Published: 28/07/2010 09:21 -
Updated: 28/07/2010 09:25
NUNEATON TOWN 0
NORTHAMPTON TOWN 2
The Cobblers lined up with former Boro midfielder Kevin Thornton in their starting line-up after the ex-Coventry City man had a brief spell in Nuneaton at the turn of the year. Midfielder Michael Jacobs, who had a loan spell with Boro last season, was on the Northampton bench, along with ex-Sky Blues full-back Marcus Hall.
The visitors were less of a threat, although they had seemingly little interest in moving through the gears but still Acton had to make a good save to keep out a curler from Jacobs with four minutes to play.
COBBLERS: Walker, Death, Farquarson (Kaziboni 67), Johnson, Wedderburn, Thornton, Konstantinou (Jacobs 60), Harris, Herbert (AN Other 70), Holt (Beckwith 67), Guinan (McKay 60)
REFEREE: Chris Sarginson
ATTENDANCE: 563
NORTHAMPTON TOWN 2
Steve Guinan bagged a first half brace to beat Nuneaton but he can owe a debt of gratitude to strike partner Courtney Herbert as the lighting quick youngster set up both goals for veteran target man.
Steve Guinan
Boro kept the ball well in the first half but they didn't have the necessary guile to cut through Northampton.
The League Two side on the other hand kept their shape and hit Boro on the break, using the electric pace of Herbert to get great effect.
Boro were cut to pieces in the fourth minute as Herbert flew past trialist Wayne Daniel down the right and squared the ball for an unmarked Guinan to tap in from six yards.
On 32 minutes Herbert beat Collins with ease on the right and then raced away from Guy Hadland. He chose not to shoot and squared to Guinan on the edge of the box who placed a fine finish into the bottom corner, although keeper Darren Acton may feel he should have done better.
Thornton came close with a free-kick from 25 yards which had the help of a setting sun behind it as it flew towards the top corner on 38 minutes, but Acton made a decent save as he palmed it away.
Boro created little aside from a 30-yard free-kick from Kyle Storer which Cobblers keeper Paul Walker did well to save and an Adam Walker drive which flashed wide.
Though Northampton had to deal with a better Boro after the break in an attacking sense the closest they came to conceding a goal was a fine effort by Hadland, who swivelled to volley a ball that was dropping over his shoulder onto the post from eight yards.
COBBLERS: Walker, Death, Farquarson (Kaziboni 67), Johnson, Wedderburn, Thornton, Konstantinou (Jacobs 60), Harris, Herbert (AN Other 70), Holt (Beckwith 67), Guinan (McKay 60)
REFEREE: Chris Sarginson
ATTENDANCE: 563
