Northampton Town squeezed out of Carabao Cup after defeat at Leicester City

Northampton Town have been knocked out of the Carabao Cup after a 1-0 First Round loss away at Leicester City.

The 2016 Premier League champions got the victory on a sunny day at the King Power Stadium, with Caleb Okoli bundling the ball home at a corner to win the day for Russell Martin’s side.

It ultimately meant defeat in Northampton’s first competitive game under the management of new boss Chris Hogg, although the Cobblers gave a good account of themselves against a Leicester team still reeling from last season’s relegation from the Championship.

Hogg’s first competitive game as Northampton manager would be a quick reunion with Leicester, who had beaten Northampton in a pre-season friendly held behind closed doors at the Foxes’ training ground.

Northampton gave five of their new signings debuts from the start, and one of them very nearly had an early breakthrough. Leicester defender Harry Souttar misplaced a pass while trying to play out from the back, and Harvey Saunders was in a prime position but could only fire a shot straight at home keeper Jakub Stolarczyk.

A breakthrough came Leicester’s way after 15 minutes, as Okoli headed in from Luke Thomas’ corner and duly had the home side in front.

Northampton did cause the home side bother, with Connor Lemonheigh-Evans having a shot denied by Stolarczyk before Jon Guthrie headed wide at the consequent corner.

Leicester would offer more going forward after the break, with Zach Jeacock denying a strike by Bobby De Cordova-Reid.

The Foxes briefly thought they’d moved 2-0 up when home debutant Liam Cullen volleyed in a fine effort, but a very late offside flag went up to chalk off the goal, much to the home side’s irritation.

Northampton then had a few moments where they gave Leicester discomfort in the latter stages of the contest, but there was no breakthrough moment to force penalties.

The Cobblers will now turn attention to the start of the new league season, with the Cobblers beginning their season by hosting Swindon Town next Saturday (15/08).