Engineering giant Cosworth has been put up for sale, with insiders from the Northampton-based firm hoping to conclude a sale within the next six months.

The move has been confirmed by the company’s owners Gerry Forsythe and Kevin Kalkhoven, the former IndyCar racing magnates-turned-venture capitalists.

The pair bought the business from Ford eight years ago.

Reports in some section of the media have speculated Rolls Royce could be a favourite to buy the firm, based in St. James Mill Road, Northampton.

A spokesman for the firm this afternoon confirmed Consworth had been put up for sale and revealed there had already been interes. However, they said it was “too early” to say what impact the sale would have on local jobs.

The spokesman said: “We can confirm we are looking for new equity partners.

“It is inappropriate and much too early to be drawn on local jobs. We are at an early stage of the process and we are looking to get a wider expression of interests from a number of parties.”

Asked how long the process could take, he added: “It is difficult to say with these things.

“We would hope from the interest we are seeing already that we would see the process concluded within the next six months.”

Tim Routsis, Cosworth’s chief executive, told The Times: “We have been paused for the last 18 months and the board has decided that we can not wait any longer otherwise we risk losing momentum.”

He said that Cosworth could be attractive to either private equity or trade buyers.

A thug with a violent history attacked a man with a bottle in a Northampton town centre bar.

Clive Ikem, aged 24, of Victoria Road, Northampton, was jailed for 33 months at Northampton Crown Court after admitting wounding with intent.

Elizabeth Gooderham, prosecuting, said Ikem barged into his victim in NBs in Bridge Street on November 15 and offered to fight outside.

When the victim saw he had an item behind his back and walked away, he was struck to the forehead, causing an injury needing 15 stitches.

Colleagues of a Northampton man who survived an horrific road accident are rallying round to help his family with travelling costs to hospital in Leamington Spa.

Ali Corea was riding his motorcycle when he was involved in a collision with a car in July. As well as serious leg, arm and head injuries,

Mr Corea, aged 32, suffered a broken neck and multiple fractures to his spine.

His colleagues at Raven House children’s home, Corby, and those at Welford House and St John’s House, Northampton, are holding a fund-raising fun day for the family on Sunday at Steel Park, Corby, from 1pm to 6pm. Attractions will include a football match, four live bands, stalls and face-painting.

Police in Northamptonshire have been called out to deal with 63 bomb scares in the past five years, but have made only six arrests.

New figures, obtained by the Chronicle & Echo under the Freedom of Information Act, have revealed that 25 
of the bomb alerts were 
recorded in 2007, 10 in 2008, seven in 2009, 14 in 2010 
and seven last year.

In 2007, two people were arrested. A further two were held in 2008, while both 2009 and 2010 saw just one person arrested. Nobody was arrested last year in the county in connection with a bomb scare. Figures for 2012, which will include a high profile bomb alert in Bugbrooke, have not been made available.

Ben Kendrick and James Baxter both scored twice as Moulton Fields Mighties enjoyed a thumping 7-3 win over Towcester Town Foxes in the Under 11 A Division.

Also on the mark for Mighties was Keyonte Dore, Nathan Jones and Thomas Reed.

In the B League, Coby Job hit a hat-trick as Daventry Saxons coasted to a 7-1 win at Irchester Romans.

Supporting Job were Connor Walker (2), Callum Witherington and Lewis Allford.

In the Under-12 NFA Cup, there was a 3-0 win for Harpole against Werrington, with Nathan Davis, Jordan Fitzhugh and an own goal making up the villagers’ tally.

Taku Masikati scored for Blisworth Greens, but they went out after losing 2-1 to Deanshanger.

In the Under-14 League Cup, Fernando Karichi and Joe Fanundi were on the mark for Billing United, but it wasnt’t enough as the Northampton side lost 4-2 to Towcester Town.

In the Under 15 B league, Hackleton Harriers enjoyed a 5-2 win at Thorplands Club 81.

Nathan Reed scored twice, while there were also goals for Peter Wilkinson, Bradley Ansell and Tatenda Kawodza

