) | |
| Sat 30 Oct | Southend Utd. | 2 - 1 | Northampton | League Two | |
| 2003/2004 | Sat 17 Apr | Northampton | 2 - 2 | Southend Utd. | League Division Three |
| Sat 01 Nov | Southend Utd. | 0 - 1 | Northampton | League Division Three | |
| 1999/2000 | Sat 25 Mar | Northampton | 2 - 0 | Southend Utd. | League Division Three |
| Sun 26 Dec | Southend Utd. | 2 - 2 | Northampton | League Division Three | |
| 1997/1998 | Sat 14 Feb | Northampton | 3 - 1 | Southend Utd. | League Division Two |
| Sat 04 Oct | Southend Utd. | 0 - 0 | Northampton | League Division Two | |
| 1989/1990 | Wed 17 Jan | Southend Utd. | 2 - 1 | Northampton | (Associate Members) |
| 1988/1989 | Mon 27 Mar | Northampton | 2 - 2 | Southend Utd. | Third Division |
| Tue 17 Jan | Northampton | 2 - 1 | Southend Utd. | (Associate Members) | |
| after extra time, 90 minutes 0-0 | |||||
| Mon 26 Dec | Southend Utd. | 2 - 1 | Northampton | Third Division | |
| 1987/1988 | Wed 02 Mar | Northampton | 4 - 0 | Southend Utd. | Third Division |
| Tue 29 Sep | Southend Utd. | 1 - 1 | Northampton | Third Division | |
| 1986/1987 | Mon 20 Apr | Northampton | 2 - 1 | Southend Utd. | Fourth Division |
| Fri 26 Dec | Southend Utd. | 0 - 4 | Northampton | Fourth Division | |
| Wed 10 Dec | Northampton | 3 - 2 | Southend Utd. | F.A. Cup | |
| Fri 05 Dec | Southend Utd. | 4 - 4 | Northampton | F.A. Cup | |
| 1985/1986 | Mon 31 Mar | Northampton | 0 - 0 | Southend Utd. | Fourth Division |
| Thu 13 Mar | Southend Utd. | 1 - 3 | Northampton | (Associate Members) | |
| Fri 06 Dec | Southend Utd. | 0 - 4 | Northampton | Fourth Division | |
| 1984/1985 | Sun 17 Mar | Northampton | 1 - 2 | Southend Utd. | Fourth Division |
| Sat 13 Oct | Southend Utd. | 2 - 1 | Northampton | Fourth Division | |
| 1980/1981 | Fri 23 Jan | Southend Utd. | 0 - 0 | Northampton | Fourth Division |
| Tue 23 Sep | Northampton | 2 - 0 | Southend Utd. | Fourth Division | |
| 1977/1978 | Tue 21 Mar | Northampton | 0 - 0 | Southend Utd. | Fourth Division |
| Mon 22 Aug | Southend Utd. | 0 - 0 | Northampton | Fourth Division | |
| Tue 16 Aug | Northampton | 2 - 1 | Southend Utd. | League Cup | |
| Northampton Town won 5-3 on aggregate | |||||
| Sat 13 Aug | Southend Utd. | 2 - 3 | Northampton | League Cup | |
| 1971/1972 | Mon 17 Apr | Southend Utd. | 4 - 1 | Northampton | Fourth Division |
| Tue 11 Apr | Northampton | 1 - 1 | Southend Utd. | Fourth Division | |
| 1970/1971 | Sat 01 May | Northampton | 0 - 2 | Southend Utd. | Fourth Division |
| Fri 25 Sep | Southend Utd. | 1 - 0 | Northampton | Fourth Division | |
| 1969/1970 | Fri 27 Mar | Southend Utd. | 2 - 2 | Northampton | Fourth Division |
| Sat 25 Oct | Northampton | 2 - 0 | Southend Utd. | Fourth Division | |
| 1962/1963 | Sat 27 Apr | Northampton | 5 - 3 | Southend Utd. | Third Division |
| Sat 08 Dec | Southend Utd. | 5 - 1 | Northampton | Third Division | |
| 1961/1962 | Sat 07 Apr | Northampton | 3 - 1 | Southend Utd. | Third Division |
| Sat 18 Nov | Southend Utd. | 1 - 3 | Northampton | Third Division | |
| 1957/1958 | Fri 02 May | Southend Utd. | 6 - 3 | Northampton | Third Division (South) |
| Sat 26 Apr | Northampton | 1 - 3 | Southend Utd. | Third Division (South) | |
| 1956/1957 | Wed 26 Dec | Southend Utd. | 0 - 1 | Northampton | Third Division (South) |
| Tue 25 Dec | Northampton | 2 - 2 | Southend Utd. | Third Division (South) | |
| 1955/1956 | Sat 25 Feb | Northampton | 1 - 1 | Southend Utd. | Third Division (South) |
| Sat 15 Oct | Southend Utd. | 2 - 0 | Northampton | Third Division (South) | |
| 1954/1955 | Sat 05 Feb | Northampton | 6 - 2 | Southend Utd. | Third Division (South) |
| Sat 18 Sep | Southend Utd. | 4 - 1 | Northampton | Third Division (South) | |
