The Hotel End

The Hotel End => Cobblers Corner => Topic started by: Snow Dive Larry on May 06, 2018, 19:12:02 pm



Title: Underrated and forgotten gems?
Post by: Snow Dive Larry on May 06, 2018, 19:12:02 pm
I was daydreaming today about old last games of the season and remembered Mansfield away right before we played them in the playoffs. We needed a result there to clinch a playoff place and packed out Field Mill - Rob Ullathorne racing through to smash home was beautiful but it often gets forgotten because of the sheer drama of the playoff game.

So which other Cobblers games would you say fall in the same unheralded but brilliant category?


Title: Re: Underrated and forgotten gems?
Post by: Travelaway on May 06, 2018, 20:34:57 pm
2000 (i think) Torquay away... hot day...Steve Howard's shin scoring the winner.

First time I did a full season and the perfect ending.


Oh and Chesterfield...the naughty one...


Title: Re: Underrated and forgotten gems?
Post by: Snow Dive Larry on May 06, 2018, 21:30:56 pm
Ah yes, another big final day. I remember it being a hot one, spent the morning in Torquay as the coaches wanted to make a day of it. Babbacombe Beach, couple of cokes and a town full of claret. Then Town fans invading from all four sides of the ground...magic!

I think this was the trip where we met the Shrewsbury coaches on the way home at a service station and we applauded each other's achievements (they had just stayed up, possibly at Exeter.



Title: Re: Underrated and forgotten gems?
Post by: Dan on May 06, 2018, 21:51:45 pm
Torquay will always remain one of my favourite NTFC games. That was the first promotion I saw us get, and I still vividly remember the town fans entering the pitch from every corner of the ground. Torquay fans were so great to us and I've always had a soft spot for them since. Genuinely sad to see what has happened to them.

Good call on the Mansfield league game. Sabin scored a rocket to put us ahead. No idea why Ullathorne was in the position that he found himself but what a moment that was  ;D

Morecambe away was good fun on the final day having secured safety the week before.


Title: Re: Underrated and forgotten gems?
Post by: everbrite on May 06, 2018, 23:34:12 pm
............................
Morecambe away was good fun on the final day having secured safety the week before.

Remember that game well - we had nearly 800 there that day for an end of season game. Remarkable.


Title: Re: Underrated and forgotten gems?
Post by: Shoemaker on May 07, 2018, 05:59:27 am
Remember that game well - we had nearly 800 there that day for an end of season game. Remarkable.
Proper good day out
Crowd in great voice and many renditions of to his horse as a chap in a horses mask galloped along the front of the stand


Title: Re: Underrated and forgotten gems?
Post by: meccanostand on May 07, 2018, 07:13:20 am
Northampton 5- Mansfield 1. For 1 beautiful night it all clicked. Steve Terry chipped the keeper. One of the best County Ground nights under lights. All unravelled after that obviously.


Title: Re: Underrated and forgotten gems?
Post by: tcobb on May 07, 2018, 09:13:09 am
Mansfield away last game of the season for me too. Plus the Torquay away promotion party. Another game which was enjoyable was Grimsby away last game of the promotion season 2006.


Title: Re: Underrated and forgotten gems?
Post by: Cordwainer2 on May 07, 2018, 10:18:40 am
Rotherham away, can't remember the year. Phil Neal had to go in goal, his last game for us. Maybee and Stratford up front and we won. Great atmosphere amongst the Cobblers fans.


Title: Re: Underrated and forgotten gems?
Post by: Coolcat on May 07, 2018, 18:50:28 pm
Remember that game well - we had nearly 800 there that day for an end of season game. Remarkable.
970!


Title: Re: Underrated and forgotten gems?
Post by: WadeyCobbler on May 07, 2018, 21:21:16 pm
Northampton 5- Mansfield 1. For 1 beautiful night it all clicked. Steve Terry chipped the keeper. One of the best County Ground nights under lights. All unravelled after that obviously.

I remember that one well. We thought we'd turned the corner that night, then next game lost 7-0 up at Scnthorpe. I was at that game too.


