Emirates FA Cup 2019/20 Second Round
I've been to Northampton a few times. More recently visiting in-laws family, but the first time as a student in the gritty, grimy, electro-pop 1980s. I'd forgotten that visit, or misplaced it as Wellingborough, Kettering or Corby, but no it was definitely Northampton. The moment I stepped off the train for The Cobblers against The Magpies, it all came flooding back.
During my student days, there are a few Blues games that have vivid memories. Sheffield Wednesday 5 Birmingham City 1 ("we want six" sang the travelling Blues fans in the now infamously tragic Leppings Lane end). Then there was Sheffield United 0 Blues 2. If I recall correctly, ex-Blues player Peter Withe scored both goals for Blues whilst on-loan from Sheffield United. He's the guy that scored a goal for The Villa, in-off the post.
There was also an incident at Barnsley (FA Cup 4th Round, 1988). More about that one at a later date.
The trip to Northampton was not Blues or football related but was with Liz, a young lady fellow-student who I quite liked. In one of those 6-month or so summer breaks that students get, I got invited to Kettering to see Liz. Our day out in the area included a visit to the iconic National Lift Tower in Northampton. There's probably some sort of innuendo that I could use here, but I don't like innuendo. The moment I sense that one of my paragraphs has included an innuendo I whip it out immediately.
I've got a certificate somewhere which shows off my expertise of getting in a lift and staying in it until it reached the top. I'm pretty sure the National Lift Tower is no longer used for that purpose, but like the iconic power station chimneys at Ikea in Croydon, it's part of the landscape and an iconic feature of the area. Long live the Tower.
During my student days, there are a few Blues games that have vivid memories. Sheffield Wednesday 5 Birmingham City 1 ("we want six" sang the travelling Blues fans in the now infamously tragic Leppings Lane end). Then there was Sheffield United 0 Blues 2. If I recall correctly, ex-Blues player Peter Withe scored both goals for Blues whilst on-loan from Sheffield United. He's the guy that scored a goal for The Villa, in-off the post.
There was also an incident at Barnsley (FA Cup 4th Round, 1988). More about that one at a later date.
The trip to Northampton was not Blues or football related but was with Liz, a young lady fellow-student who I quite liked. In one of those 6-month or so summer breaks that students get, I got invited to Kettering to see Liz. Our day out in the area included a visit to the iconic National Lift Tower in Northampton. There's probably some sort of innuendo that I could use here, but I don't like innuendo. The moment I sense that one of my paragraphs has included an innuendo I whip it out immediately.
I've got a certificate somewhere which shows off my expertise of getting in a lift and staying in it until it reached the top. I'm pretty sure the National Lift Tower is no longer used for that purpose, but like the iconic power station chimneys at Ikea in Croydon, it's part of the landscape and an iconic feature of the area. Long live the Tower.
The Tower isn't so far from Sixfields Stadium, home of Northampton Town.
Second Round: 2 December 2019
I mentioned in an earlier blog that Northampton Town has more Charity Shield appearances than Blues. Notts County, of course (like every other FA Cup winning club), has more FA Cup wins (beating Bolton Wanderers 4-1 in the 1894 final) than Blues.
Notts County, the oldest professional association football club in the world. The inspiration for the Juventus kit (see an earlier blog for Corinthians, inspiration for the Real Madrid kit). Blues, I think, were the inspiration for the film Avatar.
Keith Curle currently manages Northampton Town having spent a year as manager of Notts County earlier in his managerial career. Neil Ardley, who along with Curle has spent time with The Crazy Gang, is the current manager of Notts County.
Northampton Town FC versus Notts County FC
Ticket £15. Programme £2. Good Chicken & Bacon Burger £7.
Attendance: my estimate 6,000, actual 4,489 (announced on excellent PA system towards end of the match).
A decent game.
I totally enjoyed the pre-match rendition of Liquidator by The Harry J All Stars with a mass yelling of 'Cobblers' at various points.
Alan McCormack (The Cobblers) was playing his 500th career match and celebrated it by getting booked for providing some helpful words of encouragement to the referee.
Sam Hoskins, Northampton number 7, was lively throughout on the left wing and looked to be the man of the match from my amateur stand point (although McCormack was given the official award).
First half, 2-0 Northampton. Goals from Scott Wharton with a 3rd minute header and Vadaine Oliver in the 25th minute were a pretty fair reflection of the balance of play. The Cobblers were well on top. I started thinking about shoe puns at this point but it drifted off into something to do with profiteroles, so I stopped.
Second half. Well, Notts County were a different team after the break, creating chance after chance. There was corner after corner and a constant danger from long throws. Around the hour mark there was a sustained period of pressure from The Magpies that with a bit of luck and a bit more composure in front of goal, they could easily have made the final 30 minutes very interesting.
As it was, it was soon 3-0 to Northampton with a Harry Smith header completing the job.
In the 84th minute, Notts County pulled one back through Kristian Dennis, and Dennis very nearly made it 3-2 but for a good stop from the home keeper.
3-1 it finished and The Cobblers deservedly into the draw for the 3rd round. Best of luck to both teams for the rest of the season.
Birmingham City's first match in this season's FA Cup will be across the weekend of 3rd to 6th January. The first of many, I have no doubt whatsoever.
Notts County, the oldest professional association football club in the world. The inspiration for the Juventus kit (see an earlier blog for Corinthians, inspiration for the Real Madrid kit). Blues, I think, were the inspiration for the film Avatar.
Keith Curle currently manages Northampton Town having spent a year as manager of Notts County earlier in his managerial career. Neil Ardley, who along with Curle has spent time with The Crazy Gang, is the current manager of Notts County.
Northampton Town FC versus Notts County FC
Ticket £15. Programme £2. Good Chicken & Bacon Burger £7.
Attendance: my estimate 6,000, actual 4,489 (announced on excellent PA system towards end of the match).
A decent game.
I totally enjoyed the pre-match rendition of Liquidator by The Harry J All Stars with a mass yelling of 'Cobblers' at various points.
Alan McCormack (The Cobblers) was playing his 500th career match and celebrated it by getting booked for providing some helpful words of encouragement to the referee.
Sam Hoskins, Northampton number 7, was lively throughout on the left wing and looked to be the man of the match from my amateur stand point (although McCormack was given the official award).
First half, 2-0 Northampton. Goals from Scott Wharton with a 3rd minute header and Vadaine Oliver in the 25th minute were a pretty fair reflection of the balance of play. The Cobblers were well on top. I started thinking about shoe puns at this point but it drifted off into something to do with profiteroles, so I stopped.
Second half. Well, Notts County were a different team after the break, creating chance after chance. There was corner after corner and a constant danger from long throws. Around the hour mark there was a sustained period of pressure from The Magpies that with a bit of luck and a bit more composure in front of goal, they could easily have made the final 30 minutes very interesting.
As it was, it was soon 3-0 to Northampton with a Harry Smith header completing the job.
In the 84th minute, Notts County pulled one back through Kristian Dennis, and Dennis very nearly made it 3-2 but for a good stop from the home keeper.
3-1 it finished and The Cobblers deservedly into the draw for the 3rd round. Best of luck to both teams for the rest of the season.
Birmingham City's first match in this season's FA Cup will be across the weekend of 3rd to 6th January. The first of many, I have no doubt whatsoever.
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