Thanks to Chris Tembey, from the London Branch, for providing this fan view of the trip to Northampton last Saturday - super stuff.

To find out more about the London Branch and what it could mean for you, click HERE.

The trip to Northampton has, in recent years, become somewhat of a regular fixture and a rivalry has been born.

The battle for the League Two title 05-06; The Cobblers revenge 06-07 and now ... 08.12.07

For us based in the South it not only means a game on our doorstep but also the potential (where the Football League allow) to pull on the shirt and pit our wits against a fellow supporters team.

Time: 10:30 (Well more like 10:45, I arrived late with the kit ... like last season).

Venue: Racecourse Pavillion, Kettering Road, Northampton.

Att: 4/5 + the occasional dog walker.

The Ground: Open to the elements. An Underhill slope. Umbrella's essential for those watching.

Parking: Pretty good. Straight into a space.

Changing Rooms: Not Wembley but had a roof and working showers.

Any Concerns: Just about washing the kit. CUFC a few years back very kindly donated a number of white away shirts (season '02-'04) for the London Branch football team. They were not to be white for long ... and the wife would not be happy when I took 14 of them home with me.

The Game: (First Half)

Dominated by our hosts who won the toss and elected to head down the slope. It took us 20 minutes to win a corner ... which never even made it into play. The Cobblers fans team play regular football together and it showed. Newsome pushed a shot onto the bar before he was beaten on the 25 minute mark. Hesitant defending allowed the lively Cobbler front man too much time and space to one-two his way through on goal and a one on one which gave Newsome no chance. Steve Batey then stepped between the sticks and immediately made a stunning stop with his legs. We created one half chance in 45 minutes.

Half Time: Realised with 5 in the middle the Cobblers were running the show. Time to change tactics slightly and give the midfield a bit more support from the front.

(Second Half)

Horror show for the first ten minutes. After that was much better as we created and controlled much of the game. Northampton were still dangerous and Steve Batey pulled off some wonder saves. The odd time he was beaten some brave soul was there to block or clear. Then the breakthrough. A ball in by Kilner was deflected to myself, turning away from goal the 'keeper clipped me and down I dived ... fell. Penalty Ref. He agreed. Elliott stepped up and sent the keeper the wrong way. From then on it could have gone either way. Elliott missed two golden chances and we hit the bar, but the scores remained tied.

1-1

Happy with that? After a loss here last season this was a step up. Great game, great spirit, great result.

The Squad: Barry Newsome, Steve Batey, Mike Kilner, Simon Clarkson, Tony Little, Andrew Dobinson, Gary Elliott, Dave Batey, Chris Tembey, Neil Jardine, John Sawrey-Cookson, Mark Glaistor, Sam Clarkson, Alun Hullock.

MOTM: Some solid performances and some fine displays from the London Branch youth players but Steve "the cat" Batey proved that wearing contact lenses really can help you see the ball.

Time: 15:00

Venue: Sixfields Stadium, Northampton

Att: 4,908

The Ground: Open to the elements. Pitch holding up. All four sides of the ground under cover.

Parking: Never sure with these 'leisure park' places. Have they eased the laws over the years or not? Left car by the cinema and hoped for the best.

Changing Rooms: Not Wembley ... other than that I'm guessing better than this morning.

Any Concerns?: Have they only one turnstile open? Some of us are herded around the corner to enter through what on first glance seemed to be a home supporter's turnstile. Panic over, once through we were then diverted back behind the goal along with an impressive Blue Army following of 732.

The Game: (First Half)

Very much a mixed bag. Conditions were horrible and Northampton came out of the blocks quick.

Without a win in five their previous two displays had also been criticised by manager Stuart Gray. They were up for it. MBW had a tester of a free kick shortly before Hackney was upended and he was gifted a second try. Bunn rooted. Blues in front ... as usual. Just checking my phone for the time of the goal as the tannoy system was less than clear. Given as 25 minutes, huh - same time we conceded this morning. Look up to see the ball fly towards Keiren's hands ... and then go under them and into the net. Oh. A chant of "dodgy keeper" is then met by Keiren fumbling a catch and conceding a corner."Top of the League, you're having a laugh!" Let's just get to half time. We do.

Half Time: Need to get the ball on the floor more. Too often a long ball up for Garner to do battle. Our key players are not seeing enough of the ball, we need to play to our strengths.

(Second Half)

All a bit of a blur as much of the focus now centres on various reactions. First of all a deep Ziggy free-kick is challenged for by Keogh. Bunn drops it. In this day and age it must be a foul on the keeper. Garner plays on and coolly blasts into the open goal. The ref's allowed it. Wow! Keiren gives thanks that his error has been forgotten. "We are top of the League". The Cobblers ball boys go on strike and Gall refuses to step in. The Cobblers fans get infuriated which in turn leads to a good five minutes or so of good natured banter between us. Thirls connects beautifully but just misses the top corner and Graham seems to have an age in front of goal but the defender clears.

We then of course get sloppy. A typical wonder save by "England's Number One" is nearly undone by sloppy marking from the resulting corner and Raven heads off the line. The inevitable equaliser came in injury time and so followed Johnson's slide on the knees goal celebration. This away game was to finish 2-2 ... as usual!

Happy with that?: I suppose so. Northampton deserved something from the game, no doubt. Of course it's never a great feeling to lose such a late goal but after a loss here last season this was a step up.

The Squad: No change.

MOTM: Easy choice would be Garner. Another goal and he never stopped working.

Final thoughts: Last season both the supporters and pro games finished 3-2 Cobblers. This season two score draws. My advice: If we should find ourselves heading to Sixfields next season (of course unlikely but possible!) and you fancy a flutter on the afternoon game ... you know where to be at 10:45 (by the time I get there with the kit).

At least I've a few months to get the shirts white before our next installment.

Chris Tembey