Title: Re: Underrated and forgotten gems?
Post by: Artlenock Cobbler on May 07, 2018, 21:21:30 pm
Proper good day out
Crowd in great voice and many renditions of to his horse as a chap in a horses mask galloped along the front of the stand

Here you go. :)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LFb3AeQk5Eg&t=0s&index=6&list=PLCF30C6AC6C51A88C


Title: Re: Underrated and forgotten gems?
Post by: Fred_NTFC on May 07, 2018, 22:42:46 pm
Talking of Torquay, sadly I was never there, but the catalyst for that winning run was perhaps us beating Darlington who I think were above us at the time - was one of my first away games & Stevie Howard scored the winner on a pudding of a pitch, don't think there were that many of us but there but there was a cracking atmosphere in the creaking, crumbling old Feethams.



Title: Re: Underrated and forgotten gems?
Post by: Travelaway on May 08, 2018, 06:25:01 am
Talking of Torquay, sadly I was never there, but the catalyst for that winning run was perhaps us beating Darlington who I think were above us at the time - was one of my first away games & Stevie Howard scored the winner on a pudding of a pitch, don't think there were that many of us but there but there was a cracking atmosphere in the creaking, crumbling old Feethams.



I tend to believe it was the very surprising signing of Jamie Forester on loan just before Cheltenham away 6 goals in 9 games..

But was a exciting end of season chase to make 3rd.



Title: Re: Underrated and forgotten gems?
Post by: St Edmundsbury Cobbler on May 08, 2018, 06:27:04 am
I remember that one well. We thought we'd turned the corner that night, then next game lost 7-0 up at Scnthorpe. I was at that game too.

We beat Carlisle away 19 games and about four months later for our next win.


Title: Re: Underrated and forgotten gems?
Post by: St Edmundsbury Cobbler on May 08, 2018, 06:31:22 am
There were some classic Atkins games.

Preston North End in 96, a win would secure promotion and a full house at Deepdale were treated to a Neil Grays on hatrick and a 3-0 victory to the Cobblers. A week later we delayed Gillingham's promotion party as they left Sixfields with only a point.

And when Fulham had won the league and Atkins sent our players out early to give them a guard of honour from the half way line before taking their end for the warm up. Jason White scored, we won 1-0 and another parade was pissed on 😀


Title: Re: Underrated and forgotten gems?
Post by: Battery Man on May 08, 2018, 06:39:54 am
One I always remember was Cardiff Away September 96, Atkins hadn't had the best of starts with us and we were 2-0 down with about 15 20 minutes left and the Cardiff fans were chanting Atkins whats the score and we all joined in (there was rumours that Cardiff had wanted him as manager when we got him). We then turned it around and came out with a 2-2 draw and that seemed to turn our season around, finishing up with beating both Cardiff and Swansea to win the play offs.


Title: Re: Underrated and forgotten gems?
Post by: Coolcat on May 08, 2018, 20:18:03 pm
Talking of Torquay, sadly I was never there, but the catalyst for that winning run was perhaps us beating Darlington who I think were above us at the time - was one of my first away games & Stevie Howard scored the winner on a pudding of a pitch, don't think there were that many of us but there but there was a cracking atmosphere in the creaking, crumbling old Feethams.


Was a good day that! Drove up in my Ford Orion 1.6GT (or whatever it was  ;D)...back to Leicester in a couple of hours!
Around 400 of us at a sunny Feethams. Think it was the season before, played them in a night game (1-1)...took as many then in a crowd of 4,800. Local press in Darlo expecting around a 1000 Cobblers - on a Tuesday night!!!  :o


Title: Re: Underrated and forgotten gems?
Post by: everbrite on May 08, 2018, 20:55:28 pm
Just a few reminders and if they have been mentioned - sorry!

Portsmouth away champ season
Blackpool Away 1966 (didn't go tho!)
Oxford H
Shrewsbury A 1992
Swansea playoffs
Grimsby Playoffs.
Pretty sure we Played Mansfield last game of the season some years ago we ended up being relegated; Mansfield was promoted to Div 2(old Div 2)



Title: Re: Underrated and forgotten gems?
Post by: Wolvo on May 09, 2018, 08:08:59 am
Grimsby was a personal favourite. Much like Oldham last week, I wouldn't have minded them winning if they hadn't prematurely invaded the pitch to goad us in celebration.


