A 26-year-old man from Daventry has been charged with GBH following an incident in Daventry on Saturday.

The arrest was made after a 36-year-old man from Daventry was allegedly assaulted in Bowen Square at approximately 1.30am on Saturday.

The man is due to appear at Northampton Magistrates’ Court this afternoon.

BRACKLEY TOWN boss Jon Brady believes his side can play even better than they did in the 4-1 annihilation of Altrincham on Saturday.

The Saints started life in the Blue Square Bet North with a superb win against one of the pre-season favourites for promotion.

Goals from Gary Mulligan, who netted a brace, Elliot Sandy and Tom Winters secured a fine success at Moss Lane.

Brackley will now look for a similar level of performance when they play their first home game of the season against Hinckley United on Tuesday night.

But demanding manager Brady wants an even better showing than the one which impressed many onlookers on Saturday.

“To be honest it could have been more at the weekend,” said Brady.

“But each game is different, you’ve got to play a different way. I think we could play better than that and I would hope we do at home to Hinckley.”

The opening-day victory against such a well-fancied side will give Brackley fans hope their team could go on and achieve something special this season.

Last year’s Southern League Premier Division champions have set tongues wagging, but Brady is keen to play down any early expectation.

He said: “You can’t talk about promotion at this stage, that would be craziness.

“You get some funny results at the start of the season but it’s about being consistent and performing even better than that week in, week out. That’s what we need to do now.”

NEWCASTLE UNITED manager Alan Pardew has been charged with misconduct by the Football Association for pushing assistant referee Peter Kirkup, who is from Northampton.

Pardew shoved Kirkup during his side’s Barclays Premier League win over Tottenham on Saturday.

The Magpies boss apologised unreservedly after the match but it has not prevented the FA acting and he now has until 4pm on Thursday to respond to the charge.

Given Pardew’s comments after the match, it seems unlikely he will contest it.

He said: “It was ridiculous and I apologised publicly. He was right in front of me and I thought the ball was out and I shoved him.

“I went to see him and told him it was stupid and I don’t know what I was thinking.”

Pardew reacted angrily having thought Kirkup had missed a throw-in for his side moments before Spurs shot narrowly wide.

The incident was missed by referee Martin Atkinson but it was immediately brought to his attention by fourth official Lee Mason.

Pardew was ordered to watch the final 20 minutes of the match at Sports Direct Arena from the stands.

FLANKER Phil Dowson has urged Saints to shed their ‘nearly men’ tag this season.

Dowson and Co kick-off the new Aviva Premiership campaign at Gloucester on Saturday, hoping to make it fourth time lucky in their search for title glory.

Saints have reached the Premiership play-off semi-finals for the past three seasons, but have yet to make a grand final.

There was torment last time round as Jim Mallinder’s men surrendered an eight-point lead to lose 25-23 to Harlequins in the semi-final at The Stoop in May.

Dowson is desperate to avoid any more disappointment and the England ace wants this to be the year Saints finally get over the finishing line in first.

“From a Saints point of view last season was ultimately disappointing,” said the 30-year-old. “We put in some great performances but were pretty average in others.

“We were unlucky to lose in the semi-final of the Premiership but it was what I’d describe as a nearly year.

“We nearly beat Leicester away, but lost with the last play of the game more or less.

“We nearly beat Quins in the semi-final but lost with a driving maul in the last five minutes and we were just off the pace.

“We nearly beat Munster away from home but lost in the 97th minute so it was just a nearly year and we’ve got to make sure after falling short last year that we push on and get over it this year.”

Saints go to Gloucester this weekend looking to avenge last season’s 27-24 defeat against Bryan Redpath’s side at Kingsholm.

Redpath has switched to Sale this summer, with former Scarlets boss Nigel Davies taking up the reigns at the Cherry and Whites.

Dowson feels it will be difficult to know what to expect on Saturday but is certain Saints are in for a real test.

“That’s always very difficult because they’re an unknown opposition so you don’t really know what to expect,” he said.

“What you do know is that Gloucester have always produced great packs and they’ve got unbelievable speed behind the scrum as well so if they put those two things together they’re a very dangerous outfit.

“We don’t know how they’re going to play or what certain aspects of their game will be because they’re a fresh team but they will be tough as always and it’s a good place to go and play.”

AIDY BOOTHROYD has confirmed he will make changes either ‘before or during’ Saturday’s npower League Two game at Plymouth Argyle.

The Town squad made the long trip to Devon on Friday afternoon after a morning session to recover from the Wolves game that took place on Thursday night.

They lost that tie, a Capital One Cup second-round contest, 3-1 but Boothroyd accepts the game at Plymouth is the most crucial one his team will play this week.

Northampton are unbeaten in the league so far, but with another midweek game on the horizon (they play host to Milton Keynes Dons in the first round of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy on Tuesday) the manager may look to rotate his squad a little.

