[BFC SITE] Reds make it back-to-back wins in League One

Fixtures

• Northampton Town Vs. Barnsley - Tue, Feb 25 2025, 19:45

The Reds recorded back-to-back victories on the road in Sky Bet League One despite going down to ten-men late on against Northampton Town.

Davis Keillor-Dunn's brace saw the Reds overcome the Cobblers at Sixfields on Tuesday night.

The hosts started the affair with real intent, applying early pressure on the Reds' goal. Jackson Smith was involved in the thick of the action, handling outside of his area following an attempted kick out of his hands. Mitch Pinnock was afforded the chance to convert right on the edge of the area, but Smith got down well to make avail.

On eight minutes, Liam Shaw stung the palms of Smith from range, forcing a smart save from the 23 year-old down to his left. Minutes later, it was Smith turning defence into attack with a pinpoint pass for Corey O'Keeffe who almost found Keillor-Dunn in the area, but the ball was just too powerful for the Reds striker to connect with.

The Reds grew into the game, without creating a chance of note, but persisted in getting into dangerous positions in the Cobblers' box.

Pressure paid nine minutes before the break, as Keillor-Dunn brought down a searching, aerial pass with a deft touch, before cutting inside to unleash a rip-roaring effort past Nik Tzanev for the forwards's twelth of the season.

Half-time: Northampton Town 0-1 Reds

It was the Reds who took the ascendency following the restart and the scoreline soon reflected Barnsley's endeavours.

A loose ball was neatly collected by Humphrys around thirty yards out, a deft flick over the defender's head followed, before Keillor-Dunn was slotted in on the left hand side. In almost trademark fashion, he cut inside onto his right and calmly placed the ball into the far corner to double the Reds' lead on 56 minutes.

Neil Farrugia made way for Georgie Gent just after the hour mark on the left-hand side as the hosts began to creep back into the affair.

It wasn't long until the deficit was reduced for the Cobblers, as in the 79th minute Sam Hoskins fired high into the goal following a loose pass in defence was capitalised on by Northampton.

Max Watters returned from injury on 80 minutes in replacement of Humphrys, along with O'Keeffe who made way for Dexter Lembikisa.

As the Reds were attempting to manage the game out for victory, Mael de Gevigney was given his marching orders by referee Declan Bourne following a strong challenge. In response, the Reds coaching staff introduced defensive reinforcements via Conor McCarthy, who replaced the effervescent Keillor-Dunn on 89 minutes.

The fourth official indicated nine minutes of added time as the Northampton bodies flooded forwards in search of a late equaliser. However, the Reds held strong in consecutive games on the road to leave Sixfields with all three points.

Full-time: Northampton Town 1-2 Reds

Reds: Smith, Russell, Roberts, de Gevigney, O'Keeffe (Lembikisa 80'), Phillips, Farrugia (Gent 64'), Earl, Keillor-Dunn (McCarthy 89'), Humphrys (Watters 80'), Nwakali

Subs not used: Flavell, Benson, Rodrigues.

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