Title: Re: Underrated and forgotten gems?
Post by: Coolcat on May 09, 2018, 09:06:11 am
Just a few reminders and if they have been mentioned - sorry!

Portsmouth away champ season
Blackpool Away 1966 (didn't go tho!)
Oxford H
Shrewsbury A 1992
Swansea playoffs
Grimsby Playoffs.
Pretty sure we Played Mansfield last game of the season some years ago we ended up being relegated; Mansfield was promoted to Div 2(old Div 2)


Swansea playoffs...the thread title Evers, read the thread title!  ;D


Title: Re: Underrated and forgotten gems?
Post by: Snow Dive Larry on May 10, 2018, 09:30:11 am
Just a few reminders and if they have been mentioned - sorry!

Portsmouth away champ season
Blackpool Away 1966 (didn't go tho!)
Oxford H
Shrewsbury A 1992
Swansea playoffs
Grimsby Playoffs.
Pretty sure we Played Mansfield last game of the season some years ago we ended up being relegated; Mansfield was promoted to Div 2(old Div 2)



I remember playing Mansfield away when we were both already down ... ended 2-2 I think? Pretty sure it was a battle to avoid finishing bottom.


Title: Re: Underrated and forgotten gems?
Post by: Artlenock Cobbler on May 10, 2018, 20:15:36 pm
The time Fulham came to Sixfields with Kevin Keegan in charge and a star studded line up expecting to steam roll the Cobblers, except we went 1-0 up with one of our few attacks and defended like tigers for the rest of the game in front of a full away end and feisty home support. Them's the sort of games I love. :)

A very similar (night)  game against PNE at the CG, except we won 2-0 in the early 80's when we were bottom and they were pushing for promotion.


Title: Re: Underrated and forgotten gems?
Post by: Coolcat on May 10, 2018, 20:25:26 pm
I remember playing Mansfield away when we were both already down ... ended 2-2 I think? Pretty sure it was a battle to avoid finishing bottom.
If you are talking about 85 season, it was a 2-1 win. 2,315 attendance may seem rather unremarkable but all season had been a shocker with crowds (loose term) of around 1,300 (and the 942 Chester) game.
Think it was the Derek Banks takeover which saw a surge in optimism!
Don't recall any other end of season Mansfield games...playoffs aside!


Title: Re: Underrated and forgotten gems?
Post by: guest48 on May 10, 2018, 23:07:49 pm
If you are talking about 85 season, it was a 2-1 win. 2,315 attendance may seem rather unremarkable but all season had been a shocker with crowds (loose term) of around 1,300 (and the 942 Chester) game.
Think it was the Derek Banks takeover which saw a surge in optimism!
Don't recall any other end of season Mansfield games...playoffs aside!
We did go to Mansfield right at the end of a season and I think it was about who finished bottom. One thing that will say the year, a young Luke Chambers made his debut in that game


Title: Re: Underrated and forgotten gems?
Post by: guest47 on May 10, 2018, 23:16:41 pm
The League Cup game away to Reading in 2010 was rather overshadowed by the Liverpool game that came after it.
It was a great game with the score finishing 2-2 after 90 minutes and 3-3 after extra time.  We won 4-2 on penalties scoring each one.


Title: Re: Underrated and forgotten gems?
Post by: guest3181 on May 11, 2018, 00:36:25 am
The real Frankie Belfon v Gillingham in FA Cup 2nd Round Replay.  (The winner of the tie played Villa at home in the 3rd round).  Who would have thought 2.5K plus the odd dog could make so much noise watching the Cobblers, given the funereal atmosphere for most of the 20th & 21st Century.........


