August
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Most important tonight was to win the game. That objective was achieved courtesy of two penalties. The first, awarded when a Paul Brayson cross was handled in the area, was missed by Graham Kavanagh as he fired his shot directly at the keeper but fortune shone on Kavanagh as the ball rebounded to him and he gave the keeper no chance second time around.

The second penalty was all about Paul Brayson. The little fella was on the right wing when he cut inside 3 Northampton defenders and was felled. Paul jumped and cooly placed the spot kick into the goal to secure the win for City.

A superb crowd of 11,232, the biggest in the division by far tonight were treated to a sluggish performance where City never really upped the pace.

Northampton were never going to win the game. While they passed and zipped about in their own half they had nothing to offer infront of goal. Bar goal kicks and back passes Neil Alexander did not have one effort on target to worry about. (Stats show City 14 attempts at goal 6 on target, 8 off. Northampton 4 shots all off target.)

City meanwhile made hard work of creating chances. First half there was little to show as City kept the game in the middle of the park. The Bluebirds needed width and apart from Brayson's cross to win the penalty they rarely had any width at all.

Second half, City already a goal up, were able to flow a bit better. Several shots tested the Northampton keeper and as Northampton tired more space became available.

New boy Peter Thorne had little chance in front of goal but did look a good line leader and with better service will prosper. It was disappointing that Leon Jeanne did not play any part of the game as City could have ran riot with his pace getting behind the Northampton rear guard.

Brayson won man of the match and deservedly so for creating the goal chances. An 8/10 for his efforts is worth it. There was little to choose between the rest of them as 6's or 7's will be the best marks they can hope to get.

But after last Saturday City needed to win and that they did. A job completed and that has made over 11,000 fans happy with 3 points. Huddersfield will provide a sterner test this Saturday and I feel the team will need to sharpen up as The Terriers will not be as poor as Northampton.