IT was supposed to be all about Simon Cox and the confirmation of an exciting new Town future, but Saturday's party atmosphere was ultimately killed by a blast from the club's more murky past.
While Cox was forced to wait for his County Ground return, after a hitch in the paperwork concerning his transfer from Reading, Swindon reject Adebayo Akinfenwa announced his comeback from an injury nightmare to halt any Town play-off push.
Akinfenwa looked set to sign for former Town boss Paul Sturrock in Wiltshire in late June when the club turned him away at the 11th hour, saying a medical showed he would not be ready for first-team football before November.
The former Swansea man disagreed, insisting his rehabilitation from a broken leg would be quicker, and he took Saturday's big opportunity to prove to his doubters he still has a future in the game.
To be fair to Town, their diagnosis was right with Akinfenwa making his first appearance of the season in mid November for Millwall and even on Saturday's Northampton debut full fitness still seemed a long way off.
But the 25-year-old was just delighted to have scored his first goal for over a year, an 88th-minute header from the substitutes bench to earn the Cobblers a deserved point.
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He said: "That was my first game for Northampton and my first goal for a long time so I am happy with that.
"But I am just happy we kept that unbeaten run.
"It is how the game goes. You come back against a team you were meant to be at and you score. To be fair, if it was Swansea, if it was Swindon, I just want to score goals.
"I was disappointed the way things worked out at Swindon because it did look as though I was at the club.
"I knew I was fit enough but I felt it was not going to be as long as they said.
"They knew I would not make the beginning of the season but new owners were coming in and it just dragged on to the point where it was not happening."
There was little sign of the late drama in a clash that failed to catch the imagination from the outset, with the majority still confused about the absence of supposed saviour Cox.
The 20-year-old striker was limited to a quick appearance on the field before the game, after a contract clause delayed his transfer, and 90 minutes later Cox, like many, would just have been glad to go home.
It got even worse when Barry Corr's injury hoodoo struck again, suffering a dislocated shoulder that should keep him out for up to a month, seeing Blair Sturrock given an unexpected chance after just 14 minutes.
Boss Maurice Malpas was the first to admit post-match the game was more of a "damp squib" and Town will know many more unimaginative performances like this, and any dreams of a play-off push will have to be canned for another year.
Jon-Paul McGovern and Lee Peacock struggled to come to terms against an extra man in the centre of the park while wingers Anthony McNamee and Christian Roberts were largely ineffectual on the rare occassions they did see the ball.
Even the usually faultless Jerel Ifil seemed a little off his game at the back as a hectic last couple of months looked to have finally caught up on the Robins.
Having said all that, Town should still have stolen the three points against a Northampton side on a run of four unbeaten matches themselves.
When Sturrock eased in front of his defender on 56 minutes to cleverly volley home Miguel Comminges' long throw, maximum points looked on the cards with neither side really threatening the goal.
But when Akinfenwa trotted on with 25 minutes remaining, you got the feeling he was going to have a part to play.
He may be lacking match fitness, and carrying a few pounds, but he was still able to head home the equaliser on 88 minutes after being given the freedom of the penalty area from Danny Jackman's inswinging left-wing corner.
"I am back and hopefully I can kick on until the end of the season," said Akinfenwa. "I am a strong believer.
"I believe everything happens for a reason. Who knows what will happen in the future but Swindon was obviously not meant to happen for me.
"That is in the past. It is the same with my broken leg, it is in the past.
"I wish Swindon all the best, I have no problems with them and it is the past.
"I am very confident in my ability but I am not thinking about getting any higher at the moment. I want to get back to the Akinfenwa before my broken leg and I took a major step."
Posted by: Joeyboy, Perth.Australia. on 9:16am Mon 4 Feb 08
NOT NEARLY GOOD ENOUGH,ESPECIALLY AT HOME,IN FRONT OF A REASONABLE CROWD !.WE WILL NEED TO DO A LOT BETTER THAN THIS IF WE WANT MORE FANS COMING TO THE GAMES.THAT SAID,WE WILL DO MUCHBETTER NOW THAT SIMON'S CONTRACT IS SORTED !.
