Twenty-six suspects are to appear before magistrates next week following a huge police investigation to target organised drug gangs.

Following raids across the county earlier this year, 24 men and two women were this week charged with conspiracy to supply high-purity class A cocaine.

They will appear at Northampton Magistrates’ Court on Monday and Tuesday.

The ages of those charged range from a 22-year-old man to a 53-year-old woman.

Seventeen of the men charged are from Northamptonshire and one is from Cambridgeshire. The remaining six men and two women are from Hampshire.

One of the men from Hampshire has also been charged with possession of a prohibited weapon.

The charges follow coordinated police raids in April, when officers swooped on 16 addresses in Northamptonshire, along with 18 properties across Cambridgeshire and 13 in Hampshire.

The operation involved more than 150 officers from Northamptonshire Police.

They were linked to raids and arrests in Northamptonshire and Hampshire in December last year, in what is “one of the largest drugs operations ever undertaken by Northamptonshire Police”.

Warrants were executed in Northampton, Earls Barton, Burton Latimer, Corby and Wilby.

Speaking in April, Detective Inspector Mark Brayfield, of the East Midlands Special Operations Unit for Serious Organised Crime, said: “These raids are the culmination of a long-term drugs conspiracy investigation by Northamptonshire Police, in conjunction with regional colleagues in Cambridgeshire and Hampshire, to stop class A drugs being sold in our counties.

“We believe there are organised crime groups responsible for much of the supply of drugs in the county and we are determined to continue our efforts to root them out and cut off the wider criminality and anti-social behaviour associated with supplying drugs.”

A bouncer was left requiring stitches after he was attacked inside a bar in Northampton town centre.

Police have made an appeal for witnesses following an assault at Balestra bar, in Castilian Street, on Sunday between 3am and 3.30am.

While intervening in an argument between two men inside the bar, a member of the club’s door staff was assaulted by another man, receiving a punch to the head which later required stitches.

The attacker was then kicked out of the bar by the doorman.

The man is described as white, 5ft 6ins and of “a larger build”. He had short hair and was wearing a black sweatshirt with a white logo, dark trousers and white trainers. He may have been wearing headphones.

Officers would also like to speak to the two men who were arguing, who were both described as white, around 5ft 10ins and of slim build.

One was wearing a yellow t-shirt with a blue logo and the other was wearing a dark top.

They were both thought to be aged about 19 years old.

Saints boss Jim Mallinder says England duo Lee Dickson and Phil Dowson will both play a part in Sunday’s LV= Cup clash with Newport-Gwent Dragons.

And the director of rugby could also call on the services of Courtney Lawes after the lock, who has recovered from a knee injury, was sent back to Northampton by England.

Mallinder is eager to give Dickson and Dowson some game time ahead of next weekend’s Premiership match-up with London Welsh at Franklin’s Gardens.

Neither were in the Saints side which lost 31-30 to Harlequins in the LV= Cup last weekend.

Lawes also missed that game, but has since recovered from injury he picked up in the defeat to Saracens on October 27, though Mallinder remains cautious about throwing him straight back into the action.

“We want to get our players a playing again,” said Mallinder. “We’ve had a number of England players who haven’t played and we rested a number last week so they’ll come back into consideration.

“Courtney Lawes has been released by England but he hasn’t trained properly with the squad so we’ll wait and see how he is at the weekend.

“We don’t want to rush players back who have been out a number of weeks too early, but he’s making good improvements.

“We know we’ve got a good squad and the team we put out at the weekend will be competitive.”

And he added: “Lee will be involved this week, as will Phil Dowson.

“What you don’t want them to have is too many weeks off. It’s fine to have one week off but players need to play, so both of those players will be considered.”

Businesses from across the county received awards at the Northamptonshire Business in Excellence Awards.

Organised by the Northamptonshire Telegraph and the Northampton Chronicle & Echo, the awards ceremony took place at the Daventry Court Hotel.

A total of 11 awards were handed out on the night in categories including creative business of the year and international trader of the year.

The first award of the night went to Clare Crampton and her business Perfectly Sew, based in Kettering, in the new business of the year award category. She set up the business after she and her husband were made redundant last year.

Mrs Crampton, 31, said: “I am so chuffed - I can’t believe it. All the hard work has been worth it.”

The enterprising organisation award went to Steptronic Footwear Ltd, based in Rushden; the training and development award was received by Novacroft, which has bases in Moulton Park and pitsford; and the customer service award went to Grangefield Park Care Home, based in Earls Barton.

Northampton town centre Costa employee Justyna Redacka, 25, won the unsung employee award.

The creative business of the year award was presented to Coulson Macleod and MGWSP took home the environmental award.

Haddonstone Ltd was recognised as the top international trader of the year and CSfD plc took home the business of the year, under 50 employees.

The business of the year, over 50 employees, went to Knights of Old. And CSfD plc, which specialises in distribution IT solutions, also took home the Carlsberg Business Excellence Choice Award.

CSfD Commercial manager, Helen Henshaw said: “It was beyond our expectations, we are bursting with pride. This is for everyone at CSfD plc.”

Jim Mallinder has confirmed that Christian Day has had an operation on his injured ankle and will be out for ‘a number of weeks’.

Day returned to action last Saturday after six weeks on the sidelines, but was forced off just 11 minutes into his comeback in the 31-30 LV= Cup defeat to Harlequins.

Mallinder later confirmed the lock had suffered a recurrence of the ankle problem picked up against Wasps on September 28.

