Indeed, the sluggish start left you to wonder if the Latics would allow themselves to begin on the back foot. It isn't strange to see the pattern - 3 times the Latics have let in the first goal at home, 3 times they have lost and hit brick walls in chasing the deficit. The answer is easy, don't allow your opponents to score first and against the Cobblers, there was a sense that if they had, the Latics may have capitulated to dish out similar frustrations that had occurred during the defeats to Cardiff, Wycombe and Luton. Indeed, although it was a stroll by the end, Pogliacomi had work to do and the defence couldn't rest easy all night.
Despite a lively opening half, the real chances were few and far between. Northampton's Forrester, Gabbiadini and Carruthers linked up well and moved the ball around neatly. The Latics had to chase the ball at times, as Town's plan was to knock it around quickly (even if it was at the cost of accuracy), get the ball in early and should possession be lost, chase and harass to get it back. Some of the visiting players did it well but some didn't, and by the end the Latics class, fitness and a touch of fortune allowed this to become a stroll in the Park.
Northampton will feel hard done by for their efforts. They could have had one goal, possibly two meaning the Latics wouldn't have gone clear by so many, without upping their performance. However, the back trio defended with strength and Darren Sheridan did what he does best - sitting infront of them to protect. His game may have gone unnoticed by some, but it is no coincidence that since his first game this season vs Notts County, the Latics have looked fairly solid when he has been on his game. He releases any pressure Hill, Hall and for now, Armstrong, have to deal with and that in turn means the Latics keep possession a lot easier. Hence why a lot of the game starred in midfield for the first 45 minutes.
Indeed, the Latics goal and an early chance for Carruthers are all that really registered as real chances. Maybe add John Eyre's nifty run on 15, as he beat several defenders to shoot wide from 25 yards out and that is your lot. However, Carruthers' chance and the Latics opener were classic examples of opening up a defence.
Forrester's pace allowed him to get down the edge of the Latics penalty area and cross for an unmarked Gabbiadini who had drifted in on the blind side. The Town forward stood 8 yards out and had he been more selfish, his header could have put Pogliacomi in real trouble. Instead he chose to nod it back into a panicked Latics defence for Carruthers to shoot. The Latics keeper would have stood no chance, but Carruthers couldn't set himself enough and volleyed the ball over the bar. It was a glorious chance to have changed the course of the game.
Instead, on the half hour mark, the Latics made the vital breakthrough. Darren Sheridan picked the ball up just inside the oppositions half and set off for goal. Passing a number of defenders, Shez looked up, spotted Andrews (pictured) lurking and played a sweet ball behind the back line for the Latics number 12 to sweetly tuck home. 1-0.Not only was Andrews' goal important to the game, the strike also signalled a very good piece of transfer dealing. Andrews can score the tap-ins and the type of goals like he did at Colchester (a turn on the spot and hit it - hoping it goes in.) However, this effort was a real strikers goal. The finish was no means easy - the Latics forward had men nearby and 20 yards to goal. That mattered little as the former Chesham United man made it look all too simple. What buys they have been from Chesham!
Moving on, the Latics slowly began to take control from the re-start. Andrews almost immediately netted another after his first of the game and then the Latics proceeded to win numerous corners. However, Northampton had the last worthwhile effort of the half in a low drive from Forrester that needed Pogi to be alert to gather.
As the 2nd half began, you immediately knew the stakes had been raised. Both sides came out with more fire and after Forrester again tested Pogi with another low, angled drive, welcome-substitute Paul Murray almost set up one on the counter with a superb ball into the box. No Latics player could get on the end of it though but it was a sign of what was to come from Murray who admittedly shook up a quiet Latics midfield. However, he did so at the surprise expense of Duxbury who indicated that there may be more to that story as he unhappily headed for the tunnel.
With the hosts looking to seal victory early in the 2nd half, it nearly came within 6 minutes of the re-start. A superb corner flashed through the goalmouth missing Hall's header by inches, but at the back post Hill looked on hand to poke home. Amazingly, the former Tranmere man turned the ball agonisingly wide of the post.
It wasn't long before the killer punch came though. Just past the hour mark a good Latics move saw Low sprint down the right, pick out unmarked Eyres at the back post, who nodded down and past the keeper. The ball would have gone straight in but it landed at Corazzin's feet on the goal line and he duly tucked home. 2-0.
With the Cobblers needing to strike back immediately, they found themselves unlucky 2 minutes later. Gabbiadini had headed past Latics' Pogliacomi but somehow Hall popped up from nowhere to head off the line. With the ball flying up into the air, Forrester steamed in to put the rebound away but Pogi again reacted superbly to fist the ball to safety.
Soon after the visitors effort, Rickers found himself substituted to jeers from his former Latics supporters. On the face of it, Rickers left because he wouldn't sign a new contract. However, those of us with more kindred spirits acknowledged that Rickers took the decision due to the influx of players. Who can blame the player when Premiership players were brought in to obviously fill his place. The Latics youth product would never have figured in Dowie's plans. In his place, Asamoah came on and almost had immediate effect as he forced Pogi into another decent stop.
From Asamoah's effort, the Latics hammered in another nail. Corazzin attempted to slip Andrews into the box, but with the ball having too much pace, the Latics striker could only make sure he passed Hope in order to retain possession at the by-line. In the chase, Hope clipped Andrews' foot to send him flying. Definite penalty. Reliable Eyres stepped up to send the keeper the wrong way and net his 3rd of the season. 3-0.
With the game effectively won, Dowie swapped Hall for Holden and on 75, brought Killen for man-of-the-match Andrews. In between, Forrester tested Pogi again with another half chance, but such had been the defending that these chances were relatively easy for the Latics keeper to soak up. However the same couldn't be said at the other end as on 78, Burgess gifted Corazzin with the ball and just Harper in net to beat. The angle was tight though and Carlo did well to force the Cobblers keeper into a full-stretched save with his foot.
As the impetus of the game fizzled out, Northampton began to see more of the ball. However, the Latics pace on the break once again undid the opposition and allowed Killen time and space on the left to pick out John Eyre. The former Hull man was advancing towards the area, but with Killen sending the ball early, it meant Eyre had to strike from around 20 yards. As he ran onto the ball and took aim, Eyre superbly side-footed the ball first-time, sending it like a dart, 6 inches off the ground, straight into the back of the net. It was the sweetest strike of a ball you could ever see leaving Harper with no chance. 4-0.
The scoreline was harsh, but the result was justice for another well crafted, patient match in which the Latics gradually got to terms with the opposition. However this match is a warning sign - we need to have a full 90 minutes, which is something Dowie has said once already this season.
With our next opponents Stockport winning at previously unbeaten-at-home Blackpool, the Latics must be very, very careful of another slip up. Stockport's recent run may have given the Latics encouragement before Tuesday night, but caution now needs to be taken. In a derby where the form book matters little, the Latics must show 90 minutes of steel if they want to move into pole position. It's no point being in a breakaway top 4 now - the top spot is the place to be and it is now the time to show we are worthy it!