Goddard urges young Cobblers to learn after FA Youth Cup defeat
Cobblers Under-18s head coach Shane Goddard hopes his players can learn from the experience after they were knocked out of the FA Youth Cup on Tuesday.
Town’s youngsters, who have only lost once in their first ten EFL Youth Alliance South games this season, lost 3-0 to Grimsby in front of over 600 supporters at Sixfields.
“I just felt the boys put a bit of undue pressure on themselves,” said Goddard. “We tried to make it as normal an occasion as we could and I didn’t think there was much between the teams for large spells.
“We played some good football in the first half and there are bits we can be pleased with, but what wins you games of football is what happens in both boxes and they were far more effective in the first half.
“We huffed and puffed and had a go but we didn’t really land a glove on them, and credit to them, they are a good side with a good group of players and we wish them luck in the next round.
“We’re gutted not to be going through but we’ll reflect on it and learn from it.”
The visitors took the lead after ten minutes, Harvey Booth's shot was well saved by Jamie Morrison but the rebound was scored by Edward Sharp from close range.
The Cobblers were close to a leveller seven minutes later when Olly Campbell's corner from the left found Cooper Clark but his header across goal goes was just wide.
Grimsby extended their lead shortly afterwards, Max Horsman's curling effort from the edge of the box finding the top corner as the first half approached it's midway point.
Seven minutes before the break, Jamie Binks added a third for Grimsby from close range to ensure the visitors were in control at the interval.
Shane Goddard's side were looking for a way back into the tie, and with the game at the three quarter point, Campbell curled in a cross from the left which was headed just wide at the near post by Taila Chonya.
Cobblers keeper Morrison was called upon again, making superb stops to deny both Noah Hutton and Sharp in the space of a few minutes and try as they might, Northampton Town could not find a way back into the tie and it was the visitors who progressed into round two.
Cobblers: Morrison, Reynolds, Alonge, Haynes, Ashton, Oliveti, Stephenson, Clark, Chonya, Campbell, Opiela.
Subs: Daniels, Shipley, Goodman, Leeks, Gray, Misys, Hanson.
Attendance: 617