2-0 Win for Cheltenham gives Northampton all to do in the second leg

Cheltenham beat Northampton 2-0 at the PTS Academy Stadium after goals from Charlie Raglan and Conor Thomas set up a decisive second-leg at the Jonny Rocks Stadium.

The Cobblers won a penalty on a quarter of an hour after Michael Harriman was brought down by Jake Doyle-Hayes in the box. Ryan Watson stepped up to take the penalty but it was brilliantly saved by Cheltenham goalkeeper Owen Evans.

The Robins took the lead midway through the first half. Doyle-Hayes’ corner, was met Charlie Raglan whose powerful header found the back of the net.

Ryan Broom made it hard for Northampton defenders to pick him up. The midfielder laid it off to Reuban Reid whose snapshot was saved by Steve Arnold.

Northampton almost got back on level terms when Vadaine Oliver had a crack from an angle, however, Evans forced it just beyond the reach of Callum Morton, who could have converted. 

James Olayinka then danced through a couple of challenges and tried to bend one into the corner from 20 yards, but Evans produced a brilliant save to keep the on-loan Arsenal man out.

The Cobblers had a great chance after the break as Olayinka threaded the ball to Morton who squared the ball across to Oliver but he was enable to convert the pass into a goal.

There was a great switch of play from Cheltenham which put Nichols in space, but his shot went over the bar.

Reid then got on the end of Evans kick, he dribbled through and had a shot on goal. But it was well saved by Arnold in the Northampton goal.

Northampton carried on knocking on the door with Olayinka. The midfielder’s toe-punt narrowly went over the bar.

But The Robins wrapped up the match in the 87th minute. Through a good and composed finish from Conor Thomas.

The return leg is on Monday night, with Keith Curle’s men having a mountain to climb.

Team Lineups

Northampton Town XI- Arnold, Goode, Turnbull, Wharton, Harriman, McCormack (Anderson 67′), Watson, Olayinka, Adams, Morton (Williams 67′), Oliver (Smith 76′)

Cheltenham Town XI- Evans, Raglan, Tozer, Boyle, Long, Broom (Ince 81′), Thomas, Doyle-Hayes, Hussey, Reid (Smith 74′), Nichols (May 74′)