Northampton v Grimsby Preview

Overview

Formed in 1897 between a solicitor and a handful of teachers, Northampton played their first matches at the County Cricket ground under the proviso they didn't play any matches between May and September. The club floated around the southern leagues for a while having the great and ex Mariner Herbert Chapman manager them. Since their creation Northampton have graced the first division for a season in the 60’s played in a Charity Shield final losing 2-0 to Chelsea and a Play off Final at Wembley losing 1-0 to Grimsby Town if you didn't know.

The Cobblers lost Mark Bunn and Gabor Gyepes in the summer and were never properly replaced after their big summer moves. Stuart Gray instead had to depend on several loan signings and were doing well being 12th at Christmas but with 2009 came the downturn. Just 5 wins in 2009 saw The Cobblers delve deep into the relegation dog fight and their relegation was confirmed on the final day with a 3-0 defeat against Leeds ending their 3 year stint in the third tier.

Like so many others before them Northampton are finding the drop to the fourth tier far from a walk in the park. Currently 16thit had started well for the midlanders with just 1 league defeat in 4 and a victory over current table toppers Bournemouth, fans would be forgiven for thinking an immediate return to League One was on the cards but after the Bournemouth game Northampton’s form took a rollercoaster of a dip. 5 straight defeats and just 1 win in 9 meant that they are now at the wrong end of the table looking up at the contenders. Though wins against Lincoln and Morecambe ended the dreadful run it hasn't ended the disquiet around Sixfields. Defeats against local rivals MK Dons, struggling Torquay and a narrow home win against non league Fleetwood Town says not all is perfect in the lift testing capital of the midlands.

Breeze block central or Sixfields is lightly ears away from the well built Franklin Gardens in the centre of the town but it does its job. Built in 1994 the ground is on the outskirts of Northampton and you may see some catching a free glimpse from the hill. Tickets are £19 and are NOT available on the gate as it states on the OS.

Steve Guinan. The Brummy is well travelled and at 33 has a number of clubs on his CV. Starting at Forest in 1993 Guinan played just 7 games for Forest in his 6 years at the club going out on loan to as many clubs ranging from Scunthorpe to Halifax. From his unsuccessful time on the West Bridgford side of the Trent Guinan moved for a year to Cambridge and then onto Plymouth playing 30 matches but with just 3 goals was moved onto after a couple of years. From 2002 Guinan started a love affair with Hereford signing for them going on loan to them and finally resigning for them in 2007. It was a moment in the midst of this continued traipse across the south west which Town fans will know him. At Cardiff in the Play-off final it was this Mr. Guinan’s solitary goal that claimed Cheltenham a win against us to secure promotion in 2006. In the summer of 2009 the now Grade A coach signed for Northampton and has of late managed to pick up a good run of form scoring 3 in the last 5, 1 on Wednesday night against MK Dons.

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Town have not won for five games and the Cobblers lead overall.

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Head-to-Head (65th on The Opposition Ladder)

Last Meeting

Grimsby 0 Northampton 2 (Tue 21st Nov Dec 2006)

Town lost a cup replay early in Alan Buckley's third spell at Blundell Park.

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