Match Sponsor: Sneyd's Wonderdog

Boxing Day dawned cold but fine and everyone, having enjoyed their Christmas Day, were back to the job in hand of collecting another three points following Saturday's scintillating win at Crewe Alexandra. Today's opponents were Northampton Town from down the M1 and although they have struggled this season at the wrong end of the table they did beat the Rovers back in September at Sixfields by two clear goals and were the better team on the day. The Rovers made one change fom Saturday, Mark McCammon starting in place of James Hayter, who drops to the bench. The
Rovers defended the South Stand end in the first half.

The visitors set the ball rolling but it was the home team who posed the first threat on goal with a header from McCammon that Bunn, the Cobblers keeper, saved easily. Northampton were then the first to win a corner but Bradley Johnson from the right angle of the penalty area fired wide of the near post. The first ten minutes had been quite even but on 11 minutes, Sullivan fed Steve Roberts on the Rovers right, he played it through to O'Connor, who put to Coppinger on the right touchline halfway in he visitor's half. A great cross to the middle skimmed off Green's head to McCAMMON at the far post, who controlled it before rifling into the net from 15 yards. Four minutes later, Price on the halfway line played McCammon in on the Rovers left. His right foot cross was met by the head of the onrushing Green but Bunn made a good save. The Rovers had the bit between their teeth now and gradually took control. On 24 minutes, a free kick by Stock on the left touchline halfway into the Cobblers half was headed over by McCammon before the visitors made a rare foray into the Rovers penalty area for Kirk to hit a 30 yarder that Sullivan was able to save comfortably. Straight to the visitors end with some good inter-passing before Green on the right, put Coppinger in on goal only for a great tackle by Jones to stop him. Price then had a go from 20 yards that was deflected for a corner on the Rovers left. Stock put it to the near post for LOCKWOOD to glance a header into the roof of the net after 28 minutes. It was all Rovers now. Past the half hour and another corner to the Rovers yielded little and Green put a shot from 25 yards just over the bar. On 38 minutes, McCammon picked the ball up on the halfway line and took it on before feeding Coppinger on the right. Another great cross was headed just wide by McCammon. Coppinger followed this some minutes later by having a shot from 25 yards saved by Bunn. The break came with the Rovers holding their two goal lead and being good value for it.

Northampton were the first to show at the start of the second half and two minutes in a cross from their left by Burnell was headed into the side netting at the far post by Crowe. A minute later, O'Connor received the ball just into the visitors half, took the ball on before shooting from 25 yards, the ball taking a deflection for a corner. Stock swung the corner in, Steve Roberts headed down, the bounce took the ball against the bar and came back head high for Roberts to react quickly and head against the bar again. The ball was put out for another corner, which eventually came out to Green just outside the penalty area for him to fire just over the bar. Halfway through the half and a corner to the Rovers emphasised the possession the Rovers had had this half. But, on 69 minutes, the Cobblers raided the Rovers goal and forced three successive corners but nothing came from them. However, this heralded some attacking play from the visitors, which, following some good inter-passing put Bradley Johnson in on goal but Sullivan dived at his feet to save. The match evened out a bit now although the Rovers looked by far the more dangerous team on the attack. Ten minutes to go and a couple of corners to the Rovers brought no reward. Time ran down to the final whistle, with neither team making any inroads to the scoreline.

Another good performance from the Rovers and a well merited win, with Paul Green receiving the Man of the Match award.

Teams - ROVERS - Neil Sullivan; James O'Connor, Steve Roberts, Adam Lockwood, Sean McDaid; Paul Green, Richie Wellens, Brian Stock, James Coppinger; Mark McCammon, Jason Price

Subs used - Gareth Roberts for McDaid 55 mins; James Hayter for Price 77 mins; Mark Wilson for Stock 83 mins;

Subs not used - Lewis Guy, Martin Woods

Northampton Town - Mark Bunn; Danny Jackman, Mark Hughes, Liam Dolman, Danny Jones; Jason Crowe, Joe Burnell, Bradley Johnson; Dean Bowditch, Andy Kirk, Poul Hubertz,

Subs used - Colin Larkin for Bowditch 63 mins; Alex Dyer for Burnell 83 mins;

Subs not used - Brett Johnson, Danny May, Chris Dunn (GK)

Caution - Dolman, Burnell,

 Half Time Draw numbers - 350 pounds prize - 07438 and for 2 tickets to the Elton John concert - 03738