And Day has since gone under the knife, meaning he is set to miss a number of vital upcoming games.

“Unfortunately, he’s had a recurrence of the injury he did previously,” said Mallinder. “He’s had an operation and will be out for a number of weeks.”

Day’s absence is a blow for Saints as they prepare for Sunday’s LV= Cup showdown with Newport-Gwent Dragons.

It’s a game Mallinder is desperate for his side to win as they aim to end their four-match losing run and get back into form ahead of a big six weeks in the Premiership and Heineken Cup.

“It’s never easy to go down to Wales, they’re proud and they’ll play hard,” said the Saints boss.

“We want to go down there, perform well and work on some of the things that haven’t been working for us in recent weeks.

“We think if we can get that happening we’ll win the game and that will set us up nicely for the next couple of weeks.”

Kelvin Langmead believes the Cobblers’ young players have fully justified their inclusion in the first team and that their selection is not just a token gesture by the club.

Town named a team whose midfield had just 18 senior starts between them at Bradford City on Tuesday night, and they were narrowly defeated on penalties after a two-hour, six-goal classic.

The performance has presented manager Aidy Boothroyd with something of a selection headache for Saturday’s Wycombe game at Sixfields (ko 3pm), with senior professionals Ben Harding and Chris Hackett back to bolster the midfield ranks.

But Langmead says the club’s youngsters are doing an important job and can consider themselves to be vital components in a side that is beginning to pick up a little momentum, scoring seven goals in its past two away games.

“We’ve had a lot of injuries and we’ve missed a lot of key players for large parts of the season, but the young lads have really stepped up,” said Langmead.

“They have needed to be looked after but they’ve all gelled brilliantly and performed in the team.

“Ivan (Toney) is our youngest ever player and it just shows you how talented he is that he came on and made his debut at just 16.

“Lewis Hornby and Lewis Wilson as well, they’re not just getting through the games, they’re stepping up and being big players and Ivan did that for us as well.

“Ish (Demontagnac) had a fantastic game for us too, everyone gave everything and anyone who watched this game will know this is a group of lads that stick together.”

Tuesday night’s game at Bradford City was a bittersweet one for Langmead, who scored what he felt was the best goal of his career to put Town 3-2 up but then missed a penalty in a shoot-out eventually won by Bradford.

But his overwhelming feeling when reflecting on the game was one of pride.

“Me and Danny held our hands up for the penalties but I couldn’t have been more proud to be the captain of this football club on Tuesday night,” he said.

“The lads worked so hard for everything, we were putting our bodies on the line and it made me so proud.

“We were all very disappointed and we were so close to going through.

“Being honest, the most disappointing thing was the third goal for them, it was a sloppy goal and we should have seen the game out.”

A former deputy manager of the Co-op in Wootton has been convicted of sexually assaulting a 21-year-old woman.

Keyur Jani, 33, formerly of Roe Road, Abington, was accused of five sex assaults on two women, but was acquitted of four allegations.

The court heard he had fled to India, but was given a 14-month prison sentence in his absence.

Labour sources have said they are “cautiously optimistic” of returning to power in Corby.

Turnout in the Northamptonshire town is predicted to be more than 40 per cent but the result will not be known until this afternoon.

It is regarded as the first major by-election test for Prime Minister David Cameron, with the Conservatives defending a slim majority of less than 2,000.

The source said: “We are cautiously optimistic about Corby.

“Turnout is looking as if it will be over 40 per cent with at least 250 Labour activists on the ground.”

Labour has established a solid poll lead in Corby since the last election and the Tories’ efforts were plunged into controversy on Tuesday night when it emerged their campaign manager Chris Heaton-Harris had encouraged a rival candidate.

The by-election was caused by the resignation of Louise Mensch who moved to New York to be with her family.

Mrs Mensch said she would accept responsibility if the Tories lost the seat

Talking on Twitter, she said: “Election result will not be a verdict on either Christine, or the Conservatives, but only on the decision I took to step down mid-term.

“Though I had to resign to unite our family, there was large & entirely understandable local anger. I wish I had been able to see out my term.”

The Tory candidate Christine Emmett is expected to lose out to Labour’s Andy Sawford, who will need to overcome a Conservative majority of 1,951 votes.

The turnout at polling stations across Northamptonshire for yesterday’s Police and Crime Commissioner election has been revealed as a fraction under 20 per cent.

The 19.82 per cent figure is expected to be higher than the national average.

More than 46,000 people from across Northampton borough voted in the election.

The turnout equates to 16.7 per cent and of the 46,370 votes cast, 14,101 were postal.

The results the PCC vote and two other elections in Northamptonshire are expected to be announced today.

Counting of the ballot papers in the Corby by-election, Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) vote and parish polls will start this morning.

Turnout is expected to be low in all three, with some predictions that only one in 10 people will have voted.

The PCC vote has also been complicated by the fact the name of the Labour candidate, Lee Barron, appeared on the ballot paper but he will not be able to take the job even if elected, due to a previous conviction.

The candidates are Jim MacArthur (UKIP), John Norrie (Ind), Adam Simmonds (Con) and Paul Varnsverry (Lib Dem).

Early polls have predicted a Labour win in the Corby by-election although the party sought to play down expectations last night, saying turnout would be very low because of the early dusk in November.

The by-election was caused by the resignation of MP Louise Mensch to move to New York with her family.

