Andrew Fisher has not come all the way to Northampton just to sit on the bench and act as David Cornell’s back-up.

The 21-year-old joined the Cobblers on-loan from Blackburn Rovers last week following the news that Steve Arnold faces at least six weeks out with a calf injury.

But Fisher is not here just to make up the numbers and his debut performance against Arsenal U21s in Tuesday’s EFL Trophy clash suggests he’s capable of giving Cornell serious competition for the gloves.

He made a couple of decent stops during the game itself, one in each half, and displayed confidence and decisiveness off his line.

He also saved Arsenal’s first spot-kick as the Cobblers won 4-3 on penalties after Sam Hoskins struck six minutes from time to cancel out James Olayinko’s tap-in for the young Gunners.

“I’m delighted with how it went,” said Fisher following his debut. “Obviously a clean sheet was what I wanted but it didn’t go that way.

“But we did well to get back into the game and to take it to penalties and it’s a keeper’s dream – just save one and then you’re the hero!

“I sort of fumbled the first one a bit. I thought I saved it before I did and started to cheer and that’s why I fumbled it, but I kept it out.”

Fisher made three competitive appearances for Blackburn before spending last season on loan at FC United of Manchester in the National League North.

Although he’s yet to play a single game in the Football League, he’s determined to give Cornell a run for his money, starting against Plymouth Argyle this coming Saturday.

“Ultimately, it’s up to the gaffer,” he added. “I’ve just been told to come in and challenge. I’ll try to do well and hopefully I’ll get my chances.

“If he does well he’ll play but if I do well hopefully I’ll play.

“I’d like to start (on Saturday) but I’ve only been here a few days so I’m not sure what the gaffer is thinking and he might keep it the same because Dai is a top goalkeeper.”

Fisher has become the second Blackburn loanee at the PTS this season after defender Scott Wharton joined earlier in the summer.

“It’s a bit of a coincidence but he told me it’s a really good club with good facilities and a good manager and that obviously persuaded me,” Fisher continued.

“The plan is to come here and get as much game-time as I can in the league, see what happens and hopefully go back to Blackburn and push there.

“I’ve had other interest from clubs in the league and the conference but they didn't suit me.”

Josh Cobb produced a captain's innings as the Steelbacks finished their Vitality T20 Blast campaign with a real flourish.

Cobb cracked 62 from 32 balls, including a whopping seven sixes, to delight the sizeable County Ground crowd on a warm Friday night in Northampton.

Adam Rossington had got the chase off to a flying start with 54 from 30 balls, and Cobb then took up the challenge, smashing the Rapids bowling into the stands.

The Steelbacks completed their chase with seven balls to spare, hunting down already qualified Worcestershire's 188 for five to win by seven wickets.

After winning the toss, Worcestershire made a steady start, with Hamish Rutherford helping himself to a few fours.

But Nathan Buck struck, having Rutherford caught by Alex Wakely for 18 as the Steelbacks got the early breakthrough they wanted.

That only served to bring Moeen Ali to the middle though, and the Rapids skipper looked strong as he started to pile on the runs.

He built an impressive partnership with Riki Wessels before the England all-rounder departed for 51, which he made from 31 balls. Dwaine Pretorius grabbed the wicket.

Wessels carried on as he started to up his own rate before eventually falling to Blessing Muzarabani for 45.

That sparked the Steelbacks into life as they soon got rid of Ross Whiteley for two, giving Rob Keogh the first of his two wickets.

But by the time Keogh struck again, Ben Cox had got the Rapids moving once more, with Tom Fell, who departed for just seven off Keogh, unable to add to much to the tally.

Cox kept going though, and his unbeaten 44 helped to post a challenging total.

But with nothing but pride to play for, the Steelbacks looked unflustered early in the reply as Richard Levi and Rossington went about their work in fine fashion.

There was plenty of applause for the pair as they steamrollered their way to 59 without loss from just five overs, but Ali struck with the first ball of the sixth, having Levi stumped for 16.

But Rossington remained and he reached his half-century from 25 balls, having racked up four fours and as many sixes.

However, he was to depart soon after thanks to a brilliant Wessels catch off the bowling of Ed Barnard.

