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Curle tells players to ‘express themselves’ after dispute over playing style

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Amid all the talk of playing styles and footballing philosophies, Cobblers manager Keith Curle says he does want his players to have ‘the freedom to express themselves’ on the pitch - providing they also execute the ‘fundamentals’ out of possession.

Curle’s style of play has come under close scrutiny in recent weeks, particularly with results taking a turn for the worse, but he hit back after last Saturday’s defeat to Port Vale when he suggested his players were not capable of playing anything other than ‘ugly’ football.

“People have been saying we’ve played ugly but we’ve had to play ugly because I don’t trust the players to go and get on the ball and pass and move,” the Town boss had said. “So we’ve had to go direct, get after teams and flood areas.”

There was a brief period earlier in in the season when Curle switched system to 3-5-2 and encouraged his players to pass the ball out of defence, but that approach backfired and was swiftly abandoned.

However, whilst Town’s football has hardly been swaggering in recent weeks, it has helped them go from relegation candidates to a safe position in mid-table, though Curle will be expected to introduce a more attractive style once he has his own players in next season.

Ahead of tomorrow’s trip to Notts County, Curle said: “We’ve been reiterating the principles. A lot of it about decision-making and picking the right option at the right time.

“I want players to go out onto the pitch with the freedom to express themselves in the right area. That won’t change but, within it, there are fundamentals that players have to do to make sure we nullify the opposition.

“That’s got to be the mindset and for 40 minutes against Port Vale last week we did that and did it well. We got on the front foot and caused them problems and they caused us very few problems.”

Cobblers had a stroke of luck against Port Vale when an offside-looking Sam Hoskins opened the scoring just five minutes in, but they were then on the wrong end of a contentious decision as Charlie Goode was harshly penalised for a foul on Tom Pope, who then scored from the spot to win the game.

Curle believes those two incidents were a reflection of his side’s difference in performance from first-half to second-half, and he says it’s up to them to make their own luck.

“You get peaks and troughs throughout a season where things go your way and things go against you,” He added.

“Saturday was a game where things were going for us. We scored a goal that was offside and that shouldn’t have been allowed because I think Sam Hoskins was offside so I felt things were going our way.

“But the harder you work the luckier you get and I didn’t think we worked hard enough and therefore we didn’t get our rewards.”


Northants 'couldn't have asked for a better day' against Middlesex

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Skipper Alex Wakely says Northants 'couldn't really have asked for a better day' after making a solid start to the season against Middlesex.

Wakely hit 76 and Adam Rossington (67) also passed the half-century mark as the County finished the first day of the Specsavers County Championship Division Two clash on 310 for six (96 overs).

New signing Jason Holder made a promising start to life at Northants as he finished the first day unbeaten on 36.

And Wakely said: “It’s a start but to start well was crucial and we couldn’t really have asked for a better day.

“One of the things we haven’t done in the last five years is just to bat time. We have’t got a hundred today but just to bat all day and give the bowlers a rest, is really pleasing.

“A lot of hard work has gone in over the winter, taking people out of their comfort zones and that showed today - people didn’t give it away.

“To sit in the dressing room at the end of the day and congratulate people, we have’t had that for a long time."

Tim Murtagh caused early problems for the County and eventually finished the first day with figures of four for 43.

And Murtagh said: “I think it’s a pretty good wicket for the first week of April.

"We had to work hard, we weren’t quite at our best but it could have gone differently - we dropped a catch and beat the bat quite a lot.

“We’ve got two guys who haven’t played a lot in the last 18 months so for them to get through 20-plus overs is quite a lot.

“We’ll all be better for the miles in our legs but we know what we need to do better."

Jail for Northampton fraudster who stole more than £11,000 from bank accounts of closest friends

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A Northampton fraudster who stole thousands of pounds from his closest friends by pretending to be them at the bank has been jailed.

A judge told Michael Cawley, formerly of Heron Way, Billing Aquadrome, it was "incredible" he could be so "brazen and stupid" in his efforts to find money for his debts and drug habits.

Northampton Crown Court heard yesterday (April 5) how the 29-year-old resorted to stealing over £2,000 worth of jewellery from his mother and used nine of his closest friends' bank details to steal over £11,000 from their accounts.

Cawley even tried to blackmail a former employer for £5,000 by text message, saying he would "tell everybody information that you won't want them to know" - which Cawley made up and only led to the employer calling the police.

Referring to Cawley's admissions, His Honour Judge Michael Fowler told him: "You've brought this all on yourself. You've described it as despicable, and that's exactly what it is."

The court heard how between July and November 2018, Cawley used his closest friends' bank details to draw thousands from their accounts.

He later told police it was "remarkably easy" to do it - until all the friends noticed the transactions and quickly pieced together that Cawley was behind them.

Then, after Cawley was arrested and appeared in Northampton Magistrates' Court, he went to a bank and took out more of his friends' money "on the same day".

The court heard Cawley fell into defrauding his friends and stealing from his mother in the face of rent arrears, before developing problems with drinking, gambling and cocaine.

But the judge found little sympathy for the 29-year-old.

