MATCH REPORT: Northampton Town 0 – 2 Blackpool
22 March 2025 – Sixfields Stadium
Another disappointing afternoon at Sixfields saw the Cobblers slump to a 2-0 home defeat against Steve Bruce’s Blackpool — a result that not only exposed worrying cracks at both ends of the pitch, but also leaves Kevin Nolan’s side teetering dangerously close to the relegation zone.
It’s hard to put a positive spin on this one. While there were flashes of fight — a couple of heroic goal-line clearances, some lively runs from Sam Hoskins, and the return of Luke Mbete from injury — the truth is that Blackpool looked more composed, more clinical, and more cohesive throughout.
Tyler Roberts came back into the starting lineup after being unavailable against Birmingham, but it was the visitors who settled quicker. Blackpool were a clear threat on the counter from the off. Lee Burge had to be alert to deny Sonny Carey on 13 minutes (though the flag went up), and minutes later the lively Carey should have done better with a clean look at goal.
But Northampton didn’t heed the warnings. In the 20th minute, Rob Apter found space down the right and whipped in a devilish ball that Ashley Fletcher met with a bullet header from close range. One-nil. And honestly? Deserved.
Hoskins and Roberts each had half-chances before the break — the former dragging wide, the latter firing over — but the Cobblers went into halftime looking flat and lacking confidence.
The second half started with more energy, and Aaron McGowan pulled off a stunning acrobatic clearance to keep the Cobblers in it just minutes after the restart. But Blackpool were still carving us open too easily, especially on the break.
Kevin Nolan made a double substitution on 51 minutes — Luke Mbete and TJ Eyoma replacing Tyler Magloire and McGowan — a move that added a little stability, but not much punch going forward.
Tyler Roberts had one of the Cobblers’ best moments, hitting a shot straight at Tyrer after a slick move, but we were made to pay for our profligacy. On 61 minutes, Niall Ennis got behind the defence and fired past Burge off the inside of the post. 2–0. Gut punch.
Mbete’s return was one of the few bright spots, and Cameron McGeehan nearly gave us hope with a curling effort late on — but the damage had been done.Despite having more total efforts, the Cobblers couldn’t convert pressure into goals, and truthfully, Blackpool never looked in real danger after going two ahead.
Referee Scott Jackson let plenty go but still found reason to book Terry Taylor (32’) and Tyler Roberts (65’) for the home side, while Blackpool’s Jordan Gabriel saw yellow in stoppage time. No red cards, but plenty of frustration on both benches throughout.
With the Cobblers now just six points above the drop zone, Kevin Nolan has some soul-searching to do — and fast. The defense needs tightening, the midfield needs bite, and up top? We need goals. Simple as that.
With fans growing restless and fixtures running out, every point matters now. We back the boys — but we need to see more. Fight. Grit. Pride in the badge.