RESULTS & TABLES

UNDER 11A

Falcons 5 Moulton Fields 6

Hackleton Harriers 2 Crick Colts Comets 0

Kislingbury Youth Blue 4 Roade Juniors 0

Moulton Fields Mighties 7 Towcester Town Foxes 3

Ben Kendrick 2, James Baxter 2, Keyonte Dore, Nathan Jones, Thomas Reed/

Welland Valley Blue 4 Drayton Grange Blades 0

P W D L Pts

Moulton Fields Mighties 5 5 0 0 15

Hackleton Harriers F C 5 5 0 0 15

Kislingbury Youth Blue 5 5 0 0 15

Roade Juniors F C 4 3 0 1 9

Crick Colts Comets 4 2 0 2 6

Welland Valley Blue 5 2 0 3 6

Drayton Grange Blades 5 1 0 4 3

Moulton Fields Diamonds 5 1 0 4 3

Falcons 5 1 0 4 3

Moulton Magpies 4 1 0 3 3

Towcester Town Foxes 5 0 0 5 0

UNDER 11B

Grange Park Blue 5 Bugbrooke 2

Gregory Celtic 7 Blisworth Green 0

Irchester Romans 1 Daventry Saxons 7

/Coby Job 3, Connor Walker 2, Callum Witherington, Lewis Allford

Woodford United 3 Long Buckby Stags 3

Wooldale 7 West Haddon 3

P W D L Pts

Gregory Celtic 6 4 1 1 13

Blisworth Youth Green 5 4 0 1 12

Daventry Town F C Saxons 5 4 0 1 12

Kingsthorpe Jets Vulcans 4 3 0 1 9

Grange Park Rangers Blue 5 3 0 2 9

Long Buckby Stags 5 2 1 2 7

Bugbrooke St Michaels 5 2 0 3 6

Wooldale Fc 6 2 0 4 6

Woodford United Colts 5 1 2 2 5

West Haddon Jfc 4 0 0 4 0

Irchester Romans Youth F C 4 0 0 4 0

UNDER 11C

Billing United 4 Woodford United 1

Blisworth Yellow 6 Grange Park Yellow 3

Brixworth Juniors 3 Thorplands - Club 81 2

Daventry Vikings 2 Bilton Ajax 5

Kislingbury Youth Red 4 Byfield United 1

Towcester Tigers 2 Drayton Grange Colts 2

P W D L Pts

Brixworth Juniors 5 5 0 0 15

Kislingbury Youth Red 6 5 0 1 15

Bilton Ajax F. C 5 4 0 1 12

Billing United 6 3 1 2 10

Thorplands - Club 81 White 5 3 0 2 9

Byfield United 6 3 0 3 9

Drayton Grange Colts 5 2 2 1 8

Towcester Town Tigers 6 2 1 3 7

Woodford United Junoiors 5 1 1 3 4

Daventry Town F C Vikings 6 1 1 4 4

Blisworth Youth Yellow 5 1 0 4 3

Grange Park Yellow 6 0 0 6 0

UNDER 11D

Eastern Eagles 8 Kingsthorpe Hunters 2

ON Chenecks 3 Ffa 2

Thorplands Club 81 Red 2 Kislingbury Youth Black 3

Wootton St George 3 Parklands Tigers 1

P W D L Pts

Wootton St George F C 4 4 0 0 12

ON Chenecks 4 3 1 0 10

Kislingbury Youth Black 4 3 1 0 10

Ffa 5 2 1 2 7

Welland Valley Yellow 3 1 2 0 5

Eastern Eagles F C 3 1 1 1 4

Kingsthorpe Jets Hunters 5 1 1 3 4

Thorplands - Club 81 Red 4 1 0 3 3

Parklands Tigers 5 1 0 4 3

Crick Athletic Crusaders 3 1 0 2 3

Long Buckby Bucks 4 0 1 3 1

UNDER 12A

Guilsborough 6 Towcester Town 2

Hackleton Harriers 2 Gregory Celtic White 3

P W D L Pt

Gregory Celtic White 6 5 1 0 16

Grange Park Yellow 5 5 0 0 15

Bugbrooke St Michaels 5 5 0 0 15

Soccer Stars 4 3 0 1 9

Hackleton Harriers F C 5 3 0 2 9

Guilsborough Fc 6 2 0 4 6

Moulton Magpies 4 2 0 2 6

Towcester Town F.C 5 1 0 4 3

Gregory Celtic Green 5 0 1 4 1

Daventry Town Vikings 4 0 0 4 0

Blisworth Youth Yellow 5 0 0 5 0

UNDER 12B

P W D L Pt

Harpole F C 5 4 1 0 13

Crick Athletic Colts 5 4 1 0 13

Parklands Tigers Ambers 5 4 0 1 12

Parklands Tigers Black 5 3 1 1 10

Wootton St George F C 5 3 1 1 10

Welland Valley 5 3 0 2 9

Brixworth Juniors 5 3 0 2 9

Irchester Romans F C 5 1 1 3 4

Thorplands - Club 81 5 1 0 4 3

Gregory Celtic Emeralds 5 1 0 4 3

Obelisk Utd 5 0 1 4 1

Kingsthorpe Tornados 5 0 0 5 0

UNDER 12C

Grange Park Blue 1 Daventry Town Saxons 2

West Haddon 4 Drayton Grange 2

/Fionn Doherty 2

P W D L Pt

Daventry Town F C Saxons 6 5 0 1 15

Billing United 5 4 1 0 13

Falcons 5 4 0 1 12

Blisworth Youth Green 4 3 1 0 10

West Haddon Jfc 6 3 0 3 9

Grange Park Rangers Blue 5 2 0 3 6

Long Buckby Juniors Afc 4 1 2 1 5

Drayton Grange F.C. 5 1 1 3 4

Bilton Ajax F. C 5 1 1 3 4

Eastern Eagles F C 4 0 0 4 0

Ffa 5 0 0 5 0

UNDER 12 COUNTY CUP

Blisworth Greens 1 Deanshanger 2

Taku Masikati/

Harpole 3 Werrington 0

Nathan Davis, Jordan Fitzhugh. OG/

UNDER 13A

P W D L Pt

Moulton Magpies 4 3 1 0 10

Roade Juniors 4 3 1 0 10

Gregory Celtic 4 3 1 0 10

Flore Park Rovers 4 3 0 1 9

Bugbrooke St Michaels 4 2 1 1 7

Grange Park Rangers 4 2 0 2 6

Soccer Stars 4 1 1 2 4

Moulton Fields 5 1 1 3 4

Welland Valley 5 1 0 4 3

Wootton St George 5 1 0 4 3

Drayton Grange 5 1 0 4 3

UNDER 13B

Falcons White 6 Woodford United 3

Wootton Field Colts 2 ON Chenecks 4

P W D L Pt

O N Chenecks 7 6 1 0 19

Falcons White 7 6 0 1 18

Bilton Ajax 6 5 1 0 16

Falcons Stripes 6 4 1 1 13

Towcester Town 6 4 0 2 12

Wootton Field Colts 6 3 1 2 10

Parklands Tigers Amber 6 3 0 3 9

Billing United 6 2 0 4 6

Woodford United 6 2 0 4 6

Brixworth Juniors 6 2 0 4 6

Parklands Tigers Stripes 6 2 0 4 6

Hackleton Harriers FC 6 1 0 5 3

Crick Athletic Colts 6 1 0 5 3

Long Buckby Juniors AFC 6 0 0 6 0

UNDER 14A

Drayton Grange 2 Brixworth Juniors 0

Grange Park Rangers 2 Eastern Eagles 0

Moulton Magpies 1 Ise Lodge Youth 2

O N Chenecks 5 Welland Valley 0

Towcester Town 1 Parklands Tigers 5

P W D L Pts

ON Chenecks 5 4 1 0 13

Parklands Tigers 5 4 0 1 12

Grange Park Rangers 5 4 0 1 12

Ise Lodge Youth F C 4 3 1 0 10

Billing United 4 2 1 1 7

Moulton Magpies 5 2 0 3 6

Drayton Grange F.C. 5 2 0 3 6

Brixworth Juniors 4 1 1 2 4

Eastern Eagles F C 4 1 0 3 3

Welland Valley 4 0 0 4 0

Towcester Town F.C 5 0 0 5 0

UNDER 14B

Bilton Ajax 0 Kingsthorpe Lightning 7

Daventry Town 1 Bugbrooke 4

Falcons 7 Kingsthorpe Hornets 0

Gregory Celtic White 5 Earls Barton United 5

Obelisk Utd 5 Blisworth Youth 0

P W D L Pts

Gregory Celtic White 6 5 1 0 16

Obelisk Utd 6 4 1 1 13

Earls Barton United 6 4 1 1 13

Naseby Wanderers 5 4 0 1 12

Falcons 5 4 0 1 12

Kingsthorpe Jets Hornets 6 3 1 2 10

Kingsthorpe Jets Lightning 4 3 0 1 9

Wootton St George F C 4 2 0 2 6

Bugbrooke St Michael’s 6 1 0 5 3

Daventry Town F C 6 1 0 5 3

Blisworth Youth 5 0 0 5 0

Bilton Ajax F. C 7 0 0 7 0

UNDER 15A

Brixworth Juniors 2 Gregory Celtic 3

Crick Athletic Colts 1 Wootton St George 6

Drayton Grange 2 Heyford Athletic 0

Falcons Blue 6 Parklands Tigers Amber 0

Woodford United 5 ON Chenecks 2

P W D L Pts

Parklands Tigers Amber 6 5 0 1 15

Gregory Celtic 6 4 1 1 13

Falcons Blue 6 4 1 1 13

Drayton Grange F.C. 6 3 3 0 12

Woodford United 6 3 2 1 11

Heyford Athletic F C 6 2 0 4 6

Brixworth Juniors 6 2 0 4 6

O N Chenecks 6 2 0 4 6

Wootton St George F C 6 1 1 4 4

Crick Athletic Colts 6 0 0 6 0

UNDER 15B

Billing United 4 Falcons Stripes 6

Irchester Romans 6 Moulton Fields 3

Phoenix Rangers 2 Wooldale 2

Spratton Youth 6 Parklands Tigers Black 1

Thorplands - Club 81 2 Hackleton Harriers 5

/Nathan Reed 2, Peter Wilkinson, Bradley Ansell,Tatenda Kawodza

Towcester Town 4 Bilton Ajax 9

P W D L Pts

Falcons Stripes 6 6 0 0 18

Wooldale F.C 6 4 2 0 14

Billing United 6 4 1 1 13

Hackleton Harriers F C 6 4 1 1 13

Bilton Ajax F. C 6 4 1 1 13

Towcester Town F.C 6 3 0 3 9

Phoenix Rangers 6 2 1 3 7

Spratton Youth F.C 6 2 0 4 6

Irchester Romans Youth F C 6 2 0 4 6

Parklands Tigers Black 6 1 0 5 3

Moulton Fields 6 0 1 5 1

Thorplands - Club 81 6 0 1 5 1

UNDER 16A

Bugbrooke St 1 Falcons 3

Kingsthorpe Jets 1 Billing United 1

Towcester Town 6 Brixworth Juniors 3

Weedon Juniors 1 Harpole 2

P W D L Pts

Bugbrooke 5 4 0 1 12

Falcons 5 3 1 1 10

Towcester Town F.C 5 3 1 1 10

Soccer Stars 4 3 0 1 9

Harpole F C 4 2 1 1 7

Weedon Juniors 5 1 1 3 4

Billing United 4 0 2 2 2

Kingsthorpe Jets 4 0 2 2 2

Brixworth Juniors 4 0 0 4 0

UNDER 16B

Bilton Ajax 7 Black Panthers 0

Drayton Grange 3 Flore Park Rovers 0

Gregory Celtic 3 Wooldale 5

Priors Marston P Wootton St George P