Barnard was not able to enjoy such a good time against Cobb, though. In fact, he had a disastrous one during a stunning 11th over in which the Steelbacks skipper hit four sixes in five balls to bring up his team's ton.

Cobb was playing superbly, raising his bat to the raucous home crowd after reaching his 50 with yet another trademark six, his seventh of an imperious innings.

He was applying so much pressure that Joe Leach bowled an extremely high no-ball, showing just how much trouble the Rapids were having against Cobb.

The carnage just kept going as Worcestershire failed to find any answer to Cobb, who was in dismissive mood.

But Pat Brown finally got his man as Daryl Mitchell showed a safe pair of hands at cover.

It wasn't going to be enough for Worcestershire though as Pretorius, who had done some serious striking of his own, and Wakely steered the Steelbacks home with ease.

Steelbacks: Levi, Rossington (wk), Cobb (c), Pretorius, Wakely, Keogh, Ashraf, Sole, White, Buck, Muzarabani.

Worcestershire Rapids: Rutherford, Wessels, Ali (c), Fell, Cox (wk), Whiteley, Barnard, Mitchell, Leach, Pennington, Brown.

Captain Josh Cobb was left with mixed feelings after his match-winning innings against Worcestershire Rapids.

Cobb smashed a superb 62 from just 32 balls, which included seven sixes, as the Steelbacks won by seven wickets in front of a big crowd at the County Ground.

But while Worcestershire can now look forward to a Vitality T20 Blast quarter-final, the Steelbacks have bowed out of the competition.

They only won four of their 14 North Group matches, losing six and having a further four matches abandoned due to the weather.

And Cobb said: "It's difficult to sum it up. We're obviously happy with our performance and to finish the competition on a high but at the same time it's frustrating knowing you can put a performance like that in against a high-quality side in the last game.

"Maybe we didn't put enough performances in like that early on in the comp and it meant we couldn't qualify. We've showed we're a dangerous side.

"It is frustrating but it's gone now and we can't qualify, it's finished.

"It's nice to take some momentum into next year and we've still got a good chance of getting promoted (in the County Championship).

"It's good for us ahead of the final three Champo games."

On his own performance against Worcestershire, Cobb said: "I've been pretty poor in this comp so it's nice to prove to myself I can still clear the ropes from time to time.

"It's nice to do it and great to get the win but on the other hand it's frustrating we've not played like that more times than not in the comp."

A farmer who lost more than 25 lambs and ewes in the latest incident of illegal sheep butchery in Northamptonshire has told of his frustration and upset.

Patrick Green, of Church Farm, Harpole, has spent his life breeding and raising sheep with his father James.

But police officers discovered at least 26 of his lambs and New Zealand Suffolk x Mule breeding ewes killed and illegally slaughtered overnight in a field off Roman Road and Sandy Lane, between Duston and Harpole, in the early hours of yesterday morning (Friday, August 30).

The incident is being treated as part of Operation Stock, the Northamptonshire Police investigation into illegal sheep butchery and sheep thefts in the county this summer.

Patrick said: “These sheep cost me a lot of money to buy, I’ve invested in them for the future of my farm and it makes me very sad to see them killed like this. I feel very empty.”

The third generation farmer has been breeding to improve his flock for the past five years, shaping his farming operation to solely concentrate on rearing sheep.

He said: “We rely entirely on our income from the sheep and what I’ve been breeding for the past five years means I’ve made progress for the ideal, healthy animal, one that’s welfare-friendly and easy to produce and rear.

“There’s lots of work gone into them to produce a sheep that’s as close to the ideal as possible.”

Speaking of the moment officers broke the news of the illegal slaughter, Patrick said his initial reaction was annoyance and concern about the cost, before the emotional impact hit home.

“I spend my life looking after my animals, to produce them for the food market healthily and safely, breeding for the future of my stock,” he said.

“I’ve never killed an animal, I spend my time looking after them so they have good lives, and then someone comes along and brutalises them like this, and I feel it very keenly.

“I look after 1,300 lambs on my own and care deeply for their welfare. Something like this really makes you lose your drive and lose heart.

