Cobblers end on a high as Wells’ dream is shattered

END of season games, particularly those with little or nothing at stake other than pride, can sometimes be drab affairs, but Saturday's match with Street - spurred on by a noisy backing of almost 200 - was anything of the sort.

- REPORTS BY ALAN COOPER

The Cobblers, who had missed the play-offs by just wins, showed no signs of remorse and looked to prove a point straight from kick-off. With captain Jake Horsey suspended, manager Ben Watson opted to award the armband to Harry Foster who led from the front from the off with a clean pair of heels past the defence. He provided Freddie Haden with the most delicious of through-balls, but the goalkeeper did well to save with his feet.

With 13 minutes played, Haden got behind the defence again and Kyle Moore once again came to Blazey’s rescue and deflected the ball to safety with a quality stop. Jakob Dicken suffered a nasty looking cut to his head four minutes later and had to be replaced by Alfie Clark.

After the delay, it was Blazey who responded the brightest and quick-thinking from George Newton saw him lob a pass to Tom Hensman on the left and the left-back’s drilled first-time shot was well-held by Lewis Williams.

Street instantly retaliated with the opening goal on 21 minutes when Lewis Morgan’s trademark free-kick, some 30-yards from goal, was spilled by Moore and Haden was on hand to poke the ball over the line.

Buoyed by the goal, Street instantly made it 2-0 when Haden again showed too much pace for the defence and his slide-rule pass to Foster saw the deputy captain lob Moore for a 24th goal of the season. Teenage debutant Shay Corrick, 18, looked particularly comfortable as Street used the flanks well but they were unable to add to their tally.