Well, its four months since we had our double outing to Exeter in November to play a side languishing at the base of league two. The two games were themselves very forgettable affairs but at least my football education was supplemented by Paul Hart informing us in a post-match interview, who the most skilful player at the club was. Since that time Exeter have gone on a magnificent run on their shoestring resources and climbed the table to sit in the play-off places: quite some achievement for such a financially strapped outfit and well done to them. So once again we found ourselves up against playoff contenders. In fact, the last six games have been Doncaster, Plymouth, Yeovil, Stevenage, Carlisle and Exeter. Yes, we managed to comfortably thump Yeovil but from the other five games against top 7 clubs we only managed four points; ok, granted we only lost one of that series but it’s hardly promotion form.
For the game once again Nathan shuffled the pack some by desire some due to injuries. In defence Senior came in for the unfortunate Potts; he collects so many injuries that surely JS will have him on his wanted list. Gambin replaced Olly Lee and Jack Marriott replaced Isaac Vassell. In the first half, both sides played open if somewhat unexciting football as they softly probed and passed their way forwards. Certainly, this Exeter side looked a transformation to the one we played in November yet still both sides looked like two reasonable L2 sides and certainly to my mind, not like two sides that would be comfortable and strong enough for life in L1. The Hatters did have some goal attempts in the first half: a header from Marriott which he should have scored from, a difficult effort for Smith that he placed over the bar and a fine free kick from Cook that went narrowly wide plus a few other less close calls. Exeter themselves had first half attempts on goal but the improving Macey dealt with their efforts well enough; in fact, it looked at one time as if Macey had picked up an injury in one outing well off his line but he recovered to continue. I will put my hand up yet again and say that I belong to a probably small minority that reckon within Macey there is a really decent keeper waiting to emerge; it’s quite lonely having such unpopular opinions! So, the first half was fairly uninspirational for the Hatters fans. In fact, the supporters were, in my opinion, getting rather nervous, edgy and critical. From my point of view based on very contained expectations, it was a reasonably even first half maybe just shaded by us and at least we had not gone the customary goal behind. Well onto the second half and we were very fortunate not to go that goal behind when from the slimmed down figure of Reuben Reid had an attempt on goal for the ball to come out to mid penalty area to an unmarked Exeter player who really should have scored but shot way over the bar. The alarm bells were ringing and those bells reached a crescendo on the hour mark when our left flank was undone and the ball sweetly cut back to the unmarked Taylor in the area to coolly slot the ball past Macey: sorry NJ terrible defending again. Well, the customary goal behind at home had duly arrived but no worries, Jones & Hart were both defenders so they will soon sort this type of thing out. Jones then decided to make a couple of substitutions; firstly Vassell coming on for Marriott followed by Palmer for Gambin. Within a few moments of Palmer arriving he cut in almost like a tall winger from the right to deliver a fine cross. Then a couple of minutes a Palmer effort hit the top of the crossbar. It seemed that Palmer had a taste for the wing play stuff as he tried his luck again delivering a very good cross for marvellous Danny Hylton to head the equaliser. Jones then made one final change taking off Cook to replace him with Olly Lee: actually full marks to our management team for managing to actually spot Cook in the second half; takes a keen eye this management malarkey. There were then a couple of near misses at both ends including Macey making a “Walton like” stop with his legs at the near post. Probably a fair result and I should say that once again Mr Kettle refereed the game well enough. Overall Impression: A reasonable but not exceptional game from two playoff candidates neither of which to my mind look capable of standing up to the likes of highly motivated hungry Stevenage in the playoffs should either of these two sides take part in that competition. I just wish I knew how Darren Sarll manages to lift a bunch of mediocre players to such levels; I am just a little envious I guess. I feel that Jones needs another season or maybe two to build his side and I hope the fans in this internet/social media opinionated world manage to support him during that time. Maybe Jones could do with a little more help from the experienced heads around him assuming they are the right heads; I really don’t know but it would be nice to think that maybe a David Pleat type could be his mentor. I guess the key work is patience and after all, it did take the Luton legend avid Pleat a fair while to build his side: onwards and gradually and sustainably upwards. Some thought on individual performances: Macey: improving all the time but I would say that as I suspect I am the only member of his “yes, he is worth having” club. O’Donnell: as ever what you see is what you get a ticking back pass time bomb mixed with splendid athleticism and effort but really he is at best a L2 right back who really get’s stick from some supporters when he makes any error. We do have a very promising right back; just trying to recall his name. Rea: reasonable game; certainly a better defender than a midfield player. Sheehan: this guy is straight from the WW1 trenches; massively brave and committed: if only he was two inches taller! Senior: I thought he looked a little rusty; some good part and some less so. Smith: I really admire the fact that you will get 100% effort and commitment from Smith, not the most gifted player but if he were he would be in a higher league. His overall performance yesterday was not by playing him on the left for much of the game. Pelly: frequently most of the excitement came from Pelly’s play but that has to be balanced with him occasionally doing the simple thing poorly and the difficult thing splendidly on occasion. Keep him playing NJ, he is well worth his place. Gambin: a real mixture of promising and poor; maybe his mind was on Malta? Cook: some nice touches in the first half but then took on his invisible man persona in the second half; sorry, he just does not do enough for me for NJ to have him as the first name on the team sheet. Marriott: looked a touch rusty but as ever full of effort. Hylton: he is now beginning to look as though he has battled his way through a hard season but having said that, there he is with the equaliser. The subs Vassell: I don’t think it really happened for Vassell yesterday. He is a great talent to have with us but just did not get those powerful runs going against Exeter. Palmer: for a guy who can’t play football he really did an excellent job; it’s not plan B it’s plan P. Lee: only on for a while: one horrible misdirected penalty area clearance but otherwise ok in his brief spell. The teams: Luton: Macey, O’Donnell, Rea, Sheehan ©, Senior, Pelly, Cook (Lee 81), Smith, Gambin (Palmer 67), Hylton, Marriott (Vassell 55). Subs: Moore (GK), D’Ath, Palmer, Justin, Famewo Yellows: Sheehan, Senior Exeter: Olejnik, Woodman, James, Harley, Wheeler, Watkins, Moore-Taylor (Croll 6), Taylor (Oakley 86), Stacey, Reid (Tillson 74), Brown. Subs: Grant, Hamon, Ampadu, Sweeney Yellows: Watkins Referee: Trevor Kettle: he did ok in my opinion.
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December 2017
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