Judge Fowler said in sentencing: "It's almost incredible that anybody could be so brazen and stupid.

"I must decide whether to suspend your sentence. But you gave up that chance when, even after you have been before the court, you still went on committing these offences.

"Rather than find a solution to your problems, you were dishonest and visited your problems on your friends."

Cawley was handed an 18-month prison sentence.

Creating the right ‘environment’ vital to success – Curle

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Keith Curle has again reiterated the importance of creating a ‘learning, developing environment’ within his Cobblers squad as they seek to bounce back to form against Notts County later today, Saturday.

Town have lost their past two games, both against teams below them in the table, to effectively end any chance of finishing in the League Two play-offs this season.

They were particularly poor in losing to Port Vale last week, and Curle admits his side have plenty of room for improvement in a number of areas.

“It’s not just one area,” he confessed. “Within a game of football there are lots of different components.

“Everyone in the team structure have different areas to improve. If you don’t work at your game, you won’t get your rewards and you won’t improve. I’m here to improve the footballing department and every single player, whether they’re 31, 32 or if they’re a young professional who’s just signed.

“We’ve got make sure they come to work with the mentality that ‘I’m here to improve’ and they don’t need to have their hand held through every single training session.

“The mentality is very much in tune with the environment we’re trying to create, which is a learning, developing environment. People have to want to learn and want to get better.

“We want the right personnel in place to give them the right guidance but ultimately it all culminates in putting the shirt on and being involved in the 11, in the 18 that represents the club – that’s the reward.”

'I'd bet everything I own on a smart motorway death in Northampton,' says chair of recovery driver association

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A death caused by Northampton's smart motorway is inevitable, according to the chair of the association that represents about 3,000 recovery workers.

Shaun Coole, who has been rescuing stranded motorists across Northamptonshire for about 30 years, said he felt compelled to speak out about Northampton's M1 smart motorway scheme as chair of the Road Rescue Recovery Association (RRRA).

He said his experience and that of his fellow recovery drivers on stretches of smart motorways - where the permanent hard shoulder is removed - elsewhere in England lead him to believe Northampton is lined up for a tragedy.

Mr Coole said: "There's a death every few weeks.

"Will that happen in Northampton? Without doubt. I'd bet everything I own in the world on it. It can't not happen.

"You are placing obstacles in the middle of a live lane.

"Deaths will happen. If someone breaks down at night and their alternator goes [so their lights don't work], that's it for them."

Mr Coole said the implementation of smart motorways to increase the capacity of carriageways was opposed strongly by the RRRA, but, he said, the Government chose the cheapest option.

This decision, he said, has made him regularly fear for his safety while rescuing motorists who have broken down near junction 16.

"When I'm on a hard shoulder, there's a rumble strip to the side of me as an alert," Mr Coole said. "I'm in charge of my own destiny, I know I'm safe."

"This has made it 10 times worse.

"I've been doing this 30 years and it's the first time I've ever been scared on the job.

"You take your life in your hands."

Mr Coole said, in an ideal world, smart motorways would work perfectly but drivers' frequent misinterpretation of the electronic signs left too much to chance.

What the (RRRA say is needed is a patrolling 'impact protection vehicle', such as roadworks teams have, with illuminated signs to divert vehicles and keep stranded motorists from danger.

He said: "The standard of driving is too low. People just ignore what's in front of them a lot of the time.

"They pay no attention to the red crosses on smart motorways

"They only have to wander over slightly and they will hit you."

Who has been sentenced at Northampton Magistrates' Court

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The following people were sentenced at Northampton Magistrates’ Court between January 30 and February 4.

The following people were sentenced at Northampton Magistrates’ Court:

JANUARY 30

Gary Varnsverry, aged 46, of Obelisk Rise, Northampton, failed to identify a driver; fined £720, surcharge £72, costs £85, banned from driving for six months.

Caroline Bailey, aged 44, of Cranford Road, Northampton, no insurance; fined £315, surcharge £31, costs £85, licence endorsed with six points.

Sandra Bowen, aged 43, of West Paddock Court, Northampton, driving at 47mph in a 40mph; fined £220, surcharge £30, costs £85, banned from driving for six months.

Benjamin Fountain, aged 47, of Park Avenue South, Northampton, driving at 105mph in a 70mph; fined £1,719, surcharge £170, costs £85, licence endorsed with six points.

David Ottaway, aged 42, of Nansen Close, Daventry, failed to identify a driver; fined £660, surcharge £66, costs £85, licence endorsed with six points.

John Lewis, aged 32, of Wakehurst Drive, Northampton, breach of a court order; community order made, surcharge £85, costs £85.

Steven Morris, aged 54, of Alchester Court, Towcester, breach of a court order; fined £500, surcharge £50, costs £85.

JANUARY 31

Sergejs Puzanovskis, aged 46, of Adams Avenue, Northampton, had a lock knife in a public place; jailed for 12 weeks, surcharge £115.

Abdi Abdulaziz, aged 48, of Castle Street, Northampton, driving using a mobile phone; fined £100, surcharge £30, costs £400, licence endorsed with six points.