And as well as the election, parish polls have also been held in Rectory Farm, Westone, Parklands, Obelisk and Sunnyside, St James, West Hunsbury, Wootton and East Hunsbury, Hunsbury Meadow and Upton.

The people in these areas have been voting whether to create a new parish council for their area.

Votes will be counted at Northampton Guildhall on Friday 16 November and the results should be announced on Friday afternoon

Updates from tomorrow’s PCC count at Kettering Conference Centre will published on the Chron’s website when counting begins, from 10.30am.

The Conservative candidate for the Brixworth by-election has come out on top in the first of the three elections.

Stephen Pointer scored 857 votes, with his only rival for the Daventry District Council seat Steve Whiffen, of the Green Party, mustering 484.

The turnout was just over 25 per cent.

Brixworth residents were asked to vote following the death from cancer of Frank Wiig in August this year.

Councillor Wiig’s wife, Liz, said: “I’m absolutely delighted, we have always backed him 100 per cent.

“Two weeks before Frank died he actually asked Stephen to stand, so he was his chosen one.

“But Stephen is also community minded and very much involved in the village.”

Mr Pointer said he intended to start monthly surgeries where villagers could bring their issues.

He said: “I’m exhilarated. I never at any stage thought it was in the bag.

“I’ve probably picked up a few votes of people who would have voted for Frank. But I do a lot with several organisations in the village already and that will have helped.”

A headteacher of a primary school in Northampton has branded thieves who have stolen two wheels from a school minibus as “mindless”.

Julia Kedwards, who is in charge at Ecton Brook Primary School, came into school this morning to find two piles of bricks under the minibus.

Mrs Kedwards, writing on Twitter this morning, said: “On Children in Need day, our kids come into school to find our minibus on bricks with no wheels. That’s stuffed today’s outings. #mindless”

But since that tweet, Leigh Wolmarans, headteacher at Lings Primary School, has offered the use of his school’s minibus which has meant the school trip to Abington Park has been saved.

It is believed the thieves stole the wheels from the minibus and then passed them over the school gates sometime after 8pm last night and 7am this morning.

Two companies who sub-contracted a 21-year-old roofer who fell to his death have been acquitted of failing to ensure his health and safety.

Daniel Hollington died when he fell through a warehouse roof in Round Spinney, Northampton, on October 30, 2007. Stephen Rich, of SR Rich Industrial Roofing Ltd, and D Hammond Ltd, were acquitted.

The Cobblers have been forced to switch the date of their Johnstone’s Paint Trophy last 16 clash with npower League One side Leyton Orient.

The game was originally scheduled to be played at Sixfields on Tuesday, December 4, but it has now been put back 24 hours to Wednesday, December 5 (ko 7.45pm).

The reason for the switch is that Leyton Orient’s FA Cup second round clash at Blue Square Premier side Alfreton is to be screened live on television on Sunday, December 2.

Russell Slade’s men’s trip to North Street will be shown on ESPN, with the match kicking off at 2.30pm.

The Os asked the Cobblers if the JPT tie could be put back, and Town have agreed.

The club have also announced ticket prices for the encounter, and season-ticket holders can watch the game for £10 if they buy their tickets in advance.

The general admission fee on the night will be £12.

Ticket prices for JPT clash with Leyton Orient at Sixfields, Wednesday, December 5

Season Ticket Holders (advance sales only)

Adults £10.00

Senior Citizens £7.00

Under-18s £2.00

Under-7s Free

Matchday Price (and non STH pre-sales)

Adults £12.00

Senior Citizens £8.00

Under-18s £3.00

Under-7’s Free

Disabled supporters will be admitted at the senior prices of £7(£8) with the companion/carer free of charge.

Initially, and subject to demand, only the West and South Stands will be open for this fixture.

Those supporters who sit in the west stand and are part of the cup match booking scheme have had their seats processed and these are now ready for collection.

Any tickets already purchased printed with a date of Tuesday December 4 are still valid.

Any supporter who cannot make the new date can claim a refund from the Sixfields box office.

All refunds must be claimed before 5pm on Tuesday, December 4.

This offer of refunds does not apply to supporters on the cup match booking scheme.

Tickets are now on general sale, and can be purchased in person, by calling Northampton 683777 or online via www.ntfc.co.uk

Police from three forces have arrested a total of six people, seized 20 vehicles and stop-checked hundreds of cars in a series of joint operations to tackle “travelling criminality”.

Officers from Northamptonshire, Leicestershire and Warwickshire patrolled together on three, two day operations in October and November to target burglary and metal theft. Static and mobile automatic number plate recognition camera’s (ANPR) were used to patrol the area around the M69, M6, M1 and A5 through all three counties.

ANPR tracks number plates which are then fed through a variety of databases including the PNC (Police National Computer) and the DVLA. Officers then stop vehicles that activate the system which can be for a range of reasons.

The latest operation on Monday and Tuesday was timed to coincide with Diwali day celebrations to ensure burglars did not target people who were out celebrating.

Two men from Leicester - aged 21 and 26 - were arrested on suspicion of stealing diesel and have been released on police bail. One has been given a caution and the other was released with no further action.

A 20-year-old man from Kersley in Coventry was arrested and recalled to prison. Two people were given cautions for drug-related offences and two vehicles were seized bringing the total number of vehicles seized across the six days to 20.

Detective Chief Superintendent Simon Blatchly said: “The reduction and detection of offenders committing burglaries and vehicle crime is a key priority for Northamptonshire Police. The ongoing work with our colleagues in Warwickshire and Leicestershire supports our efforts in sending out a clear message that we will not tolerate criminal activity, and those offenders found responsible will be brought to justice.”