NOT NEARLY GOOD ENOUGH,ESPECIALLY AT HOME,IN FRONT OF A REASONABLE CROWD !.WE WILL NEED TO DO A LOT BETTER THAN THIS IF WE WANT MORE FANS COMING TO THE GAMES.THAT SAID,WE WILL DO MUCHBETTER NOW THAT SIMON'S CONTRACT IS SORTED !.
Posted by: jamesswuk, swindon on 9:26am Mon 4 Feb 08
I'm glad I deceived not to go on saturday. with what I've read performance was rubbish and shambles over cox contract. sounds like nothing changed much. I won't be coming back and next home game I expect crowd of around 5,900 not the 7,300. same old swindon **** up all round. only reason they didn't say anything about the problem with cox contract, they knew it would put people of coming on saturday. I don't buy that crap about keeping Northampton in dark about team selection. bloody hell fitton and co. don't feed me crap like that, like the former owners.
I'm glad I deceived not to go on saturday. with what I've read performance was rubbish and shambles over cox contract. sounds like nothing changed much. I won't be coming back and next home game I expect crowd of around 5,900 not the 7,300. same old swindon **** up all round. only reason they didn't say anything about the problem with cox contract, they knew it would put people of coming on saturday. I don't buy that crap about keeping Northampton in dark about team selection. bloody hell fitton and co. don't feed me crap like that, like the former owners.
Posted by: jamesswuk, swindon on 9:33am Mon 4 Feb 08
I'm glad I deceived not to go on saturday. with what I've read performance was rubbish and shambles over cox contract. sounds like nothing changed much. I won't be coming back and next home game I expect crowd of around 5,900 not the 7,300. same old swindon **** up all round. only reason they didn't say anything about the problem with cox contract, they knew it would put people of coming on saturday. I don't buy that crap about keeping Northampton in dark about team selection. bloody hell fitton and co. don't feed me crap like that, like the former owners.
I'm glad I deceived not to go on saturday. with what I've read performance was rubbish and shambles over cox contract. sounds like nothing changed much. I won't be coming back and next home game I expect crowd of around 5,900 not the 7,300. same old swindon **** up all round. only reason they didn't say anything about the problem with cox contract, they knew it would put people of coming on saturday. I don't buy that crap about keeping Northampton in dark about team selection. bloody hell fitton and co. don't feed me crap like that, like the former owners.
Posted by: jamesswuk, swindon on 10:09am Mon 4 Feb 08
[quote][bold]TonyJanson[/bold] wrote:
Jamesswuk: You`re the only one who has been deceived ! [/quote] decided was word looking for, **** swindon town. they did deceive people by saying they didn't want Northampton to know about team selection. they knew if they said there was a problem with cox contract it would put some people turning up on saturday.
Swindon Town will always be the same old shambles. fitton and co deceived supporters by not telling people there was a problem with cox contract.
If you want to shallow their **** then good for you.
TonyJanson wrote:
Jamesswuk: You`re the only one who has been deceived !
decided was word looking for, **** swindon town. they did deceive people by saying they didn't want Northampton to know about team selection. they knew if they said there was a problem with cox contract it would put some people turning up on saturday.
Swindon Town will always be the same old shambles. fitton and co deceived supporters by not telling people there was a problem with cox contract.
If you want to shallow their **** then good for you.
Posted by: Kevin m, Swindon on 10:13am Mon 4 Feb 08
[quote][bold]jamesswuk[/bold] wrote:
I'm glad I deceived not to go on saturday. with what I've read performance was rubbish and shambles over cox contract. sounds like nothing changed much. I won't be coming back and next home game I expect crowd of around 5,900 not the 7,300. same old swindon **** up all round. only reason they didn't say anything about the problem with cox contract, they knew it would put people of coming on saturday. I don't buy that crap about keeping Northampton in dark about team selection. bloody hell fitton and co. don't feed me crap like that, like the former owners.[/quote] Well you read different to everyone else about cox as it was reading who were the cause of him not playing. You'd be better staying at home all the time if you only pick and choose your games, the club is better off without supporters like you who don't turn up to games and then moan about it!!