“Plymouth is a far more important game for us,” he said. “Although the Wolves game a lot of glitz and glamour about it, the league is our bread and butter and that will always be our priority.

“We’ve got two games in four days coming up and with this one we’ve got to make sure everyone is all right.

“I will change it around, whether that is at the start of the game or during the game because while I’m trying to get the team together and get people to know each other, it’s really important that the lads on the bench get a chance.

“They’ve all been brought here for a reason and they need to impress me when they get an opportunity to do so.”

Danny East is likely to again deputise for John Johnson at right full-back but Alex Nicholls should be clear to play after being withdrawn against Wolves at half-time.

On-loan Lee Nicholls, who was denied permission to play on Thursday by his parent club Wigan Athletic, is set to return in goal at the expense of Dean Snedker.

“We will assess Johnno (Johnson) but Luke (Guttridge) will be okay because he’s a tough kid,” said Boothroyd

“He took a couple of whacks during the game but that was a compliment to him because he was running the game for periods.

“Alex Nicholls had a dead leg so we took him off as a precaution. He wanted to stay on but we don’t want him injured so we had to take the sensible view that we want him fit for the whole season and not just for one game.”

DANNY EAST has settled into life at Sixfields, and admits he would be happy to extend his stay beyond the initial month’s loan he has committed to.

The Hull City youngster could be in line to play his first senior league match today (Saturday) as the Cobblers travel to Plymouth Argyle in npower League Two (ko 3pm).

East deputised for the injured John Johnson at right-back in Thursday night’s Capital One Cup defeat at the hands of Wolves, and if Johnson is again ruled out then East will make his first league start at Home Park.

The 20-year-old has so far played in just two cup games for his club Hull, and the League Cup match for the Cobblers, and he is desperate to get more senior games under his belt.

And if he can do that by staying on at Sixfields, then that is what East would like to do.

“I want to play games and if Northampton want to keep me for longer then I am willing to stay,” he said.

“So if Hull don’t need me back, then I am happy to stay here.”

East made an encouraging debut in the 3-1 defeat to Wolves.

He made several strong tackles and looked solid in defence, but had little chance to get forward, and that is something he is keen to show the Northampton fans he is capable of doing.

“There is more to my game than I showed against Wolves,” said East.

“I couldn’t do what I wanted to do towards the end because my legs wouldn’t let me.

“I was actually cramping up a little because that’s my first game for four weeks!

“But I thought I put in a good shift, and hopefully I can go from strength to strength from here.

“I love to bomb forward, that is my passion and I would love get on the scoresheet – I have already dreamt about that!”

East was playing behind Cobblers winger Chris Hackett against Wolves, and he was impressed with what he saw.

“Chris is a real player,” said East. “Straight after the game he was talking to me and giving me advice.

“He likes to get forward which doesn’t really suit my game as he likes to go down the sides like I want to, as I want to overlap.

“But when he can do that and cross the ball how he crosses the ball then I will just leave him to it!”

The Cobblers take on Plymouth today protecting an unbeaten start to the league season, and East is keen for that to continue.

“It’s important that the team keeps up the good start in the league, and it’s important we win on Saturday,” he said. ”We don’t want anything less.”

You can follow updates from today’s game on the Chron’s Saturday Sports Centre at from 2pm.

Just go to www.northamptonchron.co.uk and click on the matchday chat section.

ARE you missing your team’s big match this weekend? Well, if you can’t be at the game, let us bring the game to you with our Saturday Sports Centre.

We’ll have updates from the all the matches that matter across Northants and beyond on this website at 2pm every Saturday.

To follow our match debate, latest scores and reaction, log on to the {http://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/sport/matchday-chat|Saturday Sports Centre|Saturday Sports Centre}

So if you’re off to a DIY superstore or taking a trip to see the in-laws you can keep up with what’s happening with your team.

We’ll have regular updates from Cobblers and Saints matches, with news from our men at the games.

And we’ll have all the goals and tries as they’re scored as we collate updates from the local clubs.

Don’t miss out. Join us this Saturday and make your afternoon a much more enjoyable one.

SAINTS defied two late sin-binnings to start their season with a superb 24-19 victory against Gloucester at Kingsholm.

Gerrit-Jan van Velze and Paul Doran-Jones both saw yellow late on as the away side looked set to crumble, but they held firm to open the new campaign with a win.

Two tries from last season’s player of the year George Pisi and one from skipper Dylan Hartley did the job as Ryan Lamb added nine points with the boot.

Gloucester had looked primed to steal victory late on when they were awarded a penalty try and Freddie Burns, who kicked 14 points, converted to bring them back to within five points.

But they couldn’t put the passes together to get over the line and as the Gloucester fans grumbled, the Saints fans were left singing loud and proud.

It was a great start to their Saints careers for three of the new signings as Ken Pisi, Dom Waldouck and van Velze were given the chance to impress from the first whistle.