Alison Hoyland, aged 56, of Grasscroft, Long Buckby, failed to identify a driver; fined £623, surcharge £62, costs £300, licence endorsed with six points.

Victoria Hysko, aged 35, of Brickwell Court, Northampton, failed to identify a driver; fined £660, surcharge £66, costs £300, licence endorsed with six points.

Gavin Morgan, aged 41, of Newnham Road, Northampton, no insurance; fined £60, surcharge £30.

FEBRUARY 1

Glen Crouch, aged 25, of no fixed abode, assault; community order made, compensation £100. Damaged a car; community order made to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work.

Jason Dart, aged 27, of no fixed abode, used threatening or insulting words or behaviour; community order made.

FEBRUARY 4

Roman Florea, aged 24, of Spencer Street, Northampton, drink-driving; community order made to carry out 160 hours of unpaid work, surcharge £85, costs £85, banned from driving for 20 months.

Oana Lingurar, aged 29, of Junction Road, Northampton, driving while banned; fined £265, surcharge £30, costs £85, licence endorsed with six points.

Clive Goody, aged 37, of Carey Street, Northampton, broke into a business; jailed for 15 weeks suspended for 18 months, compensation £250.
Perrie Benstead, aged 27, of Redland Drive, Northampton, assault; community order made to carry out 60 hours of unpaid work, surcharge £85, costs £300.

Myles Winfarrah, aged 20, of Midfield Court, Northampton, resisted arrest; community order made, surcharge £85, costs £85. Assaulted a police officer; community order made.

Andrew Bradshaw, aged 57, of Glade Close, Northampton, breach of the Fisheries Act; fined £103, surcharge £30, costs £127.47.

Matthew Hayes, aged 25, of Penrhyn Road, Northampton, breach of the Fisheries Act; fined £150, surcharge £30, costs £127.47.

Diane Brown, of The Causeway, Great Billing, failed to identify a driver; fined £220, surcharge £30, costs £150.

The following people have been fined £220, ordered to pay a surcharge of £30 and costs of £125 for dropping a cigarette in the town centre:

Vald Alexandru, aged 20, of Brook Street, Northampton. The following people have been fined £220, ordered to pay a surcharge of £30 and costs of £125 for dropping a cigarette in the town centre:


Raja Andrea, of Dunster Street, Northampton. The following people have been fined £220, ordered to pay a surcharge of £30 and costs of £125 for dropping a cigarette in the town centre:


Daniel Deacon, aged 28, of College Street, Northampton. The following people have been fined £220, ordered to pay a surcharge of £30 and costs of £125 for dropping a cigarette in the town centre:


Alex Jicolaescu, of Kingsley Avenue, Northampton. The following people have been fined £220, ordered to pay a surcharge of £30 and costs of £125 for dropping a cigarette in the town centre:


Shanice Ibbeson, aged 20, of Towcester Road, Northampton; fined £19, surcharge £30. The following people have been fined £220, ordered to pay a surcharge of £30 and costs of £125 for dropping a cigarette in the town centre:


Sarah Lennard, aged 23, of Purser Road, Northampton.The following people have been fined £220, ordered to pay a surcharge of £30 and costs of £125 for dropping a cigarette in the town centre:


Jenny Luker, aged 40, of Marburg Street, Northampton.

The following people have been fined £220, ordered to pay a surcharge of £30 and costs of £125 for dropping a cigarette in the town centre:


Jacek Lukomski, aged 49, of Wellingborough Road, Northampton

The following people have been fined £220, ordered to pay a surcharge of £30 and costs of £125 for dropping a cigarette in the town centre:


Kara O’Connell, aged 19, of Bedford Mansions, Northampton. Fined £220, ordered to pay a surcharge of £30 and costs of £125 for dropping a cigarette in the town centre.

Gabriel Petre, aged 37, of Arrow Head Road, Northampton.Fined £220, ordered to pay a surcharge of £30 and costs of £125 for dropping a cigarette in the town centre.

Tedora Rus, aged 20, of Conifer Rise, Northampton.Fined £220, ordered to pay a surcharge of £30 and costs of £125 for dropping a cigarette in the town centre.

Karolina Seferi, aged 21, of Bedford Mansions, Northampton. Fined £220, ordered to pay a surcharge of £30 and costs of £125 for dropping a cigarette in the town centre.

Julie Smith, aged 50, of Highfield Road, Daventry. Fined £220, ordered to pay a surcharge of £30 and costs of £125 for dropping a cigarette in the town centre.

MATCHDAY LIVE: Notts County v Northampton Town - build-up and latest from Meadow Lane

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Cobblers bid to bounce back to winning ways when they head to relegation-threatened Notts County on Saturday.

We'll have all the build-up, in-game updates and post-match reaction as it happens on this page. Hit F5 or refresh for the latest news from Meadow Lane.

Cobblers held to draw by 10-man Notts County on helter-skelter afternoon at Meadow Lane

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For the second week in a row Cobblers failed to take advantage of having an extra man as they were held to a 2-2 draw by relegation-threatened Notts County at Meadow Lane on Saturday.

