STALEMATE AT SIXFIELDS
Posted on: Sun 22 Mar 2009
Ben Campbell reporting from Sixfields
Full-time here at Sixfields and the game has finished 0-0. Northampton had the best chance to win the game from 12 yards in the first half but Colin Larkin saw his penalty come back off the post and fall into the arms of James Reading in the Wanderers goal. The Blues had opportunities of their own but were unable to take one. Will Antwi, who was colossal at the back, was the man who went closest but his header hit the upright as the first half drew to a close. The second 45 offered less in terms of chances and turned into a scrappy affair with neither side really doing enough to take all three points.
89th min - The Wanderers are going forward again, they have a throw deep in the Cobblers half. The ball came back to Richards but his attempted cross field pass to Vieira went out of play.
87th min - Dying moments now, the Blues are breaking but an offside flag has halted that attack.
86th min - It came towards the big Ghanian but he was adjudged to have fouled the full-back, looked like nothing to me.
85th min - Not from that chance would be the answer. Antwi's up as the Blues have a free-kick for handball 30 yards from goal.
84th min - The Blues are the ones going for the win, Richards' run down the left has won the Blues a throw-in and from that an Ellams cross had to be headed away for a corner. Can we knick a late winner?
81st min - Good work from a trio of Blues players nearly set up a goal for Ashton. Magno flicked on to Botham, who expertly back heeled to Ashton, but after jinking past one his shot was blocked.
80th min - Smart hold up play from Magno as the sun descends on Sixfields.
79th min - Anya got to the by-line for the home side after beating Shulton but waited too long to cross and was tackled by the young midfielder.
78th min - It's turned a bit scrappy, with most of the play happening in the centre of midfield. We need a spark, maybe something from Ashton or Magno?
76th min - Just over 15 left. The 30 or 40 home fans are getting on their side's back as they try and look for the opener and probably what would turn out to be the winning goal.
73rd min - Nice searching ball down the right channel by Shulton looking for Magno. The Blues are starting to come again, but can they snatch the winner?
71st min - The Blues' wingers, Scott Shulton and Nathan Ashton, have swapped sides again as they try and find a way past this Cobblers defence. Junior is trying to keep it fresh and utilise their strengths to the maximum.
69th min - The Cobblers have imposed themselves in the last few minutes and again tried to break the deadlock, but luckily for the Blues Tom McBride's shot was over the bar from the edge of the 18-yard area.
68th min - That time Ikechi did have the beating of Rice, he used that raw pace to beat the Blues skipper and stood the ball up at the back post but Ellams did enough to put Tom McGowan off his header.
67th min - Will Antwi has been immense at the back and has given Joe Benjamin no time at all on the ball.
65th min - Robbie Rice has kept the former Apprentice of the Year, Anya, quiet so far and let's hope he can do the same for another 25 minutes.
62nd min - Former Wanderer Ikechi Anya has moved out to the left-hand side where as before was playing as part of a three pronged attack.
60th min - Northampton have made their first sub. Michael Jacobs has replaced Ross Oulton in the centre of midfield.
58th min - Magno was nearly in, the ball was lofted over the top of the Cobblers defence by Turley but it was slightly too long for the Brazilian.
55th min - Good work rate from the sub Lumsden to get back and make a tackle. From the resulting corner Reading was again able to claim.
54th min - Antwi has led by example at the back for the Blues, not just with his performance but also his talking and encouragement for his younger team mates.
53rd min - Wanderers are about to make their first sub - Lumsden on for trialist Jay Smith.
52nd min - Great punch from James Reading under pressure from a trio of Cobblers players.
50th min - Clever corner from Junior's side. It was fed to Ashton the egde of the box but the former Fulham man's shot went just wide as he looked to bend it in the top right corner.
49th min - Super move down the left from the Blues, Ellams found Ashton who raced onto the pass before looking for Magno in the box. The cross was played in low but cleared for a corner.
48th min - Nice build up play from Northampton but no end product and when the cross came in from the right Reading was able to gather quite comfortably.
47th min - For me, the Blues need to put the let's say the 'big' centre-half Liam Dolman under more pressure.