Ken Pisi got a warm welcome to Premiership rugby early on as he was smashed into the boards at the side of the pitch.

The Samoan will need some time to acclimatise to the English game, but Saints took little time to adjust to their Kingsholm surrounds as they put the pressure on from the outset.

They squeezed a penalty out of their hosts at a scrum and then turned up the power as they almost rumbled over with a driving maul.

Lamb tried a chip through as the ball was fed to the backs but no one could get on the end of it and referee Dave Pearson pulled it back for a penalty.

Saints again cranked up the heat but Gloucester held firm to win a penalty of their own and clear their lines.

But the home side couldn’t hold out for long and on 19 minutes Saints had their score.

There was good play from forward Brian Mujati in the build-up, but not in a physical sense as the prop flung a pass out wide and after one more shift George Pisi showed quick feet to step inside and score.

Lamb landed the conversion from a similar position to where he missed a couple in the corresponding fixture last year and Saints led 7-0.

The away side were dominating and another super slick move eventually resulted in a try for Hartley in the same corner.

That made it three tries in two games for the captain after he scored a brace in the final pre-season friendly at Edinburgh eight days earlier.

Lamb was again on the money with the conversion and Saints found themselves 14-0 up with 23 minutes gone.

But Gloucester, with the fervent support of the home fans behind them, weren’t going to lie down and after Saints infringed 30 metres out, Burns landed a penalty.

The men in green, black and gold were straight back on the attack, but they wasted good field position, giving away a penalty inside the Gloucester 22.

Mujati was then forced off with an injury, bringing Gloucester old boy Doran-Jones into the action but soon after Burns slotted another penalty to narrow the gap to eight.

Lamb had the final say before the break, though, as Gloucester again failed to hold on to the ball from a kick-off and Saints earned a penalty, which their fly-half converted with ease.

Discipline would have been the buzzword in the away dressing room at half-time but they immediately gave away a penalty at the start of the second half.

Burns again bisected the posts and the Gloucester had the catalyst for a stirring comeback.

The fly-half was at it again moments later as Saints handed him another penalty, which he again kicked with ease.

Saints had the wake-up call they needed and George Pisi started and finished a superb move, which saw the away side work the ball quickly for the Samoan star to score again.

Lamb nailed the conversion out wide once again and the Cherry and Whites were spurred into a trio of changes to try to mix things up with Sione Kalamafoni among those coming on.

But still Saints came and Samu Manoa, who was in monstrous form, won a penalty which Lamb fluffed for the first time in the game.

Stephen Myler was introduced in a bid to steady the ship but the Cherry and Whites were starting to gain territory and Saints were starting to wobble.

Van Velze cracked under the pressure and he was sent to the sin bin, leaving Saints a man light for 10 of the final 13 minutes.

And that became two men light as Doran-Jones joined van Velze in the bin, with the away scrum crumbling.

The inevitable eventually happened as Pearson awarded a penalty try and Burns brought the Cherry and Whites back to within five points with the conversion.

Van Velze returned but it looked inconceivable that Saints would hold out for a win. However, that was what they did as they started the new season in fine style.

Saints: Foden, K Pisi, G Pisi, Waldouck (Burrell 74), Artemyev, Lamb (Myler 62), Dickson; Tonga’uiha, Hartley, Mujati (Doran-Jones 34), Manoa, Day (Sorenson 60), Dowson, Wood (Mujati 71, Waller 73), van Velze.

Replacements: Haywood, Oakley, Roberts.

Gloucester: May; Sharples, Tindall (Trinder 60), Twelvetrees, Simpson-Daniel; Burns, Robson (Lewis 51); Wood (Murphy 60), Dawidiuk (Edmonds 51), Harden (Knight 42); Savage, Brown (James 60); Cox (Kalamafoni 51), Qera, Morgan

Replacements: Thomas

FORMER Cobblers boss Ian Sampson has resigned as manager of Corby Town.

The Steelmen suffered their fifth straight defeat of the season at Steel Park on Saturday, losing 5-4 to Bradford Park Avenue.

Corby were 5-1 adrift early in the second half, but despite their spirited second half performance Sampson still decided he wanted to quit.

He briefly met with chairman Kevin Ingram at the end of the game and offered his resignation, which was accepted.

“Let’s be honest, we have conceded 18 goals, and scored just one before today,” said Ingram.

“We’ve scored four at home today and lost, and we are not playing well enough.

“I think we have the players but we aren’t using them the right way.

“I am only the chairman, not a football manager, but I have given my opinion to Ian, and he has resigned.

“We are bottom of the league, not in good shape, but we are only five games into the season.”

There have been stories that Sampson wasn’t happy with the budget he had to work with, but a defiant Ingram said: “The budget is what it is.

“It’s not going to be increased, and the management knew that from day one.

