The Cobblers

Northampton's recent good form has resulted in the Cobblers climbing the table into the last automatic promotion spot. Manager Colin Calderwood, however, is not content with just promotion and wants to see his team lift the League Two Title.  "We are desperate to win this league and no one should question the passion of anyone at this club to do well, he told the BBC. "Even when things do not go for us more often than not we dig out a result."

Northampton's away form is ranked fifth overall in the league with only two defeats on their travels this season. In the other 14 games played the Cobblers have recorded six wins and eight draws and this form has resulted in Northampton climbing from playoff contenders to one of the favourites for automatic promotion. One interesting stat is that Northampton have failed to record a league victory when they have behind during a game and this has the Cobblers ranked bottom in this particular table.

Top scorer for the Cobblers is striker Scott McGleish and he has found the back of the net 19 times this season with seven of his goals coming in cup competitions. The former Barnet and Colchester striker joined Northampton in the summer of 2004 and is averaging a goal every three games since his move but rather worryingly has gone two games without scoring!

Manager Colin Calderwood has been in charge of the Cobblers since October 2003 and this is his first job in management. In previous campaigns he has seen his side miss out on promotion in the play offs, losing last season to Southend in the semi finals and Mansfield at the same stage on penalties in 2004.

Past Encounters

The teams last met in August at the Sixfields Stadium with the game ending goalless. Prior to this the teams last met in the 2001/02 season when Wrexham were relegated to the basement league with the 4-1 reverse at Northampton virtually sealing Wrexham's fate as the Cobblers stayed up that season. In the original game at the Racecourse a goal from Darren Ferguson with four minutes left secured a 3-2 win for Wrexham.

In total the teams have met on 31 occasions in the league with Wrexham edging Northampton with 14 wins to their 10 and there have been 7 draws.

Form Guide

Wrexham: LLDWLWWD

Wrexham's failure to hold onto victory at Mansfield on the weekend ended the possibility of the Red Dragons recorded three straight victories. Prior to this game Wrexham ran out winners at home to Wycombe and Rushden & Diamonds as postponements meant the Red Dragons had gone a month without an away game. This was a another victory against Rushden & Diamonds before Wrexham returned home to the Racecourse and a 2-0 defeat against Orient.

Bookies View

Wrexham are favourites with Bet Direct offering the win at 8/5 and the Cobblers are at 7/4 with Stan James, Bet 365 and Premier Bet. The draw is available at 2.35/1 at Pinnacle.

Team News

Wrexham Team News: Wrexham's main injury concern is centre half Danny Williams who has been struck down with illness but with Dave Bayliss joining Rochdale on loan today, the former midfielder looks likely to play. If Darren Ferguson recovers from his hip injury the best he can hope for is a place on the bench after his last first team outing coming over a month ago. Dean Bennett has now injured his other ankle and is ruled out along with Jon Walters, Lee McEvilly, Juan Ugarte and Lee Roche.

Michael Ingham starts in goal with Mike Williams on standby to replace Danny Williams alongside Shaun Pejic and Dennis Lawrence in defence. Elsewhere it is unchanged with the trio of Jim Whitley, Mark Jones and Matt Crowell in midfield. Simon Spender and Andy Holt will provide the width for on loan Sam Williams and Matt Derbyshire up front.

Wrexham Squad (17): Ingham, Pejic, Danny Williams, Lawrence, Spender, Whitley, Crowell, Mark Jones, Holt, Derbyshire, Sam Williams, Mackin, Mike WIlliams, Done, Marc Williams, Ferguson, Michael Jones.

Northampton Team News: Veteran striker Jason Lee will have a fitness test on the morning of the game but the Cobblers are without the experienced Ian Taylor who is suspended. Club captain Ashley Westwood could make a return to first team action after featuring for the reserves in midweek

Officials: The match referee is Lee Probert from Gloucestershire and he is assisted by SP Cummins and GT Scott with AD Hutchinson as the fourth official. Lee Probert has refereed 30 games this season sending off 4 players and booking 108 at an average of 3.6 per game.

Coca Cola League Two Fixtures:

Barnet v Carlisle
Cheltenham v Rochdale
Grimsby v Chester
Leyton Orient v Darlington
Lincoln City v Notts County
Peterborough v Bristol Rovers
Rushden & Diamonds v Macclesfield
Shrewsbury v Bury
Stockport v Boston United
Torquay v Mansfield
Wrexham v Northampton
Wycombe v Oxford United

Venue Guide

Address: Racecourse Ground, Mold Road, Wrexham, LL11 1AH

Telephone Number: 01978 262129

Fax Number: 01978 357821

Web Site: www.wrexhamafc.co.uk

Northampton Websites

• Official Web Site
• NTFC Online
• NTFC Unofficial
• Cobblers Mad
• Supporters Trust

How to get there?

By Car: Leave the M6 at Junction 10a to join the M54 and continue on this road as it becomes the A5 past Shrewsbury and Oswestry. When you reach Oswestry turn right at the roundabout (An ESSO Service Station will be on your left), staying on the A5. Continue straight through the series of roundabouts to join the A483 and leave this road at junction 5. At the roundabout turn right towards Wrexham and after going straight over the next roundabout the ground is ahead of you on your left.

By Train: Wrexham General is next to the ground and there is a service every two hours between Chester and Shrewsbury. There is also an hourly service between Wrexham and Liverpool. Click here for the Network Rail Online Timetable or call national enquiries on 08457 484950. Click here for the Rail Track Online Timetable or call national enquiries on 08457 484950.

Beer and Grub: The Turf is right next to the Kop but it gets very busy in the hour leading up to kick off, so arrive early. The Official Supporters Club has use of the Centenary Club on matchdays and this is located behind the Sainsburys Stand with the entrance off the club car park. The Plas Coch Retail Park has a pub and is normally a favourite for away supporters. The Railway is located down the side road along the Remploy factory at the opposite end of Crispin Lane to the ground. There are plenty of pubs in the town centre and the closet to the ground is a Wetherspoons Pub by following Mold Road into the town centre and is found on your left hand side. If you continue into the town centre McDonalds will be on your left and the next pub you reach is The Horse and Jockey and opposite that under the archway is a good chip shop. There are more pubs on High Street and to find them continue pass the Horse and Jockey, passing Burger King on your left, and High Street is the junction with Burtons.

Cash Machines: The Shell Garage on Mold Road with further machines at Sainsburys and Boots on the Plas Coch Retail Park. If you are heading into the town centre you will pass a number of banks on your way to the pubs.

How much to get in?

Kop: £14; Sainsburys: £16 PG Stand: £17

Eric Roberts Away Stand: £16

Adult & up to 2 Children: £20 all areas

Two adults & 2 Children: £30 all areas

Seniors/Students: £10 Seated Areas/£7 on Kop

Juniors: £5 all areas

Disabled Facilities

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