Town trailed to Mitch Rose's sweet strike just shy of the half-hour mark but events either side of half-time looked to have put the visitors in command of the game.

Daniel Powell's simple finish levelled proceedings late in the first-half and then home goalkeeper Ryan Schofield saw red moments after the break before Sam Hoskins powered home from the subsequent free-kick, however like against Port Vale, Town failed to make their position of strength count.

Within seconds, Kane Hemmings pegged the visitors back and that was how it would finish despite Northampton creating enough chances to claim the points during an utterly dominant final half-hour.

This was undoubtedly an improvement on their dismal efforts against Vale but it will be viewed as two points dropped by Keith Curle, let alone the superb 934 fans in attendance at Meadow Lane.

It was an afternoon packed full of tension and anxiety, understandably so given County's perilous position at the bottom of the table, and home fans' nerves were not helped by card-happy referee Ben Toner, who dished out eight yellows and one red despite a largely good-natured contest.

Curle followed up last week's post-match outburst by making three changes to his team as strikers Marvin Sordell and Andy Williams both dropped to the bench, leaving Sam Hoskins to lead the line.

Timi Elsnik made his first start since mid-February while Daniel Powell and fit-again Jordan Turnbull also benefited from Curle's shake-up, and there was a place on the bench for Junior Morias.

The Cobblers were rarely troubled during a first 25 minutes that they largely controlled although it was a familiar problem - a lack of creativity in the final third - that proved their undoing.

With Town looking to feed off restless home supporters, Jack Bridge took up some dangerous positions in the number 10 position as several promising attacks broke down, but the visitors were then hit by the sucker-punch on 27 minutes.

County won possession back on halfway and after Ash Taylor blocked the initial shot, the ball rebounded out to Rose who arrowed a sweet half-volley into the bottom corner.

Cobblers continued to struggle to force home stopper Schofield into action but, just as it seemed they would head into half-time behind, Powell drew them level.

Bridge led the breakaway and found Powell on the left before the ball was worked back to the right where Hoskins' scuffed shot gave Powell the easiest of finishes at the far post.

Disaster struck for the Magpies in the first minute of the second-half when Powell rounded Schofield and was hauled down by the home 'keeper, giving referee Ben Toner no option but to bring out the red card.

And the hosts suffered an immediate second blow from the resulting free-kick as Hoskins, oping for power over placement,. saw his strike deflect off a defender and wrong-foot the only-just-introduced Ross Fitzsimons.

But, just like seven days ago, leading by a goal and playing with an extra man did not give Town the advantage it should have done and within two minutes of going back in front, they were pegged back by Hemmings' simple finish from Jon Stead's low cross.

In a carbon copy to last week, the Cobblers were now seeing virtually all of the ball and with Dean Bowditch and Williams now introduced, their challenge was to make it count unlike in the defeat to Port Vale.

The visitors were not without their chances to go back in front as Hoskins' instinctive first-time effort from Bowditch's short corner was straight at the goalkeeper before Town somehow failed to score on three separate occasions during a mass scramble in the penalty box.

A clever free-kick routine put Bowditch through on goal but his first effort was saved by Fitzsumons, his second was cleared off the line and then more desperate County defending also kept out Hoskins' follow-up attempt, before Charlie Goode slashed the final shot wide.

Williams flicked just beyond the far post but then Town's pressure fizzled out in the final 10 minutes, unable to sustain their dominance as County saw the game out for a precious point in their battle against the drop.

County: Schofield, Tootle, Duffy, Boldewijn (Fitzsimons 47), Hemmings (Mackail-Smith 87), Stubbs, Milsom, O'Brien, Rose, Stead (c) (Bird 70), Doyle

Subs not used: Barclay, Alessandra, Vaughan, Gomis

Cobblers: Cornell, Goode, Taylor, Pierre (c), Buchanan, Foley, Turnbull (Bowditch 57), Elsnik (Sordell 70), D Powell, Bridge (A Williams 57), Hoskins

Subs not used: Coddington, J Powell, O'Toole, Morias

Referee: Ben Toner

Attendance: 7,129

Cobblers fans: 934


Curle rues 'two lost points' after Cobblers 'got carried away' in Notts County draw

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Cobblers boss Keith Curle admitted Saturday's 2-2 draw with Notts County represented 'two points lost' after his side again failed to capitalise on having an extra man.

Akin to last week's defeat to Port Vale, Town were both a man and a goal to the good when leading 2-1 after 50 minutes through strikes from Daniel Powell and Sam Hoskins, cancelling out Mitch Rose's superb opener.

But once again the afternoon ended in disappointment as Kane Hemmings equalised for 10-man County, who had goalkeeper Ryan Schofield sent off, two minutes after they fell behind, though at least Town did not lose on this occasion.

"You've definitely got to say it's two points lost given the chances we had and the man advantage we had," admitted Curle. "The second goal against is disappointing.

"We had a man extra and yet they still had a spare man from a throw-in and then the ball comes into the box and they're just able to tap it in three yards out so something's gone wrong somewhere."

