Fleetwood Town picked up three valuable points at Highbury Stadium on Saturday, beating Northampton 2-0 in the Sky Bet League One fixture.
In what most would say is a must win against Northampton, the home side made the perfect started when Promise Omochere converted Bosun Lawal’s low driven cross at the near post – there wasn’t much Lee Burge could do to keep that one out.
Fleetwood kept the pressure on in the early exchanges and there were claims for a penalty when Tommy Lonergan was alleged to have been fouled inside the area. The referee waved away shouts, with the visitors clearing their lines.
The Cobblers grew into the match and looked to capitalise on the set-pieces in the final third. When the ball was delivered into the six-yard box, all the ball needed was a touch, but the final touch came from a red shirt – who cleared it away from danger.
The game seemed to settle down on the half-hour mark, both teams were looking for possession, and when Town did get the ball down and play, they did find that second goal.
Lawal – who set up the first – made a great run down the middle of the pitch, he latched onto Brendan Wiredu’s pass and calmly slotted the ball into the net, the perfect half hour for the red and whites.
Charlie Adam’s side continued to push for a third, and with the Cobblers wobbly at the back, the hosts created a number of good opportunities. Unfortunately for the Cods, the wind and rain cause problems with the ball swirling all over the show, and players mishitting shots.
As the second half kicked off, the team from the Fylde Coast had an unbelievable chance to make it three goals to the good, which would have put the game to bed.
Omochere – who bagged his sixth goal of the season in the first half – should have made it seven, but he hurried his shot and saw it sail over the bar into the Memorial stand.
Northampton made three changes at the interval, with their manager Jon Brady looking for a reaction, but Town stood firm with an hour on the clock.
Defender Ben Heneghan went close to making it three from a set-piece, but the ball fell nicely for Burge between the sticks.
The visitors tried and tried to get themselves back into the match, but Town played really well, they stood firm and kept their first clean sheet since the goalless draw at home to Bristol Rovers back in March.
Fleetwood still sit 6 points from safety, with the gap closing on both Cheltenham and Port Vale who lost their respective matches at home.
It’s a trip to Peterborough United for Adam and his side on Tuesday night.
Town XI: Lynch (GK), Johnston, Wiredu ©, Lawal, Kilkenny (Simons, 78'), Mayor (Stockley, 69'), Broom, Lonergan (Graydon 63'), Heneghan, Omochere, Rooney.
Subs not used: McMullan (GK), Campbell, Dolan, Patterson.
Northampton XI: Burge (GK), McGowan, Guthrie ©, Sherring, Hoskins (Koiki, 46’), Fox (Springett, 78'), Appere (Simpson, 68'), Pinnock (Willis, 46’), Bowie, Leonard, Odimayo (McWilliams, 46’).
Subs not used: Moulden (GK), Hondermarch.