“But I think we have a squad that is capable of climbing the league, and we have to prove that now.”

Sampson’s assistant, Chris Plummer, will take caretaker charge at Steel Park

ALEX NICHOLLS scored his fourth goal of the season for the Cobblers but it could not prevent them from sustaining their first league defeat of the campaign, at Plymouth Argyle.

Town led 1-0 at half-time through Nicholls’ 27th-minute strike but a barrage from the hosts saw them scored three times after the interval and consign their opponents to a 3-2 loss, a scoreline improved by David Artell’s injury-time header.

The first handful of matches this season have already illustrated the recent progress that has been made by this team and while this game continued that trend it also highlights the problems that remain for manager Aidy Boothroyd.

On their last visit to Home Park a Northampton side with plenty of problems was routed, shipping four goals in a dreadful first half and going on to lose 4-1.

It was the final match they played before the arrival of Boothroyd as manager and the difference between their performance that bitter autumn afternoon and in this game was substantial, although the outcome was the same.

At no stage during the opening 45 minutes did the home side look like scoring and Nicholls was a livewire threat throughout.

The first 20 minutes were largely a containment exercise with nobody getting close enough to Akinfenwa to capitalise on his space-creating capabilities.

He started the move that led to the opening goal, reeling in a high ball and feeding Ben Tozer on the left wing, whose cross landed squarely at the feet of Nicholls.

Two defenders were right on top of the striker but they were almost too tight to him, and could not adjust to block as the former Walsall man swivelled and fired an shot beyond the despairing reach of goalkeeper Jake Cole.

But while Northampton were well on top in the first period, the second belonged to Plymouth.

They equalised through Warren Feeney’s flicked header as soon as it started and never looked back, enjoying both dominant periods or territorial possession and threats on the break.

They were well worth the lead they took on the hour mark although the goal came through fortuitous circumstances, Rhys Griffiths capitalising on a lucky delfection on a right-wing cross to present him with the ball in a position from which he could not miss.

Northampton’s best retaliatory play came through Nicholls, who saw a shot blocked over the bar when well placed before Plymouth added a victory-sealing third.

Robbie Williams clipped a ball into the box from the left-back position and Curtis Nelson, a central defender playing as an emergency striker, looped a header over Lee Nicholls, whose positioning found him in no man’s land.

A few brief attacking flurries followed for the visitors but although Artell added a consoling header from a long Tozer throw, Plymouth pocketed the three points.

Plymouth: Cole, Berry, Purse, Blanchard, Williams, Young, Wotton (Griffiths 46 (Nelson 69)), Hourihane, Bhasera, Cowan-Hall (MacDonald 35), Feeney

Subs not used: Chenoweth, Lennox, Gurrieri, Gorman

Northampton: L Nicholls, East, Artell, Langmead, Widdowson, Hackett (Mukendi 86), Tozer, Guttridge, Harding (Demontagnac 70), Akinfenwa (Platt 51), A Nicholls

Subs not used: Charles,Snedker, Wilson, Moult

JIM MALLINDER felt Saints were ‘lucky to win’ against Gloucester and has urged them to learn from their second-half showing at Kingsholm.

Mallinder’s men were superb in the first 40 minutes, taking a 17-6 lead into the break thanks to a try apiece from George Pisi and Dylan Hartley.

Ryan Lamb kicked the extras and added a penalty, before slotting another conversion in the second half as Pisi scored again.

But Saints were forced into some staunch defending in the final 15 minutes as both Gerrit-Jan van Velze and Paul Doran-Jones saw yellow in a frantic finale.

Gloucester turned up the heat but despite getting back to within five points thanks to a penalty try and a Freddie Burns conversion, the home side could not win out.

Mallinder emphasised the need for Saints, who eventually triumphed 24-19, to be more sensible in the final stages of games and felt they were fortunate to escape with victory on this occasion.

“It was an exciting finish but not something that you really want,” said the director of rugby.

“I was pleased with our first-half performance, we played well, took our opportunities well. But when you talk about taking your opportunities and controlling the game, we certainly didn’t do that in the second half and in the end we were lucky to win.”

However, Mallinder did recognise the battling qualities shown by his side, who were hugely resolute in the face of the late Gloucester onslaught.

The home fans sensed victory when Burns brought the Cherry and Whites back to within touching distance with five minutes to go, but Saints were in no mood to be shifted on the opening day of the season.

“You’ve got to look at the performance and the team spirit,” said Mallinder. “To hang on in there with 13 men was really good for 10 minutes.

“We need to learn the lessons of that second half. We’re a good team with ball in hand but we’ve got to be sensible and sometimes you’ve got to stop playing too much rugby.

“You’ve got to be pragmatic and you’ve got to put the ball in the corner. You’ve got to make them overplay and that’s something we didn’t do in the second half.”

Morris dancing may be an ancient tradition but go to any summer fete, fair or countryside gathering and these flamboyant performers will still form a major part of the day’s activities.