46th min - We're off again. Nice switch from Botham to spot Ashton free on the left.
Half-time here at Sixfields and it's 0-0 between the Blues and the Cobblers. The home side missed the best opportunity when Colin Larkin's spot-kick came back off the post, while Will Antwi had the best effort for the Blues when he stole in round the back post from a Nathan Aston free-kick only to see his header also come back off the post. Join me again in 15 minutes.
44th min - The Blues are on the advance as they look for the opener just before the interval. Shulton has looked lively down the right for the Blues as has always offered an outlet for his team.
42nd min - A great ball in from Ashton found Antwi who had peeled round the back, but like Larkin 10 minutes prior, the defender's effort came back off the post and was cleared to safety. Big chance.
41st min - Better from the Brazilian, his flick on to Botham has won the Blues a free-kick. Then another was won a second later after Oulton chopped Shulton down from behind. This kick is in a far more promising position.
40th min - Magno hasn't got into the game enough for me, granted he hasn't much service but he needs to show more as does Botham.
39th min - Poor communication in the Blues defence let the Cobblers attack but after Larkin had rolled in Anya, the pacy striker could only chip the ball into the box from a tight angle and it was easily claimed by James Reading.
38th min - Nice covering from Shulton to help his right-sided team mate out, Robbie Rice.
37th min - Entering the final 10 minutes of the first half, not too many clear cut chances to tell you about but the home side have missed a pen through Colin Larkin.
35th min - Poor pass from Ashton but he was let off by an even worse touch from Ikechi Anya.
34th min - Nice hold up play from Botham as he shielded the ball from Liam Dolman.
31st min - Strong challenge from midfield man Jay Smith. He and Matt Richards have done reasonably well in the middle of the park for the Blues. A pretty even first 30 minutes.
29th min - Nice break from the Blues, Rice found Shulton down the right who fed the ball into the box but it missed everyone and was cleared by the Cobblers.
27th min - Within a minute of nearly going behind the Blues could have taken the lead, pinball in the Cobblers box eventually cannoned off Magno Vieira and unfortunately for us it went the wrong side of the post.
26th min - The post has saved the Blues. Colin Larkin stepped up and fired the kick towards the bottom left corner but it cannoned back off the post and into the grateful arms of James Reading.
25th min - Penalty to the home side....
23rd min - Lovely control from Ashton, the ball was switched by Richards to Shulton who made a great run down the right and only the keeper denied the youngster with his legs as he unleashed from 10 yards, albeit from a tight angle.
21st min - However, it's the Cobblers who have a corner, nothing came of it though after it came to Benjamin on the left and his cross went behind.
20th min - Peter Taylor is in attendance this afternoon and will have liked what he's seen in the past five or so minutes, the Blues currently looking the most likely to open the scoring.
18th min - The Blues are winning their individual battles all over the pitch at the moment.
16th min - The Blues should be ahead. A corner from Rice was whipped in which Botham flicked on towards Antwi but the big centre-half couldn't direct on target. Better from the Blues.
14th min - Nathan Ashton did well to pick the pocket of Oulton and set Botham free down the left. The pressure the 'Tubes' lookalike exerted resulted in a corner for the Blues.
12th min - Good defending from the skipper Robbie Rice to head away in front of Joe Benjamin, who was lurking at the back post. The Wanderers need to get a foot on the ball like they did in the opening moments. Don't forget you can email media@wwfc.com with any queries, comments or questions.
10th min - Superb work from trialist Jay Smith in the middle of the park to deny Oulton space in the Cobblers midfield.
8th min - Stoppage in play. Nathan Ashton is down but Shay Connolly has sorted out what looked like a knock on the midfielder's ankle.
5th min - The opening few minutes of the game have been bright, with the football being played at a high tempo. Wanderers have threatened through Shulton down the right and the home side have gone close through Ross Oulton.
Wanderers: Reading, Rice, Ellams, Turley, Antwi, Shulton, Smith, Richards, Botham, Vieira and Ashton. Subs: McNeil, Read, Lumsden, Fitchett.
Apologies for the delay, a few connection issues but there all sorted now and on we go with the game.