P W D L Pts

Drayton Grange F.C. 5 4 1 0 13

Wooldale F.C 5 4 0 1 12

Gregory Celtic 5 3 1 1 10

Wootton St George F C 4 3 0 1 9

Flore Park Rovers 5 1 1 3 4

Priors Marston 4 1 1 2 4

Bilton Ajax F. C 5 1 0 4 3

Black Panthers 5 0 0 5 0

UNDER 18 BLUE

Bilton Ajax White 7 Phoenix Rangers 3

Brixworth Juniors 3 Moulton Fields 1

Cold Ashby 0 Billing United 6

Lawford United 0 Rushden & Diamonds 15

Moulton Magpies 6 Daventry Town 0

P W D L Pts

Moulton Magpies 6 5 0 1 15

Billing United 5 4 1 0 13

Bilton Ajax F. C White 6 4 0 2 12

Afc Rushden & Diamonds 5 3 2 0 11

Brixworth Juniors 6 3 0 3 9

Daventry Town F C 5 2 0 3 6

Moulton Fields 5 2 0 3 6

Cold Ashby 6 1 1 4 4

Phoenix Rangers 4 1 0 3 3

Lawford United 6 0 0 6 0

UNDER 18 BLACK

Gregory Celtic P Earls Barton United P

Heyford Athletic 3 Black Panthers 2

Long Buckby Juniors 4 Drayton Grange 2

Mavericks 2 Bilton Ajax Red 4

Woodford United 2 Obelisk Utd 4

P W D L Pts

Heyford Athletic F C 6 5 1 0 16

Long Buckby Juniors Afc 6 4 2 0 14

Gregory Celtic 5 4 0 1 12

Obelisk Utd 6 4 0 2 12

Bilton Ajax F. C Red 6 3 1 2 10

Drayton Grange F.C. 6 3 0 3 9

Mavericks(Afc) 6 2 0 4 6

Black Panthers 5 1 0 4 3

Woodford United 5 0 0 5 0

Earls Barton United 5 0 0 5 0

FIXTURES

Saturday, October 20

Under 8 Yellow: Blisworth v Heyford Athletic, Daventry Town Saxons v Kingsthorpe Jets , Roade Juniors v Towcester Town Tigers , Thorplands Club 81 v Ffa Stripes

Under 8 White: Falcons Blue v Brixworth Panthers, Hackleton Harriers Red v Kislingbury Youth, Towcester Town Foxes v Wootton St George Red, Grange Park Blue v Daventry Vikings

Under 8 Red: Hackleton Harriers Blue v Ffa Red, Soccer Stars v Grange Park Yellow

Under 8 Blue: Billing United v Ffa Gold, Crick Colts v Delapre Dragons, Grange Park Green v West Haddon Falcons

Under 9 Prem: Brixworth Pumas v Falcons Blue, Bugbrooke Yellow v Grange Park Yellow, Daventry Town Danes v Blisworth, Welland Valley White v Welland Valley Blue, Wootton St George v Moulton Fields

Under 9A: Billing United Red v Soccer Stars, Falcons Stripes v Bugbrooke Blue,Flore Park Rovers v Towcester Town 
Tigers, Parklands Tigers Black v Long Buckby Jnrs, Welland Valley Yellow v West Haddon Dynamos

Under 9B: Brixworth Panthers v Kislingbury Youth, Daventry Town Vikings v Kingsthorpe Jets Raptors, Delapre Dragons Lightning v Billing United Blue, Grange Park Blue v Hackleton Harriers White, Parklands Tigers Amber v Weedon Juniors

Under 9C: Delapre Dragons Thunder v Grendon Sapphires, Grange Park Green v Kingsthorpe Jets Tomcats, Obelisk Utd v Ffa, Thorplands Club 81 v Drayton Grange Blades

Under 10 Prem: Bugbrooke Blue v Moulton Magpies Black, Hackleton Harriers Red v Gregory Celtic, Ise Lodge v Grange Park Yellow, Parklands Tigers Amber v Hackleton Harriers Blue, Soccer Stars v Woodford Utd Blue, Ffa v Roade Juniors

Under 10S A: Grange Park Blue v Kingsthorpe Jets Typhoons, Thorplands Utd v Wooldale Blue, Welland Valley Blue v Rugby Ajax

Under 10B: Brixworth Panthers v Drayton Grange Blades, Daventry Town Saxons v Towcester Town Foxes, Delapre Dragons Diamonds v Blisworth, Woodford Utd Red v Moulton Magpies White

Under 10C: 303 Polish v Daventry Town Vikings, Bilton Ajax v Welford Victoria, Heyford Athletic Raiders v Towcester Town Tigers, Welland Valley Yellow v Parklands Tigers Black

Under 10D: Delapre Dragons Dazzlers v Billing United, Kingsthorpe Jets Buccaneers v Brixworth Pumas, Parklands Tigers Stripes v Grendon Sapphires, West Haddon Superstars v Long Buckby Stags

Sunday, October 21

Under 11A: Hackleton Harriers F C v Moulton Magpies v

Under 11B: Blisworth Youth Green v Daventry Town Saxons, West Haddon v Grange Park Rangers Blue, Woodford United Colts v Wooldale Fc

Under 11C: Billing United v Thorplands Club 81 White, Bilton Ajax v Grange Park Rangers 
Yellow

Under 11D: Eastern Eagles v ON Chenecks v

Under 12A: Daventry Town Vikings v Blisworth Youth Yellow, Grange Park Rangers Yellow v Towcester Town, Gregory Celtic White v Soccer Stars, Hackleton Harriers v Guilsborough, Moulton Magpies v Gregory Celtic Green

Under 12B: Crick Athletic Colts v Harpole, Obelisk Utd v Parklands Tigers Black, Parklands Tigers Ambers v Brixworth Juniors, Thorplands Club 81 v Gregory Celtic Emeralds, Welland Valley v Irchester Romans Youth, Wootton St George v Kingsthorpe Jets Tornados

Under 12C: Billing United v Daventry Town, Blisworth Youth Green v Falcons, Eastern Eagles v Bilton Ajax, Ffa v Drayton Grange, Long Buckby Juniors v Grange Park Rangers Blue

Under 14A: Billing United v Drayton Grange Brixworth Juniors v ON Chenecks, Eastern Eagles v Towcester Town, Ise Lodge Youth v Grange Park Rangers, Welland Valley v Moulton Magpies

Under 14B: Blisworth Youth v Wootton St George, Earls Barton United v Obelisk Utd, Gregory Celtic White v Kingsthorpe Jets Lightning, Kingsthorpe Jets Hornets v Daventry Town, Naseby Wanderers v Bilton Ajax

Under 15B: Billing United v Towcester Town, Hackleton Harriers v Spratton Youth

Under 16A: Billing United v Bugbrooke St Michael’s, Brixworth Juniors v Weedon Juniors , Harpole v Kingsthorpe Jets, Soccer Stars v Towcester Town

Under 16B: Priors Marston v Wootton St George, Black Panthers v Wooldale, Flore Park Rovers v Bilton Ajax, Priors Marston v Gregory Celtic

NFA Under 18 Cup: Second round: Oundle Juniors v Raunds Town Youth, Long Buckby AFC Juniors v Kislingbury United Youth, Grammarians Youth v Heyford Athletic Youth, Brackley Town Junors v Ise Lodge Falcons, Stewarts & Lloyds v Northborough JFC, Northampton AFC Mavericks v Corby Kingswood, Cogenhoe United v Grammarians Youth, Burton Park Wanderers v Syresham Youth.

Martyn Cory was the hat-trick hero as Saints cruised to a 7-2 league win at Telford.

Saints made the long trip up to Telford knowing that three points was crucial after three tough games against ex-national league sides. Both teams were sat on three points after four games so a win was vital for both.

For the first 10 minutes the game was fairly even with both sides enjoying a large amount of possession but it was Saints who were breaking the opponents 25 more often.

After 15 minutes Kopka and Press combined to set up James Knibb to sweep the ball home from close range to give Saints the lead, and three minutes later Saints won their first short corner after good work again from Alex Press.

Ben Scott drag flicked only for the ball to strike a defenders leg on the line and Saints were awarded a penalty stroke – Scott converted for 2-0.

Saints didn’t allow Telford to rest as they countered a Telford attack which ended up with Gareth Parker cleverly reverse stick crossing from the left only for a Telford defender to put the ball past his own keeper. Saints dominated the whole half until five minutes from the end when Saints failed to deal with some Telford pressure on the baseline and the home side converted a cross to pull a goal back. 1-3 half time.

With Telford seeing an opportunity back into the match it was important Saints started the second half well.

Again, they dominated possession and it wasn’t long before they extended their lead. Fantastic work by Evan Morris on the right hand side allowed Kopka to lay the ball to Martyn Cory to score his first.

Within two minutes Saints had another after they broke with pace again, this time Parker, Saunders and Knibb combining to set Cory up for his second. It was 5-1 and Saints had the chance to put the game completely out of reach.

