Adams: Promotion is reward for a '˜special year' at Cobblers

Nicky Adams believes promotion is just reward for the Cobblers after a '˜special year' at Sixfields.
GET IN THERE - Nicky Adams heads in the Cobblers' opener in the 2-2 draw with Bristol Rovers on Saturday, and then (below) celebrates (Pictures: Sharon Lucey)GET IN THERE - Nicky Adams heads in the Cobblers' opener in the 2-2 draw with Bristol Rovers on Saturday, and then (below) celebrates (Pictures: Sharon Lucey)
GET IN THERE - Nicky Adams heads in the Cobblers' opener in the 2-2 draw with Bristol Rovers on Saturday, and then (below) celebrates (Pictures: Sharon Lucey)

Adams scored a rare header to notch the opening goal in Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Bristol Rovers at Sixfields, a result that was enough to seal promotion with five games of the season remaining.

The former Bury man was beaming with pride after the game, and declared he and his team-mates are well worthy of their lofty placing in Sky Bet League Two.

“It was an unbelievable day,” said Adams. “We have worked hard from day one, and for this to happen and to get promoted with five games to go is special.

“We were disappointed we didn’t win on Saturday, because for the majority of the game we were in cruise control and were the better team and battered them, it could have been 3-0 or 4-0.

“But fair play to Bristol Rovers, they are a good team on a good run and they have some good players.

“It was a bit strange at the end of the game because we didn’t know whether we were up or not, but we are delighted to get over the line and it is a special year.”

Adams scored what was only his second goal of the season against Rovers, ghosting in at the far post to plant a close-range header past goalkeeper Steve Mildenhall from Ricky Holmes’ inswinging cross.

The player himself admitted he was as surprised as anybody to notch with his head, but admitted he did make a more concerted effort to try and hit the target on Saturday.

“It must be a special day if I score with a header,” joked Adams. “I went in the office on Monday with Al and the gaffer, and they showed me some clips.

“They said ‘the only thing that has been missing from you this year is more goals’.

“Everyone knows the way I play, and I think setting goals up takes care of itself, and I have set up more than 30 in the past two seasons, so I am always going to create.

“But I haven’t scored as many as I would have liked, and we went through it and I thought on Saturday ‘if I just get in the box I’ll have a chance’, and I got in there a few times.

“I thought I was unlucky not to score another one, but to score a header was great. I keep winding the lads up saying it was like Alan Shearer!

“It was an unbelievable day, but the next thing now is to go and seal the title.”