Northampton 1 County 1
More dropped points away from home on a forgettable evening at Sixfields
Thursday 6 March 2025
If you’d like to write an article for The Scarf My Father Wore, share a few snippets or photos, or advertise your business, please email thescarfmyfatherwore@substack.com.
NEXT HOME GAME: Charlton Athletic – Saturday 8 March, 12.30pm
NEXT AWAY GAME: Bolton Wanderers – Saturday 15 March, 12.30pm
Dear County fans, Stopfordians, Northampton supporters, and anyone else from The Football Family joining us today, a very warm welcome to your Thursday edition of The Scarf My Father Wore.
We’ve got a right pair of podcasters joining us today. Charles Commins from It’s All Cobblers To Me provides the Northampton view after Tuesday night’s draw, with SK3 TV co-host Hannah Brown sharing her thoughts from the away end.
Today’s edition is sponsored by SAW Contracts Ltd. A big thank you to Steve. Give him a call on 07801 490294 or email sawcontracts@gmail.com if you’re looking for a qualified joiner in the Stockport area.
Thanks also to Hawk Drainage & Groundworks who sponsor our Northampton Town content on the website.
Finally, I’m currently walking every street in Stockport to raise money for mental health charity Mentell. If you’d like to make a donation to help me reach my target, please click here.
Total distance so far: 216.74 miles
Total steps so far: 353,516
Total raised so far: £2,270
Total completed streets so far: 474 (Click here for the full list, which includes reports and photos from every day of the walk.)
Further information on the walk can be found by clicking here.
Des Junior
A scrappy affair on Tuesday night (Photo courtesy of Mike Petch)
✍️ Tuesday’s match in one word
Charles: Frustrating.
Hannah: Frustrating.
🤔 Pre-match thoughts
Charles: I expected a tough game and was hoping we could nullify County long enough for you to get frustrated. There’s always hope you can win a game, but it was definitely more hope than expectation.
Hannah: The most pessimistic woman in the world actually thought we’d get three points. Northampton haven’t had a great season and are in the relegation danger zone, and I thought our momentum would continue after a great second half on Saturday.
🧐 Post-match thoughts
Charles: Well it wasn’t pretty! I’ve come not to expect free-flowing, attacking football from the Cobblers in recent times but I thought we’d see a lot more from County. Having been ahead for so long, it’s gutting to not see it out and claim a big win. But I would have taken a draw before the game, so I’m happy with it now. At the end of the day, we’re struggling to score more than one goal at the minute - and the goal we did score was fortunate from start to finish. It was never a free kick in my view and then the deflection and Addai’s positioning went in our favour too. I thought we’d defended very well, especially considering we only had one recognised centre-back on the pitch. The difference was the players you had on the bench to come on and a fantastic goal to equalise.
Hannah: Feels like two points lost, even though at half-time, like on Saturday, I would have absolutely taken the draw. In the last quarter we showed we had it in us but it was too little too late. It’s clear Chally has epic selection headaches and is juggling players who need resting and players who haven’t got 90’ in their legs, and we just haven’t got the blend quite right. I don’t tend to blame referees for game outcomes but the ‘foul’ on Perry after a clash of heads with Brad Hills should have been a drop kick. I don’t agree with criticism of Addai - the goal was deflected off the wall and he did well to get a glove to it. Basically, this is what optimism gets you. The ‘we haven’t won there for 20 years’ stat should have smashed that out of me.
🟤 Verdict on Northampton
Charles: Resolute. I get very frustrated with us because we just can’t seem to play in a calm manner and everything feels rushed. We looked long 80% of the time for Costelloe to run in behind but our short passing and ball control was sloppy at times. I did feel that if Perry had scored his chance to make it 2-0 we would have come away with a win but it wasn’t to be. I’m happy with a point.
Hannah: Northampton did to us what they did against Exeter at the weekend, and I suspect it’s what we’ll see from them to the end of the season - just grinding out low score or no score draws. Very Gillingham. Very boring, but annoyingly effective.
🟡 Verdict on County
Charles: As I said before, I expected more from County than we got in the first 80 minutes. We’d obviously frustrated you, with help from the referee, but once you made your subs you looked much better.
Hannah: We let them control the game and it worked. We were lucky to only be one down at the break and my now standard ‘let’s just get to half-time without conceding another’ thoughts dominated.
👞 Top Cobbler
Charles: Akin Odimayo would have been my man of the match. Playing out of position as a right-sided centre-back, AK did a fantastic job and rarely allowed County’s attackers a sniff.
Hannah: Burge. Begrudging respect for the three saves at the end. Even though he ruined my evening more than the 50mph limits on the M6.
🎩 Top Hatter
Charles: I’ll have to go for your goalscorer. Andrésson made a real difference to your attack when he came on and he scored a wonderful equaliser.
Hannah: Brad Hills. Although special mention to Ryan Rydel for some beautiful passes from the left wing, and the assist for Beno’s goal.