Non-stop running from Christian Howard and Steve Williams in midfield allowed Saints to further punish Telford and more goals came as Press finished off another sweeping Saints move and the game was sealed when Cory slammed home his third of the game.

The Saints defence held solid, conceding just one goal in the second half from a short corner as Jamie Webb and Adam Croutear put in strong performances.

Despite Saints’ forwards scoring freely and a fantastic away debut from Evan Morris, the plaudits went to Sean Henry at right back. Strong throughout, pushed forward well and was a constant thorn in the Telford side with some immense tackling.

A much needed win for Saints who host Stourport on Saturday.

Squad: Paul Madeley, Jamie Webb, Sean Henry, Adam Croutear, Ben Scott, Dave Saunders, Stephan Williams, Joe Kopka, Evan Morris, Gareth Parker, Martyn Cory, Alex Press, James Knibb, Christian Howard.

Saints IIs 6 Loughborough IIs 0

After expressing their wonderful football skills in the warm up, Saints put their heads on and were ready for the game.

Right from the start we bombarded Loughborough Town, putting in two early goals our third was a masterpiece, passing the ball round the keeper for a open goal for Sam Mitchell.

At half time Saints were winning comfortably 4-0 and outclassing their opponents.

Saints slotted in their fifth goal which was followed by a strike from captain Dan Whittaker to make it 6-0.

They the only thing that stopped Saints’ rampage was the weather, as heavy hail meant that the match had to be called off after 50 minutes with the pitch covered in hail and rain water.

Squad: Robin Sawyer, Guy Roberts, Danny Whitfield, Ally Rose, Tom Wightman, Chris Reid, Matt Gausden, Dan Whittaker, Alex Blunt, Greg Summers, Sam Mitchell, Dan Rose, Scott Mahoney,  Jack Pogson

Loughborough Town Vs 2 Saints IIIs 3

After the previous week’s away win, Saints looked to do something they couldn’t last year... win two matches away from home.

Saints once again bossed the possession, but one again could not break the deadlock, Pibworth missing a chance from a penalty corner. Loughborough took the lead and before long doubled their lead due to confusion by Miller and Mcllwaine allowing the attacker to slot home.

This episode and letting a substitution on during a short corner (Day the culprit) earned Mcllwaine the DOTD.

Saints grabbed a lifeline seconds before the end of the half after good interplay by Mcllwaine combining with Gamble allowed Wade to wrong foot the keeper and they were 2-1 down at half time.

Saints leapt into life in the second half with Miller and Gamble combining to release Pibworth in on the keeper, and after rounding him, slotted the ball into the goal.

Lightning didn’t strike twice as later Pibworth rounded the keeper again only to see the effort brush the side netting.

Saints completed the remarkable comeback when Pibworth squared the ball for Gamble to slot home.

Squad: Adam Powell, Andy Dale, Nigel Down, Lee O’Donnell, Hugo Day, Jason Hillier, Ian McIlwaine, James Miller, Will Gamble, Luke Pibworth, Lewis moran, Richard Say, Andy Wade

Saints IVs 9 Warwick Uni IVs 0

Saints, buoyed by winning their last two league games, took the field against the students full of confidence.

This confidence appeared to be mis-placed in the first 25 minutes as they struggled to find any rhythm with too much reliance on individual skills and not enough of the fluid team passing that had bought them the two earlier wins.

In fact it was the experienced back four of Morris, Phipps, Paterson and Candler that had to steady the ship for much of the early exchanges. This changed however after 25 minutes when an own goal by the Uni keeper was quickly followed by a true poacher’s goal by the evergreen Max Darby.

Almost on the stroke of half time, Chris Godman took responsibility for converting a penalty flick (after Rob Cary’s horror miss from the previous week) and Saints were 3-0 up at half time without playing well.

The second half was a story of great passing from the Saints, two yellow cards for the students, and a hat-trick for Darby.

There were further goals from Lloyd Atkinson (2), Dave Henry and Ant Condon who completed the rout. A great second half, another important clean sheet for the miserly back four and three wins out of three.

Leek Vs 5 Saints Vs 4

Saints travelled to Leek trying to put their first points of the season on the board.
Saints started the game well using the wings more than they did a week ago, Nick Beattie dribbling in from the right and producing a cross- come-shot, which the Leek defence had no answer too and they could only divert into the goal.

Saints continued to push with Karl MacGregor making a surprise visit into the opposition D.

The skill and creativity finally paid off, but not before Adam Morgan was shown a yellow card for blocking a potential counter attack from Leek.

The Saints doubled their lead with Krish Jasinarachchi dribbling into the D for the opposition keeper to kick the ball into his goal.
Saints continued to push and Jasinarachchi nearly scored again but missed a great chance when he was one on one with the goalkeeper.

Leek got them back into the game after poor defending allowed a tap in for 2-1, and that’s the way it stayed until the second half.
The second half began with Saints under pressure, and the pressure eventually told when Leek levelled from a short corner.

This seemed to wake the Saints up and the midfield was working hard, especially Elliot Wilde, and inspired full-back runs from Joe Cliffe.

While Ed Arnold was off the pitch, Saints pushed forward looking to retake the lead and they did when a well-executed short corner injected by Karl MacGregor which went to Rob Tee who drilled his shot into the corner of the goal who then celebrated like he had just won the lottery.
Leek continued to make good attacking moves and test the Saints defence, but the Saints broke from defence with a lovely through ball by MacGregor through to Tee who tackled the defender and beat him for pace before drawing the goalkeeper out of the goal and slotting into the corner to make it 4-2 and surely seal the win.
But Leek had other ideas in the final 10 minutes.

Saints thought the game was won and still continued to attack, and Leek’s experience told as they scored three counter-attacking goals in the final 10 minutes which secured them a 5-4 win which left Saints wondering how they manage to let the game slip.
Squad: Jake Bennett, John Bennett, Joseph Cliffe, Karl MacGregor, Ed Arnold, Rob Tee, Elliot Wilde, Ricard Pryce, Krish Jasinarachchi, Nick Beattie, Adam Morgan, Alasdair Townsend.

Saints VIs 1 Rugby Vs 3

The opening exchanges in this game were dominated by a physically stronger Rugby who imposed their pattern of play on a young Saints team.

It was rather against the run of play when Finn Pikard showed himself to be a top poacher to slot in a half chance after good work on the right by Adam Wright (making his debut) and Anthony Walder.

Saints then had their best 10 minute spell of the half only to see Rugby grab an equaliser with barely 30 seconds to go in the first half.
The second half saw Rugby dominate more and more in midfield and Saints struggled to carve out any clear chances with short corners representing their best chance of scoring. Rugby scored two well taken goals in the half to run out worthy winners.

LADIES

Saints 2 Boots 1

Saints started the match determined not to concede early as in previous weeks.

However, Boots were also keen to continue where they left off last week.

Debutant keeper Sophie Chambers was called into action early on and within the first 10 minutes had to pull off a string of saves that kept the score at 0-0.

Saints began to put their game together and won a series of penalty corners which resulted in LA Chacksfield slotting home the opener in the 28th minute and meant that Saints went into half time a little fortunate to be 1-0 in the lead.

However, in the second half the Saints continue to gain control of the match and apply the pressure onto Boots defence, only to concede to a long hopeful ball out of midfield to an unmarked Boots forward who levelled the scores in the 50th Minute.

Saints did not allow this to cause too much concern and continued to press the boots defence and again won a series of penalty corners, and in the 66th minute Caroline Hossack was able to pick up the ball from the keeper’s pads and slot back into the Boots goal to score what proved to be the winner for Saints,

The second league victory in a row has seen the Saints move up the table and grow in confidence ahead of the local derby at Towcester next Saturday and the cup match against Harrogate on Sunday.

Squad: Sophie Chambers, Clare Sibley, Sally Trappit, Georgia Linnell, Caroline Hassock, Emma Cooper, Ferne Sanders, Emily Kilner, Caz McCabe, Chloe Cozens, LA Chacksfield, Ellie Bleech, Sally Cory, Becca Wilkinson, Lottie Tulley

Saints IVs 1 Earls Barton 3

Saints’ winning run came to an abrupt halt against stiff opposition in league leaders Earls Barton.

The game started at a frenetic pace with Earls Barton going 1-0 up five minutes in.