Yet some Morris dancing groups are still struggling to attract younger members.

During the recent bank holiday, one of the county’s oldest groups, the Brackley Morris Men, kept a packed diary dancing at The Griffin in Chipping Warden, at Canons Ashby House, at the Everdon Fete, The Old Red Lion in Litchborough and at The Star Inn in Sulgrave.

The demand for their services is high, but the group, which is men only (although members do dance with other mixed sides) is keen to attract new blood.

Stephen Ferneyhough from the Brackley group, said: “Our heritage is 400 years old and we’re keen to keep it thriving for future generations to enjoy. All you need is a little rhythm, a bundle of energy, an enjoyment of teamwork and a big smile on your face.

“We have a long, colourful history dating back to at least 1725 when the Brackley Morris Men were paid half a guinea for dancing at the Whitsun celebrations at Aynho House, the seat of the Cartwright family. There is also a silver communion plate in the parish church of St Peter, Brackley, dated 1623, inscibed with the names of seven men, who are believed (according to local folklore) to have been the Morris dancers.”

Meanwhile, Pauline Dawes of the Braybrooke Morris Dancers (a mixed side) said: “It would be great if we could attract more young people into the Morris world, it is difficult to get young people to join. If I knew why, I would do something about it.”

For details on joining the Brackley group, call Stephen on 07764 799947 or visit www.thebrackleymorrismen.org.uk. To find out more about the Braybrooke club, visit
 braybrookemorris.blogspot.com or call 0116 2402481.

Peterborough have been crowned Hevey Building Supplies NCL Premier Division champions..

It is the first time in 16 years they have achieved the feat and did it with a win over Old Northamptonians.

They sit 70 points clear at the top with only two games - and a potential 60 points - remaining in the season.

The ONs were dismissed for 155 with Lewis Bruce (4-25) and Paul McMahon (4-51) doing the damage. Richard Kaufman made 51.

There was no one major contribution in the successful reply as David Clarke top scored with 37.

But skipper Ajaz Akhtar and star performer McMahon were there at the end to seal a four-wicket win.

“It’s been a great team effort all summer,” Akhtar said.

“We have a side young enough and talented enough to dominate the competition for years to come.

“I played in the 1996 team that last won the league, but this is a new experience for the rest of the lads and I hope they enjoy it enough to want to repeat it next season.

“I hope it doesn’t take another 16 years to win it again because I’ll be 60 for a start!”.

Northampton Saints head the battle to finish second having seen off challengers Finedon Dolben.

Jack Johnson’s 98 and 60 from Mark Wolstenholme guided them to 245 all out despite Chris Goode’s 5-64.

And with Steve Jennings bagging 3-7 in the reply Finedon were reduced to 164 all out.

Wollaston’s survival hopes were given a massive boost with victory over an Andrew Reynoldson-inspired Rushton.

The all-rounder finished on the losing side despite taking 5-67 and scoring 68.

But 60 from Jimmy Hart took Wollaston to 207-8 before Jack Playfair’s 5-61 bowled Rushton out for 166.

Wellingborough Town inflicted a dramatic one-wicket loss on relegation-threatened Horton House.

It was only a second success since mid-June for the Redwell Road club and they did it thanks to County man Christian Davis.

He took 15-3-35-7 as Horton slipped to 157 all out despite fifties from Charlie McDonnell and James Green.

Davis then scored 37 and Marcus Andrew got 42 as they seemed to be cruising to victory.

But as wickets tumbled it needed the last pair to edge them home.

Burton Latimer could have done their survival chances to world of good having restricted Brixworth to 132-9 thanks to Mehul Adatia (4-40).

But their batting crumbled again and they were all out for 101 as Fred Newborough claimed figures of 8.3-1-17-6.

Lewis Denmark and Ryan Findlay both hit half-centuries as the Academy eased to a 95-run win over Stony Stratford.

The Division One title race is still far from decided as the top three all won again.

Oundle had no problems seeing off Old Northamptonians 2nd by 10 wickets with David Foster taking 6-18.

Desborough beat Wellingborough Indians by two wickets while Rushden saw off Isham by 77 runs.

The game of the day saw Kettering move into fourth place with a one-run victory over bottom side Old Wellingburians.

For all the results and tables visit {http://www.nclgrounds.co.uk/Ltable2.asp?Repyear=2012&Division=GA&Show=Yes&Submitall=Search|nclgrounds.co.uk|}

Water has been restored to 70 properties in Northampton after a burst pipe caused minor flooding.

Parts of Bailiff Street and Military Road in The Mounts were left under water on Sunday morning following the incident.

The water leak was reported at 7.20am and workers from Anglian Water attended the scene at 8am to “rezone” the supply of the properties affected. However, water is still leaking into the road.