Cobblers utterly dominated the final half-hour - as expected - but they missed several excellent opportunities to win it and were ultimately left to rue conceding so quickly after taking the lead.

"You're most vulnerable when you've just scored and it's the same message that's passed on to the players - when you score a goal, get the ball back and go and play in the opposition's half," Curle added.

"They've had the disappointment of conceding a goal and they want to get on the front foot so stop them from doing that and get them on the back foot and keep the ball away from your goal.

"That message doesn't change but people have to start understanding the importance of it to buy into it. Football is all about scoring goals and people get carried away with the emotion.

"We got fortunate with the deflection to go 2-1 up and everyone's excited and everyone's bouncing because the changing room wanted a win, but there's enough old heads in the team and we have to make sure the fundamentals are still in place."

Cobblers players 'racially abused' in Nottingham before Notts County clash

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Cobblers players were 'racially abused' in Nottingham ahead of Saturday's game against Notts County, according to Timi Elsnik and David Buchanan.

The incident occurred before kick-off when the Northampton squad went for a 'pre-match walk' ahead of the 2-2 draw at Meadow Lane.

Elsnik, who started the game, tweeted: "Went for a pre match walk with the team in Nottingham and this young man outside the hotel started racially abusing some of our lads. The most disgusting thing I’ve seen&heard! He’s done it in front of his girl as well with no shame so he must do it all the time. Absolute idiot!"

Buchanan then tweeted: "Today I witnessed racial abuse to some of our players in the @Village_Hotels in Nottingham! Can’t believe we still have scum like this in 2019! Credit to our boys who handle it impeccably. #kickitout #team @EFL @thepfa."

The club's official account added: "Appalling that our players were subjected to such behaviour today. If anyone has any information please do contact the club."

Sanderson tells Northants to 'step on the gas' against Middlesex

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Ben Sanderson wants Northants to 'step on the gas' as they bid to take the game away from Middlesex at the County Ground.

Sanderson and Co were eventually bowled out for 445 on day one, and they then set about getting stuck into their visitors.

Middlesex struggled with the bat on Saturday and closed on 134 for seven from 46 overs, with Jason Holder, Nathan Buck and Luke Wood all taking two wickets apiece.

Sanderson also managed a dismissal.

And the bowler said: “We know we’re capable of this type of performance but putting two days together like this is what we’ve been trying to do for the past two seasons.

“We’ve been known to collapse the morning after a good day but we got stuck in again and got their bowlers coming back for third-fourth spells.

“There’s so much less pressure with runs on the board - you can bowl a bit fuller knowing it’s not a disaster if you get driven.

“Hopefully we can step on the gas tomorrow and get them back in again.”

Middlesex have a mountain to climb in the opening clash of the Specsavers County Championship Division Two season.

And bowler Steven Finn said: “It’s been a tough couple of days. Personally it's nice to be back playing with no injury worries at all and to get through unscathed is really good.

“We bowled some good spells but didn’t dovetail it together but fair play to their guys who played well.

"A trait of ours for a long time has been getting out of sticky situations and this is a true test of this now."

Pair of thieves arrested, convicted and jailed just two weeks after breaking into Northampton couple's home

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A pair of "cold and calculating" thieves have been jailed after waiting for their victims to walk the dog before breaking into their Northampton home.

Kieron Long, aged 33, and 45-year-old Wayne Brown, both from Kingsthorpe, were arrested following the break-in at a property in Brackley Close, Sunnyside, on March 16, where they stole over £1,400 of cash and belongings.

Northampton Crown Court heard on Friday (April 5) how the pair hid behind a bush and watched as the couple left their house to walk their dog at 8am.

Once the couple was out of sight, it took the pair just half-an-hour to break into the home, steal whatever they could find and run from the street.

The victims knew something was wrong when they smelled cigarette smoke in their home.

In total, the pair stole a handbag, a jar of coins, £700 cash, a lady's watch, a mobile phone and a valuable box of cigars.

But Long and Brown didn't know the entire incident was caught on CCTV, and they were arrested within days.

Long was also spotted bringing two stolen cars to a Northampton garage and asking for two of the "good tyres" to be replaced with "bad ones" so he could sell the better ones later. The garage instead called the police afterwards.

Meanwhile, police also found Brown in possession of an Amazon Fire he claimed he found. But the tablet was really the beloved possession of a distraught little girl who had lost it in a burglary, during which the couple's car was also stolen.

The little girl was delighted to be reunited with the tablet following Brown's arrest.

The court heard how both men had multiple previous convictions for burglary and used the money they stole to feed their drug habits.

His Honour Judge Michael Fowler told the pair: "It's obvious that you have struggled with drugs throughout your lives. But you cannot go on committing offences playing the card of being involved in drugs and avoid serving sentences.

"If you want to stay out of prison, then stop committing offences and deal with your drug problems."

Long was handed a 16 months prison sentence, while Brown was sentenced to 12 months in jail.

The arrest was the work of a new Northamptonshire Police burglary team.