However, Saints hit back with an unstoppable shot from Lou Hart.

Saints soaked up constant pressure and managed to turn solid defence into attack on the break, with Becky Lovatt making an impressive debut for the Saints in midfield.

Unfortunately, it was a different story after half time, when a couple of injuries took their toll and affected the Saints organisation.

Barton were a constant threat despite determined defending from the Saints, and they peppered the goal with shots, scoring twice in quick succession.

Barton finished the game 3-1 winners, while Saints’ man of the match was goalkeeper Sarah Collins.

Saints IIs 2 Matlock 5

Another tough game for Saints this week against a very physical team in Matlock.

Saints started the game brightly with some good possession, unfortunately Matlock hit us on the break and scored a double in the first half, against the run of play.

Northampton managed to pick themselves up and regroup, and without some heroics from Emma Brennan in goal we may have conceded a few more.

The second half saw Northampton got back into the game and they managed to pull a goal back after a well worked penalty corner routine.

Matlock had some good territorial possession in the second half but some great defending as a team meant that they spent more time passing backwards than being able to push through our defensive line, and it was only their constant attacking that managed to force through three more goals in the second half.

Before the final whistle, Emily Wilkins very easily sauntered through Matlock’s midfield then defence as was cruelly denied a goal thanks to poacher Sim Sandhu.

Annie Howard finished the scoring of a few minutes from the end lifting the ball into the top corner after Sandhu and the Matlock goalkeeper scraped around for the ball in the goal mouth.

Saints academy coach Mark Hopley makes his National League One playing return tomorrow when he turns out for Coventry in their clash with Richmond.

Hopley, who made more than 50 first-team appearances for Saints up until the summer of 2010, has played for the past two seasons for Birmingham & Solihull.

He has yet to play a senior game this campaign due to his duties with the Saints Academy, and the fact the Saints registered him as a player as cover for the Wanderers.

He has been a squad member for several of the Saints second string’s matches so far this season, but with Wanderers sealing their place in the A-League semi-finals earlier this week, Hopley has been given permission to play elsewhere by his Franklin’s Gardens bosses.

He will make his debut for Coventry at No.8 tomorrow, replacing Jacques Le Roux, who flew back to South Africa last Sunday following the death of his father.

Coventry rugby director Phil Maynard admits he has been trying to bring Hopley to the Butts Park Arena for some time, and that his now very timely arrival could have happened before the start of the season.

“He was going to be here for the whole of the season, but because of injuries at Saints he was pulled back there on a player’s contract until the end of October,” said Maynard.

“Saints have got through to the A League semi-finals now, so he has been given dispensation to play for us early which is great news.

“I’ve tried to get him here for the last couple of years and I’ve always had it in my mind that if we did have a real problem we could get hold of him.”

For 30 minutes on Sunday I feared the worst, Saints were totally off the pace and it was looking like they had learned nothing from their embarrassing defeat at London Irish a week earlier.

Glasgow were half a yard quicker to the breakdown, were more than matching Saints at the set-piece and generally looked hungrier than Northampton who were shell-shocked after the two early Glasgow scores.

Former Saints winger Sean Lamont was proving to be a huge thorn in the side of his former club. He is a handful at the best of times, but seems to always want to prove a point when he is playing against his former club.

What was noticeable on Sunday was the lack of noise from the Saints fans in the first half. I don’t think it helps the players when the atmosphere drops at the Gardens.

I know the players need to give the crowd something to cheer about, but sometimes they need the crowd to lift them, and that wasn’t happening on Sunday.

Thankfully though, two brothers from Samoa managed to wake the up the crowd and their team-mates. George and Ken Pisi were really the catalysts that sparked the Saints into life.

Ken is starting to make as big an impact as his brother did a year ago.

He is not the out-and-out quickest winger around, but he has great footwork and has the habit, like his brother, of making something happen every time he gets his hands on the ball.

Worryingly for Saints, Stephen Myler had a real off day. I think there is a direct correlation in his performance and missed kicks at goal.

If he is off target with his early attempts it tends to affect his all-round game.

It was a positive move that Saints did not substitute him and that he was able to contribute to the bonus-point try with some sharp hands for Vasily Artemyev’s score.

Saints will need his control over the coming weeks and every player can have an off day. Look at Nick Evans for Quins a few weeks ago against Saracens, he had an off day, but they didn’t throw the baby out with the bath water and drop him straight away.

Myler has played well this season so far, and it would be a mistake to drop him after one indifferent performance.

The other major concern was the injury to James Wilson. I am not entirely convinced he was fit to start, but they were under pressure to play him. He didn’t appear to be the player we have seen over the last few weeks and looked like he was still carrying his injury.

There is a good chance that he will be unlikely to start against Castres this weekend which will be a blow, and after the Artemyev experiment at Irish I would be tempted to start with Tom May in his place.

It is to the credit of the Saints that they fought back from being two scores down. It was a good display of their strength of character, but they will not want to concede such easy leads to the likes of Ulster in the two back-to-back games against them coming up.

Ulster were impressive in their bonus point win over Castres on Friday night and are the number one contenders for qualification from the pool. It is a fairly obvious statement, but the qualification from the pool will all hinge on those two games in December.

I really do think some of the scheduling of European games needs to be looked at.

It is grossly unfair to expect teams to play on a Sunday then follow that up with a Friday night game, you need six or seven days to get over games of this magnitude, and Northampton are already on the back foot going into Friday night’s clash without having stepped on the pitch.

Castres will have had nearly 48 hours extra rest and preparation time.

The good news is that from a tactical point of view Saints know Castres very well from the last couple of seasons. They they ought to know what it will take to come away from Friday night with a win.

Castres are a very physical side up front, and Saints have not been at their best in the set-piece and tight play over the past couple of weeks and the big men up front will need to put in a big shift to lay the platform the likes of the Pisi brothers to weave their magic.

If Saints start well I can see Castres rolling over, as we know from their past record once they feel qualification is slipping from their grasp they tend to shift their focus back to their domestic competition.

ENGLISH CLUBS OFF TO A GOOD START

It is far too early to say whether this season is going to be a more successful one for the Premiership clubs, but on the evidence of last weekend is was a really positive start.

Most impressive was the win for Sale over a really talented Cardiff outfit.

You have to wonder what is happening with the Welshmen, as they have bags of talent in their squad and that would have been a huge body blow for them to lose that game after squandering the lead.

It looks like former Sale boss and England coach John Mitchell will be back at the Sharks soon as forwards coach, I think that will be a great move for them and that win will have given their confidence a huge boost.

It will also have been a big boost for them that big summer signing Danny Cipriani finally repaid some of the faith shown in his ability. He is a player that I have always enjoyed watching, if only he could ensure that all his talking and antics are kept on the pitch.

Harlequins and Saracens were mightily impressive in their wins against Biarritz and Edinburgh respectively.

Sarries showed again that when they play with the shackles off they are a much better team, one hopes that their attitude in Europe will rub off on their Premiership performances.

Tigers will be disappointed with their display in Toulouse, they ought to have at least come away with a losing bonus point but some tactically poor calls, especially from Ben Youngs, cost them what could be a critical point come the end of the pool stages.

In conditions like that away from home against one the big powerhouses of Europe you need to take all the points on offer.

When criticising Youngs people would do well to remember that he is still in his early years of development.

I would bet that faced with a similar situation again he would not make the same error.

Tigers fans will be hoping that moment will not cost them.

A return to 50-over cricket and a Friday evening slot for the Twenty20 competition are two changes expected to be implemented for the 2014 county season.

Following an online survey that attracted in excess of 25,000 responses from supporters of the county game and the failure of the ECB’s Morgan Report to find an agreeable structure, the game’s governing body have drawn up a proposed schedule that will initially be in place for a four-year period from the season after next.

One of the main complaints directed at the fixture list has been that there is no consistency to when the various forms games are played but that has been rectified to some degree.

The first fourteen of the 16 rounds of the County Championship, which will retain the two-divisional set-up, will start on Sundays and continue until the third week of September.

The Twenty20, having seen a big drop off in attendance numbers in the last couple of years, will run through the majority of the season with games being played mainly on Friday evenings. The quarter-final stage and finals day will continue in the present format but no counties will participate in the Champions League due to the competition clashing with the end of the English season.