Spencer boss Ben Stone says star striker Paul Pickering in ‘on fire’ after netting 13 goals in three games.

And the Millers manager will hope the club captain can shoot his side into the third round of the FA Vase this Saturday.

Standing in UCL Division One Spencer’s way are East Midlands Counties Premier Division high-flyers Borrowash Victoria.

But Stone doesn’t fear the trip into the unknown, having seen his men win nine of their last 10 games, with Pickering at the forefront of the good form.

“We’ve got a style of play and we’ll stick to that this weekend,” said Stone, who saw his side rout Raunds Town 5-1 last Saturday.

“Our main striker Paul Pickering is on fire. He’s scored 13 goals in three games!

“He’s been at Spencer as man and boy. He’s 31 now and he’s Spencer through and through. He’s our skipper as well and he’s on fire at the moment.

“We’re also playing well defensively so things are pretty good.”

Borrowash Victoria are currently third in their league, having claimed 30 points from their 13 games so far.

But Stone refuses to read too much into that form and has full belief in his side, who beat UCL Premier Division side Long Buckby in the previous round of the Vase.

He said: “It’s hard to judge their league. They could be brilliant or they could be the same as us. You just go there hoping you can play well and you just never know.

“We’ve done better than expected and if we get a win on Saturday then that would be brilliant.”

Spencer may be in Vase action but there remains a healthy programme of fixtures in UCL Division One this weekend.

The stand-out clash comes at Birds Close, where unbeaten Bugbrooke St Michael’s take on second-placed Sileby Rangers.

And Bugbrooke boss Paul Field knows these are the kind of games his side must pick up points from if they are to achieve their aim of finishing in the top four this season.

“We’ll enjoy the day and hopefully get a good result because we’ve got to go into these games looking to get something out of them,” said Field.

“We won’t change the way we play and if we’ve got aspirations of finishing in the top four, which I think we can, we’ve got to do well against sides like Sileby, who are very experienced.”

Elsewhere, ON Chenecks boss Graham Cottle is confident his men can register as second victory of the season against struggling Raunds Town.

“It will be an interesting game,” said Cottle. “We beat them at their place earlier in the season and it would be nice to get another win.”

LONG BUCKBY

Scott’s delighted despite defeat

Boss Scott Goodwin says he is delighted with the way things have been going at Long Buckby - despite seeing his side lose at Quorn on Tuesday night.

The Bucks were beaten 2-0 in the UCL Premier Division clash and now face back-to-back league meetings with Yaxley.

“I’ve got to be delighted with the way things have gone during the past 10 games here,” said Goodwin.

“We’ve now got two games against Yaxley coming up and we want bounce back from Tuesday and pick up a couple more good results.”

ON CHENECKS

Graham: Squad’s getting stronger

Graham Cottle believes his Chenecks squad is starting to come together - after bolstering it in recent weeks.

Cottle has added Jack Allcock and Harry Barnes to the mix, while Jez Hindle should return from injury against Raunds on Saturday.

Jack English may also be in the side for that game and Cottle said: “We’re starting to get a strong squad together.”

UCL FIXTURES

FA CARLSBERG VASE

Second round: AFC Rushden & Diamonds v Basford, Borrowash Victoria v Spencer, Bridgnorth v Boston Town, Causeway v Desborough, Deeping v Norton, Newport Pagnell v Enfield 1893, Oadby v Spalding, Peterborough Northern Star v Dunstable, Shepshed Dynamo v Rocester, St Ives v Wisbech.

Knockout Cup, second round: Eynesbury v Holbeach.

Premier Division: AFC Kempston v Blackstones, Harborough v Irchester, Long Buckby v Yaxley, Sleaford v Huntingdon, Stewarts & Lloyds v Quorn.

Division One: Bourne v Whitworth, Buckingham v Burton PW, Bugbrooke v Sileby, ON Chenecks v Raunds, Potton v Thrapston, Rushden & Higham v Harrowby, Wootton Blue Cross v Rothwell Corinthians.

Reserve Supplementary Cup, group one: Cogenhoe v Bugbrooke. Group two: Irchester v AFC Kempston, Thrapston v Whitworth. Group four: Desborough v Stewarts & Lloyds, Rothwell Corinthians v Oadby.

Reserve Division One: Blackstones v Harborough, Woodford United v Peterborough Northern Star.

Reserve Division Two: Burton PW v ON Chenecks, Olney v Eynesbury, Raunds v Bourne, Yaxley v Rushden & Higham

Boss Jon Brady says the big characters in his squad have been the key reason behind Brackley Town’s recent unbeaten run.

The Saints have put a mini run of back-to-back defeats to bed by recording five games without defeat in recent weeks.

They may have seen their season crumble after a 4-3 defeat at Arlesey in the FA Cup and a 6-1 league humbling at the hands of Harrogate.

But Brady’s bunch stayed strong during the time of trouble and head into this weekend’s game at home to Stalybridge sitting top of the Blue Square Bet North.

“Big characters come back from big defeats,” said the Saints supremo. “And we’ve got a lot of big characters in our side.

“Those defeats were a warning to show what happens when we’re not at the races so we know we need to be at our best and if we are, we will get results.”

Saturday’s opponents Stalybridge should pose plenty of problems but Brady is confident his men can get the better of the 11th-placed side.

