Northampton Town face a tough League Two test away at Gillingham this Saturday, with manager Chris Hogg dealing with several confirmed absences. The Cobblers, currently 18th with just one point from two games, are seeking their first league goal and win of the 2026-27 campaign.
Who is unavailable for Northampton Town?
Jack Burroughs and Liam Shaw will definitely miss the trip to Kent, according to a team news preview published by Gillingham Football Club. Conor McCarthy could be involved with the matchday squad after playing 45 minutes in the EFL Trophy, but his fitness remains a question. On a positive note, Nathan Opoku is available for selection after his work permit was finalised.
Their opponents have significant injury problems of their own. Gillingham will be without Kadeem Harris for an extended period after he ruptured his ACL, while Armani Little and Ethan Coleman are also out. The game may come too soon for Sam Tabares and Bradley Dack, but new loan signing Lamin Sillah could feature.
What are the managers saying about the match?
Gillingham boss Gareth Ainsworth told his club's media channel that he expects a very tough game. "They are League One calibre with some of their players," Ainsworth said. "We need to be confident that we can put out a team that will beat them on Saturday."
Northampton manager Chris Hogg, quoted by the same Gillingham outlet, said he is looking forward to the challenge. "I’ve come up against Gareth Ainsworth’s teams many times and he’s done a great job wherever he’s been," Hogg stated. He added that his team needs to maintain their performance levels but take the next step.
What is the recent history between the clubs?
The last meeting at Priestfield Stadium was a long time ago, with Gillingham's most recent home win against Northampton coming in November 2016. As reported by the BBC, Northampton have won each of their last two league games against the Gills. They will be looking to record three consecutive wins against this opponent for the first time since October 2010.
When the sides last met at Sixfields in April 2023, a late strike from Will Hondermarck secured a 2-1 victory for the Cobblers. This weekend's match will be the 118th meeting between the two clubs, with Northampton holding a historical edge of 55 wins to Gillingham's 42.
Where do Northampton Town stand in League Two?
The context for Saturday's game is a slow start to the season for Northampton. They sit 18th in the table with one point, having drawn one and lost one of their opening two fixtures. Their recent form reads LD, and they have yet to score a League Two goal this term, conceding just once for a -1 goal difference. They are already five points behind early leaders Barnet.
Gillingham are also searching for form, positioned 21st with an identical one-point haul. According to BBC statistics, both sides are among the teams yet to score in the league this season. You can track the club's progress and position on our standings page throughout the campaign.
With key players missing on both sides, Saturday's match at MEMS Priestfield Stadium represents an opportunity for Northampton to kickstart their season. A positive result would provide a platform to build from ahead of a busy period, the details of which can be found on our fixtures schedule.