“Farming is isolated enough as a profession. I’m not a wealthy businessman, this is a day-to-day business and I work hard for every penny I earn.”

Patrick has decided to speak out about his experience to raise awareness of the impact of illegal slaughter offences on farmers, and is encouraging anyone with information about the offences to contact police.

Anyone who sees anything suspicious in a rural area or around livestock is asked to call Northamptonshire Police on 101 quoting Operation Stock, or to call 999 if they think a crime is in progress.

Read more about Operation Stock here: www.northants.police.uk/OpStock

READ MORE: 'This is sickening and needs to stop!' Yet another load of sheep butchered near Northampton

The transfer window closes on Monday afternoon - but that might not be the end of the Cobblers' recruitment drive.

Town boss Keith Curle has stated that he is still keen to bring in more new faces to bolster his squad, and that he hopes to do that before the window closes at 5pm on September 2.

But he has confirmed that he is also monitoring the many, many out of contract players currently without a club, and that if necessary he could target that market in the coming weeks and months.

"After Monday we can still pick up non-contract players," said Curle. "And there are some good players out there that haven't been able to get fixed up yet.

"We are covering all spectrums of availability, but we are mindful that if anybody comes in it might tip the balance on one of our players going in the other direction as well.

"It can be a domino effect that can happen very quickly."

Curle has signed 13 new players since the end of last season, but is still keen to strengthen in certain departments.

A Northampton teenager accused of a racist attack is wanted by police after he failed to attend court.

Fraydon Ghaderi was due in court on August 1, charged with one count of assault by beating and one count of racially aggravated assault by beating.

The 19, formerly of Roe Road, was charged after an incident in Northampton on February 26.

Anyone with information about where Ghaderi is should call Northamptonshire Police on 101, quoting incident number 19000404422.

Northants Steelbacks enjoyed a winning end to their 2019 Vitality T20 Blast season as they secured a stunning seven-wicket success over reigning champions Worcestershire Rapids on Friday night.

The County Ground was packed for the final North Group game of the campaign, and David Ripley's side did not disappoint as they turned in their best performance of the campaign.

The Steelbacks' fate was already sealed as they knew they were out of quarter-final contentuon, but Worcester arrived in Nortrhampton knowing they were already in the last eight and with the added carrot of knowing a win would guarantee then a home quarter-final.

The visitors would have been satisfied with their 188 for five, with the star performer being England World Cup winner Moeen Ali, who hit 51 from 31 balls while former Northants man Rikki Wessels made 49 from 29 balls and Ben Cox 44 not out from 27.

Pick of the bowlers for Northants was Rob Keogh, who claimed two for 12 from two overs.

The chase looked a tall order for a Steelbacks side that has struggled with the bat throughout the competition, but they made light work of it to win with seven balls to spare.

Opener Adam Rossington led the way with 54 from 30 balls before skipper Josh Cobb took over, crashing seven sixes in his remarkable 62 from 32 balls.

All-rounder Dwaine Pretorious also played a big role, hitting 50 not out from 36 balls, hitting three sixes.

It was a great way for the Steelbacks to finish their campaign, and the win saw them rise off the bottom of the table to finish third-from-bottom.

Photographer Kirsty Edmonds was at the game to capture the action, and here is a selection of her pictures from the County Ground.

Andy Williams scored twice as Cobblers' first home victory of the season came in highly impressive fashion when they brushed aside pre-season title favourites Plymouth Argyle with a 3-1 win at the PTS Academy Stadium on Saturday.

The first-half was totally in contrast to anything previously witnessed by Cobblers fans this season as their team played with purpose, positivity and intent to seize control of the contest.

Their 3-1 advantage at half-time, handed to them by a Ryan Watson penalty and Andy Williams' brace, was the least Town deserved as they repeatedly put pressure on their in-form visitors, who came into the game sitting second in the table.

The second period lacked the entertainment of the first but still served up chances at both ends, although ultimately the home side fully merited their win as the pressure eased on manager Keith Curle and his players.

Curle's quest to find a winning team saw Matty Warburton return to the starting line-up and start behind Williams in attack.