Speaking outside court, DS Terry Rush, from the Force's burglary team, said: “This was great work by the team dedicated to tackling burglary across Northamptonshire. These two men are prolific offenders who pose a significant risk to the public but who have now, thankfully, been taken off our streets."

Who’s been sentenced at Northampton Magistrates’ Court

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The following people were sentenced at Northampton Magistrates’ Court

Details supplied by Her Majesty's Courts and Tribunal Service

Opposition view: Ardley admits ‘unbelievable’ Magpies ‘rode our luck’ in Cobblers draw

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Notts County manager Neal Ardley lauded his side’s ‘unbelievable’ second-half performance during Saturday’s 2-2 draw with the Cobblers, though he did also admit they had to ride their luck en route to a valuable point.

County’s precarious position at the bottom of the League Two table ahead of kick-off – inside the relegation zone on goal difference only – made for a tense, anxious afternoon at Meadow Lane.

Home nerves were initially eased by Mitch Rose’s sweet strike on 27 minutes but Daniel Powell levelled late in the first-half before Sam Hoskins put Town 2-1 ahead five minutes into the second after Magpies goalkeeper Ryan Schofield was sent off.

But 10-man County fought back as Kane Hemmings levelled two minutes later and they then dug extremely deep to keep the Cobblers at bay in the remaining 40 minutes to come away with a share of the spoils.

And the draw would have been enough to take Ardley’s team out of the bottom two had Yeovil Town not grabbed a stoppage-time equaliser at Swindon.

“When we went behind, it’s easy to think there’s no chance,” said Ardley. “Kane and Jon Stead did brilliantly to get us the equaliser.

“You fear the worst when trailing 2-1 with 10 men but we showed the character, fight and all the other things that were asked of us after the Exeter loss.

“Our performance in the second-half was unbelievable. We had to keep changing the formation to stay solid and the boys did it really well.

“Granted, we had to ride our luck at times, but the character and work ethic is a million miles away from what it was when I arrived in December, which is all we can ask.

“People say they want to see fight and the lads giving everything for the team, and that’s what they are doing.”

County were reliant on substitute goalkeeper Ross Fitzsimons, who made a series of important saves following his introduction early in the second-half.

“There’s no doubt he can come in and do a brilliant job,” Ardley added. “He did that today. He had to be ready when called upon and made some good saves.

“Sam Stubbs did well, too, after making the mistake for the red card – he rolled his sleeves up and defended like a lion for the remainder of the match. It’s a good point today, which we have to respect because they are all vital.”

Cobblers ‘stand together’ after players suffer racist abuse

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Cobblers have confirmed that ‘a number of the first-team squad’ were racially abused ahead of Saturday’s Sky Bet League Two fixture against Notts County.

Northampton midfielder Timi Elsnik initially brought the incident to people’s attentions an hour or so after full-time on Saturday, when he tweeted: “Went for a pre match walk with the team in Nottingham and this young man outside the hotel started racially abusing some of our lads.

“The most disgusting thing I’ve seen&heard! He’s done it in front of his girl as well with no shame so he must do it all the time. Absolute idiot!”

Team-mates Sam Foley and David Buchanan also tweeted their ‘shock’ on Saturday evening and the club have today released a statement confirming the incident.

It reads: “Northampton Town Football Club confirm that a number of the first team squad were racially abused ahead of Saturday’s game at Notts County.

“The incident occurred in Nottingham as the squad went on their normal pre-match walk from the team hotel before the game.

“We would like to highly commend our players for the professional manner in which they handled the situation and as a club we stand together in condemning such actions.

“We are working with the relevant authorities and have asked anyone with any information about the incident, or possible witnesses, to contact the club.”


Notts County 2 Northampton Town 2 – match review and highlights

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Such is the curious way football works, it was perhaps to be expected that the Cobblers, exactly one week on from their shambolic efforts against a team with 10 men, would be presented with precisely the same challenge at Notts County on Saturday.

Keith Curle did not hold back in his criticism of his side’s inability to make their extra man count against Port Vale seven days earlier, neither did supporters hold back in their anger, and here was an immediate opportunity for the players to show him much they’ve learned and improved over the past week.

And whilst the result at Meadow Lane, though an improvement, was accompanied by a tinge of disappointment and frustration for those of a Cobblers persuasion, they made a far better fist of their numerical advantage here than they did previously.

In the end, it was only some erratic finishing – nothing new there, then – and the bounce of the ball which prevented one point becoming three. Indeed, even before Ryan Schofield’s blatant red card a minute into the second-half, Town were the better team at Meadow Lane.

The visitors began with a measure control and fed off restless home support as County’s precarious position at the foot of League Two made for an understandably anxious and jittery atmosphere in the stands.

But control of possession did not lead to chances for the Cobblers as several promising attacking situations fizzled out and all it took was one sweet swing of Mitch Rose’s right leg to fire County into a somewhat fortunate lead.

That seemed to take the sting out of Town’s play but events either side of half-time – just like against Vale – should have swung the match decisively their way, and Daniel Powell was involved in both incidents.

