Kidderminster Harriers 2 Northampton Town 2: As it happened

👋 Hello and welcome to this evening’s live blog as Cobblers head to Kidderminster Harriers for pre-season friendly number four.

Tonight’s game is Town’s penultimate run-out before the real stuff starts so Jon Brady will be hoping to see further improvements with the new season just 11 days away.

This is Town’s first visit to Aggborough in nearly 20 years

Slowly but surely, Jon Brady is getting the bulk of his squad back on the pitch. Jon Gutrie, Ben Fox and Aaron McGowan made an appearance in the second half at Brackley on Saturday following the returns of Jack Sowerby, Ali Koiki and Akin Odimayo the previous Wednesday.

Those three should feature tonight after being rested at the weekend, but Guthrie, Fox and McGowan may all sit out against Kidderminster as Brady takes a very careful and meticulous approach to getting his players back to full fitness.

Two trialists - Thakgalo Leshabela and Hayden Lindley - were on target on Saturday. There were others involved too. Could we see them again tonight?

Two trialists start for the Cobblers v Kidderminster. One in goal and one up front.

Cobblers: Trialist A, Odimayo, Sherring, Monthé, Koiki, Sowerby, McWilliams, Trialist B, Pinnock, Hoskins, Appere

Subs: McGowan, Fox, Brough, Dyche, Dadge, Scott, Wyatt, Trialist C, Trialist D

Khanya Leshabela - otherwise known as Trialist B - makes another appearance tonight. Could be a player Brady is looking at potentially signing but, more likely, he’s filling a space in the team whilst Fox works his way back to fitness. Hondermarck not in the squad tonight either. He’s being managed.

McGowan and Fox are on the bench alongside two further trialists, but Cobblers are being more careful with Jon Guthrie given the nature of the hamstring injury he sustained at the end of last season.

Pleasant evening at Aggborough, albeit pretty chilly for the time of year. Thankfully dry though. Almost ready for kick-off...

Here come the two teams

0’

Away we go!

1’

Cobblers starting with a back 4 - Odimayo, Sherring, Monthe, Koiki

2’

Kiddy started well and early pressure for the trialist in goal for Cobblers. He flapped at a corner but got away with it.

5’ GOAL! 1-0 Cobblers (Hoskins)

Visitors in front with their first attack of the game. Lovely goal too. Pinnock with the ball over the top to Odimayo, he took his time on the right before picking out a fine cross and there was Hoskins with a deft finish.

First goal not scored by a trialist in pre-season.

10’

Cobblers in front but they’re getting a good test here. Kiddy have shaded the opening 10 minutes albeit without creating a meaningful chance.

15’

Cobblers trying to play out from the back at every opportunity and they’re doing it well so far. Worked it from back to front very nicely just there before the attack broke down. Some good possession play but just lacking fluency in the final third.

17’

Cobblers close to a second through Appere. All his own work. Won the ball back, cut inside and let fly with a low shot that needed saving.

19’ GOAL! 2-0 Cobblers (Pinnock)

Town double their lead with a superb free-kick from Pinnock. McWilliams was dragged down on the edge of the box and Pinnock steps up to curl a beauty over the wall and into the top corner. Brilliant strike.

30’

Cobblers dominating possession and keeping the ball well. Manny Monthe has just spread a superb crossfield ball into Pinnock’s path but he couldn’t get a shot away.