Joe Martin and Scott Wharton returned to the bench, and Cobblers were off to the perfect start against Plymouth when they struck with just seven minutes on the clock.

Jordan Turnbull won back possession outside his own box and instigated a counter-attack that culminated in Sam Hoskins' cross hitting an arm. Referee Seb Stockbridge pointed to the spot and Watson confidently dispatched his penalty into the bottom corner.

Town's celebrations lasted just three minutes as Plymouth replied straightaway with Watson controversially deemed to have fouled Danny Mayor outside the box and Joe Riley drilling the subsequent free-kick under the wall and into the net.

Cobblers recovered well from that setback though and were by far the better team in the first-half.

They were back in front by the midpoint and again Hoskins was the provider, peeling away on the right and delivering a teasing cross for Williams to toe-poke into the bottom corner.

Plymouth's expansive style was making for an entertaining first-half at the PTS and the visitors should have been level for a second time when Gary Sawyer headed over from underneath the crossbar.

Most of the game was being played in the opposing half though, and it was nearly 3-1 on the half-hour mark as Nicky Adams' free-kick struck the woodwork, with Alex Palmer using his feet to keep out Hoskins' follow-up effort.

Plymouth's attempts to pass out from the back regularly came undone and their problems mounted before half-time when the same combination teamed up to great effect for the home side.

Adams squared for Shaun McWilliams who found Hoskins on the right and his cross was met by a bizarre finish by Williams as his volley bounced down into the ground and looped over Palmer.

A fine low save by Palmer prevented Hoskins adding a fourth in first-half stoppage-time, but Town went into the break leading by two and in control of the contest.

Plymouth made two changes at half-time but Williams was a whisker away from his hat-trick after the restart, firing wide after battling past two defenders.

The second-half was less open and saw less chances created, and although Plymouth pushed for a way back into the game, they were managing only half opportunities.

Substitute Billy Waters whistled one over for the Cobblers and Palmer held onto Watson's fierce strike, but Plymouth missed a great chance to get back into the game with 17 minutes left as Byron Moore skied over from just four yards.

Waters missed a great chance to seal it before goalkeeper David Cornell, who had a quiet afternoon, pulled off a superb flying save to tip Cooper's effort around the post.

Still the action kept coming, Palmer blocking from Joe Bunney in the final minute of normal time, and despite five minutes of added time, the Cobblers were comfortable winners.

Match facts

Cobblers: Cornell, McWilliams, Goode, Turnbull, Bunney, Watson, Lines, Adams (Martin 77), Hoskins, Warburton (Waters 53), Williams (Oliver 81)

Subs not used: Fisher, Wharton, Pollock, Smith

Plymouth: Palmer, Riley, Sawyer (c) (Moore 45), Wootton, Canavan, Edwards, C Grant, McFadzean, Rudden (J Grant 45), Mayor, Taylor (G Cooper 55)

Subs not used: M Cooper, Aimson, Baxter, Randell

Referee: Seb Stockbridge

Attendance: 5,535

Plymouth fans: 1,291

Cobblers boss Keith Curle was delighted with how his players listened to the gameplan and then carried it out to a tee during Saturday's 'fantastic' 3-1 victory over Plymouth Argyle.

The two teams were in contrasting form ahead of kick-off at the PTS, with Plymouth lying second in League Two after three wins and two draws this season and Northampton, without a home victory to their name, languishing down in 20th.

But the Cobblers produced one of their best displays for a long time to completely overwhelm and at times outplay Ryan Lowe's Pilgrims, culminating in a fully deserved 3-1 victory.

Ryan Watson slammed home an early penalty before Andy Williams was the beneficiary of two Sam Hoskins assists later in the first-half, cancelling out Joe Riley's free-kick.

"It was a fantastic performance," said Curle, whose side are up to 17th. "We were very good today and ticked a lot of boxes.

"Our organisation and the willingness from the players to adapt to slightly changing our play was very good because we knew how they wanted to play.

"It was important that we stopped them having that flow to their game and because of that the 10 outfield players all had a job to do out of possession and they stuck to it and understood it very well.

"It shows they're attentive on the training ground and they believe in it. Plymouth are a very good team with some very good technicians and they have a way of playing.

