Big night last night for all involved with Northampton Town. Last night the Cobblers gained promotion to League One. They beat Exeter City 4-0 in the League Two Play Off final in Wembley Stadium.
Earlier this month League One and Two clubs voted in favour to cancel the remainder of the 2019/20 season. News that would have delighted fans of Northampton. They sat in the final play off place finishing 7th in League Two. Their closest rivals were Port Vale only a point behind them.
It was a rocky start in the Play Off semi-final for Northampton. They lost the first leg at home in a 2-0 defeat to Cheltenham Town. They would come back with a great 3-0 win in the return leg.
Exeter also lost the first leg of their semi final tie with Colchester United. They lost that game 1-0. They would bounce back with a 3-1 win in the following away leg of the tie.
Northampton came into the Play Offs as underdogs. However, they looked dominate in last nights final. First half goals from Ryan Watson and Man of the Match Callum Morton sent them on their way. Two late goals by Paul Anderson and Andy Williams sealed their status as a League One side for next season.
Exeter went down to ten men on the hour mark. With defender Dean Moxey seeing red for a bad tackle on Ryan Watson.
It was third time lucky for Northampton manager Keith Curle. He had previously lost two League Two Play Off finals with Mansfield and Carlisle.
Exeter manager Matt Taylor will have to prepare his side for their ninth consecutive season in League Two. Bitterly disappointing for Exeter suffering their third League Two Play Off final defeat in four years.
The celebrations will continue in Northampton for days to come. Keith Curle and his men will now prepare for life in League One. They’ll be hoping it can last longer than their last stay in the league. They only managed two seasons last time out after gaining promotion in 2016. Finishing 16th in the 2016/17 season but got relegated the following season.
Northampton will now make the jump to League One with already promoted Swindon Town, Crewe Alexandra and Plymouth Argyle.