| 1953/1954 | Sat 19 Dec | Northampton | 5 - 0 | Southend Utd. | Third Division (South) |
| Sat 22 Aug | Southend Utd. | 2 - 0 | Northampton | Third Division (South) | |
| 1952/1953 | Sat 03 Jan | Southend Utd. | 3 - 1 | Northampton | Third Division (South) |
| Sat 30 Aug | Northampton | 4 - 3 | Southend Utd. | Third Division (South) | |
| 1951/1952 | Thu 20 Sep | Northampton | 4 - 3 | Southend Utd. | Third Division (South) |
| Tue 11 Sep | Southend Utd. | 2 - 0 | Northampton | Third Division (South) | |
| 1950/1951 | Sat 14 Apr | Northampton | 1 - 1 | Southend Utd. | Third Division (South) |
| Sat 10 Feb | Southend Utd. | 3 - 0 | Northampton | Third Division (South) | |
| 1949/1950 | Sat 22 Apr | Southend Utd. | 1 - 2 | Northampton | Third Division (South) |
| Sat 03 Dec | Northampton | 2 - 0 | Southend Utd. | Third Division (South) | |
| 1948/1949 | Thu 16 Sep | Northampton | 2 - 2 | Southend Utd. | Third Division (South) |
| Tue 07 Sep | Southend Utd. | 0 - 1 | Northampton | Third Division (South) | |
| 1947/1948 | Sat 27 Mar | Northampton | 2 - 0 | Southend Utd. | Third Division (South) |
| Sat 08 Nov | Southend Utd. | 3 - 1 | Northampton | Third Division (South) | |
| 1946/1947 | Sat 22 Mar | Southend Utd. | 4 - 0 | Northampton | Third Division (South) |
| Sat 16 Nov | Northampton | 2 - 3 | Southend Utd. | Third Division (South) | |
| 1938/1939 | Sat 08 Apr | Southend Utd. | 2 - 0 | Northampton | Third Division (South) |
| Sat 03 Dec | Northampton | 2 - 2 | Southend Utd. | Third Division (South) | |
| 1937/1938 | Sat 29 Jan | Southend Utd. | 4 - 2 | Northampton | Third Division (South) |
| Sat 18 Sep | Northampton | 0 - 2 | Southend Utd. | Third Division (South) | |
| 1936/1937 | Sat 01 May | Northampton | 4 - 3 | Southend Utd. | Third Division (South) |
| Wed 16 Sep | Southend Utd. | 2 - 0 | Northampton | Third Division (South) | |
| 1935/1936 | Wed 22 Apr | Southend Utd. | 0 - 1 | Northampton | Third Division (South) |
| Sat 12 Oct | Northampton | 2 - 0 | Southend Utd. | Third Division (South) | |
| 1934/1935 | Sat 13 Apr | Southend Utd. | 2 - 1 | Northampton | Third Division (South) |
| Sat 01 Dec | Northampton | 1 - 1 | Southend Utd. | Third Division (South) | |
| 1933/1934 | Sat 31 Mar | Southend Utd. | 2 - 0 | Northampton | Third Division (South) |
| Sat 18 Nov | Northampton | 2 - 0 | Southend Utd. | Third Division (South) | |
| 1932/1933 | Sat 25 Mar | Southend Utd. | 1 - 0 | Northampton | Third Division (South) |
| Sat 12 Nov | Northampton | 0 - 0 | Southend Utd. | Third Division (South) | |
| 1931/1932 | Sat 30 Jan | Southend Utd. | 0 - 1 | Northampton | Third Division (South) |
| Sat 12 Dec | Northampton | 3 - 0 | Southend Utd. | F.A. Cup | |
| Sat 19 Sep | Northampton | 1 - 2 | Southend Utd. | Third Division (South) | |
| 1930/1931 | Fri 26 Dec | Northampton | 4 - 0 | Southend Utd. | Third Division (South) |
| Thu 25 Dec | Southend Utd. | 2 - 1 | Northampton | Third Division (South) | |
| 1929/1930 | Sat 03 May | Northampton | 5 - 1 | Southend Utd. | Third Division (South) |
| Mon 16 Sep | Southend Utd. | 1 - 2 | Northampton | Third Division (South) | |
| 1928/1929 | Sat 02 Feb | Southend Utd. | 2 - 2 | Northampton | Third Division (South) |
| Sat 22 Sep | Northampton | 2 - 3 | Southend Utd. | Third Division (South) | |
| 1927/1928 | Sat 18 Feb | Northampton | 2 - 1 | Southend Utd. | Third Division (South) |
| Sat 08 Oct | Southend Utd. | 2 - 0 | Northampton | Third Division (South) | |
| 1926/1927 | Tue 19 Apr | Northampton | 2 - 1 | Southend Utd. | Third Division (South) |
| Mon 18 Apr | Southend Utd. | 2 - 0 | Northampton | Third Division (South) | |
| 1925/1926 | Sat 06 Feb | Northampton | 3 - 3 | Southend Utd. | Third Division (South) |