So do us all a favor and show up and watch or shut your mouth!!!
jamesswuk wrote:
I'm glad I deceived not to go on saturday. with what I've read performance was rubbish and shambles over cox contract. sounds like nothing changed much. I won't be coming back and next home game I expect crowd of around 5,900 not the 7,300. same old swindon **** up all round. only reason they didn't say anything about the problem with cox contract, they knew it would put people of coming on saturday. I don't buy that crap about keeping Northampton in dark about team selection. bloody hell fitton and co. don't feed me crap like that, like the former owners.
Well you read different to everyone else about cox as it was reading who were the cause of him not playing. You'd be better staying at home all the time if you only pick and choose your games, the club is better off without supporters like you who don't turn up to games and then moan about it!!
So do us all a favor and show up and watch or shut your mouth!!!
Posted by: Saint, chippenham on 11:42am Mon 4 Feb 08
[quote][bold]Kevin m[/bold] wrote:
[quote][bold]jamesswuk[/bold] wrote: I'm glad I deceived not to go on saturday. with what I've read performance was rubbish and shambles over cox contract. sounds like nothing changed much. I won't be coming back and next home game I expect crowd of around 5,900 not the 7,300. same old swindon **** up all round. only reason they didn't say anything about the problem with cox contract, they knew it would put people of coming on saturday. I don't buy that crap about keeping Northampton in dark about team selection. bloody hell fitton and co. don't feed me crap like that, like the former owners.[/quote] Well you read different to everyone else about cox as it was reading who were the cause of him not playing. You'd be better staying at home all the time if you only pick and choose your games, the club is better off without supporters like you who don't turn up to games and then moan about it!! So do us all a favor and show up and watch or shut your mouth!!![/quote] Well said Kevin. People like jamesswuk are full of wind, and NOT NEEDED or wanted at the CG.
Kevin m wrote:
jamesswuk wrote: I'm glad I deceived not to go on saturday. with what I've read performance was rubbish and shambles over cox contract. sounds like nothing changed much. I won't be coming back and next home game I expect crowd of around 5,900 not the 7,300. same old swindon **** up all round. only reason they didn't say anything about the problem with cox contract, they knew it would put people of coming on saturday. I don't buy that crap about keeping Northampton in dark about team selection. bloody hell fitton and co. don't feed me crap like that, like the former owners.
Well you read different to everyone else about cox as it was reading who were the cause of him not playing. You'd be better staying at home all the time if you only pick and choose your games, the club is better off without supporters like you who don't turn up to games and then moan about it!! So do us all a favor and show up and watch or shut your mouth!!!
Well said Kevin. People like jamesswuk are full of wind, and NOT NEEDED or wanted at the CG.
Posted by: ksaunders, Bicester on 11:54am Mon 4 Feb 08
I second Kevin and Saint's comments. So fed up of the pessimism and negativity from some town fans - are they never happy? For goodness sakes the club has been taken over, spent good money on a very good player for the first time in years and are on a nine game unbeaten league run! By the way jamesswuk and people like you - we're glad you decided not to go to the game on Saturday too!!! Can we have some real fans putting comments on here please!!?
I second Kevin and Saint's comments. So fed up of the pessimism and negativity from some town fans - are they never happy? For goodness sakes the club has been taken over, spent good money on a very good player for the first time in years and are on a nine game unbeaten league run! By the way jamesswuk and people like you - we're glad you decided not to go to the game on Saturday too!!! Can we have some real fans putting comments on here please!!?
Posted by: robinmeister, Wootton Bassett on 3:11pm Mon 4 Feb 08
echo comments of the last few reference jamesswuk. if this winds you up as much as you make out, i'd hate to see you moan over something serious. do us all a favour with your negativity and stay at home for the next one.
echo comments of the last few reference jamesswuk. if this winds you up as much as you make out, i'd hate to see you moan over something serious. do us all a favour with your negativity and stay at home for the next one.
