Northampton strike late to split points with Swindon at Sixfields
A late equaliser by Fraser Horsfall helped Northampton Town secure a 1-1 draw with Swindon Town at Sixfields.
In a game brought forward to avoid clashing a Northampton Saints rugby game, the Cobblers had seen a goal controversially disallowed during the first half, with the referee initially allowing Danny Rose’s strike only to reconsider and disallow it for a foul in the build up.
Tyreece Simpson put Swindon in front just before the hour mark, but Horsfall’s equaliser ensured a tie.
The result means Northampton are in 4th place after the opening 8 games of the new season, and are only outside the automatic promotion spots on goal difference.
The game’s first major chance fell for the home side, as Rose met Mitch Pinnock’s cross but saw his effort bounce back off the post.
Kion Etete then saw a strike saved by Jojo Wollacott in the Swindon goal, while Etete and Pinnock would come close.
But the big opportunity and the first half’s primary talking point came in the final minutes of the first half. Northampton initially had the opening goal, as Rose turned in an Aaron McGowan cross and the home side celebrated. But after consultation, the officials ruled that a foul had been committed in the build up on Swindon defender Romoney Crichlow, and much to Northampton’s irritations, the goal was disallowed.
Swindon nearly added more salt to the Northampton’s wounds when Simpson struck the crossbar with the rebound after an initial shot had been saved by Liam Roberts.
But the away side would get the opening goal in the opening quarter hour of the second half. Simpson was first to a ball sent into the box by Kaine Kesler-Hayden, and duly found the back of the net.
Ellis Iandolo nearly put Swindon further ahead, as he saw a header creep just wide of the mark.
Both sides came close, with home sub Dylan Connolly denied by Wollacott before Roberts had to keep out Simpson before the Swindon scorer could swipe a second strike.
In the end, Northampton would equalise with 7 minutes of normal time remaining. Horsfall would be the hero for the home side, with the defender turning in Sam Hoskins’ corner.
There was still plenty of time for both sides to grab the game’s third and likely decisive goal, but neither Cobblers nor Robins could find that breakthrough, and both teams had to be content with a point each.