A spokesman for Anglian Water said the water leak had not yet been repaired but it was a “high priority” incident and work was due to be carried out in the next few hours.

The spokesman said: “The water leak has not repaired yet but the priority was to make sure any of the proprieties affected had their water supply restabilised as quickly as possible.”

VISITORS to Abington Park in Northampton have been putting forward their suggestions about how the open space could be better used.

Ideas expressed by people who attended a consultation event at the park on Saturday included building an open air cinema, opening the museum for longer or using the park for wedding receptions.

Peter Aiers, chair of Number One Abington Park, said the park was already an extremely popular attraction in the town and the support group wanted to build on that success.

He said: “Most people are quite happy with the park but the museum only opens six months a year and some people would like that to be a bit longer.

“We have some good ideas from people with some saying they would want a bit more signage telling the history of the park and some saying they would want some more event space.”

Other attractions at the consultation event included a performance by the Moulton morris Men, a bird of prey display and a bouncy castle.

Dave Rea, of Moulton, who took his son to the park, said: “I like to come to the park for breakfast as it is a beautiful space.

“I think people probably don’t use it enough.”

The Number One Abington Park group will now analyse the responses from the questionnaires and see if any funding can be secured to turn one of the ideas into reality.

BUGBROOKE were giant-killers for the second time in the less than a week as they beat UCL Premier Division side Wellingborough Town 3-0 in the FA Vase first round qualifying on Saturday.

The Badgers travelled to the Dog & Duck in good heart following their midweek FA Cup replay win at Ely, and they returned home even happier following their emphatic 3-0 win.

It was scoreless at the break, but Bugbrooke took control on the restart to win comfortably thanks to three goals in 10 minutes from Lee Wilson, Will Briscoe and George Hunt.

In the Chromasport UCL Premier Division, Cogenhoe United enjoyed an excellent 4-3 win at Peterborough Northern Star, the home side having gone into the game protecting a 100 per cent record.

Things started well enough for the home side who took a 10th minute lead when Wayne Morris glanced in Callum Reed’s flag kick, but 11 minutes later it was 1-1 when Ben Foster slotted home a penalty.

Josh Urquhart then put Cooks on front on 29 minutes, before the home side levelled through Reed on the hour.

Three minutes later Star were back in the lead with Danny Escorsio netting but back came Cogenhoe with a 70th minute effort from Darren Frost before Lewis Leslie won it for Cooks with a header 10 minutes from time.

It was another bad day for Long Buckby as they succumbed to a 3-0 defeat at Newport Pagnell.

They have now lost three league games already this season - one more than they lost in their entire title-winning campaign last time around.

In division one, ON Chenecks are in second place in the table after they maintained their unbeaten start to the season with a 4-3 win at Eynesbury Rovers.

It was a great result for Chens, who had lost on their previous 11 trips to Hall Road.

Lee Bradley’s first minute starter for Chenecks set the ball rolling, but the home side equalised two minutes later.

Ben Cole then gave Eynesbury a 13th minute lead, but after the break goals from Calvin Budd after 52 minutes and Bradley’s second a minute before the hour mark turned the contest Chenecks’ way.

Chenecks player-boss Graham Cottle scored to give the visitors breathing space with nine minutes remaining.

And although Eynesbury did pull one back four minutes from time, Chenecks held on for the three points.

Sileby Rangers made it two wins out of two as they coasted to a 4-1 success at Olney Town.

A strong start by the visitors saw Phil Cassidy give them a first minute lead and Steve Blackwood doubled the Rangers lead ten minutes in.

Steve Watson put Olney back in the game after 25 minutes, but Jake Newman doubled the Sileby tally with his first two goals for the club after 75 and 90 minutes.

Things are not going well for Spencer, and they lost again, this time 3-2 at Buckingham Town.

The Millers found themselves 3-0 down after 50 minutes, and although they fought back through goals from Tomasz Mikutel and Ashley Simpson, it waas too little, too late.

Results: FA Vase - First Round Qualifying: AFC Kempston Rovers 3 Stotfold 2; Boston Town 4 Loughborough University 3;Godmanchester Rovers 2 Rothwell Corinthians 1; Harborough Town 3 Barrow Town 1; Huntingdon Town 1 Desborough Town 5; March Town United 1 Thrapston Town 2; Wellingborough Town 0 Bugbrooke St Michael’s 3

Premier Division: Holbeach United 3 S & L Corby 0; Newport Pagnell Town 3 Long Buckby 0; Peterborough Northern Star 3 Cogenhoe United 4; Quorn 8 Irchester United 2; Shepshed Dynamo 4 Blackstones 0; Spalding United 1 St Ives Town 3; Yaxley 1 Deeping Rangers 4