Title: Re: Underrated and forgotten gems?
Post by: Coolcat on May 11, 2018, 13:58:33 pm
The League Cup game away to Reading in 2010 was rather overshadowed by the Liverpool game that came after it.
It was a great game with the score finishing 2-2 after 90 minutes and 3-3 after extra time.  We won 4-2 on penalties scoring each one.
Perfect candidate for the title of 'Most Overshaddowed' award!
Brilliant beating them at the Madejski...but totally eclipsed by the trip to Anfield in the following round!
664 Cobblers that night btw!  ;)


Title: Re: Underrated and forgotten gems?
Post by: Wolvo on May 11, 2018, 14:06:48 pm
Perfect candidate for the title of 'Most Overshaddowed' award!
Brilliant beating them at the Madejski...but totally eclipsed by the trip to Anfield in the following round!
664 Cobblers that night btw!  ;)

This just reminded me. What a classic Rotherham away was early January to set up the United fixture.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/fa_cup/3385211.stm



Title: Re: Underrated and forgotten gems?
Post by: Artlenock Cobbler on May 11, 2018, 14:33:32 pm
This just reminded me. What a classic Rotherham away was early January to set up the United fixture.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/fa_cup/3385211.stm



What a game that was! My first ever away game was v Rotherham at the old Millmoor in the early 70's and after going 0-1, Cobblers lost 2-1. Cobblers never beat Rotherham in the intervening years either, until that night. The link says 1,000 supporters there, I'm sure it was closer to 2k. When we scored the winner, I crunched my leg just below the kneecap on a metal projection that formed part of the seating. I limped back to the car and the next day my leg went black down to my foot!! It was worth it and that game was so much better than the Man U anti climax. 


Title: Re: Underrated and forgotten gems?
Post by: St Edmundsbury Cobbler on May 11, 2018, 17:39:58 pm
This just reminded me. What a classic Rotherham away was early January to set up the United fixture.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/fa_cup/3385211.stm



The first Cobblers game I'd missed for about 10 years because I was in hospital for a life saving operation


Title: Re: Underrated and forgotten gems?
Post by: TownOwl on May 11, 2018, 18:08:19 pm
 I can still remember that Martin Smith free kick like it was yesterday.


Title: Re: Underrated and forgotten gems?
Post by: Snow Dive Larry on May 11, 2018, 19:13:22 pm
Incredible night - I pit it right up there in terms of one off games which is why it didn't make my initial thoughts in the 'forgotten and underrated' category.

Another Tuesday nighter was a 3-1 win at Rushden ... they'd been giving it the big un for a few years and had beaten us at Nene Park a few months earlier (previous season) so to go back and smash them was more than satisfying. I think Dave Savage got the Diamonds goal that night.


Title: Re: Underrated and forgotten gems?
Post by: Deepcut Cobbler on May 11, 2018, 23:10:48 pm
The first Cobblers game I'd missed for about 10 years because I was in hospital for a life saving operation

Lightweight  ;D


Title: Re: Underrated and forgotten gems?
Post by: Dan on May 12, 2018, 07:18:19 am
Incredible night - I pit it right up there in terms of one off games which is why it didn't make my initial thoughts in the 'forgotten and underrated' category.

Another Tuesday nighter was a 3-1 win at Rushden ... they'd been giving it the big un for a few years and had beaten us at Nene Park a few months earlier (previous season) so to go back and smash them was more than satisfying. I think Dave Savage got the Diamonds goal that night.

The Rob Gier own goal to put us ahead is still to this day one of my all time favourite NTFC goals. Absolutely hilarious.

Rotherham was an incredible night. Is there anywhere which has the highlights? I've always wanted to see them again.

I enjoyed the night at Darlo when Richards finally scored his first league goal for the club.



Title: Re: Underrated and forgotten gems?
Post by: andycobbler on May 12, 2018, 08:13:48 am
Bristol rovers in the play off 2nd leg at sixfields, arguably the best ever game at sixfields and certainly my favourite due to the atmosphere and the way the team played. A shame it's not the same week in week out, but then the dross we've been served up in the last 2 seasons it's no surprise.


Title: Re: Underrated and forgotten gems?
Post by: just.reading on May 12, 2018, 08:19:20 am
Bristol rovers in the play off 2nd leg at sixfields, arguably the best ever game at sixfields and certainly my favourite due to the atmosphere and the way the team played. A shame it's not the same week in week out, but then the dross we've been served up in the last 2 seasons it's no surprise it isn't.

What a forgotten gem this is! I bet not many will remember this match.


Title: Re: Underrated and forgotten gems?
Post by: andycobbler on May 12, 2018, 08:32:48 am
What a forgotten gem this is! I bet not many will remember this match.

