When gathering information ahead of Saturday’s game, I was told by my equivalent from the sports desk at the Bradford Telegraph & Argus that the last thing the visitors wanted from it was a replay.
The Bradford City fixture list is packed. They are fighting on four fronts at the moment and will play on every available midweek between now and Christmas.
They showed how high up the FA Cup is on their list of priorities for the season with the team they named for the game at Sixfields – first-choice strikers Nahki Wells (scorer of four goals in two visits to Northampton fame) and James Hanson were on the bench.
The Bantams’ two favoured central defenders, Andrew Davies and Luke Oliver, are both out until at least the New Year and to complete the ‘second string’ feel to the match, Gary Jones was given an hour or so in central midfield as he recovers from a long-term injury.
This was the Cobblers’ best chance of beating a team of whom they will soon be sick of the sight of – three games in less than a month will do that to any two sides.
But the situation is unlikely to be too different when they play at Valley Parade a week on Tuesday.
Bradford still won’t have played Arsenal in the Capital One Cup quarter-final by then, they’ll still be in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy, and the primary measure for success at the club will still be their end-of-season league position.
So there should be an equally good chance of Northampton progressing to the second round when the two sides do it all again in 10 days’ time.
They will also pocket a few thousand quid in their share of the gate receipts that they did not allow for, which will help manager Aidy Boothroyd in these budget-stretched times.
There was an audible groan at full-time on Saturday, partly because of the uninspiring fare on offer and partly at the prospect of a midweek trip to Bradford to establish a winner from the tie.
But the positives – just about – outweigh the negatives, although the team bus’ driver might disagree.
SHANE HIGGS
No chance on the goal, handling and kicking both competent ...6
DANNY EAST
Got stuck in but the team didn’t utilise him when attacking enough ...6
JOHN JOHNSON
No signs of rustiness and looks capable in the heart of the defence ...6
KELVIN LANGMEAD
The pick of the outfield players, but very nearly gave away a penalty ...6
ANTHONY CHARLES
Seemed to struggle with the lofted ball down his channel ...5
JOE WIDDOWSON
Seemed stifled at times but stuck to his task manfully ...6
CHRIS HACKETT
A welcome return but struggled to leave his impression on a tight game ...6
BEN TOZER
Several stray passes in a bit of a game to forget ...5
EMYR HUWS
Played with intensity and focus but something wasn’t quite right ...6
ADEBAYO AKINFENWA
The usual scapegoating from the referee and contributed some nice link-up play ...6
LOUIS MOULT
The right place at the right time for the goal and a willing runner all day ...6
Substitutes:
DAVID MOYO (for Charles, 72mins)
Can be pleased with his performance considering his age and experience ...6
CLIVE PLATT (for Moult, 80mins)
Not used: Snedker, Mukendi, Wilson, Hornby, Demontagnac
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