| Sat 26 Sep | Southend Utd. | 6 - 1 | Northampton | Third Division (South) | |
| 1924/1925 | Sat 03 Jan | Southend Utd. | 0 - 1 | Northampton | Third Division (South) |
| Sat 06 Sep | Northampton | 0 - 1 | Southend Utd. | Third Division (South) | |
| 1923/1924 | Sat 22 Mar | Northampton | 8 - 0 | Southend Utd. | Third Division (South) |
| Sat 15 Mar | Southend Utd. | 5 - 1 | Northampton | Third Division (South) | |
| 1922/1923 | Sat 11 Nov | Northampton | 5 - 2 | Southend Utd. | Third Division (South) |
| Sat 04 Nov | Southend Utd. | 1 - 2 | Northampton | Third Division (South) | |
| 1921/1922 | Sat 25 Feb | Southend Utd. | 1 - 1 | Northampton | Third Division (South) |
| Sat 18 Feb | Northampton | 0 - 2 | Southend Utd. | Third Division (South) | |
| 1920/1921 | Sat 30 Oct | Northampton | 1 - 0 | Southend Utd. | Third Division |
| Sat 23 Oct | Southend Utd. | 1 - 2 | Northampton | Third Division | |
REF
The man in the middle is Simon Hooper from Wiltshire.
His assistants are Darren Blunden and Graham Horwood;The fourth official is Richard Kendall.
BET
Southend (to win) - 15/14, Draw - 5/2, Northampton (to win) - 14/5.
For all the footy odds go here: www.oddschecker.com/football/english/league-two/
FIXTURES
League Two
Saturday, September 3rd; (all kick-offs 15.00 unless stated): Swindon v Rotherham (12.15), AFC Wimbledon v Port Vale, Aldershot v Cheltenham, Barnet v Accrington Stanley, Burton Albion v Plymouth, Crawley Town v Bristol Rovers, Crewe v Oxford Utd, Gillingham v Shrewsbury, Hereford v Dag & Red, Morecambe v Bradford, Southend v Northampton, Torquay v Macclesfield.
Fourth tier Preview: http://www.football-league.co.uk
HISTORY
Northampton Town was founded in 1897 after meetings between the town's schoolteachers and local solicitor A.J. Darnell.
The community then focused on football and, in particular, schoolboy football was strong in the county due in part to the enthusiasm of the local teachers. They were, however, dissatisfied with the current arrangement of arranged friendlies between schools, preferring to teach the boys through practical examples and they felt this could be done by forming a town team.
At the same time A.J. Darnell travelled to Leicester with the local Rugby team, where he witnessed an exhibition football match between Leicester Fosse and Notts County. This gave him the desire to start his own club in Northampton.
Mr Darnell and the local schoolteachers came together through their shared aims and, on 6 March 1897, at the Princess Royal Inn on the Wellingborough Road, Northampton Football Club was formed.Following objections from the town's rugby club the team adopted the name of Northampton Town to avoid trouble.
The club gained permission to play home matches at the County Ground, home of Northamptonshire County Cricket Club, provided that no games were scheduled between May and September; this was to remain their home for the next 97 years until they moved to Sixfields.
Last manager Ian Sampson was sacked on 2 March 2011 after a poor run of form saw the Cobblers fail to win in 8 games and sit in a disappointing 16th position in League 2. Sampson’s last game in charge was a 2-3 defeat against Burton Albion, the manner of this defeat ultimately costing him his job. Sampson’s sacking brought to an end a 17-year association with Northampton, and his commitment to the club has guaranteed his status as a legend in fans' hearts.
Club supremo David Cardoza moved quickly and Gary Johnson was unveiled as the new manager on 4 March 2011. The appointment was greeted by unprecedented approval, so much so that Johnson stated his decision to join the club was partly down to the support for his appointment of a club forum.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northampton_Town)