Northampton Town 1 City 2
This was another very accomplished away performance by Leicester at a cold and blustery overcast day at the compact Sixfields ground as they recorded their sixth away win of the campaign. The away fans were, once again, very obvious having taken up their full allocation of 1500 tickets in a 7500 crowd.
The wind and a soft pitch that cut up did not help the Foxes usual fluent passing game but they controlled the second half, coming to terms with the conditions and the opposition to win more comfortably than the final score suggested.
Leicester fielded a very young side – Mattock replacing the injured Berner – built around the experience of Captain Oakley and the returning Howard. The substitute’s bench reflecting an opposite trend of great experience.
The visitors had the better of the early exchanges without establishing a pattern of play. They were though, hesitant in the centre of defence against a lively Cobblers strike force of Larkin and recent hat-trick debutant Clarke. Northampton went ahead after sixteen minutes following a left wing corner where Gilbert twice cleared off the line before, eventually Constantine bundled in the first goal at the post (eventually recorded as a Gilbert own goal).
Five minutes later Leicester were level somewhat against the run of play when Howard headed on to Fryatt just inside the right hand corner of the penalty area. He was floored by an elbow from Hughes, the home team central defender. Premiership referee Mike Dean awarded a penalty which Howard coolly converted low inside the right hand post – Fryatt the usual spot kick taker was concussed and receiving treatment.…
The rest of the first half was scrappy with neither team establishing dominance although Oakley and particularly Cleverley, worked extremely hard in midfield for the visitors.
After the break and playing with the wind, Leicester were much more effective. They used the space between the Northampton centre backs and the goal keeper very effectively, with Fryatt especially being very busy.
Gradually they assumed the control starting from the back four and it was no surprise when after 72 minutes, in the best move of the game, they went in front. The ball was worked to Howard moving forward from the centre circle. He swept a pass inside the left back for Cleverley to cross first time. Dyer drilled this into the net at first touch from ten yards out – his ninth of an increasingly productive season.
City were able to run down the game without significant threat although Northampton had several late attempts that came to nothing. The only down point for Leicester was the injured Mattock’s substitution by the evergreen Powell with five minutes left.
For Leicester Mattock was booked in the first half for showing dissent. Davis (foul play) and Clarke (diving) were yellow carded for Northampton.
This increasingly satisfactory season continues to gather momentum!
Northampton: Dunn, Crowe, Hughes, Doig, Davis (Benjamin 79), Constantine (Dolman 74), Osman, Jackman, Holt, Larkin (Gilligan 64), Clarke.
Subs not used: Zieler, Dyer.
Booked: Clarke, Davis. Goals: Gilbert (og) 16.
Leicester: Martin, Gilbert, Hobbs, Morrison, Mattock (Powell 87), Oakley, Cleverley, Andy King, Dyer, Howard, Fryatt. Subs not used: Pentney, Dickov, Edworthy, Hayles.
Booked: Mattock. Goals: Howard 21 pen, Dyer 73.
Att: 7,028 Ref: Mike Dean (Wirral).
The views expressed in this report are the opinions of the Trust member nominated to file the report only and do not represent the views of the Foxes Trust organisation