“They were a very good team last season and they are full-time,” he said. “We know they’re a tough team but we’re good at home.”

Meanwhile, Brackley have snapped up centre-back Tom Sharpe on a non-contract basis - and boss Brady believes he has the potential to be a class act for the club.

The former Kidderminster Harriers captain has been recovering from a cruciate ligament injury and has recently played for Brackley’s Blue Square Bet North rivals Hinckley.

But Brady, who has lost defender Wayne Hatswell to retirement, moved quickly to sign 24-year-old Sharpe.

He said: “Tom has played the last five games for Hinckley but he came back too soon.

“We think it will take four to eight weeks to get him fit and if we can do that he will be a class player.”

KETTERING TOWN

Ritchie Jeune is hoping Kettering Town will know where they will play their next two home games by the start of next week.

Jeune set up a one-game agreement with Corby Town chairman Kevin Ingram for the Poppies to play their ‘home’ game with Redditch United at Steel Park last weekend in a bid to get the club’s Evo-Stik Southern League Premier Division campaign up and running again.

Ingram held an open meeting with Steelmen supporters on Wednesday night to address any concerns and explain the situation from his point of view.

During the meeting, Ingram revealed initial discussions over a further arrangement for Kettering to play in Corby up until January 1 at a cost of £1,000 a game, as well as paying a £5,000 bond up front.

He also said he believed a proposed takeover of the Poppies could happen next week with a consortium still apparently holding talks with majority shareholder Imraan Ladak.

Kettering have been through a torrid season so far with their Nene Park home becoming unusable due to the electricity being cut off and they currently have a new-look squad in place, thrown together by manager Alan Doyle.

Jeune has been helping the Poppies in a voluntary capacity and while he admitted Steel Park is a preferred venue, he also revealed Kettering have spoken with other clubs in the area who have offered their facilities.

“My personal preference would be Steel Park,” Jeune said.

“It is an excellent stadium with all the facilities in place and it meets the criteria for the Southern League.

“Obviously there will be clashes with home games with Corby and that is something that would need to be addressed but I think it is the best venue for Kettering supporters.

“But there is no deal done with anyone and other clubs have offered their facilities as well. We are grateful to all of them.

“We asked Kevin about the possibility of us coming back and he has since come back to us with what is required by Corby.

“There is a lot of speculation going around about the future and the consortium that is interested in a takeover of the club.

“We will have to see what happens with that. But in the meantime, we have to try to get something sorted out for the next two home games and I would hope that will be done sooner rather than later.”

Both Ingram and Jeune have moved to ease fans’ fears of a future merger between the Poppies and Steelmen following that initial one-game agreement made last week.

The Poppies are on the road this weekend when they head to Arlesey Town, having lost 2-1 at unbeaten Leamington on Tuesday night.

CORBY TOWN

Chris Plummer has confirmed Corby Town hotshot Josh Moreman is beginning to attract the attention of clubs in the Football League.

The young striker has made a huge impact at Steel Park this season and his 13th goal in all competitions helped secure a dramatic 3-2 success over Wealdstone in Wednesday night’s FA Carlsberg Trophy third qualifying round replay.

And Steelmen boss Plummer has revealed that Moreman, who joined Corby from United Counties League side Deeping in the summer, spent the early part of this week training at npower League One side Stevenage while League Two high-fliers Gillingham have also expressed an interest.

Moreman is on a contract at Steel Park, meaning Corby will be entitled to a fee should any offers come in.

But Plummer is hoping he will have the chance to continue working with Moreman for a while yet after the striker bounced back from being sent off for dissent in the 1-1 draw in London last weekend to become the hero in the replay.

“Josh is a young lad who has moved up the levels and he is still learning,” Plummer said.

“It was a harsh lesson for him on Saturday and it’s disappointing for us because it means we lose him for a couple of games. But he is still learning and hopefully he won’t make the same mistake again.

“We all know his capabilities. He has that raw talent, he’s got goals in his boots, he has pace and he is aggressive.

“We just need to channel his all-round game now. He was quite poor in the first half on Wednesday if I am being honest and then he was a real threat in the second half.

“He had one cleared off the line and then he has got the winner in the dying moments. We know there is lots to work on but he certainly has the raw materials.

“He trained with Stevenage in the early part of this week and Gillingham are keen to have a look at him as well so there are clubs looking at him. I know there were other scouts there last night as well.

“There is interest but he is under contract and he is Corby Town player. We would like to see all our players move on and do better for themselves but we are enjoying having the squad we have got at the moment.

“He is scoring goals and grabbing headlines but there have been no offers yet so we will all carry on as we are.”

Plummer, meanwhile, was in no doubt that Corby deserved their win over Wealdstone, which sets up a first-round clash with Blue Square Bet South outfit Hayes & Yeading United a week on Saturday.

The Corby manager added: “I thought it was a the right result in the end.

“We bossed much of the game and created chances but we couldn’t take them. Thankfully, we got there in the end.

“It is frustrating to miss those chances but it’s good we are creating the opportunities and I would be more worried if that wasn’t happening.

“We are a bit disappointed with the goals we conceded and they have had a great chance just before we got the winner as well.

“There are still things for us to work on but I am pleased we are through.”

Corby are back in action at Steel Park on Saturday when they take on Oxford City in the Blue Square Bet North.

A 71-year-old woman has been seriously injured following a three car collision at East Haddon.

The crash happened in Guilsborough Road, at about 2.40pm yesterday.

