Marco Gabbadiani resumed his role as the scourge of Fulham as the Northampton Town striker scored the only goal of the game at Sixfields as the Cobblers clinched a narrow first-leg success in the League Cup this evening.
Jean Tigana left no doubt as to where he priorities lay as he made eleven changes following Fulham’s fine 3-1 win at Birmingham City on Friday night. The strength of the Frenchman’s resources was reflected in the fact that only American goalkepeer Marcus Hahnemann was making his first-team debut – but Tigana still expressed disappointment afterwards that the Whites had slipped to a first defeat under his management.
The Second Division side fielded a three-pronged forward line when in possession – which retreated into a defensively-minded 5-4-1 when Fulham had the ball – and the home side’s movement posed problems for Fulham’s second string throughout the evening, Gabbiadini grabbed the decisive goal midway through the first half when he outsprinted the visiting defence after the Whites’ backline was caught horribly square by a fine ball from Jamie Forrester. The former Darlington forward kept his cool in a one-on-one with Hahnemann, expertly slipping the ball wide of the American goalkeeper to give Northampton the lead.
Fulham were far less fluent than in their early league outings but could still count themselves unlucky not to have levelled the tie. French winger Fabrice Fernandes was particularly unfortunate as he was denied by the woodwork on two occasions. The France under-21 international almost embarrassed home goalkeeper Keith Welch just before the break with a deft chip that cannoned back off the crossbar into Welch’s arms. Fernandes then drilled a long range effort against the bar three minutes into the second half – and Fulham will now look to turn the tie around at Craven Cottage in a fortnight’s time.
NORTHAMPTON TOWN (5-4-1): Welch; Hunt, Frain, Hendon, Green, Hope; Hughes, Hargreaves, Howard, Forrester (Hodge 82); Gabbiadini. Subs (not used): Sollitt, Morrow, Spedding, Wilson.
BOOKED: Gabbiadini, Green.
GOAL: Gabbiadini (24).
FULHAM (4-4-2): Hahnemann; W. Collins, Phelan, Neilson, Symons; Hayward, Betsy (Davis 45), Fernandes, Lewis; Peschisolido (Cornwall 72), Boa Morte. Subs (not used): Thompson, McAnespie, Trollope.
BOOKED: Phelan, Hayward, Boa Morte, Lewis.
REFEREE: Phil Richards (Lancashire).
ATTENDANCE: 3,847.
