Warhurst and Hoskins guide assured Cobblers to excellent home win

Matty Warhurst headed in after only nine minutes before Sam Hoskins’ 106th Northampton goal early in the second half gave the home side much-needed breathing space.

Town weren’t at their sparkling best in attack but they managed the game impressively after the early goal, keeping a good shape out of possession and working hard, as such they never really looking in danger of giving up their position of strength.

Having now picked up seven points from a possible 12 and produced four good performances in a row, Cobblers at last seem to be building a sense of momentum and confidence and they will hope this is a catalyst for the rest of the season.

There were two changes to the starting line-up, James Maxwell and Sam Hoskins replacing Josh Powell and Joe O’Brien-Whitmarsh, while Logan Briggs returned to the bench, but Nathan Opoku missed out with a knock.

After starting well in midweek, Cobblers were again on the front foot in the early stages against Colchester - and this time they made it count. The game was just nine minutes old when Lee and Connor Evans combined for the former to deliver a delightful cross and Warhurst found space between two defenders to head into the bottom corner.

The hosts were fortunate not to be pegged back just six minutes later after they left Ben Perry unmarked in the penalty box, but the former Town midfielder was denied by Zach Jeacock.

Cobblers were happy to contain for most of the first half as Colchester dominated possession without really creating too much, although Bradley Ihionvien did glance just wide shortly before half-time.

Narrowly ahead at the break, Town needed another to settle nerves and that’s exactly what they got within five minutes of the restart. Their high press, which had been a feature of the first half, forced a mistake and the ball came out to Dale on the right and his cross was flicked in by Hoskins.

Connor Evans struck the post with a fine effort from 25 yards but Cobblers were in game management mode for most of the second half, content to slow the game down and ensure Colchester never got too close to their goal.

O’Brien-Whitmarsh, Powell and Elliott List all came on in the second half and if there were going to be more goals in this game, they were likely to come for the home side.

Dale fired wide and then tried and failed to go around Timothee Lo-Tutala after being played through, and the Colchester goalkeeper also denied List with a sprawling stop.

List might also have been given a penalty while Lee Evans drove a shot into a defender in the closing stages as Cobblers eased their way to an excellent home victory.

Cobblers: Jeacock, Donacien, Moore, Guthrie (c), Wormleighton, Maxwell (Powell 67), L Evans, C Evans, Hoskins (O’Brien-Whitmarsh 67), Dale (Fornah 90) Warhurst (List 82)

Subs not used: Dadge, Dyche, Briggs

Colchester: Lo-Tutala, Hunt (Vincent-Young 61), Iandolo, Tucker (c), J Williams (Payne 61), Terry, Thorn, Perry (Digby 73), Lubala (Connolly 73), Sesay, Ihionvien (Williams 50)

Subs not used: Raggett, Kuffour

Referee: Scott Jackson

Attendance: 5,959

Colchester fans: 601