Report: Iron 3-0 Northampton Town

The Iron recorded a resounding second league win of the season over Northampton Town at the Sands Venue Stadium. A brace from Lee Novak and an EFL goal of the day contender by Kevin van Veen sealed the three points.

Novak had the first clear cut chance of the half 10 minutes in, heading Alex Gilliead’s cross on target but David Cornell saved well, diving low to his right.

However, Novak broke the deadlock moments later. One-on-one with Cornell after being played through on goal by Ryan Colclough, he lifted the ball over the ‘keeper to make it 1-0, announcing his return to the side after a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

Novak got his and the Iron’s second with 15 minutes on the watch. The number 17 buried the rebound from van Veen’s initial header was kept out by the Cobblers’ shot-stopper.

The Iron continued to pile on the pressure, as a dangerous delivery came in from Alex Gilliead out on the right, but the Dutchman couldn’t bring the ball under his spell.

Northampton were forced into an early change, with Alan McCormack replacing Joe Martin as the latter limped off the pitch.

With 28 minutes on the clock, Matthew Warburton found the side netting after receiving a pass from substitute McCormack and cutting inside.

McCormack was involved again, setting up Sam Hoskins this time, teeing the attacker up on the edge of the area who turned and took aim but it flashed narrowly wide.

On the half hour mark, van Veen got in on the act with a spectacular strike, controlling a ball over the top, spinning inside the area with his back to goal and unleashing a looping effort that found the top corner.

Colclough was the next to test Cornell, catching the ball on the volley after Iron old boy Charlie Goode’s clearance fell to the number seven on the edge of the area. However, it was narrowly wide of the upright.

The Cobblers won a corner a minute later and Nicky Adams’ delivery picked out Vadaine Oliver but the forward’s effort was high.

The Iron looked to break as Gilliead lead the charge. With options on either side in Colclough and Novak, the winger opted to have an effort of his own but it trickled wide of the post.

On the stroke of half-time, Goode met Adams’ in-swinging corner kick but couldn’t direct his header on target and the Iron took a comfortable 3-0 lead into the break.

Five minutes into the second period, Watson made a fingertip save to deny Andy Williams from close range and Kgosi Ntlhe made a goal-saving block from the follow up.

Things went from bad to worse for the Cobblers as they were reduced to ten men in the 54^thminute. Oliver was given his marching orders after referee Trevor Kettle showed the striker a straight red for his challenge on Watson.

Soon after, Eastwood came on for the injured ‘keeper, replacing Watson between the sticks for the Iron.

After 58 minutes, half-time substitute Jamie Proctor drew a save from Cornell. The 27-year-old had an effort from distance but the ‘keeper was equal to it, palming the shot behind and the resulting corner came to nothing.

Junior Brown made a good block from Andy Williams in the 70^thminute to preserve the lead, sliding in as the strike deflected wide.

With three minutes left to play, Novak went close to bagging a hat-trick. The striker’s shot was fumbled by Cornell, looping up and hitting the bar before coming back into play, and the Cobblers managed to clear their lines.

In the final minute of the game, Colclough looked to add a fourth, breaking quickly down the left getting a shot away as Cornell saved with his body, Proctor unable to dig out the rebound and it finished 3-0.

IRON: Watson (Eastwood 55’), Ntlhe, Songo’o, Colclough, van Veen (Proctor 45’), Novak, Gilliead, Sutton (Slater 83’), McArdle, McGahey, Brown.

IRON UNUSED SUBS: Butler, Butroid, Eisa, Pugh.

NORTHAMPTON: Cornell, Hall-Johnson, Martin (McCormack 24’), Goode, Turnbull (Williams 45), Hoskins, Adams, Wharton, McWilliams (Smith 60’), Oliver, Warburton. 

NORTHAMPTON UNUSED SUBS: Fisher, Lines, Harriman, Waters.

ATTENDANCE: 3,377.