Sam Hoskins’ miscued shot gave him the simplest of all simple tap-ins at the back post before he pounced on a loose pass and was unceremoniously dragged down by Magpies stopper Schofield, who promptly and correctly saw red.

County suffered an immediate second blow when Hoskins’ subsequent free-kick took a wicked deflection and wrong-footed Ross Fitzsimons, only just on, and all Town needed to do now was keep things calm for five minutes and victory would surely be theirs.

But they failed to do so. Jon Stead was allowed to pick out Kane Hemmings and within two minutes the Magpies were level, giving Town 38 minutes plus stoppage-time to utterly dominate the game and seek a winner.

Curle’s subs came in for some stick against Port Vale but he got it right on this occasion. His decision to bring on Dean Bowditch and play him as a deep-lying playmaker was a particularly wise move as it allowed the Cobblers to monopolise the ball and keep possession, patiently probing for an opening.

And it should have been Bowditch who stole the victory for Northampton when a brilliantly-worked free-kick routine put him through on goal but his first effort was saved, his second was cleared off the line and and his third was hacked away before Hoskins’ follow-up attempt was again blocked during the mother of all goalmouth scrambles.

Earlier, Hoskins saw an instinctive first-time effort from six yards go straight at the goalkeeper when anywhere else and it was a goal. Andy Williams also flicked off target and Sam Foley’s deflected shot was pushed wide by substitute keeper Ross Fitzsimons.

Unfortunately, though, the visitors could not sustain their pressure and the remaining 15 minutes fizzled out with little drama, allowing County to claim a precious point and Cobblers to reflect on yet another missed opportunity in a season that has had too many.

It was ultimately an afternoon that had a bit of everything – drama, tension, controversy and goals – except three points for the Cobblers.

The draw was at least sufficient in mathematically securing Town’s safety this season although any satisfaction taken from that fact was offset by the realisation that, had they beaten both Vale and County – which, let’s face it, they should have done – Town would currently be four points off the play-offs and very much in the mix with five games to go.

It’s unlikely they would have made the top seven even from that position but it’d have at least kept the season alive for a few extra games. As it is, a mid-table finish is now assured.

Notts County 2 Northampton Town 2: James Heneghan's player ratings from Meadow Lane

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Cobblers were held to a 2-2 draw by 10-man Notts County on a lively afternoon at Meadow Lane on Saturday.

Who impressed and who struggled for the Cobblers? Find out with James Heneghan's player ratings - scroll down and flick through our picture gallery to see how each player performed.

Six-try Gloucester dent Saints' Premiership play-off hopes

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Saints' hopes of securing a Gallagher Premiership play-off place were dented by Gloucester at Franklin's Gardens on Sunday afternoon.

Mark Atkinson scored a hat-trick as the Cherry and Whites cemented third spot with a six-try 40-31 success.

Saints did manage to grab a try bonus point thanks to scores from Taqele Naiyaravoro, Piers Francis, Cobus Reinach, Reece Marshall and Rory Hutchinson.

But that was as good as it got, and the gap to fourth-placed Harlequins, who Saints travel to on Saturday, is seven points with four games to go.

The black, green and gold had started the game against Gloucester well, winning a penalty at the scrum and applying some patient pressure.

Eventually the ball found its way to bulldozer wing Naiyaravoro, who showed incredible power to shrug off all attempted tackles, flattening full-back Tom Hudson on his way over the line.

But Dan Biggar missed the conversion from the touchline and Gloucester were soon at the Saints door, with Naiyaravoro going from hero to villain in a matter of minutes.

The big wing allowed Atkinson to scoot round the outside of him, and the despairing dive wasn't enough to stop the Gloucester centre scoring.

Billy Twelvetrees added the extras and his side led 7-5, but that advantage was shortlived as Francis raced in for a Saints score.

Biggar easily converted to make it 12-7 in the home side's favour, but they soon allowed Gloucester to score again, leaving a huge gap from a lineout, which Atkinson exploited.

The centre charged in unopposed, and Twelvetrees converted as the frantic nature of the game continued.

The tempo was sky high and after George Furbank's pass was intercepted with Saints in the Gloucester 22, the away side couldn't quite find the speed to get over the line on the break.

But after Naiyaravoro paid the price for a high tackle in his desperation to get back, flanker Ruan Ackermann powered over.

Twelvetrees added the extras and his team held a healthy 21-12 lead 10 minutes before the break.

Saints tried to respond immediately and they won a penalty at the scrum five metres from the Gloucester line, but the away side eventually stood tall to win a decision of their own.

However, the reprieve didn't last long as Ahsee Tuala did some fine work near the halfway line and Teimana Harrison charged forward before offloading for Reinach to score.

Biggar converted to cut the gap to just two points and Saints had responded superbly after the double blow of the Naiyaravoro sin-binning and Ackermann try.

But they were hit with a sucker punch before the break as Atkinson completed his hat-trick on the counter-attack to bag a bonus point for the Cherry and Whites.

Twelvetrees fluffed the conversion with the final kick of a frenetic half as Saints were left with a sour taste, having failed to shut the door for the last minute of the 40.