"You have to disrupt that and the endeavour, the willingness and the bravery my players had today was commendable."

Lowe developed a reputation of playing attractive football and passing out of defence when he led Bury to promotion last season, and he's now continuing that at Plymouth after taking charge of the Pilgrims in the summer.

But his side were smothered and overwhelmed by the Cobblers, who pressed high up the pitch during Saturday's game and didn't allow the visitors to get into their rhythm at any stage.

Ryan Watson converted an early penalty and after Joe Riley's free-kick brought Plymouth level, Andy Williams scored twice later in the first-half, both set up by Sam Hoskins, in a well-earned victory for the Cobblers.

"We just weren't ourselves and we weren't a Plymouth Argyle team I've put together, " admitted Lowe. "We were a little bit jaded and I was disappointed with our first-half performance and the goals.

"We're nowhere near the finished article but fair play to Northampton - they had a gameplan and they stuck to it.

"Overall it was just disappointing. We gave a better account of ourselves in the second-half and made a few changes that helped us a bit, but the first-half performance cost us three points."

Plymouth's insistence on passing out of defence got them into trouble several times on Saturday, and Lowe accepted his side should have been 'braver' on the ball.

"We didn't do it (pass out) enough and (Ryan) Taylor kept getting balls rapped into him and you don't want that as a striker - it's not the way we play," he added.

"It's fine for them to press us but we've got the quality and the ability to get round it - we did it at the end and we created a chance.

"We went through the middle too much and that's what they wanted. They were very aggressive, on the front foot and tried to counter and that's what Keith Curle's teams do - they're aggressive.

"I'm not going to change. We play out from the back, we play through the thirds, we have patterns of play and we create chances and that's how football should be played. We just weren't brave enough in the first-half do to that enough."

Lowe had no real qualms over the awarding of Northampton's early penalty either, adding: "He said the ball hit his nose but it might have ricocheted and struck his arm.

"The referee took a while to give it but I'm just disappointed to let them get that far up the pitch and then we haven't stopped the cross.

"I don't get involved with the referee though. He won't change his decision and we won't look for excuses but, before the incident, we could have done better.

"I'm just disappointed we didn't perform. We had about 55 per cent possession but that's still not good enough, I want 65, 70 per cent and when you get that you win more often than not."

Ten days on from toppling previous league leaders Swindon Town at the County Ground, the Cobblers took down second-placed and pre-season title favourites Plymouth Argyle with a performance that ranks alongside anything they've produced during the past few years.

Four managers and countless players have come and gone since Chris Wilder left Sixfields but this was an afternoon that harked back to those glorious day as Cobblers turned on the style on the pitch and their fans responded off it.

It was not just the fact Northampton beat Plymouth on Saturday; it was how they did it. The handbrake was taken off and Cobblers smothered, suffocated and overwhelmed their in-form, high-flying visitors with a tactically astute display packed full of endeavour, desire and hard work.

Much has been said about the sometimes edgy, fractious atmosphere at the PTS in recent times but any team that performs with the desire Northampton did on Saturday will have the support of their fans in the stands. Do that more often and the atmosphere will become far less of an issue.

The mood ahead of kick-off was one of apprehension given the respective form of these teams. Cobblers were 20th and without a home win all season. Free-scoring Plymouth, meanwhile, sat second and had top spot in their sights.

Those concerns, however, were dismissed within seven minutes when the deadlock was broken.

Previously one-dimensional and devoid of ideas this season, here the Cobblers were buzzing with energy and intensity. They played with purpose, intent and positivity to run Plymouth ragged all afternoon.

Keith Curle gave his players clear instructions and they responded with a perfectly-executed game plan that disrupted Plymouth's passing rhythm and kept them on the front-foot for much of the 90 minutes.

Northampton were thoroughly worthy winners and three goals were the least they could have scored. Had it not been for visiting goalkeeper Alex Palmer, who used his feet to deny Sam Hoskins, reacted brilliantly to thwart the same man minutes later and also blocked from Joe Bunney late on, they might have had six.