With the attitude towards the 40-over game remaining indifferent, the decision has been taken to revert back to 50 overs to replicate the international game.

Every county will play eight games with knockout stages starting from the quarter-finals and there will be no place for the Netherlands, Scotland or the Unicorns who have played in the CB40 in recent years.

Friday night’s trip to Barnet is likely to provide plenty of cause for deja-vu among the Cobblers contingent, but this is a match that should be all about opportunity for a gradually blossoming Northampton team.

Mentions of the fact that the Bees are yet to win this season are likely to leave travelling supporters heading to Underhill fearing the worst, regardless of the form of both sides.

These are the kind of statistics that always seem to go against the Cobblers, so the theory goes, and it was proved by a poor Bristol Rovers side who recorded their first victory of the campaign at their expense less than a fortnight ago.

Except they don’t.

Dagenham were without a win when the Town team bus rolled up at Victoria Road last month – and they were still without a win when it departed a few hours and an Adebayo Akinfenwa header later.

So while the tendency is to urge on the side of caution and expect the worst, this game, at the risk of imposing a jinx and writing the Barnet team talk for them, has to be a banker three points for the away side.

There is a world of difference between a game against a Bristol Rovers team pumped up and playing in front of 5,000 fans and one at a dark and dingy Dagenham with one man and his dog watching.

Tonight’s game at Barnet will be a lot closer in complexion to the latter.

They are there for the taking and this Northampton team, which is starting to build some form and momentum, will take them.

The past four visits to Underhill include a dull 0-0 draw, two 4-1 defeats and a fortuitous last-gasp 2-1 win last season that was about as good as it got under Gary Johnson.

None of those will be acceptable in this game. The Cobblers have to see this as a perfect game to put down a marker; they can get into the play-off places with it (albeit only for 20 hours or so) and they can send a message out to the rest of the division that they will be a force this season.

So, the message to the players: Forget about deja-vu and concentrate on destruction. Barnet are not bottom of the Football League by accident.

Six men have been sentenced to more than 30 years in prison after posing as police officers and stealing hundreds of thousands of pounds from trusting members of the public.

Steven Nutting, aged 31-years-old, was sentenced to six years and six months at Leicester Crown Court yesterday.

The five other men, Wayne Vakani, aged 29, Shraine Tumber, aged 30, Ibrahim Razak, aged 29, Dale Robinson, aged 27, and Benjamin Chisholm, aged 29, all from Leicestershire, were all sentenced at Northampton Crown Court at an earlier hearing, in July.

Between September 2009 and May 2010, the group committed seven burglaries, five in Leicester, one in Northamptonshire and one in Nottingham. During the incidents they posed as police officers and on one occasion a tax officer, targeting businesses and members of the public at their home addresses.

The men, in groups of three to five, approached the victims and told them that they were being investigated by police for offences including drugs, illegal immigration, tax offences and firearms. They were then threatened with arrest if they didn’t cooperate.

Police say victims had their hands tied, their heads covered and were told they would be shot if they did not co-operate.

They would then go on to steal large quantities of cash, jewellery and electronic goods claiming that it would all form part of the investigation. The value of the cash and property taken during the offences culminated to over £200,000.

Officers investigating the incidents soon began to make the links between the offences and a thorough investigation was carried out by Leicestershire Police officers, supported by colleagues in Nottinghamshire Police and Northamptonshire Police.

In July 2010, detectives began carrying out warrants at addresses across Leicester to locate the offenders and gather evidence. All six men were then arrested and charged over the course of the next four months.

Detective Constable Gary Dickinson, who led the investigation, said: “This has been a lengthy but ultimately successful investigation which has resulted in the sentencing of the last of these six men. These men carried out offences which terrified the victims involved, who at the time truly believed that they had nowhere to turn.

“Almost all of the victims had their hands tied, some had their heads covered and one was told he would be shot if he didn’t co-operate. These men acted with only their own gain in mind, threatening harmless members of the public in such a terrifying way that they were left traumatised by their actions.

“Although the offenders tried to appear professional, with false identification cards, stab vests and hand held radios, the victims soon realised that they were not who they said they were. They then immediately called police and worked with us to locate them. It’s through the actions of those victims that we have been able to get the results we have seen today.”

I headed west for the World Cup qualifier between Wales and Scotland last weekend, and although I left the Cardiff City Stadium frustrated at the 2-1 defeat suffered by Craig Levein’s side, I also left with a feeling of privilege to have seen a fantastic performance from Gareth Bale.

The Welsh winger was a joy to watch, even if I was willing him to fall over the ball every time he got hold of it.

He didn’t of course, he just simply tended to glide past every Scotland defender that tried to get in his path, and left-back Danny Fox in particular will be having nightmares about what Bale subjected him to over 90 pulsating minutes.

The Tottenham Hotspur man was simply two sets of head and shoulders above every other player on the pitch, and he wasn’t even playing in his favoured left-wing spot.

The Welsh played him on the right of midfield, and he was able to cut inside or take on his man on the outside with equal, devastating effect.

I know Wales were only playing a Scotland side that would probably struggle to finish halfway up the Barclays Premier League, but I would suggest that Bale is the only British outfield footballer worthy of the ‘world-class’ tag that is thrown around far too often nowadays.

In recent years I have seen Scotland play the likes of Spain, Italy and Holland, and no player for any of those teams went close to destroying them as Bale did in Cardiff. He was brilliant.

World-class is a label that has been pinned on many England players in the recent past, but none of them are close to being the player Bale is.

I mean listening to the groaning reaction to England’s 1-1 draw in Poland on Wednesday - which I actually thought was a good result - there were still several supposedly expert pundits referring to Wayne Rooney and Steven Gerrard as ‘world-class’.

Well I’m sorry, I just don’t see it. Very good players? Yes. World-class players? No.

But Bale, I reckon he is pretty close. He is surely destined to make a move to one of the giants of European football, as he a special, special player.

So although I was cursing under my breath in the final minute as Bale rattled that spectacular 25-yard drive into the top corner of Alan McGregor’s net in the final minute, I also found myself almost wanting to applaud.

I didn’t, because at that moment I was a bitter Scotland fan, but it really was an ‘I was there moment’, and I am so glad I was.

I HAVE NO FAITH IN UEFA TO HIT SERBIA HARD

Another trip to Eastern Europe for an England team, another night of missile throwing and racist abuse - cue another pathetic hand-slap from UEFA.

Stuart Pearce’s under-21 players and coaching staff were involved in ugly scenes at the end of their European Championship play-off in Serbia on Tuesday night.

The players had been subjected to missiles being thrown from the crowd, with the black players having to endure racist chanting throughout the game.

Then it all really kicked off at full time following England’s last-gasp winner, with both sets of players and management getting involved in ugly scuffles.

It was a disgrace, and despite the laughable denials of racial abuse from the Serbian FA and the nation’s president, it was the home supporters at the root of it all.

What UEFA should do now is throw the book at the Serbia FA, ban the under-21 side from the next competition and throw in a suspended sentence for the senior team as well. At the very least.

Perhaps the Serbia supporters then might think twice before racially abusing any player in future.

But of course that won’t happen.

Indeed, knowing UEFA, they’ll probably hit the Serbian FA with a paltry fine - and punish England with a bigger fine for failing to control their players.

It’s just what they do...

SORRY SEEMED TO BE THE HARDEST WORD FOR TERRY

Sticking with the issues of race, John Terry this week at long last apologised for racially abusing Anton Ferdinand in the Premier League clash between Queens Park Rangers and Chelsea 12 months ago.

But let’s not beat about the bush here, Terry only apologised because it suited him, and his club, to say sorry.

For the past 360 days, sorry seemed to be the hardest word.

The central defender spent a year trying to dodge all responsibility and punishment for his crude and disgraceful abuse of Ferdinand at Loftus Road, and it is only because he has nowhere else to turn that he has now held his hands up.

Indeed, Terry knows that if he had appealed the Football Association decision to ban him for four games and fine him £220,000, then those punishments would more than likely have been increased.

And he, nor league leaders Chelsea, wanted to risk that.

So, as welcome as Terry’s apology may be, forgive me if I take it with a pinch of salt as to how sincere it really is.

Jon Brady says Laurie Walker will be a good addition to the Brackley squad – after acquiring the services of the former Kettering goalkeeper.