And it was to get even worse at the start of the second period as Gloucester again found holes galore in the Saints defence and lock Ed Slater powered over.

Twelvetrees made no mistake with the conversion on this occasion and his team were now 14 points ahead.

But Saints would not go quietly and their pack, which had impressed hugely in the set piece, got them back in the game as a dominant lineout drive allowed Marshall to score.

It was the bonus-point try for the hosts, but Biggar missed the conversion from left of the posts.

Saints were hit with an injury blow as Heinrich Brüssow sustained a head injury that required lengthy treatment, with the South African flanker eventually forced off.

And Gloucester put the game to bed with 14 minutes to go as Tom Savage rumbled over from a maul.

Twelvetrees converted to make it 40-24 and Saints' hopes of victory had faded badly.

Hutchinson gave them a glimmer of hope with a superb score from halfway, with Francis converting.

But it was too little, too late, and Gloucester saw the game out to ensure Saints would not be able to garner a losing bonus point.

Saints: Furbank; Tuala, Hutchinson, Francis, Naiyaravoro; Biggar (Pisi 68), Reinach (Mitchell 64); van Wyk (Waller 60), Marshall, Hill (Franks 60); Moon (Ratuniyarawa 40), Lawes; Ludlam (Gibson 44), Brüssow (Ludlam 57 (Burrell 64) (Dawidiuk 68)), Harrison (c).

Gloucester: Hudson (Seabrook 52); Banahan, Twelvetrees, Atkinson, Sharples (Braley 71); Cipriani (Polledri 53), Heinz (c); Hohneck (Rapava Ruskin 56), Marais (Sherry 71), Balmain (Dreyer 56); Slater (Savage 63), Mostert; Ackermann, Kriel, Morgan.

Referee: Craig Maxwell-Keys

Boss Boyd gives bleak injury update after Saints' defeat to Gloucester

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Chris Boyd was left to reflect on an 'expensive' afternoon for Saints as the misery of their defeat to Gloucester was compounded by several injury blows.

The black, green and gold shipped six tries as they lost 40-31 in the Gallagher Premiership game at Franklin's Gardens.

It leaves Saints seventh in the standings at the conclusion of the weekend and they now face a must-win game at Harlequins on Saturday as they bid to close the seven-point gap to the top four.

But they will have to do it without a number of first-team players, with Heinrich Brüssow, Luther Burrell, Lewis Ludlam and Alex Moon all suffering injuries against Gloucester.

"It was expensive in a lot of ways," Boyd said.

"We've lost a couple of positions in the log (table), which is disappointing.

"We didn't play particularly well, which is disappointing.

"And the expensive thing is that we've sustained three, four, maybe five injuries that are going to make things tougher for us going forward.

"But it's a case of cometh the hour, cometh the man for other players."

On the injuries, Boyd explained: "Brüssow and Luther had concussions and Heinrich's had a couple already this year so he'll go into the long-term basket.

"I don't suspect we'll see much of him for the rest of this year.

"Luther took a pretty bad blow, I think he might have broken his nose as well as got concussed. I don't think we'll see him back in the very near future.

"Lewis Ludlam's got a pretty bad stinger but nothing structurally too serious.

"Alex Moon has injured his ankle and on top of Dave Ribbans having his operation, we're a little bit thin in that space.

"But we know it's a long season and that's what you build squad depth for.

"We've just got to fight on."

Dylan Hartley is also set to miss the trip to Quins on Saturday, but the England hooker is nearing fitness after a knee injury that has kept him out since December.

"We've obviously got Harlequins down in London and then it's European Cup semi-final weekend and we don't have a game," Boyd said.

"I suspect Dylan will be very close to returning after that, when we've got critical games against Newcastle away and Worcester at home."

Buck believes County can finish the job on final day

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Nathan Buck insists Northants can still beat Middlesex after the hosts endured a difficult Sunday at the County Ground.

The County had taken control on Saturday, but Middlesex went from 130 for seven to 271 all out on Sunday as James Harris hit an unbeaten 61.

The troubles continued after Northants enforced the follow-on as Middlesex overcame the loss of two early wickets to close on 109 for two, 65 runs behind David Ripley's men.

But Buck, who has claimed seven wickets so far in the Specsavers County Championship Division Two clash, is confident his side can still get the job done on the final day.

"We found it tough to get the breakthrough this morning but there’s still enough in the pitch for us to win the game," Buck said.

"They played well this morning and scored fairly quickly as well to put the ball back in our court.

“I didn’t take a five-for last season so it's nice to get one straight away here.

“It’ll be tough again tomorrow but we’ve got enough to win from here.”

Sam Robson will resume on 40 not out and Dawid Malan is currently unbeaten on 55.

And Middlesex bowler Harris said: "We needed a good start to the day and the plan was to just bat some time, build the score and just about doubling it was just what we needed.

“I’ve been playing nicely for a while, went well over the winter and I like showing I can bat, and it’s nice to do it when it’s really required.

“We were in a very tough spot following-on but Sam and Dawid played lovely and the scoreboard is probably as good as we could have hoped for now."

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