When you also factor in the fact Andy Williams flashed wide with a hat-trick attempt, Nicky Adams smacked the post with a free-kick and Billy Waters failed to control when through on goal, you gain a better understanding of Northampton's superiority.

There were impressive performances all across the pitch and three of the standouts had a key role in the first goal. Centre-back Jordan Turnbull, outstanding all afternoon, won back possession and started a counter-attack that ended with Ryan Watson sticking away from the spot after Hoskins' cross struck an arm.

Joe Riley's cheeky free-kick could have taken the sting out of the Cobblers but Hoskins ensured that wasn't the case with a performance that illustrated why manager Keith Curle has so much faith in him. His two crosses saw Williams make it 2-1 and then 3-1 and ultimately claim victory.

It was an important three points - Town's first at home this season - but now it's all about what happens from here.

The Cobblers will not face many teams that follow Plymouth's brave and expansive template this season but there's no reason they can't reproduce the same urgency and attacking intent in their own play. At times this term it's felt as if they've played with the handbrake on.

As Saturday showed though, they have good players capable of producing good performances and troubling good teams. The key now is to do it consistently.

Cobblers produced their best performance of the season to beat Plymouth Argyle 3-1 at the PTS Academy Stadium on Saturday.

There were impressive performances all across the pitch for Northampton, but who was the pick of the bunch? Find out with James Heneghan's player ratings...

Choose from the 14 options below...

These were two sides heading in opposite directions ahead of their meeting at the PTS. Plymouth, relegated from League One last season, had three wins from six and were second in the table, six points and 18 places above their slow-starting hosts.

But part of the beauty of football is its unpredictability and that was in evidence on Saturday when Andy Williams' brace followed an early penalty from Ryan Watson and helped hand the Cobblers a well-deserved 3-1 victory, their first at home of the campaign.

The result was only bettered by the performance as Plymouth were outplayed and run ragged for the entire 90 minutes. As Curle alluded to afterwards, three goals were the least his team could have scored.

"We scored three goals and could have had two or three more as their goalkeeper made some really good saves," said Curle, referring to several fine stops from Plymouth's Alex Palmer who twice denied Sam Hoskins and also kept out Joe Bunney late on.

"That shows that, from a defensive platform, you can mount attacks and look dangerous, but we weren't a counter-attacking team today, we took the game to them, we got on the front foot and pressed high up the pitch."

In the past, Curle has sometimes been accused of worrying too much about the opposition as opposed to focusing on his own team, but he feels Saturday's performance, when Town completely nullified Plymouth and turned their strengths into weaknesses, justified his approach.

"People can say you're more worried about the opposition but you have to be respectful and that means being half a yard closer, work half a yard more and then hurt the opposition once you've stopped their flow - we did that today," he added.

"We want to be an attacking threat but likewise we have to be respectful of the opposition because every opposition is completely different and they all have different strengths and play in different ways.

"You've got to have good organisation and a willingness to believe in what you're doing."

Striker Williams, who took his tally for the season to three goals, added: "I thought we were brilliant. We set the tone early on, pressed them high and didn't them any room to play.

"We won the ball back early on a few times and I didn't think the 3-1 scoreline flattered us at all."

Cobblers boss Keith Curle is waiting for the 'green light' from some of his transfer targets as Monday's 5pm deadline zooms into view.

Clubs in League One and Two have until 5pm on Monday to complete their transfer activity with either permanent or loan signings, although they can still sign free agents once the window closes.

Curle, having already snapped up 13 players this summer, has previously said he remains on red alert and is hopeful of adding to his squad, and should things fall into place, it could be a busy deadline day at the PTS - both in terms of incomings and outgoings.

Speaking after his side's 3-1 win over Plymouth on Saturday, Curle said: "We're always looking, we're always working and we're always ready and that's for players coming in and players going out.

"It's one of those things where it's very fluid and we need to be ready if we get the green light from some of the people we're looking at.

"And then we also need to be prepared if something happens in terms of the players that might be going out."

The following people were sentenced at Northampton Magistrates’ Court:

JULY 8

Stephanie Kuhlke, aged 30, of Kingsley Road, Silverstone, drink-driving; fined £120, surcharge £30, costs £85, banned from driving for 16 months.

