Southend United v Northampton Town Match Information!

November 28, 2014 by Alec Hitchman

What A Load of Cobblers!

Southend United v Northampton Town

Northampton Town visit Roots Hall tomorrow, having only won three times in all competitions since the start of October. Southend United go into the game on the back of a great away win at Tranmere Rovers (2-1) last week, whilst Northampton also go into the game on the back of a 1-0 win against Stevenage. Marc Richards scored the goal.
These two sides have met a total of 114 times since our first meeting almost 95 years ago, back in 1920, Northampton beat Blues 1-0. Our most recent meeting ended in a 2-1 defeat for Blues at Sixfields last season. Matthias Doumbe opened the scoring for Northampton in the 7th minute, before Michael Timlin equalised for Blues 10 minutes later. Chris Hackett grabbed the winner for Northampton early in the second half.
Amazingly, since our first meeting, the overall scoreline is: Southend United 183-183 Northampton Town. In recent years, the most memorable meeting between these two sides is probably Southend’s 5-2 win away at Northampton, having been 2-1 down at half time.

So, Who are Northampton Town?

Full Name: Northampton Town Football Club
Founded:1897
Nickname:The Cobbers
Ground:Victoria Park (7,856 Capacity)
Manager: Chris Wilder
2013-14 Season:21st – SkyBet League Two

Most Recent Line-Ups

Northampton Town:Archer, Tozer, Langmead, Collins, Robertson, Hackett (Ravenhill - 85’), Carter, Murdoch, Mohamed (Byrom – 85’), Richards, Nicholls (Toney – 57’)
Southend United:Bentley, Thompson, Bolger, Prosser, White, Worrall, Leonard (Clifford – 45’), Timlin, Hurst (Binnom-Williams – 80’), Payne, Corr

Last Time We Met – Northampton Town 2-1 Southend United – 25/02/2014

Northampton Town: Duke, Diamond, Doumbe, Robertson, McSweeney, Carter, Sinclair (Deegan – 86’), Hackett, Ravenhill, Marquis (Connell – 55’), Dickenson (Morris – 55’)
Southend UnitedBentley, White, Phillips, Straker (Williams – 86’), Leonard, Coker, Laird (Hurst – 72’), Timlin, Atkinson, Corr, Barnard (Eastwood – 56’)

Northampton’s Last 5 Results

Stevenage FC (H) – W 1-0
Rochdale AFC (A) – L 2-1 – FA Cup 1st Round Replay
Cambridge United (A) – L 2-1
Leyton Orient (A) – L 2-0 – Johnstone’s Paint Trophy
Rochdale AFC (H) – D 0-0 – FA Cup 1st Round

What Could Happen?

A win for Southend could take them up into 3rd, if Shrewsbury lose at home to Burton Albion and Luton Town lose at home to Mansfield Town. A draw would keep them in 5th, but only if Plymouth Argyle fail to win at home to York and Bury fail to win at home to Dagenham & Redbridge.
A win for Northampton could take them as high as 9th, but they would have to rely on the 4 teams between themselves and 9th placed Exeter City all failing to win. A draw would only take them up one place to 13th.
All fixtures are at the bottom of this preview.

For the Northampton Fans – A Quick Guide

Distance to Travel (Based on the distance between both team’s grounds)

100 Miles (1 Hours, 50 Minutes)

Where Can I Drink?

There is a bar in the ground known as the Shrimpers Bar. Although this is mainly for home fans, away supporters do have access. Other than this, there is the Blue Boar pub on Victoria Road, which, on match days, only admits away supporters. It is about a two minute walk from the ground (heading towards the town centre). You will have to walk past The Spread Eagle in order to get to the Blue Boar, but "The Spread" is only open to home fans on match days.

Where Can I Park?

There is plenty of street parking within walking distance of the ground, based in the many back streets behind and to the right of the away stand, otherwise, there is a car park at Southend High School For Boys, which charges £5 for match day parking.

Staying Overnight?

There are plenty of hotels and B&B’s in Southend. One of which is the airport hotel, approximately a 5 minute drive, or a 30 minute walk from Roots Hall. On the other hand, there are a number of B&B’s along the seafront, just like Morecambe! The seafront is roughly 25 minutes by foot from Roots Hall.

Where can I Eat?

There is a chip shop opposite the Blue Boar pub, called The Fish House. Other than this, there are the usual fast food restaurants in Southend high street. There is also the Chinese buffet, known as "East", which is located near the Royals Shopping Centre, in the high street. Locals will be happy to guide you should you need help.

Attractions

If you have planned to make a weekend of your visit, there are many attractions in Southend. One of which is Adventure Island, an amusement park on the seafront at the end of the town centre. Just along from that, there is a Sea-Life Centre, along with ten-pin bowling at the Kursaal.

Programme Price

£3.00 – Will probably be reduced to £2.00 or £1.50, this is a cup match after all!

