ity were the headline grabbers during the week as Demetri Mitchell’s opportunist strike sealed a stunning 1-0 win over Premier League Luton and a place in the fourth round of the EFL Cup. Attention turns back to the league and the continuation of a busy run of fixtures as Gary Caldwell’s side looks to 
return to winning ways after the 3-0 defeat at Oxford last week. Mitchell’s red card for a second yellow rules him out, while Caleb Watts became the latest injury casualty, limping off just before half time against Luton. With Ryan Trevitt also thought to still be out for a couple of weeks, Caldwell remains down to near the bare bones.
Northampton were tipped to struggle as something of a yo-yo side, and early signs are that this will be the case as the Cobblers currently sit just outside the relegation zone after five defeats in their first eight games. Successive wins over Peterborough and Cheltenham at the end of August have yielded to three
league defeats and a loss and penalty loss in the EFL Trophy, so Jon Brady will be keen to get back on track to end a barren September. Goals have been an issue, with just six scored so far, half of them by last season’s star performer Sam Hoskins. After 22 goals last season, Hoskins is seen as key to Northampton’s survival this time round. Other key players will include the likes of Mitch Pinnock.
The sides last met during City’s 21/22 promotion season, but it was 
Northampton who enjoyed the better of things, taking four points from the fixture. The corresponding match finished 2-1 to the visitors – Sowerby and Pinnock with the goals after Amond had levelled the scores. The return at Sixfields saw a jubilant City, probably still nursing hangovers from the win over Barrow that confirmed promotion, leave with a 1-1 draw. Pinnock was again on the
scoresheet for Northampton before Nombe levelled. This has been one of City’s most frequent fixtures, but it’s Northampton with a healthy league head to head lead, with 50 wins to City’s 29, 31 matches finishing level.
