Summary

  • Charlie Raglan and Conor Thomas scored Cheltenham's goals in 2-0 win at Northampton

  • Robins goalkeeper Owen Evans saved early penalty from Northampton's Ryan Watson

  • Cohen Bramall's free-kick gave Colchester 1-0 victory at home to Exeter

  • Semi-final second legs scheduled to take place on Monday, 22 June

  • Final at Wembley on Monday, 29 June

  1. Farewellpublished at 21:55 British Summer Time 18 June 2020

    FT: Northampton 0-2 Cheltenham

    That just about wraps up our coverage of tonight's League Two play-off semi-final ties.

    After a long absence, the football continues to come thick and fast and tomorrow the Premier League returns as Norwich take on Southampton and Tottenham face Manchester United.

    The action in the second tier comes back on Saturday with a whopping 11 Championship games to feast your eyes on.

    For now, thank you for joining us.

  2. Postpublished at 21:52 British Summer Time 18 June 2020

    FT: Northampton 0-2 Cheltenham

    So tonight's two League Two play-off semi-final first legs draw to a close, with Colchester and Cheltenham taking the lead going into Monday's return legs.

    With their two-goal lead, you have to fancy Cheltenham to reach the final in 11 days' time, but these are the play-offs and anything can happen.

  3. FULL-TIMEpublished at 21:46 British Summer Time 18 June 2020

    Northampton 0-2 Cheltenham

    And that's it, all over.

    Charlie Raglan's first-half header and Conor Thomas's late goal give Cheltenham a two-goal advantage going into Monday's second leg.

    Northampton, who saw Ryan Watson's early penalty saved by Owen Evans, must be disappointed.

    Charlie Raglan scoresImage source, Rex Features
  4. Postpublished at 90 mins

    Northampton 0-2 Cheltenham

    Four minutes have been added on to this match.

    Northampton have pushed well into Cheltenham's half. Maybe they're not done just yet.

  5. goal

    GOAL: Northampton 0-2 Cheltenhampublished at 87 mins

    Conor Thomas

    That's game over, at least for this leg of the tie, as Cheltenham double their lead and move a step closer to a Wembley final.

    Sean Long tries his luck from a loose ball in the box before his low shot is deflected into the path of an unmarked Conor Thomas and he makes no mistake from close range.

    A shame for Northampton, who have looked so good at points this evening.

  6. Postpublished at 86 mins

    Northampton 0-1 Cheltenham

    The tempo of this game has calmed down a fair bit now we're approaching full time.

    It's surprising how quick some of the play has been so far considering these two teams haven't played since early March.

    Fitness certainly hasn't been an issue this evening.

  7. SUBSTITUTIONpublished at 82 mins

    Northampton 0-1 Cheltenham

    Ryan Broom comes off for Cheltenham and is replaced by Rohan Ince.

    Can the visitors see this first leg out and take a one-goal lead back to Whaddon Road?

  8. Postpublished at 81 mins

    Northampton 0-1 Cheltenham

    Another Nicky Adams free-kick goes into the Cheltenham box and the visitors manage to block it away from danger.

    Charlie Goode, who's changed shirts and is now wearing the number 46, prepares to put in another long Northampton throw.

    The visitors clear it away once again, however.

  9. Advantage Colchesterpublished at 79 mins

    FT: Colchester 1-0 Exeter

    Earlier today, Cohen Bramall was Colchester's match-winner against Exeter in the first leg of their semi-final...

    Bramall goal sees Colchester beat Exeter

    Cohen Bramall's free-kick gives Colchester the advantage as they beat Exeter in a drab League Two play-off semi-final first leg.

    Read More
  10. SUBSTITUTIONpublished at 76 mins

    Northampton 0-1 Cheltenham

    Northampton make another change, now.

    Harry Smith comes on as Vadaine Oliver makes way.

  11. SUBSTITUTIONpublished at 75 mins

    Northampton 0-1 Cheltenham

    Cheltenham opt to make a couple of changes of their own.

    Reuben Reid and Tom Nichols come off for the visitors and are replaced by Jonte Smith and Alfie May.

  12. Postpublished at 72 mins

    Northampton 0-1 Cheltenham

    James Olayinka has almost dinked an equaliser for Northampton!

    The midfielder, on loan at the Cobblers from Arsenal, toe pokes an effort right on the 18-yard line but it narrowly sails over the crossbar.

  13. SUBSTITUTIONpublished at 67 mins

    Northampton 0-1 Cheltenham

    Callum MortonImage source, Getty Images

    Northampton make two changes as we see the first substitutions of this match. A reminder that each team can make a total of five subs at three separate points during the game.

    Alan McCormack and Callum Morton make way for Andy Williams and Paul Anderson.

    And just as play gets back under way, the referee blows his whistle for another drinks break.

  14. Postpublished at 64 mins

    Northampton 0-1 Cheltenham

    What have Cheltenham got in response to Northampton's fine start to this half?

    Two words. Reuben Reid. The visiting striker, who had scored three goals in five games before the lockdown, tries what would have been a sensational half volley which is tipped away for a corner.

    The hosts clear their lines soon after.

  15. Postpublished at 61 mins

    Northampton 0-1 Cheltenham

    At the other end, Chris Hussey tries to hook a free-kick home from a wildly acute angle but it sails well high and wide.

    The Cheltenham defender raises a smile as he runs back upfield. Suppose it was worth a try!

  16. Postpublished at 59 mins

    Northampton 0-1 Cheltenham

    Northampton have dominated the closing stages of the first half and the opening stages of the second - but they have nothing to show for it yet.

    They win a free-kick deep in the Cheltenham half and Nicky Adams stands over it.

    Charlie Goode gets a head onto it and the ball flies across goal but sails past Alan McCormack and the visitors break.

  17. Postpublished at 54 mins

    Northampton 0-1 Cheltenham

    Northampton cutoutsImage source, PA Media

    In case you missed it, despite this match technically taking place behind closed doors, that doesn't mean there aren't any Northampton fans present.

    The 'Shoe Army' is represented by 930 cardboard cut-outs, ranging from famous faces to fans who have passed away.

    The 'Cobblers in the Crowd' scheme allowed fans to pay £25 for a seat and many have taken the chance to allow their loved ones to go to 'one last game'.

    You can read more about that here.

  18. Postpublished at 52 mins

    Northampton 0-1 Cheltenham

    Northampton are ramping up that pressure and, from their latest corner, Scott Wharton heads a deflected shot wide while Alan McCormack almost finds the net soon after.

    Cheltenham are dealing with the hosts' threat so far, but Keith Curle's side are looking dangerous every time they have the ball.

  19. Postpublished at 49 mins

    Northampton 0-1 Cheltenham

    More Northampton pressure as Vadaine Oliver tries to turn and shoot off the back of Callum Morton's rolled delivery in the Cheltenham box but he can't quite find the target.

    The hosts win a corner and Cobblers captain Charlie Goode tries to claim a penalty from a push in the box but the referee says nothing doing and play carries on.

  20. Postpublished at 47 mins

    Northampton 0-1 Cheltenham

    There's a brief stoppage after a clash of heads between Sean Long and Northampton's Ryan Watson but play continues pretty sharpish with the pair fit to continue.

    Meanwhile, Nicky Adams tries to force a corner under some pressure from the Cheltenham defence but the visitors win a goal kick.