Logan Briggs scored his first senior goal for Northampton Town in their 1-1 draw at Gillingham on Saturday. The 20-year-old local's strike earned a point for the Cobblers, who are now 18th in League Two with three points from four games.
Briggs called the moment a 'special feeling'. He explained that scoring for his hometown club made the achievement ten times better. "I knew it was heading for the corner as soon as the ball left my foot," Briggs said of his 36th-minute curler. The young midfielder, who can see Sixfields Stadium from his house, added that he has settled in well with a great group of players.
Briggs believes the goal came at an important time, shifting momentum back to Northampton after they conceded early. He stated the team showed good character but is not settling for a point, insisting there is more to come from the squad. The draw leaves Northampton with a goal difference of minus one, having scored twice and conceded three times this season.
Northampton Town's trip to Priestfield Stadium was their third game of the League Two season. Gillingham, managed by Gareth Ainsworth, took an early lead through Conor McManus before Briggs equalised. The result means the Cobblers are still searching for their first win, with a recent form of DDLD.
Referee Elliott Swallow took charge of the fixture for the first time in a Northampton match. The Cobblers have a strong historical record against the Gills, with 55 wins from 118 meetings. Their last encounter at Sixfields in April 2023 was a 2-1 victory for Northampton.
Former Northampton Town defender Akin Odimayo outlined his team's aim to 'leave an imprint' on League Two this season. Now at Crawley Town, the 26-year-old wants Crawley to bounce back from a turbulent previous campaign where they survived by a single point.
He has been playing at right-back recently and said it involves rewiring his brain for a different position. Odimayo, who signed an 18-month deal in January, sees his Crawley side currently sit 17th, one place and one point above his former club Northampton in the standings.
The immediate focus is a home game against Newport County on Saturday, September 5th. Newport are 14th in the table, providing another opportunity for Jon Brady's side to secure that elusive first victory. Northampton are six points behind early leaders Bristol Rovers.
The club will be hoping the positive feeling from Briggs' breakthrough goal can inspire a performance in front of their own fans at Sixfields.