Good afternoon and welcome to the Clockwatch feature on wwfc.com as the Blues reserve side take on Northampton Town at Sixfields.
Full-time here at Sixfields and the game has finished 0-0. Northampton had the best chance to win the game from 12 yards in the first half but Colin Larkin saw his penalty come back off the post and fall into the arms of James Reading in the Wanderers goal. The Blues had opportunities of their own but were unable to take one. Will Antwi, who was colossal at the back, was the man who went closest but his header hit the upright as the first half drew to a close. The second 45 offered less in terms of chances and turned into a scrappy affair with neither side really doing enough to take all three points.
89th min - The Wanderers are going forward again, they have a throw deep in the Cobblers half. The ball came back to Richards but his attempted cross field pass to Vieira went out of play.
87th min - Dying moments now, the Blues are breaking but an offside flag has halted that attack.
86th min - It came towards the big Ghanian but he was adjudged to have fouled the full-back, looked like nothing to me.
85th min - Not from that chance would be the answer. Antwi's up as the Blues have a free-kick for handball 30 yards from goal.
84th min - The Blues are the ones going for the win, Richards' run down the left has won the Blues a throw-in and from that an Ellams cross had to be headed away for a corner. Can we knick a late winner?
81st min - Good work from a trio of Blues players nearly set up a goal for Ashton. Magno flicked on to Botham, who expertly back heeled to Ashton, but after jinking past one his shot was blocked.
80th min - Smart hold up play from Magno as the sun descends on Sixfields.
79th min - Anya got to the by-line for the home side after beating Shulton but waited too long to cross and was tackled by the young midfielder.
78th min - It's turned a bit scrappy, with most of the play happening in the centre of midfield. We need a spark, maybe something from Ashton or Magno?
76th min - Just over 15 left. The 30 or 40 home fans are getting on their side's back as they try and look for the opener and probably what would turn out to be the winning goal.
73rd min - Nice searching ball down the right channel by Shulton looking for Magno. The Blues are starting to come again, but can they snatch the winner?
71st min - The Blues' wingers, Scott Shulton and Nathan Ashton, have swapped sides again as they try and find a way past this Cobblers defence. Junior is trying to keep it fresh and utilise their strengths to the maximum.
69th min - The Cobblers have imposed themselves in the last few minutes and again tried to break the deadlock, but luckily for the Blues Tom McBride's shot was over the bar from the edge of the 18-yard area.
68th min - That time Ikechi did have the beating of Rice, he used that raw pace to beat the Blues skipper and stood the ball up at the back post but Ellams did enough to put Tom McGowan off his header.
67th min - Will Antwi has been immense at the back and has given Joe Benjamin no time at all on the ball.
65th min - Robbie Rice has kept the former Apprentice of the Year, Anya, quiet so far and let's hope he can do the same for another 25 minutes.
62nd min - Former Wanderer Ikechi Anya has moved out to the left-hand side where as before was playing as part of a three pronged attack.
60th min - Northampton have made their first sub. Michael Jacobs has replaced Ross Oulton in the centre of midfield.
58th min - Magno was nearly in, the ball was lofted over the top of the Cobblers defence by Turley but it was slightly too long for the Brazilian.
55th min - Good work rate from the sub Lumsden to get back and make a tackle. From the resulting corner Reading was again able to claim.
54th min - Antwi has led by example at the back for the Blues, not just with his performance but also his talking and encouragement for his younger team mates.
53rd min - Wanderers are about to make their first sub - Lumsden on for trialist Jay Smith.
52nd min - Great punch from James Reading under pressure from a trio of Cobblers players.
50th min - Clever corner from Junior's side. It was fed to Ashton the egde of the box but the former Fulham man's shot went just wide as he looked to bend it in the top right corner.
49th min - Super move down the left from the Blues, Ellams found Ashton who raced onto the pass before looking for Magno in the box. The cross was played in low but cleared for a corner.
48th min - Nice build up play from Northampton but no end product and when the cross came in from the right Reading was able to gather quite comfortably.
47th min - For me, the Blues need to put the let's say the 'big' centre-half Liam Dolman under more pressure.
46th min - We're off again. Nice switch from Botham to spot Ashton free on the left.
