After the recent fridge style temperatures we have watched Luton play in during recent weeks it was so nice to enjoy a touch of spring-like weather for the trip to Doncaster and pleasantly not the most difficult of trips as over 1600 travelling Hatters made the journey. Lots of decent pubs and a very well managed supporters bar where both sets of fans could mingle before a top of the table clash; just the way it should be. I also have to say the steak pie served at the ground was streets ahead of the usual football ground offering; well done the folks of Doncaster Rovers.
For the game, Nathan made three changes to the Hartlepool starting line-up. Cuthbert, who was rested on Tuesday, returned with the presumably injured Mullins excluded from the squad, Cook and Smith came in for the unfortunate Gambin and D’Ath who were both on the bench along with Palmer, Marriott who both also got game time on Tuesday. I really am quite impressed by the quality of players that Nathan is introducing into the club; they will do well in L1 should we at some time escape the physical world of L2. The first threatening attack of the game came when “offside Matty Blair” roasted Jack Senior before crossing the ball into the town area but we were not overly troubled as the ball was headed wide. I have always thought that Blair was a decent player and without injuries may have had a more fruitful career. It really was a good open start to a game with both sides wanting to go for the points. We then had a nice break with Pelly powering forward, creating some space from where the goal was within shooting range but our Pelly decided to make an over-hit pass to Vassell: bugger it! Bothe sides were playing well and despite Doncaster trying to push forward we always seemed to have them at arm's length and anything that came a touch closer to the area past the excellent pair Cuthbert or Sheehan was comfortably dealt with by Macey. At the other end of the pitch the persistence of Hylton, who the Doncaster crowd really took to, and the pace of Vassell often troubled the Doncaster defence but still very few chances were created by either side in a very entertaining first half. The entertainment continued from the start of the second half with attacking efforts from both sides going close but not close enough to initiate a goal. However, the absolute persistence and nuisance value of Hylton saw him steal the ball as he was falling over and knock the ball to Vassell who in turn intelligently sent Cook away with a great ball into a horrible gap that had opened on the Doncaster left side. Cook took a few strides forward and then fired in a glorious ball into the bottom right-hand corner of the Doncaster net; real quality finish from Cook. With a touch more control we could have had a second goal when Pelly burst forward down the right but with Vassell available for the pass in the area, Pelly frustratingly ran the ball out of play: as usual, fine margins but a little bit of extra composure and control could have bagged us a second goal. Well, we had about forty minutes to go, could we see out this game of few chances and claim three valuable points. Well, it certainly seemed that we would be able to as our defence were standing strong against just about everything that Donny could throw at us and I felt we were looking decent value for a victory. However, just as at Wycombe when we looked as if we could see the game out, a little lack of concentration late in the game let the home side in for an equaliser. Cook lost out in a challenge or as the Luton players thought, he was fouled and that hesitation waiting for the referee plus O’Donnell being a touch too far forward opened up a gap for substitute Alfie May to race forward and score. Was it a foul, well really I don’t care much but what I do care about is that hesitation “foul Ref” that stuttered our play. I would not be critical of the referee who to my mind officiated the game really well; he could have issued more yellow cards but preferred to have a stern word with players; he impressed me. Bothe sides tried to push forward to grab that winner and substitute Palmer did well making a nuisance of himself down the right-hand side but despite both sides wish to play football, another goal chance in a game of few chances, did not arrive and the team shared the points. Overall impression: I thought it was a decent entertaining game both teams going for the full three points. Within the Luton side Cuthbert and Sheehan were really good: Cuthbert full of physical strength and commanding the air and Sheehan just so intelligently sensing any sign of danger making timely interceptions. Also, Glen Rea in front of the back four had his best game for some weeks and that in itself is good news if he can maintain that form for the final third of the season. Should we have come away with all three points? Well, we could argue that we just about shaded the game but for me, a draw at Doncaster was a very decent result. It was also very brave of NJ to keep our side pressing for that winning goal right up until the end of the game. Results elsewhere were fairly kind apart from Carlisle winning for the second time this week to enjoy a five-point margin on us. Our game at Carlisle could well be vitally important in mid-March; again on a Tuesday evening, how silly. Some thoughts on individual performances: Macey: played well enough with some decent positioning and on occasion catching of the ball. In my opinion, he is hugely unlikely to be anywhere near good enough for the Premier League with Arsenal but I think he could develop into a decent goalkeeper if that raw material, mainly his physical presence, could be developed particularly in learning how to command his area. I am nowhere near to giving up on Macey: work in progress. O'Donnell: well you know what you will get with O'Donmell; stacks of energy and willingness but he was possibly at fault for the equaliser by getting a touch out of position and letting scorer May power away from him. Senior: well he was run ragged for the first five minutes of Donny’s Blair but then picked up his game and played very well. Jones and Harford have really found a good quality left back in young Senior. Cuthbert: once again he was pretty well immense first to almost every ball in the air and very good on the ground: played like the true captain he has turned into this season Sheehan: a very brave, determined and skilful performance from Sheehan. Just about every dead ball was quality and his interceptions and overall play were back to his best. Rea: well I've been talking about him just recently along the lines of that maybe you should be on the bench as his form had dipped but yesterday he was back on from and played really well as a very defensive holding player. Pelly: well he didn't have his best game not by a long way but he was continuously involved and there were some real skilful moments yet the thing letting him down was his final pass. Really somewhat frustrating as he had the skill to make space, move forward but that final touch just deserted him yesterday. Smith: as ever the usual Smith performance based on closing down space and giving 100% effort as he covered all of the pitch. Cook: by his recent improved standards I felt Cook had a relatively quiet game but having said that he took the goal exceptionally well to send 1600+ travelling Hatters into a grateful eruption of celebration. Vassell: always troubled the Donny defence with his power and pace and came close to grabbing the lead in the first half. However, just like Pelly, his final touch was a little off. Hylton: made another few thousand admirers within the town of Doncaster with his absolute pain in the arse approach mixed with skill and dogged determination. The Subs: Palmer: quite skilful and caused some issues down that right-hand side as we went in search of a winner. Gambin: only on for a few minutes but even in that time some nice touches. The Teams: Doncaster: Lawlor, Alcock, Butler, Mason (McSheffrey 77), Blair, Houghton (Middleton 60), Grant, Rowe, Coppinger, Williams (May 72), Marquis. Subs: Wright, Keegan, Evina, Etheridge (GK) Boked: Butler Luton: Macey, O’Donnell, Cuthbert, Sheehan, Senior, Rea, Smith, Pelly, Cook (Gambin 87), Hylton, Vassell (Palmer 76). Subs: Marriott, Lee, D’Ath, Justin, Moore (GK) Booked: Rea
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Hi there, welcome to my site where I chronicle various things about the Hatters, a team I have followed since the mid 60’sArchives
December 2017
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