Division One: Bourne Town 2 Oadby Town 5; Buckingham Town 3 Spencer 2; Eynesbury Rovers 3 ON Chenecks 4; Harrowby United 0 AFC Rushden & Diamonds 3; Olney Town 1 Sileby Rangers 4; Potton United 2 Raunds Town 0; Whitworth 3 Burton Park Wanderers 0; Wootton Blue Cross 1 Rushden & Higham United 2

Reserve Divisons Supplemnentary Comp: Bugbrooke St Michael’s 2 Woodford United 4; ON Chenecks 2 Olney Town 3; Rushden & Higham United 1 Irchester United 0; Blackstones 9 Bourne Town 0; Desborough Town 4 Burton Park Wanderers 2; Oadby Town 3 Harborough Town 1; Rothwell Corinthians 1 S & L Corby 1

Reserve Division One: Cogenhoe United 2 Peterborough Northern Star 2

COBBLERS boss Aidy Boothroyd refused to cite fatigue as a factor as his team succumbed to a first league defeat of the season, at Plymouth Argyle.

Town were beaten 3-2 at Home Park despite a fourth goal of the campaign for Alex Nicholls and a third for central defender David Artell.

They led 1-0 at half-time but were submerged by a barrage of green and white after the interval as Plymouth scored on the 46th minute and added two further goals to secure the win.

The game came less than 48 hours after Boothroyd’s side had played host to – and been beaten by – Wolves in the Capital One Cup second round at Sixfields.

But the manager, who treated his players in a cryogenic chamber between the games to enhance and speed up their recovery, refused to blame tiredness for the loss.

“I don’t think we looked jaded and I don’t want to make excuses like that because I thought we were architects of our own downfall.

“We were very lacklustre in the first five minutes of the second half and we handed the initiative the Plymouth in that time, they didn’t take it, we gave it to them.

“And to be fair to them, they kept going and going after that but the three goals we have conceded were all very poor goals.

“We hit the post and we scored one late on and on another day we would have won that game 5-3 or 6-3 but at the same time we could’ve lost 7-6.

“So we played our part in a spectacle but we want to be winning spectacles like this.”

Boothroyd gave a start to last season’s leading goalscorer Adebayo Akinfenwa but was forced to take the striker off after 50 minutes with a back injury,

Akinfenwa collided with Plymouth defender Darren Purse in the first half and attempted to play through it but ultimately had to be withdrawn.

“It was the old centre-back’s trick where they see the striker coming so they arch their back and he falls over it,” he said.

“It’s all football and we get on with it. We’ll see how he is for Tuesday night.”

JIM MALLINDER has played down fears about Brian Mujati’s injury after the prop was forced off the pitch twice at Kingsholm on Saturday.

Mujati took a blow to his shin which forced Paul Doran-Jones into the action after 34 minutes of Saints’ 24-19 win at Gloucester.

But with two forwards, Doran-Jones and Gerrit-Jan van Velze, both being sent to the sin bin inside the final 13 minutes, Mujati returned to the action.

However, he could only take part in one scrum before again heading off the field, with Alex Waller the replacement second time round.

Mallinder, though, is not concerned about the problem which curtailed Mujati’s match and the signs appear to be good ahead of Sunday’s clash with Exeter Chiefs at Franklin’s Gardens.

“He’s a bit sore,” said the Saints director of rugby. “He got a bang to his shin so he’s a bit sore but hopefully with a bit of ice and a bit of rest and a bit of loving he’ll be fine.”

New boy Dom Waldouck also took a knock, which saw him leave the field looking dazed as fellow summer signing Luther Burrell got his first taste of Premiership action for Saints.

But Mallinder says Waldouck is fine and hailed the performance of the former Wasps centre alongside two-try hero George Pisi.

“He had a good debut,” said the Saints boss. “He’s a physical lad is Dom and he plays that way.

“Him and George Pisi are going to be a good pairing in the centre and again (like Mujati), he just took a little knock, but it’s better to get your fresh blood on.”

Gloucester coach Nigel Davies was left frustrated by his team’s inability to finish off Saints.

He said: “I am really disappointed that we worked so hard to get back into that game and we couldn’t finish it off.

“I think the pleasure I take from that is that we don’t need to panic.

“If we play our game and play to our structures and play in the right areas, we have the capabilities of beating sides.

“Northampton are, without a shadow of a doubt, one of the best teams in Europe and we were very close to beating them.”

THREE second-half goals secured a first win of the season for Spencer in the Chromasport UCL Division One.

The Millers entertained Bourne at Kingsthorpe Mill, and after an even first half, they took control and all three points with a dominant second-half display.

The deadlock was broken two minutes before the hour by Dan Stevenson.

With 10 minutes remaining Jack Bartley doubled their tally from the penalty spot before the scoring was completed by substitute Lee Clack with two minutes remaining.

Sileby Rangers suffered a shock defeat, their first of the season, as they were beaten 2-1 by Eynesbury Rovers at Fernie Fields.

James Freshwater scored the 19th minute opener for Rovers, and on 70 minutes Ben Cole made it 2-0.