Saints boss Brady swooped to sign Walker after the player cancelled his contract with the Poppies earlier this week.

The stopper was not paid by the troubled Southern League Premier Division club and stated enough was enough.

He will now link up with a Brackley side flying high in the Blue Square Bet North after nine wins from 11 games.

“I’m pleased to get hold of him,” said Brady. “He will be a good addition to the squad and he’s a good, young goalkeeper.

“We’re trying to go a bit younger at the club and he will be one for the present and the future.

“I’ve only seen him a couple of times but I got good recommendations and I needed to get a keeper in.”

Meanwhile, Brady believes last weekend’s 6-1 Harrogate hammering was a ‘good lesson’ for his side.

And he has urged them to get back to basics in a bid to ensure the run of two successive defeats comes to an end against Gainsborough on Saturday.

The Saints have conceded 10 goals in their past two games, losing 4-3 at Arlesey Town in the FA Cup third qualifying round, before being hit for six at Harrogate last weekend.

That defeat will have sent shockwaves around the Blue Square Bet North, a league Brackley still sit pretty in after claiming nine wins from their first 11 games.

And Brady has urged his men to rediscover their best form when Gainsborough, who have won four of their 10 games to date, come calling this weekend.

“We were brought back down to earth with a bump last weekend,” said Brady. “We were nowhere near good enough and it’s a good lesson for us.

“We’ve got to get back to keeping clean sheets now and getting back to playing as well as we had done for the first eight or nine weeks of the season. When we do that, we gel as a team and we’ve got to start doing the simple things right.”

The Saints were never really in the game at Harrogate last weekend, with Brady admitting the opposition put in a sterling shift.

Brackley were 4-1 down at the break, with just a Glenn Walker strike to their name, and it got worse after the break as they shipped two more goals.

And the Saints boss said: “Nine out of out first 11 just not at the races and Harrogate were exceptional.

“You’ve got to give them credit, and every single player was right at the top of their level.

“We’ve had a good start to the season but when you’re up at the top of the table you’ve got to be stronger, be better and work harder.”

KETTERING TOWN

Doyle sets Monday deadline for Poppies

Alan Doyle believes there needs to be “decisive action” at Kettering Town by Monday.

And the caretaker-manager believes “that will be it” for the Poppies if the situation at Nene Park shows no sign of improvement before the start of next week.

The club has hit new depths of despair this week after it was confirmed they had failed to pay the £3,000 owed after missing payments on their Company Voluntary Arrangement.

The Poppies were told to pay that sum by Monday this week but failed to do so and it could now see the club’s creditors approached about a new action to wind up the company.

Laurie Walker became the latest player to cancel his contract with the club while a third successive game – the Red Insure Cup home tie with Arlesey Town – was postponed.

There is still no electricity at Nene Park after that was cut off due to unpaid bills while the club also remains under a registration embargo from the Southern League, who are still refusing to comment further on the situation despite numerous requests.

The talk of potential investors coming in seems to have quietened, despite it being rumoured that today could be the key day for at least one on the alleged interested parties to make their decision.

But the eerie silence is concerning Doyle with the next competitive match due to be at home against St Neots Town on Saturday week.

And in his usual honest manner, Doyle said: “If nothing is sorted out by Monday then I think that will be it.

“I was quite enthusiastic about things last weekend, it seemed there was some realistic hope but it is worrying that things have gone so quiet.

“I am just doing what I can do to keep things going from the playing side of things.

“But the issue we have now is that we only have four players officially left with the club. They are Phil Ifil, Jamie Griffiths, who is injured, Michael King and Will Muzvimbiri.

“I had been hoping to keep Ben Farrell here but I believe he is heading to Arlesey Town. What can I do? It’s not as if I can offer him anything.

“Laurie had gone this week and Warren Byerley’s 14-days notice ran out last week.

“We had a practice game last Saturday and there were half-a-dozen who impressed me and there are other boys who have been recommended.

“So we will have a look at them at Rothwell tonight and see what they can do. There isn’t a great deal more I can do.

“The situation needs to be resolved one way or another and that means getting the electricity switched back on and the CVA money being paid. If people are serious about coming in and helping then those things should be sorted out.”

CORBY TOWN

Plummere says pressure is on for FA Cup clash

Chris Plummer knows all the pressure is on his Corby Town team when they take on Hendon for a place in the first round proper of the FA Cup on Saturday.

The Steelmen head into the clash at Steel Park on the back of a heavy 5-2 home defeat to Altrincham in the Blue Square Bet North last weekend.

But Plummer’s team will be heavy favourites to book a spot alongside the npower League One and Two clubs in the live televised draw on Sunday lunchtime as they take on a Hendon team who are struggling at the wrong end of the Ryman League Premier Division.

However, the Corby manager is remaining cautious and he knows his team cannot afford to take their opponents lightly.

“I would agree that they are coming here with nothing to lose,” Plummer said.

“They are the lower ranked team and they have picked up a couple of very good results recently in the FA Cup and in the league.

“We have all the pressure on us and it is crucial that we don’t take them lightly. I certainly don’t expect that attitude from our boys.

“It is going to be a tough, tough game. But, at the same time, if we are at our best then we will have an excellent chance of going through.

“It is a huge incentive to progress through this round. To get into the first round with the Football League clubs would be fantastic and I know that is what has happened here for the past two seasons.

“It is a big opportunity for both clubs and we have to do everything we can to make sure it is us who go on.”

Should the Steelmen progress on Saturday, the draw for the first round proper, which will include Northampton Town, is being screened live on ITV at 1.30pm on Sunday.

Bugbrooke St Michael’s boss Paul Field believes some of his players could soon be targeted by bigger clubs.

The Badgers have been in fine form this season and have won all four of their games in UCL Division One.

Field scooped the manager of the league’s month award for September but was quick to heap praise on his players.

And he knows some of the men who have shone this season may now be on the radar of clubs with bigger budgets.

“All the talk in our division is about the likes of Oadby, Sileby and Diamonds, but we’re going quietly about out business,” said Field.

“We’ve got some good footballers with real pace and other clubs might start looking at what we’ve got.

“We’ve got no budget here whereas other clubs in this division have.”

Field took over the reins at Birds Close from Lee Herbert during the summer and proceeded to promote some of the club’s reserve-team players.

And they’ve done him proud, maintaining a 100 per cent record for the first four games of the league season, currently sitting fourth in the standings.

“Most of the lads have stepped up from the reserves and have played for me for years,” said Field.

“Most of them could have stepped up last year but Lee Herbert had a very good squad. Now they’re getting a chance and they are stepping up to the plate, playing well week in, week out.

“The confidence is really oozing through the club at the moment and the good thing about the squad we’ve got is that they dig in for each other.”

So can the Badgers upset the odds and mix it with the division’s big spenders throughout the season?

“There is no pressure on Bugbrooke to do well this year,” said Field. “This year’s just a building process, a learning process for me and my players.”

Bugbrooke will look to continue that ‘process’ and make it five wins from five when they host Potton United at Birds Close on Saturday.

COGENHOE UNITED

‘Cooks need to be more clinical’

Cogenhoe boss Andy Marks says it won’t be long before his side start turning possession into points.

The Cooks had a fine start to the UCL Premier Division season but they have lost their last three league games.

Marks has been happy with the performances his men have put in, but knows they need to be more ruthless, starting on Saturday, at home to Phil Mason’s Wellingborough Town.

“We’re actually playing quite well,” he said. “We’ve just got to be more clinical.

“We’ve deserved to win games based on our possession and chances but we’re just not taking them at the moment.

“I’m not overly panicked and if we keep playing how we’re playing it won’t be long before we turn performances into points.”

SPENCER

Vase victory a big one for Stone’s men

Spencer boss Ben Stone believes his side’s FA Vase victory against Long Buckby will boost their UCL Division One bid.

The Millers beat the Bucks 1-0 on Tuesday night to move into the Vase second round, and Stone said: “We were the better side and it’s a good confidence booster to take into the league.”

A free open day to mark the official opening of Duston Sports Centre in Northampton will take place on Saturday.

The new centre, in Cotswold Avenue, comprises of a gym, a main hall for sports such as badminton, and a studio which runs fitness classes including yoga, zumba and aerobics.

From 10am–4pm the centre will be open to give everyone a chance to look at the new facilities, meet local sport clubs and try their hands at sports including football, aikido, judo and karate.

