Once we’d scored then the game plan became clear. We had the bank of five and then a three, clearly happy for them to dominate possession in the belief they wouldn’t hurt us. Green came off, a move designed purely to save him from doing any more running as he’d covered as much of the pitch as anyone and we saw Bruno Andrade come on.
Football is a results business and the second we got the goal, the result became the only important thing. From a paying fan’s point of view it ruined the game, from a manager’s point of view the plan worked a treat. They’re not paid to entertain us, they’re paid to win matches and we did whatever it took to win the game. The Cobblers threw everything forward, but they didn’t get anything clear-cut at all. We’re best defending in numbers, few teams will turn around a one goal lead against us and so it proved today. Mark my words; Northampton Town will be around the top seven come May and if I didn’t predict it in my 1-24 then I stand corrected now.
I have seen some criticism of the officials, I thought they did a good job too. There wasn’t anything too contentious that I saw, the odd wrong decision but you get that every game. It is easy to bash the referee and his assistants, but on the whole they coped well. I was disappointed to hear some remarks aimed at the female assistant referee, the sort of ‘Viz’ humour more at home in a Carry On film or the 1970s. There’s no need for it but sadly amongst 1453 you still get the odd one who think it is hilarious to shout lewd requests at women. I’m not a snowflake either, I just respect everyone regardless of gender and think behaviour like that belongs on a VHS video of Roy Chubby Brown, gathering dust in the loft.
On the opening day of last season we drew 2-2 with Wycombe and on reflection, that was a great result against a side promoted automatically at the end of the season. Today, we beat a side 1-0 in a result that might seem much more impressive in seven month’s time.
It might have been very different, a long punt over the top caught us out at the end, weary legs perhaps, but we were certainly caught short. Andy Williams should have scored, there’s no doubt about that, but Josh Vickers made himself big, stopped the shot and even cleared up the bits and pieces. It was as good as a goal, if Vickers were a striker his contribution would be classed as a hat trick today.
That’s it. I could go on about the things I thought weren’t right, but why would I? We won, it is the first game and the conditions weren’t ideal. The 3-5-2 system was relatively new and it looked like it, like a new pair of shoes that didn’t quite fit right and caused blisters. If we persevere I’m not saying it won’t work, I’m never going to judge anything on the opening day of the season, especially not when we won.
I feel as though this has been a barrage of negativity, but really it isn’t. It was just a scrappy game of football between two teams settling into a rhythm and a purpose. We got three points and they didn’t, they had enough chances to take all three but didn’t. They’ll be sound this season though, I spoke to some of their fans on the way out and they were a bit concerned, but they’ve no need to be.
As an aside, I found their whole set-up very warm and friendly. All the stewards I spoke to were helpful, friendly and spoke to you like a person. The car park attendants were good, their fans were decent and all in it was a good atmosphere. Aside from the silliness after the goal it was a good afternoon all round. Last season we experienced Barnet, Stevenage and Port Vale where the staff were assholes, aggressive, spoiling for a fight and treated us like animals. That wasn’t the case today, so respect to Northampton for that. They do need to sort that stand out though, it is a bit atmosphere sapping to have a building site running down one side of the ground, even if you have glued a few seats to it. At least they’ve made an effort, Mansfield Town should take note.
Also, £2.40 for warm coke? With that sort of mark-up I reckon a fridge or two is in order, surely?
Anyway, we’ll wake up in the morning having kept pace with the early winners, but the league table won’t take shape for a few weeks, form won’t emerge until September and essentially all that has happen is one hurdle has been negotiated. I want to get five or six games on the board, that is when the sediment starts to settle and the cream begins to rise.
We have more points now than we had after the first three games last season and as far as I’m concerned that is a great start, no matter how we came to the end result. The record books will always show Northampton Town 0-1 Lincoln City, with Matt Green’s name up in lights.
It should have the name Josh Vickers in bold, highlighted in yellow marker with five stars next to it, because he’s won us the points today, plain and simple. Him and 42 minutes (plus stoppages) of sheer game management.
I’ll end with a ‘new feature where I’ll give my Imps’ Man of the Match, and name a player from the opposition who really caught my eye too. Today, I’ve gone for Matt Crooks as I thought he showed real class in the middle of the park. They couldn’t find a breakthrough because we were tight, but he’ll get assists and the odd goal this season if he plays like that every week.
As for us, if we win 1-0 when we’re far from our best, I stick by my prediction earlier this week. One down, 45 to go.
Man of the Match: Josh Vickers
Top Cobbler: Matt Crooks
Attendance: 6,242 (1453 Imps)
Thanks to Graham Burrell for the photographs
Excellent description of the game! Two things struck me after. What a great acquisition Josh Vickers was considering I for one thought at the time he was brought in for cover. Also that the Cowleys are working at a higher league level and with better quality players than they’ve ever done before – it must be a bit test for them with a steep learning curve even though it’s easy to think they will always deliver success.
Nerves were an issue today… the burden of expectation heaped upon the players by official and unofficial media pre season. DC correct in hilighting this in his post match interview if not pointing a finger directly…Secretly Danny will be delighted with those 3 points. Now he and the group can get into a weekly routine of developing the system and eradicating the errors… bur it may take time… interesting we may well beat Swindon and take Grimsby too… 3 wins on the bounce? The expectation may not be suppressed any time soon.
City will only improve as the new team begins to gell. Pre-season matches did not help in team building but was useful in testing the trialists Northampton were an experienced side but showed that if don’t convert opportunities you will finish up losing.
Was no Alex a factor? You are correct Gary. If they had scored first they would have given us the right runaround.
Great game to watch even though i watched it sitting on my hands in the home family stand with my grandson and neighbour.
My neighbour was very impressed with the imps imps fans and pace of the game. He asked to come with me to a home game, and do the driving from Northampton.