Curle’s Wembley wonders
THE SILENCE of Wembley Stadium must have been golden for Keith Curle as he savoured promotion for the first time in his managerial career.
Curle has managed in more than 500 games over almost 18 years without going up, but last night his Northampton Town climbed into League One in emphatic style.
This was the biggest stage in English football playing host to its first competitive fixture behind closed doors: the League Two play-off final, a crucial fixture for two clubs, in front of 90,000 empty seats and a few thousand cut-out fans nodding in the breeze.
Ryan Watson and Callum Morton scored the goals to put Northampton in control in the first half and Exeter’s hopes of summoning a recovery disappeared when experienced defender Dean Moxey was sent off on the hour mark.
Sam Hoskins and Andy Williams added to Exeter’s misery late on, and Northampton climbed back into the third tier with a four-goal win, two years after relegation.
The only consolation for Exeter was that no-one had made the trip from Devon to see them lose in the play-off final for the third time in four seasons. The heartbreak of another Wembley defeat will have been tough to take for Matt Taylor and his team, though.
Curle’s team arrived with a reputation as set-piece specialists and Charlie Goode’s long throw was the weapon which helped them take an early grip on the game.
Exeter’s Nigel Atangana could only clear Goode’s enormous throw as far as the fringes of the penalty area. It was collected by midfielder Watson, who twisted past Jake Taylor and drove a shot home, with the help of a deflection.
Northampton dominated. Exeter goalkeeper Jonny Maxted made a double save, first from a curling free-kick by Nicky Adams and then to deny Hoskins from the rebound. Another of Goode’s throws reached Vadaine Oliver who sprang high only to head over.
Exeter survived to reach the sanctuary of the first water break and returned in a better rhythm, with more possession.
Northampton suffered a blow when wing-back Adams, second only to Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne for assists in the top four tiers, was forced off with a hamstring injury. But within seconds of his exit, their lead was extended.
It was another set-piece, this time a free-kick launched into the box from deep. Scott Wharton won the first header and Jordan Turnbull won the second to give Morton the simple task of tucking away the chance from close range.
For the young striker, on loan from West Brom, it was an eighth goal in 12 appearances since joining Northampton in January, adding to a double in the semi-final second-leg win at Cheltenham.
Taylor’s team improved in the second half and were forcing Northampton to defend when they were reduced to 10 men as tempers frayed.
Moxey, 34 years old and vastly experienced, was dismissed with a straight red card after a reckless slide from behind to cut down Watson in midfield.
Hoskins settled it with a third, and substitute Williams made it four. Cue a promotion party for Curle and Co. Shame about the atmosphere.