All the activities are free and are suitable for the whole family. Drinks will also be served all day in the new Timken Lounge at the centre.

Ian Redfern, managing director of Northampton Leisure Trust, said: “Even though the centre only opened in September we’ve had a really positive reaction to the new facilities. To mark the official opening we’re inviting the local community to come along, have a look at the new facilities and try a new sport.”

A plaque commemorating the official opening of the centre was unveiled earlier this week.

Councillor Alan Earle, chair of Duston Parish Council, which funded the sports centre, said: “We wanted to create a new centre which would offer first class sporting facilities for local people. It has already become a popular community facility and we’re all looking forward to the open day.”

Picking the right venue, dress and favours for a wedding can be particularly tricky, particularly as most brides and grooms want everything to be perfection itself.

But Northamptonshire Newspapers will be offering a helping hand on Sunday when it hosts its second Autumn Wedding Show, this month at the Kettering Conference Centre.

Sponsored by Bonnie Brides & Grooms, the show will involve nearly 40 companies and organisations with everything from wedding venues to make-up artists, wedding gowns and menswear.

From flowers and cakes to cars and photography, there is a good chance that all those planning their weddings will find plenty to inspire them at the show.

There will be fashion showcases at 11.30am and 1.30pm, in which brides and grooms-to-be will have the opportunity to admire the latest wedding styles.

Experts will also be on hand to offer advice on a range of wedding-related matters, answer questions and take bookings.

This event follows a similar show by Northamptonshire Newspapers, held earlier this month at the Hilton Collingtree in Northampton.

At this Sunday’s event there will also be the chance for people to win £250 off the cost of their wedding by registering at the wedding show and being entered into a free raffle. The event will take place from 10.30am until 3.30pm. This will be an indoor event and there will be free parking and free entry.

Only five candidates are to contest the post of Police & Crime Commissioner in Northamptonshire after the deadline for submissions past today.

Candidates had until midday today to pay a £5,000 deposit to enter the vote, on November 15 and enter their forms along with 100 signatures in support.

The only candidate who had previously declared an interest in running who failed to meet the deadline was Anthony Bennett-Spencer, from the English Democrats.

His name will not now be on the ballot paper.

The withdrawal comes after independent candidate Matt Stockdale also withdrew for the race earlier this week.

He revealed his intention to instead campaign on the dangers of “space weather”.

The election will now be contested by Lee Barron (Labour), Jim MacArthur (UKIP), John Norrie (independent), Adam Simmonds (Conservative) and Paul Varnsverry (Lib Dem).

People in Northamptonshire will get another chance to have their say on proposals to transform East Midlands Ambulance Service at public meetings.

The Being the Best proposals involve the creation of 131 Community Ambulance Posts, Standby points and state-of-the art purpose-built Hubs or ‘Super Stations’.

Phil Milligan, East Midlands Ambulance Service chief executive, said: “We are keen to give as many people as possible the chance to come and hear about proposals, tell us what they think and provide feedback which will help us to shape the future of East Midlands Ambulance Service so that we offer the very best service to the communities we serve.”

East Midlands Ambulance Service (EMAS) representatives will be on hand to answer questions at Kettering Conference Centre on October 24 between 2pm and 3.30pm.

They will also meet members of the public at Northampton Saints Rugby Club in Weedon Road, Northampton, on November 9, at 10am.

An additional meeting has now been scheduled for The Abbey, in Daventry, on December 3, from 6.30pm until 8pm.

There will also be meeting at the Council Chambers in The Corby Cube in George Street in Corby on December 5 from 6.30pm.

The Being the Best consultation runs until December 17.

Copies of the consultation document with more information are available at every public meeting, online at www.emas.nhs.uk, by emailing beingthebest@emas.nhs.uk and by calling 0800 917 9911.

For more information follow @EMASBeingBest on Twitter or visit www.facebook.com/EmasBeingTheBest.

The public meeting at Saints Rugby Club is a Northamptonshire Community Engagement Event and places must be booked in advance by calling 0116 286 9378 or emailing gulnaz.katchi@emas.nhs.uk.

A cat’s leg was left hanging on by a thin thread of skin after its owner allowed a cancerous tumour to develop for several months, a court heard.

Anna Collett’s pet cat Gizmo had been limping after scratching its hind legs on barbed wire, and she treated the wound by washing it in salt water.

But the problem was a tumour, which damaged skin and bones and led to a serious infection, Northampton Magistrates Court heard today.

When RSPCA officers attended Collett’s home on May 29, they found 17-year-old Gizmo’s leg hanging at a right angle. The officer said the cat shook when he was handled and there was a pungent odour from the infected leg.

Collett, 29, of Wicken, near Deanshanger, pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to an animal.

Kevin McCole, prosecuting, said Collett did not want to take Gizmo to the vet because she was worried he would be put down. He had been eating and drinking normally so she thought his condition was that serious.

But after Gizmo was taken into care, his leg was amputated and he made a full recovery.

Mr McCole added: “The leg was dangling and attached to the higher part of the limb by a thin piece of skin. Otherwise, it was a reasonably healthy cat. It was a slow-growing tumour and it is likely the cat had been left with painful problems for many months.”

In her statement, Collett said: “I suppose I was selfish. I didn’t want to lose him.”

Paul Carter, mitigating, said: “She has had animals all her life and still has three cats.

“It was a very healthy cat. She accepted it started having problems with its leg and thought that was as a result of catching it on a fence. She was treating it by washing it. He was eating and drinking throughout.

“She didn’t believe for one minute there was anything seriously wrong with the cat.”

The prosecution asked for £500 costs and told magistrates they could consider banning Collett from keeping animals.

The case was adjourned for a pre-sentence report to be prepared and Collett will be sentenced next month.

A report into the performance of the company responsible for bin collections in Northampton has revealed “significant failures” in the standard of service provided over the past year.

Northampton Borough Council made public the findings of an independent report reviewing the performance of Enterprise Management Services (EMS), which took over management of environmental services in Northampton and Daventry in June 2011.

Key issues identified include the number of missed bin collections, a lack of training of staff and a failure to maintain grass verges and open spaces to an acceptable standard.

Councillor David Mackintosh, leader of Northampton Borough Council, said he accepted there had been some “failings” in the way the council had managed the contract.

He said: “We have acted immediately to put better controls in place and now I am expecting Enterprise to do what needs to be done to provide the quality of service that we expect for people in Northampton.

“We will be monitoring the contract very closely in future and I will be expecting Enterprise to tackle the issues identified and their causes immediately.”

Cllr Mackintosh revealed Enterprise was fined £44,000 for their “poor performance” in the first quarter of the year.

If performance does not continue to improve, Enterprise could face a deduction of more than £175,000.

Cllr Mackintosh said: “The penalties should show Enterprise that we mean business.

“All we want is for people to see an improvement in services. We now know what we need to do to improve on our side; we will be expecting Enterprise to do the same.”

The report, which was carried out by Beasley Associates Ltd, concluded that the biggest issue had been the failure to hit monthly targets for “missed bins”.

Data analysed found there was an “absence of data provided” for the first eight months of the contract but the number of missed bins had been below target from February 2012 to July 2012.

The report states: “The number of missed bins is the most significant failure of the contract to date.

“Two of the contributing factors given by Enterprise for this ongoing problem is the reliance on agency staff and the way the rounds are currently structured.

The number of operatives presently required to deliver the service is significantly higher than the staffing levels Enterprise anticipated needing.”

Enterprise has been criticised for creating a situation where a “constantly changing workforce” meant that crews did not get to know their rounds sufficiently.

The high volume of agency staff delivering the rounds meant they “weren’t trained properly” with an induction training session that was “primarily verbally based.”

The report also revealed issues with the borough councils management of the contract arising from the need to “fire fight” as a result of the poor performance of Enterprise.

Cllr Mackintosh said the borough council has put an “action plan” in place to improve the performance of the contract which included ensuring Enterprise provided accurate management documentation, improving performance measurement systems and ensuring council staff managing the contract are properly trained.

The report did acknowledge a number of Enterprise’s “achievements” including the fact the company is still on schedule to achieve the predicted savings in the first two years.

The contractor has also helped to expand the food waste collections service and the range and frequency of recycling collections.

Members of the public can view the report on the borough council website www.northampton.gov.uk