Three cars, a silver Kia Mentor, being driven by the pensioner, a red Vauxhall Vectra driven by a 25-year-old man and a green Hyundai Santa, driven by a 47-year-old man were involved in the collision outside Marrowell Farm.

The Kia Mentor driver was taken to Walsgrave Hospital in Coventry with serious injuries.

Anyone with information can call the Drivewatch Hotline on 0800 174615.

England pair Phil Dowson and Lee Dickson have both been recalled to the Saints starting line-up for their LV= Cup clash against Newport-Gwent Dragons at Rodney Parade on Sunday.

Dowson replaces Ben Nutley in the back row as he makes his 100th appearance for the club, while Dickson comes in for Martin Roberts at scrum-half.

Also named in a strong looking Saints side that shows five changes from the team that faced Harlequins last weekend is Samu Manoa instead of Rhys Oakley, while Dom Waldouck returns at centre in place of teenager Tom Stephenson and Ken Pisi replaces Scott Armstrong on the wing.

Director of rugby Jim Mallinder is under no illusions as to the challenge facing Saints as they travel to south Wales in the second round of LV= Cup matches.

This is Saints’ first visit to Newport since 2006, and following last week’s defeat to Quins, Mallinder says that the Saints have plenty of points to prove this weekend.

“We’ve never taken the LV= Cup lightly and Sunday is going to be no different,” he said. “It’s never easy to play in Wales, but we’re going to be up for it and I’m looking for an 80-minute performance to get us back to winning ways.

“We know what we’ve got to do. We need to play sensibly and in the right areas and not gift the opposition points.

“Although we are concentrating on our own performance we know that the Dragons have the ability to take advantage of our mistakes. They have plenty of pace out wide, so we need to defend well and put plenty of pressure on in the forwards.

“It is a big game for us and we have been approaching it in a focused, positive way.”

Sunday’s game is Dowson’s 100th in the black, green and gold.

The back rower joined from Newcastle in the summer of 2009 and became the first Saint to lift a major domestic trophy when he led the team to LV= Cup success in March 2010.

Mallinder added that Dowson had been an important player during the past three-and-a-half years.

“Phil has established himself not just as one of our senior players but also one of the best players in his position in the country,” he said.

“That he has reached his century of appearances in just over three years shows his durability and consistency, and I’d like to congratulate him on achieving the milestone.”

Saints team to play Newport-Gwent Dragons, LV= Cup, Rodney Parade, Sunday November 18, ko 3.15pm: Tom May; Ken Pisi, Dom Waldouck, Luther Burrell, Jamie Elliott; Ryan Lamb, Lee Dickson; Alex Waller, Mike Haywood, Paul Doran-Jones, Samu Manoa, Mark Sorenson, Calum Clark, Phil Dowson, GJ Van Velze.

Replacements: Ross McMillan, Ethan Waller, Brian Mujati, Rhys Oakley, Ben Nutley, Martin Roberts, Scott Armstrong, Tom Collins

Aidy Boothroyd faces something of a conundrum when he sits down with his coaching staff and brainstorms ideas for which 11 players should start Saturday’s game against Wycombe Wanderers.

Boothroyd will chew the fat with assistant boss Andy King and goalkeeping coach Tim Flowers to establish how the returns to availability of Adebayo Akinfenwa, Chris Hackett and Ben Harding will affect selection.

Most of the team that played at Bradford played the full two hours which could make the decisions slightly easier - Lewis Wilson looked out on his feet by the time he was taken off and Clive Platt’s 35-year-old legs will have been seriously stiff on Wednesday morning (and probably on Thursday morning too).

But a fine balacing act remains.

Lewis Hornby has been very good since his rise to the first team and Ishmel Demontagnac enjoyed his best game for the club at Valley Parade.

While one swallow does not make a summer, pulling these players out of the starting line-up could impact on their morale.

And this is a group of players that has been involved in two of the best performances of the season - the Cup loss at Bradford and the league win at Accrington four days previously yielded seven goals, a more than acceptable return for two difficult away games.

To change that is to risk derailing the side’s momentum at what is a crucial stage of the campaign, in fact the manager himself has called this weekend’s match the most important so far.

The capability of and responsibility for such decisions is, however, why Boothroyd is in charge and it will be interesting to see how he plays it.

Who do you think the Cobblers should select for Saturday’s game against Wycombe? Join in the debate using our comment facility below.

Devonshire Club held their nerve to see off Combination rivals Manfield Rangers Reserves in a penalty shootout and progress in the NFA Sunday Vase

The match was all square at 2-2 after 90 minutes, and then at 3-3 at the end of extra-time.

That meant it was spot-kicks and it was Devonshire who came out on top, winning 5-4.

In the 120 minutes, Darren Wright (2) and Barry Swallow notched for Club, with Lee Kew, Andy Ranft and Michael Nong scoring for Rangers.

Bat & Wickets went out, losing 2-0 to Obelisk United who claimed the win thanks to goals from Curtis Bryan and Keith Wareham.

Howdenbeath lost 3-2 to FC Gallery. Craig Bounds and James Bedford scored for Howdenbeath, but Gallery won it thanks to a double from James Mason and an own goal.

Don Harris scored twice as Zedi United won 2-1 at Wellingborough Saxon Reserves, while Adam Russell (2), Richard Bennett, James Faulkner, Russell Mallinder and an own goal made up AFC Dee’s tally as they hammered Monks Park WMC Reserves 6-0.