Yep, Just like all the others mentioned on here. :P


Title: Re: Underrated and forgotten gems?
Post by: Cobblersmad on May 12, 2018, 08:40:30 am
It's not exactly a gem of a game, but the FA cup win at Coventry a couple of years ago shouldn't be underrated. I think the club at that point were asking us to pay in cash, and the players hadn't been paid. We take about 2000+ to the ricoh, take the lead twice and beat a team a league above us who I think were near the top. The celebrations at the end were superb, and that togetherness helped us through a dark time and helped us to win the league.


Title: Re: Underrated and forgotten gems?
Post by: Snow Dive Larry on May 12, 2018, 09:50:57 am
It's not exactly a gem of a game, but the FA cup win at Coventry a couple of years ago shouldn't be underrated. I think the club at that point were asking us to pay in cash, and the players hadn't been paid. We take about 2000+ to the ricoh, take the lead twice and beat a team a league above us who I think were near the top. The celebrations at the end were superb, and that togetherness helped us through a dark time and helped us to win the league.

Absolutely - was in tears for a lot of that day!


Title: Re: Underrated and forgotten gems?
Post by: Coolcat on May 12, 2018, 11:51:07 am
What a forgotten gem this is! I bet not many will remember this match.
Exactly!
I wish some would read the thread...it doesn't ask for all time greatest games ffs!


Title: Re: Underrated and forgotten gems?
Post by: Grove on May 12, 2018, 13:57:02 pm
The first Cobblers game I'd missed for about 10 years because I was in hospital for a life saving operation

 ;D ;D


Title: Re: Underrated and forgotten gems?
Post by: Coolcat on May 12, 2018, 16:17:30 pm
The first Cobblers game I'd missed for about 10 years because I was in hospital for a life saving operation
Was the operation successful?


Title: Re: Underrated and forgotten gems?
Post by: WadeyCobbler on May 12, 2018, 21:55:44 pm
As this is for under rated and forgotten gems rather than the popular ones a la Bristol Rovers, here's a few that stick out for me and didn't get mentioned often, from my early years following the Cobblers.  Chester away at Sealand Road first game of the 87/88 season. We won 5-0, my first ever away game. Pity no tv footage. 3-2 win at home to Fulham same season. Paul Culpin scoring a Marco van Basten style volley and big Jim Stannard dropping the ball over the line from a Gilbert cross. A 6-0 thrashing of Aldershot in 1988, at the County Ground a Culpin hat trick. A Friday night 5-0 thrashing of Walsall, Greg Campbell with 2 great goals. A 3-2 opening day win at Gillingham in 1992 including a Morrys Scott pearler and a late Phil Chard winner. That'll do me for starters.


Title: Re: Underrated and forgotten gems?
Post by: Coolcat on May 13, 2018, 03:17:51 am
As this is for under rated and forgotten gems rather than the popular ones a la Bristol Rovers, here's a few that stick out for me and didn't get mentioned often, from my early years following the Cobblers.  Chester away at Sealand Road first game of the 87/88 season. We won 5-0, my first ever away game. Pity no tv footage. 3-2 win at home to Fulham same season. Paul Culpin scoring a Marco van Basten style volley and big Jim Stannard dropping the ball over the line from a Gilbert cross. A 6-0 thrashing of Aldershot in 1988, at the County Ground a Culpin hat trick. A Friday night 5-0 thrashing of Walsall, Greg Campbell with 2 great goals. A 3-2 opening day win at Gillingham in 1992 including a Morrys Scott pearler and a late Phil Chard winner. That'll do me for starters.
Sir, you have honoured the thread!


Title: Re: Underrated and forgotten gems?
Post by: St Edmundsbury Cobbler on May 13, 2018, 05:17:38 am
Was the operation successful?

Well I'm still alive... Just about  ;D

Early to mid nineties, when we weren't very good, we played promotion chasing Crewe at the CG. Pissed down with rain all day, the pitch was absolutely soaked but the ref deemed it playable. Cobblers battled to a 2-2 draw and Dario Gradi was livid that the game had been played.