👂 Atmosphere
Charles: I wasn’t at the game because I live closer to Stockport than Northampton but on the TV the atmosphere sounded like a typical midweek fixture at Sixfields. The “football in a library” song can get in the bin though!
Hannah: Quiet. Good to see we’re back to ‘banter’ with opposition fans rather than getting behind the team but given I’m highly unlikely to belt out a starter I can’t really criticise.
🙏 Hopes for the rest of the season
Charles: Every time I look at the league table going into a game I can see 14th place there, yearning for us to grab it. And then we don’t. It would be superb to equal last year’s finish but I’ll be happy with anywhere above the relegation zone. I think we’ve got enough to stay in League One for a third consecutive season but it will probably go down to the wire.
Hannah: This is one of those where the stats are better than it felt watching it. 60% possession to their 40%, four shots on target to their one. So maybe there’s reasons to be optimistic that I’m missing after getting home at 1am?
😀 Best part of the day
Charles: Seeing the look on Terry Taylor’s face after he scored his first career goal. The lad just looked so happy!
Hannah: Two highlights. First was happening upon Ashbourne’s Royal Shrovetide. The two goals are three miles apart and the game travels through fields, rivers, meadows, and car parks, which is where we saw the action. Second was teaching the car park attendant how to use the card machine (shoutout to my credit card machine mentor Tony Hancock who taught me everything I know) so he could actually take card payments for a car park that is advertised as card only. Scenes.
😡 Worst part of the day
Charles: When you scored the equaliser I got an email from a client asking if I could complete some work for them before the end of Wednesday. I had to stay up and get it done rather than celebrating a good point with a book in bed!
Hannah: The lack of pancakes. Someone should have sorted this out. Heathens.
The British Library receives a copy of every single book published in the UK. In the same fashion, Des Junior believes a detailed record of every County game should be preserved for the history books. So here’s the full story of our 1-1 draw at Northampton Town on Tuesday 4 March, as told from his County-related WhatsApp groups…
4.18pm: Against my better judgement, made some last minute bad decisions/arrangements to get to Northampton.
4.19pm: Good for you. I have stuck to my "coming up to election time" responsibility and will be politicking instead, which is annoying for a game only an hour away.
4.20pm: If the election goes tits up, you can try again in four years. Who is to say you’ll get the opportunity to see County away at Sixfields in that time? (This is a joke, for the avoidance of doubt.)
6.03pm: Liam Root just nearly thrown out by the barmaid. “Away fans respect the home fans in this pub!”
6.59pm: Anybody who ever suggests we move to a new ground should be made to visit Sixfields every week for a season.
7.19pm: Their Kenny Boxshall just said “Merry Pancake Day”.
7.20pm: I missed that.
7.21pm: Tosser.
8.17pm: 0-1. Never a free kick.
8.18pm: It deflected a bit but I think Addai should probably have still saved it. Hard to know though. Got to be much more positive now.
8.19pm: That refereeing is up there with the worst I’ve ever seen.
8.20pm: We’re playing poorly, allowing ourselves to be wound up by a tosser of an official. It’s a bit of a shambles all around from us so far, compounded by bad refereeing.
8.35pm: That was never a foul by Cosgrove for the disallowed goal. Sky commentator suggesting defender has “done well” to win a free kick. We’ve not been at the races though and while we probably shouldn’t be behind we’ve not done nearly enough to be in front.
9.00pm: Quadruple substitution. Rydel, Norwood, Collar, Wootton all on.
9.23pm: BENO! 1-1. Utterly undeserved. Lovely stuff.
10.07pm: If I was Northampton manager, my pre-match chat would have been something like “you won't beat Stockport by playing football, so get in their faces and rough them up, and we might get something out of this”. Do I get the job?
10.18pm: Destined for a job at a shithouse club.
10.52pm: My favourite part of away days is seeing Des with his notepad and camera. Everyone else then chews your ears off. Love you mate.
Do you need bespoke woodwork or joinery services in the Stockport area?
If you are looking for a qualified joiner in the Stockport area, SAW Contracts can take on jobs of all sizes and can carry out all aspects of building work from the planning stage right through to completion. Whether you're looking for a professional joiner or builder to carry out work on a new build, extension or renovation, they have the skills at hand to complete the job within budget and on time.
➡️ Visit sawcontractsltd.co.uk for further details.
Bunch of fives
County’s last 5️⃣ games against Charlton
Charlton 1 County 1 (League One, 2024-25)
County 3 Charlton 1 (FA Cup second round replay, 2022-23)
Charlton 2 County 2 (FA Cup second round, 2022-23)
Charlton 2 County 0 (League One, 2009-10)
County 1 Charlton 2 (League One, 2009-10)
5️⃣ sweet-sounding County pancake toppings
Fruit Beckett
Carlton Parma Violets
Mat Baileys
Kyle Buttons
Curly Wur-Lee Todd
5️⃣ potential Wembley opponents in May
Bolton
Charlton
Huddersfield
Wrexham
Wycombe
5️⃣ Stockport Steves
Bellis
Massey
Antonio
Sherlock
Bullock
5️⃣ places for a scran on that retail park next to Northampton’s ground
Wagamama
Pizza Hut
Nando’s
McDonald’s
Popeyes
Experiencing a blocked drain?
