A second half goal from Leon Constantine gave Northampton Town a 1-0 victory over Town's reserves at a cold Playford Road this afternoon. The Blues, who included trialists Lino Goncalves and Harry Arter in midfield, had more than enough chances to win the game.

Goncalves, on trial from the Glenn Hoddle Academy, started wide on the left with Charlton's 19-year-old Irish U17 and U19 international Harry Arter, the brother-in-law of Scott Parker, in the centre of midfield. Arter has spent part of this season on loan at Staines and recently went on trial at Gillingham.

Town, whose U18s face Crystal Palace in an FA Youth Cup fourth round tie at Portman Road this evening (KO 7pm), also included academy coach Gerard Nash at centre-half alongside midfielder Jai Reason.

Jordan Rhodes struck Town's first serious effort on 19, the Cobblers keeper tipping over.

Ed Upson forced the Northampton glovesman into another save 10 minutes later before Goncalves went close with a shot from the edge of the box.

The impressive Arter shot narrowly over the bar on 35, prior to Ryan Gilligan going wide for the visitors.

Dean Bowditch almost put the Blues in front just after the break, but his shot ran across the face of goal.

The Northampton keeper pulled off a fine double save on 50, stopping efforts from close range from first Rhodes and then Bowditch. Moments later, Arter forced another save.

On 64 Joe Benjamin cut on from the Northampton right but Shane Supple was equal to his shot from a tight angle.

Six minutes later, the visitors went in front. Town lost possession in midfield, the Cobblers broke quickly and the ball was squared to Constantine, who beat Supple from 10 yards.

Jai Reason deflected a cross on to his own bar in the 79th minute, prior to a sharp volleyed turn and shot from Rhodes but which was too close to the keeper.

Late on, Colin Larkin missed a good chance to put the visitors two up, scuffing the ball well wide when well placed as a low cross came in from the left.

A disappointing result from what was a more than usually experienced Town side, although with trialists and coaches alongside the likes of Liam Trotter, Matt Richards, Jaime Peters and Dean Bowditch.

Of the Town players looking to impress watching scouts, Richards did best at left-back, while strikers Bowditch and Jordan Rhodes looked short on confidence in front of goal.

Goncalves showed one of two glimpses of his skills and sent in a couple of decent crosses, but overall was largely on the periphery of the game, especially after the break.

More impressive was Arter, who broke well from midfield and made a number of incisive passes. The Charlton man tired towards the end, but probably did enough to warrant another look.

Reserves: Supple, Peters, Richards, Nash, Reason,Trotter, Arter, Upson (Bickers 77), Goncalves, Rhodes, Bowditch.

Photo: Action Images

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