Title: Re: Underrated and forgotten gems?
Post by: just.reading on May 13, 2018, 09:18:30 am
Beating Swansea 4-2 at Sixfields the year they ran away with the league was brilliant. Jackman scored a beauty.


Title: Re: Underrated and forgotten gems?
Post by: Deepcut Cobbler on May 13, 2018, 09:36:02 am
24 Jan 1998 V Bristol City at Ashton Gate. About 600 (of over 14k attendance) of us witnessed one of the best 0-0 draws I have ever seen. City finished second to Watford that year, we were fourth behind Grimsby who beat us in the play off final. Cobblers were applauded off like Champions after a very battling and entertaining performance to earn a point against one of the top teams in the division.


Title: Re: Underrated and forgotten gems?
Post by: Snow Dive Larry on May 13, 2018, 09:39:39 am
24 Jan 1998 V Bristol City at Ashton Gate. About 600 (of over 14k attendance) of us witnessed one of the best 0-0 draws I have ever seen. City finished second to Watford that year, we were fourth behind Grimsby who beat us in the play off final. Cobblers were applauded off like Champions after a very battling and entertaining performance to earn a point against one of the top teams in the division.

Yes, this one! What an atmosphere that day.

The above Swansea game is a very honorable mention too.


Title: Re: Underrated and forgotten gems?
Post by: sixfields starling on May 13, 2018, 09:59:41 am
One of my favourite games , apart from the obvious choices, was an away game at the Goldstone ground Brighton , in the eighties i think, in the league cup. We were at least one if not two leagues lower and won 4-1 if memory serves me correct and a certain Kevin Wilkin scored a hat trick, in only his second apperance. 


Title: Re: Underrated and forgotten gems?
Post by: Fred_NTFC on May 13, 2018, 10:34:33 am
24 Jan 1998 V Bristol City at Ashton Gate. About 600 (of over 14k attendance) of us witnessed one of the best 0-0 draws I have ever seen. City finished second to Watford that year, we were fourth behind Grimsby who beat us in the play off final. Cobblers were applauded off like Champions after a very battling and entertaining performance to earn a point against one of the top teams in the division.


In a similar vein to this, the game at Man City which also finished 0-0 was a real battling effort, though we did get battered for most of the game, but I think that was the following year when we got relegated. Cracking atmosphere though.


Title: Re: Underrated and forgotten gems?
Post by: Coolcat on May 13, 2018, 12:44:44 pm
Well I'm still alive... Just about  ;D

Early to mid nineties, when we weren't very good, we played promotion chasing Crewe at the CG. Pissed down with rain all day, the pitch was absolutely soaked but the ref deemed it playable. Cobblers battled to a 2-2 draw and Dario Gradi was livid that the game had been played.


Struggle to be very mid-nineties tbf! Don't recall that game at all...but I thought Dario would have liked the sight of players splashing around in a (mud) bath!  ;)


Title: Re: Underrated and forgotten gems?
Post by: bwills on May 14, 2018, 17:19:03 pm
One of my favourite games , apart from the obvious choices, was an away game at the Goldstone ground Brighton , in the eighties i think, in the league cup. We were at least one if not two leagues lower and won 4-1 if memory serves me correct and a certain Kevin Wilkin scored a hat trick, in only his second apperance. 

My first ever Cobblers game was at the goldstone ground , league cup 1990, Bobby Barnes terrorised their back four all night and how we only scored two I'll never know.

Coincidentally my first game at the CG was the 2-2 against Crewe , Christmas time 1993 .


Title: Re: Underrated and forgotten gems?
Post by: WadeyCobbler on May 14, 2018, 21:43:29 pm
Here's another gem. Aldershot away 1992. Both clubs on the brink of extinction. I went with mates in two cars, we were all about 18 at the time, pre-mobile phones time, and the plan was to follow each other down there - we lost each other at Broadmead Avenue ! We won the game 4-1, Dean Edwards netting twice but the result was expunged as the Shots were wound up a few weeks later. During the game the stewards opened up the gates in the fencing that separated the home and away fans. We chatted to each other and I swapped scarves with a Shots fan which I still have. On the way back one of the seatbelt buckles got caught in the car door and the door wouldn't shut properly so had to be held in case it blew open. A weird day.