If there’s any Northampton fans joining us today (or indeed, any of our other readers from that neck of the woods), if you’re experiencing any problems with your drains, don’t wait for them to become worse. Contact Hawk Drainage & Groundworks to fix the issue promptly and professionally. Their expert team are ready to help.
➡️ Visit hawkdrainage.co.uk for further details.
Photo(s) of the day
A pie, a pitch and a pretty view of Edgeley. One of our paid subscribers Kelvin Briggs sent us a few snaps from Saturday.
Today in SK
🎬 Cinema
Two films at The Savoy Cinema (SK4) today. Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy (15) at 6pm, followed by Hard Truths (12A) at 8.30pm.
🍻 Food and drink
The Nelson Tavern (SK1) have a great range of offers throughout the week, including £5.50 for drinks off the Doubles Bar, a comprehensive range of shots for £1.50, and 3 for £7 on Jägerbombs. Also, double up for £2 on premium spirits.
Bitter £2.30 a pint all day at The Cross Keys (SK8). Plus, discounts on certain lagers between 12pm and 6pm.
A number of venues are featured on The Scarf My Father Wore such as The Crown (SK2), The Alexandra (SK3), The Crown Inn (SK6), The Steelworks (SK6), The Three Tunnes (SK7), Flute & Firkin (SK12) and The Ram’s Head (SK12). Support them this month by popping in for a few drinks and a bite to eat.
🎶 Live music
The Dog & Partridge (SK2) are hosting their first ever jazz night, with a great trio of musicians. 7.30pm.
Random snippets from old County programmes
#11 - County v Darlington, 10 December 2005
An interview with Michael Raynes.
Club supported as a boy?
Manchester United.
Boyhood hero?
Gary Pallister.
What was your first live game?
Manchester United v Aston Villa in the Coca Cola Cup.
Biggest influence on your career?
My parents.
Best piece of advice?
Don’t be scared of anyone.
Best mate at County?
All the YT lads and probably Damien Allen and Adam Le Fondre.
Best mate in football?
Shane O’Logan at Manchester City.
Dodgy fashion victims?
There’s a few. James Spencer is always a good shout. Rob Clare as well. Keith Briggs is the worst.
Biggest joker at County?
James Spencer or Keith Briggs.
Nosh up & washed down by?
Chinese, pint of cider.
Wheels?
Renault Clio 307.
What’s in your stereo?
A dance CD at the moment.
Favourite TV programme?
Phoenix Nights.
Favourite actor?
Samuel L Jackson.
Most fanciable female?
Jordan.
Favourite holiday destination?
Ibiza.
Any other hobbies?
Not really.
Best UK player in your position?
John Terry.
In the world?
Alessandro Nesta.
Hot prospects at County?
James Tunnicliffe is a very good player.
Favourite school subject?
I was OK at English.
Any other plans as a youngster?
I always wanted to be a professional footballer so I didn’t really have any other plans.
Anything regret not doing?
No, everything’s going well at the moment.
Any matchday superstitions?
I jump four times before the kick-off.
Best player you’ve played with?
Tony Vaughan.
Best player you’ve played against?
Steve Howard for Luton.
If you’re in need of any of the following this month, please use our sponsors as your first port of call
🪟 Blinds & Shutters: Bauhaus Blinds and Shutters
👷♂️ Builder: C E Building Services Ltd
🧱 Builders Merchant: MKM Manchester South
🧽 Car Valeting: Rub A Dubz Detailing Ltd
🏠 Carpets & Flooring: Kingsway Carpets & Rugs Ltd
🐈 Cat Flaps: That Cat Flap Company Ltd
🧹 Cleaning: Beespoke Cleaning
🚙 Coatings: Colourtone Ltd
🐶 Dog Trainer: Forever Home Dog Training
🚘 Driving School: CFN School of Motoring
🏠 Estate Agent: The Agency UK
💷 Financial Services: The Mortgage Mill
💐 Florist: The Flower House
🪚 Joinery: SAW Contracts Ltd
🔌 Kitchen Appliances: SW Appliances
🔑 Locksmith: APL Locksmiths Ltd
💪 Male Weight Loss: MAN v FAT
🖌 Painter & Decorator: BGM Decorators
🧱 Plastering: DT Plastering Services and Damp Proofing Specialists
🛖 Roofing: Pate & Lever Roofing Ltd
👨💼 Solicitors: B.J. McKenna & Co / Parkers Solicitors Ltd
🍹 Spirits: Guerrilla Chicken Spirits
🪨 Stonemason: LM Stone Creative
🚕 Taxi Hire: Lynx Taxis
☀️ Travel Agent: PTF Travel Ltd
📺 TV Aerials: SDS Aerials
🧰 Vehicle Repairs: C J Motors Stockport