Rovers and promotion-chasing Town served up a match settled in the visitors’ favour thanks to the sort of individual errors and attacking toothlessness that have blighted Rovers’ season.
Northampton led in the second minute, working a short corner to Mitch Pinnock, and his low shot crept under Jonathan Mitchell’s dive. Rovers best chance of the first half came when James Brown’s cross was met by Caolan Lavery’s header which was easily saved by Lee Burge. That was Rovers only effort on target in the first period, and they were booed off at the interval.
Rovers made a livelier start to the second half and a fierce shot from Todd Miller, making the first Football League start of his career, was deflected to safety. Then, on 52 minutes, Mitchell dropped another clanger when he passed the ball straight to Town’s top scorer Sam Hoskins who added to his tally in business-like fashion.
Down 0-2 and with Lavery having gone off injured, the game meandered to its conclusion, though substitute Kyle Hurst did manage a shot on target, albeit one blocked by a defender. There were one or two scuffles which were more entertaining than the football, and in one incident Town’s Jack Sowerby was perhaps lucky to see only yellow for pushing Miller over after the two had clashed.
Further boos greeted the final whistle, aimed at players, team management and the Board. Everyone has their view on who is to blame. Rovers are a sick club and need treatment urgently.
by John Coyle
popular STAND fanzine 