Northampton out of FA Cup after defeat at Cambridge
Northampton Town are out of the FA Cup after a 3-1 defeat to Cambridge United in a First Round replay.
Goals from Harvey Knibbs, Joe Ironside and Ben Worman did the job for the League One side, who progress to face Exeter City in the next round.
The Cobblers did grab a late goal back courtesy of Danny Rose, but the visitors were unable to recover from their deficit and their interest in the FA Cup is over after the first round.
The two teams required a replay after a 2-2 draw at Sixfields in the original tie, with both sides arriving off the back of weekend defeats.
Northampton could’ve had a goal awarded early on. Kion Etete had the ball in the back of the net after a free-kick from Cambridge goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov hit the Spurs loanee and went in. However, the referee opted to give a free-kick instead.
Cambridge made the most of their reprieve as although Northampton had the better of the early play, it was the hosts who struck the opener. A deep cross into the box was flicked on by Ironside to Knibbs, who struck the ball over the line for the opener.
The home side duly caused problems for the hosts. George Williams hit the side-netting, before Liam Roberts denied home attacker Adam May.
A few moments later, the home side grabbed the second goal. Sam Smith’s first attempt was saved, but his rebound beat Roberts for 2-0.
Northampton came close to a goal back when Mitov made saves in quick succession to deny Fraser Horsfall and Sam Hoskins.
But in the early part of the second half, Cambridge grabbed a third goal, as within two minutes of the restart, Worman crashed in an effort from range.
Cambridge could’ve made Northampton’s night more miserable, after Roberts made a flying save to tip a strike by Knibbs onto the crossbar.
Northampton would grab a goal for their efforts when Rose headed in Aaron McGowan’s cross. But there was no more time for Northampton to get further back into the contest, and they bowed out of the FA Cup in round one.