Roade needed extra-time to see off AFC Hackleton 5-3, the game having ended all square at 3-3 at the 90-minute mark.

Roade’s matchwinners were Steve Carroll (2), Adam Watts (2) and Craig Smith.

The Peacock were too strong for St Margaret’s A as they won 6-0, but Spartak FC were indebted to goals from Liam Norton and Lawrence Holland as Wellingborough Phoenix were beaten 2-1.

FC Locomotiv Moulton enjoyed their trip to West Haddon as they returned with a 3-0 win, Luke Wilson, Craig Fowkes and Pierre Coleman finding the net.

NFA Sunday Shield

Four combination sides fail to go into the next round, and the losers included South Northants who who went down 5-0 Eastern United from the Sunday Conference.

Also out are FC Locomotiv Moulton Reserves as they crashed 6-3 to FC Bozeatdespite goals from Sam Jeyes, Johnny Fury and Daniel Murray.

Andrew Johnson and Clive Thompson hit the net for FC Gallery Reserves, but Grendon Sapphires won through 4-2, while Danny Attree’s goal for Royals Reserves was only a consolation as they lost 3-1 to Kettering Rising Sun.

Sam Duggan, Donavan Reed, and Jack Harper found the net for Ryan Munich, but they were edged out 4-3 by Banbury League side Middleton Cheney.

There were a couple of successes though.

Staples were 4-1 winners over Royal Allstars thanks to Dan Gray, Stuart Schofield and Alex Bage (2), while the all-Combination clash between Workhouse and Butcher Loco went the way of Loco.

They won 3-0 with their goals being scored by Jamie Wright (2) and Martin Stones.

NTFA MDH Teamwear Cup

There was a 12-goal thriller between Manfield Rangers and Denton, with Rangers coming out on top 7-5.

Rangers’ scorers were Jack Rayment (2), Gavin Harding, Jack Bates, Jason Rose and Dave Hodson (2).

The other game saw Obelisk beat Sunnyside Corinthians Reserves 3-0.

NTFA Chronicle & Echo Cup

Jake Bradshaw and Jamie Lane scored the goals for AC Squirrles Reserves as they saw off the challenge of Outlet Sports.

JWC Athletic fielded only 10 men travelled at Brafield but still emerged as 5-3 winners.

Jason Campbell, Jamie Burrows and Andy Houlden scored for the villagers, but JWC claimed the win thanks to Brett Parry (2), Curtis Norris (2) and Delroy Kilburn.

Duston & Diamonds’ Robbie Bushell scored a hat-trick and Scott Chilton a single as Trinity Old Boys were beaten 4-2, and another game to produce a goal rush was Thorplands Club 81 Reserves against Victoria Park Rangers.

It was Rangers who claimed the 8-4 win as Sam French (2), Anthony Orji (2), Andrew Dawkins (2), Nick O’Riley and Dan Young enjoyed themselves, Club hitting back through Ben Walker, George Everson, Bradley Mosedale and Nathan Garofalo.

Ken Parker Cup

Harpole took on a young Dynamo side and experience told as the villagers won 7-3 thanks to a hat-trick from Josh Winters and singles from Dean Mills, Darren Inns, Joe Frost and Sam McCallum.

On target for Dynamo were Ben Diamond, Gary Platt and Sean O’Donovan.

Midshire Electrical edged past fellow division one side AFC Houghton Magna 1-0 thanks to Jack ‘s goal, while Charlie Wixon hit a treble in Standens Barn’s 5-0 win over Royals. Completing the scoring were Ashley Bradshaw and Danny Brown.

Sunnyside Corinthians saw off James King Blisworth 5-0 as Perry Wells (3), Courtney Herbert and Lewis Leslie found the target, while Thorplands Club 81 were caned 8-1 at home by MDS Rangers.

Notching for MDS were Stuart Reid (3), Niall Duffy (2), Danuals Newby (2) and Yami Fatoki.

Division One

St Margaret’s Reserves earned a point as they drew 3-3 with FC Polish Champions.

Tom Casey (2) and Billy Sweeney scored for Maggies, with Tomasz Semik (2) and Mariusz Suszynski levelling it up.

Division Three

Nathan Loudon and Steve Warner scored as Billing United eased past Wootton Fields 2-0.

Crown & Cushion United made it seven wins out of seven as they hammered Nene 6-2. On the mark for the pub side were Luke Abrahart (2), Justin Ayre (2), Scott Barczewski and Victor Drage.

Nene’s consolations were scored by David Heathcote and Anthony Bell.

Division Four

AFC Pioneers picked up their first win of the season as they saw off Obelisk United Reserves 4-3.

Chris Watkins 2, Chris Potter and Kristian Mead notched for Pioneers, while Obelisk replied through Dan Davies, Ashley Draper and Kofi Mayhew.

The Sunnyside Reserves secured an easy 5-0 win over Standens Maestro with Lloyd Skidmore, Shane Bouher, Jake Brown and Tom Bluck (2) hitting the net.

Division Five

Vesta FC move up to fourth thanks to their 5-3 at Abington Stanley.

Goals for Stanley were scored by Tomasz Swiergul (2) and Gary Jeffrey, while on the mark for Vesta were Rob Pinney (2), Jason Bromwell, Gavin Ruddick and an own goal.

Hartwell Forest suffered their first loss of the season from Victoria Rangers Reserves by 4-3.

Mark Thorpe, Matt Roberts and Andy Fair with singles for Hartwell with Ryan Edwards, Damian Keenan and Paul Lovibond (2) winning it for Rangers.

