Midfielder Emyr Huws was delighted to round off a hectic first week with the Cobblers with a hugely encouraging debut in a dominant victory over Exeter City.
Town ran out 3-0 winners over the Grecians with Manchester City prospect Huws setting up the second goal for Kelvin Langmead and turning in a high-class performance in what was his first senior outing.
The Welsh teenager came to Sixfields with a big reputation as one of the brightest prospects in British junior football, but sometimes it can be difficult to translate technical ability to the often aggressive demands at the lower levels.
Huws was on the receiving end of at least two very strong challenges, but shrugged both off and had the mental and physical bravery to continually seek possession in a display that delighted his manager Aidy Boothroyd, the supporters and the matchday sponsors, who named the youngster their man of the match.
It brought to an end a strange week in the fledgling career of a player who on Monday night captained City’s elite development squad team in a 1-1 draw with Wolves at the Etihad Stadium and was seconded to Sixfields late on Wednesday evening.
“It was a great day, a great game and I was happy to help us get the three points,” he said. “I set up the second goal and I was happy with my performance.
“I expected to take some tackles and I was ready for them, I’m ready for the challenge of that here.
“I found out I was coming (to Northampton) on Monday so it all happened pretty fast but I’m pleased to be given the opportunity to show what I could do.”
Huws is part of City’s elite development squad, a group of young players they have collected from across Europe and who are coached by former Sampdoria and Italy midfielder Attilio Lombardo.
They are in good hands in Manchester, so why would a player be sent from there to the tough environment that is league two football for a three-month spell of blood and thunder?
“Aidy Boothroyd’s intentions for me were the main thing really,” said Huws. “That made the decision for me.
“He’s a good manager, he’s full of ambition and I like his intentions and his positive thinking.”
When Huws emerged for post-match press duties on Saturday, he was carrying a bottle of champagne he does not look old enough to drink and his mobile phone went off in his pocket right before he started talking.
The learning at Northampton, it would seem, is not restricted to what Huws does on the pitch.
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