Paul Paterson, aged 31, of Forest Road, Northampton, drunk and disorderly; no separate penalty. Possession of a class A drug; community order made, surcharge £85, costs £85.

James Threadgold, aged 84, of Spencer Road, Long Buckby, drink-driving; fined £325, surcharge £30, costs £85, banned from driving for 16 months.

Lauren Gardner, aged 34, of Booth Park, Northampton, had a samurai sword in a public place; community order made, surcharge £85, costs £85.

Nathan Ahrens, aged 23,

of Jack Parnell Close, Northampton, no insurance;

fined £405, surcharge £40, costs £85, licence endorsed with six points.

Jerome Amoah, aged 52, of Flaxwell Court, Northampton, driving not in accordance with a licence; fined £87, costs £85. No insurance; fined £263, surcharge £30, licence endorsed with six points.

Kofi Amudzi, aged 59, of Thornfield, Northampton, driving at 107mph in a 70mph zone; fined £440, surcharge £44, costs £85, banned from driving for 28 days.

Charles Asunmo, aged 25, of Waingrove, Northampton, driving at 56mph in a 30mph zone; fined £398, surcharge £39, costs £85, licence endorsed with six points.

Ian Smith, aged 54, of Gallery Close, Northampton, failed to identify a driver accused of an offence; fined £660, surcharge £66, costs £85, banned from driving for six months.

Roman Stepans, aged 24, of Paddock Mill Court, Northampton, no insurance; fined £660, surcharge £66, costs £85, banned from driving for six months. Driving not in accordance with a licence; fined £220.

Endrju Vilcmeiers, aged 25, of Lion Court, Northampton, failed to identify a driver accused of an offence; fined £660, surcharge £66, costs £85. Similar offence; fined £660, surcharge £66, costs £85, banned from driving for six months.

Rhys Warren, aged 21, of Lang Farm, Daventry, failed to give information relating to the identity of a driver; fined £660, surcharge £66, costs £85, banned from driving for six months.

Robert Warren, aged 52, of Ringway, Northampton, no insurance; fined £80, surcharge £30, costs £85, banned from driving for six months.

JULY 9

John McMillan, aged 55, of Chantelle Court, Daventry, failed to comply with a community order; order to continue, costs £60.

Cairen McDonagh, aged 53, of Eldean Road, Northampton, using an unlicensed vehicle; fined £115, costs £85.

Ian Griffith, aged 61, of Church Street, Northampton, breach of the Animal Health Act; fined £400, surcharge £40, costs £4,129.80.

Leslie Tipping, aged 43, of Severn Drive, Northampton, indecent images and videos of children; pleaded guilty sent to Northampton Crown Court for sentence.

Luke Flynn, aged 38, of Daneholme Close, Daventry, failed to surrender to custody; fined £40, surcharge £30, costs £85.

JULY 10

Jozef Osial, aged 46, of Laceby Walk, Northampton, assault; conditional discharge for 24 months, surcharge £20, costs £85. Assault; conditional discharge for 24 months.

Dean Roberts, aged 40, of Billing Road, Northampton, assault; community order made, surcharge £85, costs £85.

Aiden Hill, aged 22, of Alibone Close, Northampton, drink-driving; fined £200, surcharge £30, costs £85, banned from driving for 12 months.

Mark Powell, aged 26, of Grafton Street, Northampton, damaged a door; community order made, compensation £150, surcharge £85, costs £85.

Thirteen players have already signed for Town this summer but manager Keith Curle is still hoping to further bolster his squad before the window shuts this evening. We'll have round-up of all the ins and outs from the PTS here, plus potential rumours and news of signings elsewhere in League Two.

