Northampton suffer another defeat after conceding five at promoted Cardiff

Northampton Town suffered another defeat as they were beaten 5-1 by already promoted Cardiff City.

Defeat was Northampton’s 9th loss in a row as the Cobblers got one step closer to the end of a season in which they have already been relegated and slumped to bottom spot in the third tier of English football.

A brace by Ollie Tanner and further strikes by Joel Colwill, Callum Robinson and Yousef Salech set up a thumping win for a Bluebirds side who were celebrating their promotion to the second tier of English football.

Northampton sub Jake Evans scored a goal back between Cardiff’s fourth and fifth goals, but it was not enough for the Cobblers to avoid slumping to their 27th league defeat of the campaign.

The Cobblers’ final away day of the season did see them bring a healthy number of fans, many of whom donned Northampton’s bright pink change kit.

But any hopes of a positive away day display to please the travelling fans and register a first away point since Valentine’s Day, let alone a first away win since late November, disappeared quickly as Cardiff took the lead in the opening ten minutes.

Chris Willock got space for a cross to tee up Tanner, who duly put the ball into the back of the net to give the South Welsh club the early advantage.

Cardiff duly pressed for more goals, with Rubin Colwill denied by Lee Burge and Robinson having a goal disallowed for a foul.

The pressure ultimately told for the hosts, however, as they made it 2-0 after 19 minutes. Rubin Colwill released his brother Joel, who duly found the back of the net from close range.

Things duly got worse for the Cobblers in the final 10 minutes of the half as Jack Vale’s underhit backpass fell perfectly for Robinson to run onto the ball and score.

It would become 4 for Cardiff less than 10 minutes after half time as Tanner got his second goal of the day, with the winger turning in Joel Bagan’s cross.

Northampton would get on the scoreboard in the 68th minute when substitute Evans got a strike home from just outside the box.

But Cardiff would make it 5-1 when substitute Salech tapped in, as the Welshmen picked up a heavy win to delight the home crowd.

The Cobblers have 2 more games to go of their season, with Northampton hosting Barnsley on Tuesday night before hosting Plymouth Argyle in their season finale next weekend.