Postcode (for SatNav users):

SS2 6NQ

My Predicted Southend Line-Up:

Bentley, White, Prosser, Bolger, Thompson, Hurst, O’Toole, Clifford, Worrall, Payne, Corr

Quick News

Blues signed attacking midfielder John-Joe O’Toole on loan from tomorrow’s opponents, Northampton Town yesterday. Surprisingly, The Cobblers have given him permission to play for Blues against them. Yeovil loanee Jakub Sokolik & Blues midfielder Gary Deegan have both extended their respective deals until January. Blues boss Phil Brown is currently working on keeping Shaquile Coulthirst & Jerome Binnom-Williams at the club as their loans expire soon. From Tottenham Hotspur & Crystal Palace respectively.

The Opposition View

Ahead of the game, I managed to get the view of Northampton fan, Jordan Godfrey.

1. What is your name and how long have you supported Northampton Town?

My name is Jordan Godfrey, I have supported Cobblers since 2009 roughly. I moved here from the Isle of Wight in 2006 which doesn’t really have a team as such. Had to clarify that as didn't want to be one of those guys who changes team when he moves, I’m Cobblers through and through now!

2. What are your views on Northampton's season so far?

The season so far has been frustrating. We have been inconsistent throughout. Although I think its fair to say injuries have taken there toll. At one stage we have over 10 of our players injured, last game we had 8 out. We just don't seem to be able to put a long run together so far, although im still fairly confident we will improve. To many loans haven’t helped, but again, that's due to the injuries.

3. Which player should Southend fans look out for?

Our front two have been great all season. Marc Richards has something like 10 in his last 8 for us. He would be miles away as the top scorer in the league but he was out for a month with a hamstring injury. Ivan Toney is an 18 yr old local lad who plays up top. It looked like he was going to leave us and go to Wolves for a fee of around £500k with add ons up to around 1 mil but it all fell through fortunately. He is great in the air for a young lad with a cracking first touch, a real talent. Also as a ‘ I told you so’ moment, when Chris Hackett (our right winger) is attacking watch him do a step-over and get to the by-line to cross. Literally happens every time but you can’t stop it!

4. You currently have ex-Blues defender Ryan Cresswell, what do you think of him?

Ryan Cresswell is an interesting one. He is a huge threat from set pieces and heads everything that moves. The problem is he’s very immobile and seems to find touch with a lot of his passes. He’s been unfortunate in that our team has been constantly changing around him and as he has played more he has definitely improved. That being said I would still argue our 3 other centre backs, Lee Collins, Kelvin Langmead and Zander Diamond are all just ahead of him for different reasons. He to is currently injured though so you wont see him feature.

5. Chris Wilder is your boss. Is he liked by the fans?

Chris Wilder is liked by our fans. He deserves a lot of credit for keeping us up last season when we were in huge trouble. We are around a third or so of the league season, and I was certainly expecting us to be higher in the league right now. We do have a top 4/5 budget in this league so Im expecting an upturn in fortunes. I’m happy to give him time though, I think he did an underrated job at Oxford and am sure he will bring us success.

6. Which player should Southend fans look out for?

I like Southend as a club. I’m surprised you have been in league 2 this long to be honest. Seem just like a friendly club with nice fans, although I do often think Southend = Freddy Eastwood. I have some mates from Southend so naturally that softens my stance I guess.

7. Ollie Banks has signed for you on loan from Chesterfield. Is he a good signing in your eyes?

Ollie Banks is a good signing I feel. He like to get forward, scores goals last season for a promoted team, just seems to have lost a bit of confidence after an injury. Chesterfield fans seem to rate him which is a good sign. The only issue I have with it is if he is only with us for 2 months then I don't want him to be selected above players I think can do as good a job. We have a 21 year old lad called Lawson D’ath who is injured at the moment but I think they are similar style players. We picked up Lawson a squad player after being released by Reading in the summer and he has been great for us, I wouldn't want his progress blocked by a loanee.

8. You have won 3, drawn 2 and lost 7 of your games since the start of October, was that hard to watch?

It has been hard to watch, especially as we have taken big crowds to a lot of the away games we have lost. We were 3rd before this period, and it seems we have gained a habit of conceding late goals. It all started after a 98th minute leveller away at Wycombe against us and seems to have continued since. We took over a 1000 to Luton, around a 1000 to Cambridge and we lost both times which is obviously not good. As I have constantly said though, injuries have been unprecedented and I have no doubt that we would have performed better if it were not for the loss of around 10 first teamers.

9. Will you be going to the game? If so, will this be your first visit to Roots Hall?

I was supposed to go to Roots Hall last year but for a reason I cant remember I didn't make it. Should be going this year as long as my car holds out! Will be my first visit so I am definitely looking forward to it, I have done probably half of the current league 2 grounds so will be good to tick another one off.

10. What do you think the score will be? What result would you settle for?

I actually fancy us in this one to get a 2-1 away win. We always look a threat, and with the return of some players think we will be going on a run. I know Southend haven't had the biggest goal threat so far this season so that makes me a little more confident. I would settle for a 1-1 though (any draw would do but it’s always nice to see your team score on the road!)