Sileby pulled one back on 76 minutes with a debut goal for Rob Foster, but it proved to be just a consolation for Glenn Botterill’s men.

ON Chenecks are still unbeaten after they drew 2-2 with Thrapston at Billing Road.

Thrapston went ahead eight minutes in through iain Blaikie, but Chenecks levelled four minutes later through Calvin Budd.

Justin McKenzie put Chenecks in front on the hour and it looked like it would be enough to land all three points until Jordan Cross snatched a point for Thrapston - their first of the season - with a goal five minutes from time.

In the premier division, Cogenhoe maintained their excellent start to the season with a 2-1 Compton Park win over Shepshed Dynamo.

A key moment was a Shepshed penalty miss after 24 minutes, and the Cooks took advantage as Josh Urquhart gave them the lead eight minutes later.

Ryan Perkins hauled Dynamo on terms two minutes into first half added time, but new signing from Woodford, Tom Liversedge, won it for the home side with a 75th minute goal on his debut.

Reigning champions Long Buckby lost again, this time 3-1 at home to Sleaford.

Liam Tunstall put Sleaford in front after 40 minutes but a second Tom Rawlings goal in successive games put the Bucks on terms a minute before half time.

Tunstall restored the visiting lead with a 51st minute penalty and the win was confirmed by Harry Millard’s goal with 12 minutes remaining.

Bucks have now lost four of their opening six matches.

In the FA Cup first qualifying round, Bugbrooke were beaten 4-1 at home by Eastern Counties League side Dereham Town. Lance Allen scored their consolation on 77 minutes with his team 3-0 down.

Results:

FA Cup - First Round Qualifying

AFC Kempston Rovers 0 - 3 Hampton & Richmond Boro’

Bugbrooke St Michaels 1 - 4 Dereham Town

Chalfont St Peter 3 - 2 Newport Pagnell Town

Cambridge City 7 - 0 Huntingdon Town

Holbeach United 1 - 2 Stamford

Quorn 1 - 2 Buxton

St Neots Town 5 - 0 Peterborough Northern Star

Premier Division

Blackstones 1 - 3 Yaxley

Cogenhoe United 2 - 1 Shepshed Dynamo

Deeping Rangers 2 - 1 Desborough Town

Irchester United 1 - 11 Spalding United

Long Buckby 1 - 3 Sleaford Town

St Ives Town 4 - 0 S & L Corby

Wellingborough Town 0 - 3 Boston Town

Division One

O N Chenecks 2 - 2 Thrapston Town

Northampton Spencer 3 - 0 Bourne Town

Oadby Town 4 - 1 Wootton Blue Cross

Olney Town 0 - 1 AFC Rushden & Diamonds

Potton United 0 - 2 Rothwell Corinthians

Raunds Town 2 - 1 Harrowby United

Sileby Rangers 1 - 2 Eynesbury Rovers

Whitworth 4 - 3 Buckingham Town

Reserve Divisions Supplementary Cup

Woodford United 4 - 1 Bugbrooke St Michaels

Rushden & Higham United 1 - 0 Raunds Town

Eynesbury Rovers 4 - 3 Bourne Town

Desborough Town 1 - 1 Oadby Town

Harborough Town 2 - 1 Burton Park Wanderers

Reserve Division One

Huntingdon Town 1 - 4 AFC Kempston Rovers

S & L Corby 1 - 3 Whitworth

Reserve Division Two

Rothwell Corinthians 1 - 7 O N Chenecks

Yaxley 5 - 3 Olney Town

THE Cobblers’ reward for their Johnstone’s Paint Trophy win over Milton Keynes Dons is a second round tie with npower League One side Colchester United at Sixfields.

The match, against one of manager Aidy Boothroyd’s former clubs, will be played in the week beginning October 8.

It will be the first time Town have played Colchester since January 2009, when the Us recorded a 2-1 win at the Weston Homes Community Stadium after Paul Rodgers had been sent off in the first half.

The last meeting at Sixfields in November 2008, also resulted in a 2-1 win for Colchester.

The two sides have met six times before in the Football League Trophy, now the JPT, with the two most recent being five-goal thrillers with the Us winning both games 3-2.

The most recent meeting in the competition at Sixfields in January 2004 saw a certain Scott McGleish score a hat-trick for visitors who won the match in extra-time, Ian Sampson having been dismissed with the Cobblers leading 2-0.

Colchester, who are managed by John Ward, have started the current season slowly and have yet to win a game, drawing three of their four league matches, and losing their most recent outing 4-0 at Tranmere Rovers

They were also beaten 3-0 in the League Cup at Yeovil Town. They were given a bye in the first round of the JPT.

The match is likely to see a return to Sixfields for former Cobblers front man Ian Henderson.

Boothroyd managed Colchester for the 2009-10 season, before quitting to take over at Coventry City.