Sixfields

Saturday 31 January 2009

Northampton Town 1-2 Leicester City

Aerial shot of Sixfields (Bing Maps)

Ratings

Overall Ground Quality : 7/10

Ease of getting there : 8/10

Atmosphere : 7/10

Programme : 8/10

View of Action : 8/10

Quality of the game : 7/10

The "football" feeling : 6/10

Chances of coming here for a random game : 5/10

Legroom : 9/10

Surrounding area : 6/10

Overall : 71/100

Northampton Town 1-2 Leicester City

With City top of League One, away fixtures were becoming sell outs and in the case of smaller venues like Sixfields, demand exceeding supply.
The Leicester City’s ticket allocation was swallowed up immediately for this almost local derby!

We got tickets in the home area and kept our heads down instead!
Ross and I (Adrian) travelled to the 30 miles south on the M1 by a supporters coach from Coalville, no stops, straight into the town and parked up on the road adjacent the away end.
We then collected our tickets and by chance saw two relations who had also come down for the game. After a quick catch up we had a walk around the stadium before discreetly going in, sensibly wearing no replica shirts!
Sixfields has a 7,653-capacity and has been the home ground of Northampton Town following their move from the County Ground in October 1994. The stadium had been scheduled to be opened at the start of the 1994–95, but was not ready on time and as a result Northampton began the season still at the County Ground. The first game to be played at their new £6million home was against Barnet in Division Three on 15 October 1994. The match ended in a 1–1 draw, with striker Martin Aldridge scoring the first goal at the new stadium.
As expected the full Sixfields, generated a good atmosphere and sadly, many arrests and ejections as City fans made nuisances of themselves in home areas. During the second half many of these transgressors could be seen watching the game from the road behind the goal which forms a steep curve, making it possible to view part of the pitch.
The game was finally won by City 2-1, but Northampton put on a decent display, taking the lead in the first half courtesy of an own goal by Kerra Gilbert. City importantly equalised just before half time when former Cobbler, Steve Howard scoring from the penalty spot. Both sides went close in the second period but it was Lloyd Dyer who finished superbly giving City an important away win.
At the final whistle we vacated the stadium quickly walking around to the awaiting coaches for the journey home. A police motorbike escort got us back onto the M1 in no time and we were back in Coalville for approx 6:15.
Another good away day following the mighty Leicester City.