January 7 2006

Michael Hughes

Palace progress into the fourth round of the FA cup, after easing past Division Two outfit Northampton Town 4-1, writes Simon Pophale.

Just over 10,000 hardy souls braved the Janaury cold to watch the unglamourous start to the FA Cup campaign against Northampton Town. The Cobblers fans came in their numbers, hoping for an upset.

Iain Dowie made changes to the side but it was a mark of respect to our League Two opponents that it remained, in the main a first team and not a make up of reserves or youth team players.

Dowies’ policy of fielding a strong side paid immediate dividends as from a foul on Jobi McAnuff. The resultant free kick was crashed into the net by captain Micheal Hughes from 20 yards after only 2 minutes. 1 - 0 but despite having a succession of corners in the opening 10 minutes, we could not add to the lead. Watson, Freedman and AJ all having chances to extend the lead.

Northampton are no mugs and are going well in League 2, starting the day in 6th place and from their first attack, netted a surprise equalizer. Andy Kirk drove forward and spread the ball wide to Josh Low, who beat Wayne Andrews and fired past Kiraly to level the scores.

Northampton started to get back into the game and Kiraly was forced to save from Kirk and then Ian Taylor drove wide when well placed just after half an hour.

But we did not panic and regained the lead 2 minutes later. A wonderful 40 yard cross field ball from Micheal Hughes found Wayne Andrews galloping down the right and his cross went right across the face of goal where McAnuff poached from 5 yards.

Cue KC and the Sunhine Band and we nearly saw a repeat 3 minutes later, however this time Northampton just managed to defend against another dangerous cross, with McAnuff lurking. The goal seemed to drain the belief from the visitors and we went in at half time a goal to the good.

The 2nd half began and we had an early scare as Andy Kirk had a header from close range brilliantly tipped over by Kiraly. But shortly after this, we extended the lead and effectively killed the game off as a contest.

After a 3 man move, Dougie Freedman played a perfect through ball to AJ, who was grounded by Lee Harper as he attempted to go around him. Referee Williamson pointed to the spot and there was only one outcome. 3- 1 and we had some breathing space.

Not that Northampton were giving up. Far from it as Kirk, Low, McGleish and co fought for every ball and what they might have lacked in quality, they made up for in work rate.

This was never going to be an easy game and Ian Taylor thundered a shot wide while the Cobblers racked up a few corners, never threatened the goal.

As the game was winding down, Dowie brought on Tommy Black and we were able to see the return of Aki Riihilahti to the midfield. He almost had an immediate impact, heading over a Watson corner on 72 minutes with his first touch.

Black also was making an impression as his first pass sent AJ away, whose dangerous cross was flicked away by Luke Chambers. However, Blacks’ 2nd contribution was more telling, as it was his cross that was handled by Jason Crowe and referee Williamson pointed to the spot for a 2nd time.

With AJ now off the field it was down to Dougie Freedman to take the spot kick and he did not disappoint, sending Harper the wrong way and we now led 4-1 with 7 minutes to go.

Northampton never gave in and Kiraly was the busier of the 2 keepers, needing to make catches and interventions but by this time, the match was over as a contest and at the final whistle, we booked our place in the 4th round.

All ears on the draw on Monday at 1:30pm then, as we made our first small step back towards Wembley (or maybe Cardiff, if it is not ready!).