Northampton Hotspurs were 4-3 winners over Thorplands Cub 81 A.

Dave Williams (2), Jonny Spooner and an own goal made up Hotspurs’ tally.

Spring Park crashed 4-0 to Sixfields Rangers with Adam Christini (2), Nick Floyer and Dom Hodges netting.

Star Award

This week’s winners are Midshire Electrical for their 1-0 win over AFC Houghton Magna.

FIXTURES

SUNDAY COMBINATION, November 18

NFA Sunday Cup: Dynamo v Standens Barn, Monks Park Wmc v Burton Band, W’Boro Victoria Millers v Blakesley, Wellingborough Shelley Road v Ac Squirrels

Nfa Sunday Shield: Peterborough Baker Perkins v Windmill Warriors

Ntfa Chronicle & Echo Cup: Afc Hackleton v Afc Dee, Bat & Wickets v Crown & Cushion, Billing United v Fc Gallery, Cotton Hill v St Margaret’s A, Howdenbeath v The Peacock, Obelisk United v Nene Fc, Roade v Devonshire Club, Spartak v Golden Horse, Wootton Fields v Manfield Rangers Res, Zedi United v Fc Locomotiv Moulton

Ntfa Plester Shield: Abington Stanley v Sixfields Rangers, Afc Pioneers v Spring Park, Albany Athletic v The District, Eastern United v Butcher Loco, Locomotiv Moulton Res v Afc Hackleton Res, FC Ryan Munich v Nomads Of Barratts, Norpol Square v Hartwell Forest, Northampton Hotspurs v Royals Res, Pioneer v Thorplands Club 81 A, South Northants v Real Roochers Res, Standens Maestro v Victoria Park Rangers Res, Thorplands United Res v Fc Gallery Res, Vesta v County Res

Parker Cup (Sponsored By Kcs): Duston & Diamonds v Jwc Athletic

Premier Division: Royals v James King Blisworth, St Margaret’s v The Sunnyside

Division One: Afc Houghton Magna v Mds Rangers, Harpole v St Margaret’s Res, Midshire Electrical v Manfield Rangers, Sunnyside Corinthians Res v Polish Champions, Thorplands Club 81 v Fox & Hounds

Division Four: Staples v The Sunnyside Res, Victoria Park Rangers v Obelisk United Res

Chloe Murphy scored all three goals as Gregory Celtic claimed a hard-fought 3-1 win over FC Aztec in the under-13 section of the Mid-Shires Girls League.

Celtic made the trip to Rothwell and emerged the victors after a fantasic game.

The first half was shaded by Celtic, with Murphy scoring the only goal.

In the second half, Aztec rallied and scored a cracking equaliser.

Celtic then had to dig deep, and thanks to some good passing football, Murphy found the net twice more to complete her hat-trick and the victory

Team: Harriet Adnitt, Ciara Clancy, Chloe Murphy, Alicia Solazzo, Favour Omenazu, Monique Johnson-Harrison, Bethany Baxter, Maisie Bussey, Keisha Garafola, Rose Wallace, Sarah Caplin.

MOM: Chloe Murphy

UNDER 16

MOULTON MAGPIES

Lost 5-4 to Kettering Town

Scorers: Abbie Mackenzie, Jo Gilding, Aneesah Malik, Bayleigh Newby

Team: Lois Donegal, Chloe Dunkley, Rosie Baker, Aneesah Malik, Jo Gilding, Georgia Webb, Lauren Kennedy, Katie Gurr, Emily Boddington, Abbie Mackenzie, Bayleigh Newby

Report: Magpies went to a Kettering and found themselves 2-0 behind to a fluke goal and a great strike after 20 minutes. Magpies battled back to 3-2 down at half time in what was turning into a free flowing end to end game with both teams determined to overcome the draining conditions. Kettering increased their lead minutes into the second half and then had to weather sustained Magpies pressure which bought the game level only for Kettering to win it in the dying minutes.

MOM: Aneesah Malik

RIVERSIDE

Beat Brackley Athletic 8-2

Scorers: Jessica Blackbird, Keir Perkins, Brandi Davies 3, Alessia Mundo, Amie Ford, Karla Durham.

Team: Alexa Hunter, Jessica Blackbird, Amie Ford, Karla Durham, Rachel Jeffries-Harris, Keir Perkins, Fiona Plumb, Maria Butler, Georgie Elsom, Katie Plumb, Alessia Mundo, Brandi Davies

BRACKLEY ATHLETIC

Lost 8-2 to Riverside

Scorer: Lacey Walton 2

Team: Zara Grudzinski, Shauna Cox; Jody Marshall, Saraya Phillips, Hannah Shepherd, Stephanie Knight, Charis Spearing, Lacey Walton, Beth Hope, Amber Gowland, Amy Marshall, Jennifer Cook, Leah Medri, Melissa Webber, Jasmin Davis, Rachel Tucker

Report: Brackley were second best to Riverside for most of the game and had no answer to the visitors’ passing game. Riverside almost scored in the first few seconds when Zara Grudzinski the Brackley keeper misjudged the bounce but she recovered brilliantly to deny the Riverside striker an open goal. Riverside led 3-0 at the interval and although Lacey Walton pulled one back this was quickly snuffed out as the visitors scored two further goals to lead 5-1. Walton scored her second with a lob over the keeper to make the score 5-2 but Riverside rounded off a well deserved win with 3 further goals to make the final score 8-2.