AIDED BY THE contributions of a couple of Irish players, Cheltenham Town came away from this evening’s first leg of their League Two play-off semi-final with a two-goal lead.
With Dubliner Sean Long at right-back and 21-year-old Cavan native Jake Doyle-Hayes in midfield, Cheltenham recorded a 2-0 win away to Northampton Town.
Doyle-Hayes, who has spent the season on loan from Aston Villa, looked particularly impressive as he helped his side to open up a significant cushion to bring into the second leg.
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With an excellent delivery from a corner, the Ireland U21 international provided the assist that allowed Charlie Raglan to open the scoring on 26 minutes.
Doyle-Hayes, who has made three first-team appearances for Aston Villa in the League Cup, is due to see his current contract at Villa Park expire this summer.
B R E A K T H R O U G H
Cheltenham take advantage of their hosts' earlier missed penalty to edge in front through Charlie Raglan!
Northampton – for whom Ryan Watson had a 17th-minute penalty saved by Owen Evans – fell further behind to a Conor Thomas goal with three minutes of normal time remaining.
It was a disappointing night for 36-year-old Dubliner Alan McCormack and former Ireland U21 international Michael Harriman, who both started for Northampton.
Earlier on, former Bray Wanderers defender Pierce Sweeney was part of a defeated Exeter City side in the first leg of their play-off semi-final at Colchester United, who ran out 1-0 winners thanks to a Cohen Bramall goal in the 81st minute.
The line-up for the League Two play-off decider – scheduled for Wembley on 29 June – will be finalised with the semi-final second legs on Monday.
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Ireland U21 international stars as League Two play-offs get underway
AIDED BY THE contributions of a couple of Irish players, Cheltenham Town came away from this evening’s first leg of their League Two play-off semi-final with a two-goal lead.
With Dubliner Sean Long at right-back and 21-year-old Cavan native Jake Doyle-Hayes in midfield, Cheltenham recorded a 2-0 win away to Northampton Town.
Doyle-Hayes, who has spent the season on loan from Aston Villa, looked particularly impressive as he helped his side to open up a significant cushion to bring into the second leg.
With an excellent delivery from a corner, the Ireland U21 international provided the assist that allowed Charlie Raglan to open the scoring on 26 minutes.
Doyle-Hayes, who has made three first-team appearances for Aston Villa in the League Cup, is due to see his current contract at Villa Park expire this summer.
Northampton – for whom Ryan Watson had a 17th-minute penalty saved by Owen Evans – fell further behind to a Conor Thomas goal with three minutes of normal time remaining.
It was a disappointing night for 36-year-old Dubliner Alan McCormack and former Ireland U21 international Michael Harriman, who both started for Northampton.
Earlier on, former Bray Wanderers defender Pierce Sweeney was part of a defeated Exeter City side in the first leg of their play-off semi-final at Colchester United, who ran out 1-0 winners thanks to a Cohen Bramall goal in the 81st minute.
The line-up for the League Two play-off decider – scheduled for Wembley on 29 June – will be finalised with the semi-final second legs on Monday.
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Alan McCormack Cavan's finest Jake Doyle Hayes League Two play-offs Michael Harriman Pierce Sweeney Sean Long