Posted by: stroudred, Stroud on 4:00pm Mon 4 Feb 08
You'll be sorely missed jamesswuk , not.
We don't need people like you who hop on and off the bandwagon when things don't please you.
Do us all a favour and stay away for good.
You'll be sorely missed jamesswuk , not.
We don't need people like you who hop on and off the bandwagon when things don't please you.
Do us all a favour and stay away for good.
Posted by: Alf-uckam, York on 11:00pm Mon 4 Feb 08
[quote][bold]jamesswuk[/bold] wrote:
I'm glad I deceived not to go on saturday. with what I've read performance was rubbish and shambles over cox contract. sounds like nothing changed much. I won't be coming back and next home game I expect crowd of around 5,900 not the 7,300. same old swindon **** up all round. only reason they didn't say anything about the problem with cox contract, they knew it would put people of coming on saturday. I don't buy that crap about keeping Northampton in dark about team selection. bloody hell fitton and co. don't feed me crap like that, like the former owners.[/quote] You won't be missed, a true fan.........
jamesswuk wrote:
I'm glad I deceived not to go on saturday. with what I've read performance was rubbish and shambles over cox contract. sounds like nothing changed much. I won't be coming back and next home game I expect crowd of around 5,900 not the 7,300. same old swindon **** up all round. only reason they didn't say anything about the problem with cox contract, they knew it would put people of coming on saturday. I don't buy that crap about keeping Northampton in dark about team selection. bloody hell fitton and co. don't feed me crap like that, like the former owners.
Posted by: town of the future, swindon on 10:54am Tue 5 Feb 08
[quote][bold]jamesswuk[/bold] wrote:
I'm glad I deceived not to go on saturday. with what I've read performance was rubbish and shambles over cox contract. sounds like nothing changed much. I won't be coming back and next home game I expect crowd of around 5,900 not the 7,300. same old swindon **** up all round. only reason they didn't say anything about the problem with cox contract, they knew it would put people of coming on saturday. I don't buy that crap about keeping Northampton in dark about team selection. bloody hell fitton and co. don't feed me crap like that, like the former owners.[/quote] Who do you go to watch anyway? Simon Cox or Swindon Town. You muppet, with home fans like you who needs away fans? Do us all a favour and stay at home next game.
jamesswuk wrote:
I'm glad I deceived not to go on saturday. with what I've read performance was rubbish and shambles over cox contract. sounds like nothing changed much. I won't be coming back and next home game I expect crowd of around 5,900 not the 7,300. same old swindon **** up all round. only reason they didn't say anything about the problem with cox contract, they knew it would put people of coming on saturday. I don't buy that crap about keeping Northampton in dark about team selection. bloody hell fitton and co. don't feed me crap like that, like the former owners.
Who do you go to watch anyway? Simon Cox or Swindon Town. You muppet, with home fans like you who needs away fans? Do us all a favour and stay at home next game.
Posted by: Dover Red, Dover on 5:12pm Wed 6 Feb 08
[quote][bold]jamesswuk[/bold] wrote:
I'm glad I deceived not to go on saturday. with what I've read performance was rubbish and shambles over cox contract. sounds like nothing changed much. I won't be coming back and next home game I expect crowd of around 5,900 not the 7,300. same old swindon **** up all round. only reason they didn't say anything about the problem with cox contract, they knew it would put people of coming on saturday. I don't buy that crap about keeping Northampton in dark about team selection. bloody hell fitton and co. don't feed me crap like that, like the former owners.[/quote] You fool
jamesswuk wrote:
I'm glad I deceived not to go on saturday. with what I've read performance was rubbish and shambles over cox contract. sounds like nothing changed much. I won't be coming back and next home game I expect crowd of around 5,900 not the 7,300. same old swindon **** up all round. only reason they didn't say anything about the problem with cox contract, they knew it would put people of coming on saturday. I don't buy that crap about keeping Northampton in dark about team selection. bloody hell fitton and co. don't feed me crap like that, like the former owners.
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