Half-time here at Sixfields and it's 0-0 between the Blues and the Cobblers. The home side missed the best opportunity when Colin Larkin's spot-kick came back off the post, while Will Antwi had the best effort for the Blues when he stole in round the back post from a Nathan Aston free-kick only to see his header also come back off the post. Join me again in 15 minutes.
44th min - The Blues are on the advance as they look for the opener just before the interval. Shulton has looked lively down the right for the Blues as has always offered an outlet for his team.
42nd min - A great ball in from Ashton found Antwi who had peeled round the back, but like Larkin 10 minutes prior, the defender's effort came back off the post and was cleared to safety. Big chance.
41st min - Better from the Brazilian, his flick on to Botham has won the Blues a free-kick. Then another was won a second later after Oulton chopped Shulton down from behind. This kick is in a far more promising position.
40th min - Magno hasn't got into the game enough for me, granted he hasn't much service but he needs to show more as does Botham.
39th min - Poor communication in the Blues defence let the Cobblers attack but after Larkin had rolled in Anya, the pacy striker could only chip the ball into the box from a tight angle and it was easily claimed by James Reading.
38th min - Nice covering from Shulton to help his right-sided team mate out, Robbie Rice.
37th min - Entering the final 10 minutes of the first half, not too many clear cut chances to tell you about but the home side have missed a pen through Colin Larkin.
35th min - Poor pass from Ashton but he was let off by an even worse touch from Ikechi Anya.
34th min - Nice hold up play from Botham as he shielded the ball from Liam Dolman.
31st min - Strong challenge from midfield man Jay Smith. He and Matt Richards have done reasonably well in the middle of the park for the Blues. A pretty even first 30 minutes.
29th min - Nice break from the Blues, Rice found Shulton down the right who fed the ball into the box but it missed everyone and was cleared by the Cobblers.
27th min - Within a minute of nearly going behind the Blues could have taken the lead, pinball in the Cobblers box eventually cannoned off Magno Vieira and unfortunately for us it went the wrong side of the post.
26th min - The post has saved the Blues. Colin Larkin stepped up and fired the kick towards the bottom left corner but it cannoned back off the post and into the grateful arms of James Reading.
25th min - Penalty to the home side....
23rd min - Lovely control from Ashton, the ball was switched by Richards to Shulton who made a great run down the right and only the keeper denied the youngster with his legs as he unleashed from 10 yards, albeit from a tight angle.
21st min - However, it's the Cobblers who have a corner, nothing came of it though after it came to Benjamin on the left and his cross went behind.
20th min - Peter Taylor is in attendance this afternoon and will have liked what he's seen in the past five or so minutes, the Blues currently looking the most likely to open the scoring.
18th min - The Blues are winning their individual battles all over the pitch at the moment.
16th min - The Blues should be ahead. A corner from Rice was whipped in which Botham flicked on towards Antwi but the big centre-half couldn't direct on target. Better from the Blues.
14th min - Nathan Ashton did well to pick the pocket of Oulton and set Botham free down the left. The pressure the 'Tubes' lookalike exerted resulted in a corner for the Blues.
12th min - Good defending from the skipper Robbie Rice to head away in front of Joe Benjamin, who was lurking at the back post. The Wanderers need to get a foot on the ball like they did in the opening moments. Don't forget you can email media@wwfc.com with any queries, comments or questions.
10th min - Superb work from trialist Jay Smith in the middle of the park to deny Oulton space in the Cobblers midfield.
8th min - Stoppage in play. Nathan Ashton is down but Shay Connolly has sorted out what looked like a knock on the midfielder's ankle.
5th min - The opening few minutes of the game have been bright, with the football being played at a high tempo. Wanderers have threatened through Shulton down the right and the home side have gone close through Ross Oulton.
Wanderers: Reading, Rice, Ellams, Turley, Antwi, Shulton, Smith, Richards, Botham, Vieira and Ashton. Subs: McNeil, Read, Lumsden, Fitchett.
Apologies for the delay, a few connection issues but there all sorted now and on we go with the game.
Good afternoon and welcome to the Clockwatch feature on wwfc.com as the Blues reserve side take on Northampton Town at Sixfields.
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