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Brady seeing signs of progress after Cobblers beat Brackley

Jon Brady is seeing signs of progress from his team after their pre-season friendly victory over Brackley Town on Saturday.Town won 2-1 at St James Park through Jon Guthrie’s fine finish and an own goal as the likes of Tom Eaves, Cameron McGeehan and Sam Hoskins were all given 90 minutes.

“There was good pace to the game for the first 15 or 20 minutes but then I think the heat played a part and certainly the pitch did,” said Brady. “The pitch is magnificent but it was very sticky and dry for both teams

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“We are starting to improve. I wanted to give the majority of the team that started today 90 minutes and then the other part of the squad will get 90 on Tuesday (against King’s Lynn). We have a plan for every player and that will be evident as we build towards Bristol Rovers.

“All things considered, it was a good runout. Brackley have been the nearly men, I hate to say that because they were so close to the Conference again last season but they are at a very good standard and a good level so it was a strong test for us.”

Dibley-Dias in action as Guthrie scores screamer for Cobblers in friendly victory over Brackley Town

Matt Dibley-Dias made his first appearance for the Cobblers and Jon Guthrie scored a superb goal as Jon Brady’s men continued their pre-season preparations with a 2-1 victory over Brackley Town in a friendly on Saturday.

Summer signings Cameron McGeehan and Tom Eaves were named in the starting line-up, with latest new addition Dibley-Dias, who joined on Friday, amongst the substitutes. Another player on the bench was Aaron McGowan, who made his first appearance of pre-season. Former Cobblers Jonny Maxted and Morgan Roberts lined up for the home side, while Scott Pollock and Liam Cross were on their bench.

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The first chance of the game fell to McGeehan after seven minutes, the midfielder latching on to a lofted through ball from fellow summer arrival Eaves, but a covering defender deflected his effort behind for a corner. The lively McGeehan then pinched the ball back to set up a shooting chance for Sam Hoskins, but his first-time effort from distance was held by Maxted.