Northampton lose out in 5 goal clash at Exeter
Northampton Town lost out 3-2 in a clash with fellow early-season high flyers Exeter City, as the Devon club came from behind to win.
Charlie Goode put Northampton ahead just after the half-hour mark. But Randell Williams struck Exeter level with a quickfire equaliser.
The Grecians then took charge in the second half courtesy of two quickfire goals just after the hour mark, with Aaron Martin and Alex Fisher finding the back of the net.
Northampton did get a late lifeline when Sam Hoskins struck with 11 minutes to play, but the home side resisted Northampton’s attempts to find an equaliser and took the win.
Remarkably, all 5 goals came from the game’s only registered shot on target, with neither keeper having anything else to do.
Defeat means Northampton sit 7th, with Keith Curle’s side leapfrogged by Bradford after the Bantams beat Newport. It is Northampton’s first league defeat since losing at Scunthorpe in mid-October, and a second in all competitions this week after a midweek Leasing.com Trophy loss at Portsmouth.
After a slow start, Northampton began to up the tempo, with Vadaine Oliver and Hoskins both firing off target. It was also the away side who struck first, as Goode picked his spot from the edge of the box and fired home.
But Exeter weren’t behind for long. A quick home side free-kick allowed Williams to break into space and fire in from 20 yards.
The hosts could have taken the lead with the first attack of the second half, when Jack Sparkes’ free-kick bounced clear off the post.
Exeter began the second half more confidently, and their rewards would come through two goals in three minutes just after the hour. First, Martin headed in a corner, and then Fisher headed in Sparkes’ cross.
Northampton did pull one back when Hoskins slalomed his way through and placed a shot into the back of the net. But the Cobblers couldn’t find a further goal, and it was a slip-up for the side in Devon.