Portsmouth boss Kenny Jackett is weighing up a move for a central midfielder ahead of the 5pm deadline. (Portsmouth News)

Peterborough United are considering a loan move for West Ham United forward Joe Powell. (EX WHU Employee)

Rotherham United are plotting a late swoop for Ipswich Town full-back Josh Emmanuel. He is in the final year of his current contract. (East Anglian Daily Times)

Fleetwood Town have won the race to sign Burnley defender Jimmy Dunne after seeing off competition from Accrington Stanley. (Football Insider)

Bolton Wanderers manager Keith Hill is keen on making former Bury captain Stephen Dawson his first signing. (The Sun)

Rochdale are among a host of clubs interested in signing Nottingham Forest starlet Arvin Appiah. (The Sun)

Lincoln City manager Danny Cowley hopes to add "one or two" new additions to his squad before the 5pm deadline. (Lincolnshire Live)

Two goals and a tireless running display would usually be enough for a striker to win the man of the match award, but Andy Williams did not count on Jordan Turnbull's superb performance at centre-back.

Williams, who netted twice in the first-half, was one of the star performers on Saturday when Cobblers got their home account up and running for the season with a 3-1 victory over Plymouth Argyle.

Ryan Watson, another player to earn plenty of plaudits after full-time, opened the scoring with an early penalty while Sam Hoskins set up all three goals as Town outplayed and out-thought the second-placed Pilgrims.

Williams may have felt somewhat aggrieved to miss out on the man of the match award, which instead went to the impressive Turnbull, but he was more than happy with two goals and three points.

"It was so tough first-half because we were constantly attacking and being the lone striker I felt I didn't fully contribute other than the goals," he said.

"Obviously I was working my socks off but I was blowing so much and I genuinely thought the others were brilliant.

"Both central midfielders controlled the game and that was important for us, but there was 11 man of the matches out there for us, even Dai (Cornell) because he didn't have a lot to do but he made a couple of great saves when called upon at the end.

"It was a good team performance and that's the main thing because you want to look around and be able to name a few players man of the match - you want to achieve that every week."

Manager Keith Curle was also reluctant to single out individual players, saying: "It's difficult to pick out individuals because that was a team effort and within it we expect the forward players to be a threat and I thought Sam was a threat and Nicky (Adams) landed on some great balls.

"Sam Hoskins, Nicky Adams, Andy Williams, Ryan Watson, Chris Lines, Billy Waters - as a midfield and an attacking threat, they did their jobs and that gave us the platform to go and play on the front foot facing their goal.

He did have a few words of praise for Williams though, adding: "Andy Williams got his goals but a lot of people might not see and appreciate the work that he's done during the game and he earned those goals.

"His first goal particularly showed the work because what we've worked on is the movement in the box when we get the ball into wide areas.

"The metres that Andy Williams covered and then the effort he made to get on the end of the cross was excellent and it's something we've worked on."

Stockbridge awarded the Cobblers a seventh-minute penalty when Sam Hoskins' cross hit Callum McFadzean on the arm, successfully converted by Ryan Watson.

Home supporters were up in arms just three minutes later though, after Watson was deemed to have fouled Danny Mayor just outside Town's penalty box, despite seemingly winning the ball.

Riley drilled the subsequent free-kick under the wall and past goalkeeper David Cornell to equalise, but Andy Williams scored twice later in the first-half as the Cobblers prevailed 3-1 to condemn Plymouth to just their second defeat of the season.

“The referee seemed to be swaying towards them in the first-half with his decisions I think, which I had a word with him about,” Riley revealed to the Plymouth Herald.

“But we can’t make excuses. We were nowhere near it in the first-half. As players we have got to go away and ask ourselves why, and I’m sure will do that."

On the penalty incident, Riley added: “When you are jumping you have got to use your arms. Fadz has jumped to try to block a cross and your arms are going to be in the air.

“He can’t do anything if the lad has absolutely lashed the ball at his arm. It’s out of our hands, stuff like that, all we can focus on is on our performance and, like I say, we were nowhere near it to a man, first-half certainly.”

Cobblers' high-press forced Plymouth into several mistakes during Saturday's game as the visitors attempted to pass out from the back, though Ryan Lowe's side persisted with the tactic throughout.

Riley continued: “I think this was a little taster for probably how most teams are going to play against us at home and we have got to rise to that.

“Certainly come winter, when the pitches get worse, we have got to do the ugly side of football a little bit better, and we didn’t do that today.

“That’s gutting really because we are an honest bunch of lads and we have all got one goal this season. That’s to achieve promotion, but we have got to perform better than we did in the first-half.”