With the freezing conditions earlier in the week abating, the Kenny faithful looked forward to the first home league game in four weeks. Despite the “glad to be back mood”, there was a bit of a groan over the pre-match beers when the team news came through showing that Cook had been included in the side and Gray, who had played well recently, relegated to the bench. The other two changes to last weeks starting eleven were Glen Rea taking the place of the suspended Mullins and Vassell replacing our deltiologist “super Danny Hylton”.
Cambridge have been on a great run especially away from home and their last league away defeat was at Plymouth way back on the 10th September. The general consensus was that it would be really difficult for our side without the skills of Hylton who has just been so influential for us since his arrival from Oxford. With the game underway both sides were really putting their individual styles into action and an early chance almost came to “that lot up the road” when the ball was fed towards Newton deep in our area yet Justin made a fabulous challenge to cleanly take the ball; honestly that really was some class defending from the youngster. From there on for the best part of the next fifteen minutes, both sides probed away with Luke Berry at the heart of Cambridge’s play and Gambin plus Cook creating in midfield for the Hatters. It was probably after the 15-20 minute mark that we started to flow a little more as a team with some really nice passing movements and we almost took the lead when keeper Norris could not hold onto a cross from the lightning fast Vassell yet the luck was not with us and despite Cook closing in, the ball was cleared. Although goalless at the half-hour mark, it was really a decent game to watch with Cambridge always willing to power forward and had efforts that produced a couple of close shots towards the Luton goal and yes, I always felt apprehensive when Luke Berry had any dead ball kick within range of goal but no need to worry, we were doing just fine. In the holding midfield role, Pelly was thankfully continuing his splendid form and doing just about everything right, tackling, heading, creating space and fine distribution; he was looking real class. Also looking very worthy was Luke Gambin: there is not a lot of him but what is there is real quality but the story does not end there as the mighty midget never gives the opposition a moments rest when they have possession. It was really turning into a good game to watch and the Town were at last looking as if the wider element that had been missing from their game for much of the season was now available with the excellent young full backs Justin and Senior stretching the flanks. Finally we took the lead just after the half-hour mark with Marriott doing some fine work moving forward sliped the ball through to Vassell who had the close attention of a Cambridge defender but there was only going to be one winner with that sprint with Vassell’s power and pace taking him away to slot the opening goal past Norris and into the corner of the net. After that goal it seemed more self-belief came into our play: I would reckon that by the time the interval arrived that main stand Nathan must have been feeling quite happy with himself with the born again Pelly dominant in midfield and the very clever Gambin probing and constantly testing the Cambridge defence. As you would expect from a side with such fine away form, Cambridge did swing back into the game in the second half and they had a couple of very decent periods of midfield domination where they pressed the Hatters back but apart from a Luke Berry miss when he should really have at least made Walton make a save, we stood very firm. Pelly continued to play outstandingly well, Glen Rea was having his best game for a couple of months and Justin was cleanly picking up anything loose with his class play. Yes, we came under some territorial pressure for a couple of periods but held up very well. It really was a good game to watch and after that Cambridge pressure, we would again be on the attack upfield with some very sweet passing moves a couple of which forced Norris into decent saves. Then finally with about ten minutes remaining, we scored a goal to make the game safe when Vassell once again used his fine pace and power to drive past a Cambridge defender and into the box before being fouled for a penalty to the Town. Who would take the penalty with the usual specialists McGeehan and Hylton absent? Well, up stepped Cook to take the kick and calmly slot the ball into the corner of the net despite Norris guessing correctly with his despairing dive. Then we almost made it 3-0 when Cook released substitute D’Ath who from a wonderful position and only really Norris to beat, slotted the ball wide of the goal. So, there we are a good game to watch and a lovely three points that take us up to fourth place. Overall impression: A really good all round performance against a competent Cambridge side who has not been beaten in an away league game since early September. The fact that every player played meshed together as a team was just so pleasing and every player contributed to that performance; nothing at all reminiscent of a passenger in our team, we did well. Have we reached a tipping point where our team now start to really push and go on a run? Did that tipping point commence in the second half at Crewe a couple of weeks back when with 10 men we really started to play as a team? Well, I like to think it started at Crewe and lets hope in continues with the visit of Cheltenham on Tuesday night; I am looking forward to it. Some thoughts on individual performances: Walton: did not have that much to do but everything that came his way was very competently dealt with. Justin: as you would expect from a very experienced 25-year-old championship full back, an excellent game. His first touch when receiving the ball out wide was really excellent, great anticipation when defending/covering back; simply real quality. Oh hang on, Justin is still only 18 and playing in his 15th league game for Luton. Senior: playing his first home league game, Jack Senior had a great game. He is a natural left back capable of getting down the wing and also putting in a good cross: a young Scott Griffiths at his best. Cuthbert: Oh so solid as ever and up against the very physical Ikpeazu. Cuthbert gave little away being very good both in the air and on the deck. Another aspect of his game that has been emerging in recent weeks is that he now really acts as a captain on the field and has a word with the referee when he sees fit. Rea: nice to see Rea back to form yesterday; only one dodgy “Mullins moment” in the second half but otherwise he looked totally comfortable playing alongside Cuthbert. Pelly: the total transformation from a nomadic midfielder to a top quality holding midfield player continues and how good it is to watch. Pace, power, concentration, closing down, winning most things in the air in front of his back four and then capable of leading charge forward and making a quality pass. This role is massively important to the team's ability to tick and he plays it so well. Gambin: only his second game since arriving from Barnet and he has really impressed me in both games. It’s not just his ability on the ball, but the fact that he is constantly in the game all over the pitch. One moment he will be making a move forward in midfield and the next winning the ball from the oppositions feet; I did not expect that from such a physically light guy against L2 bully boys; very pleasing. Smith: as ever Smith is Smith and I hope that does not sound too dismissive of his contribution and fight for the team: you simply get “what it says on the tin”, total commitment. Cook: after the previous anonymity of most of his previous 22 league games, it was great to see Cook having by far his best game for the club. He had some great touches, good all-round game and coolly slotted the penalty away. Has the Cook that Walsall wanted to keep during the summer finally arrived? I saw a friend at half time and I was going on about what a decent game Cook was having; my friend said: “can I record that”: fair enough and well done Cook, he had a good game. Marriott: Jack maintained his return to form and although he did not score, he had a fine game and played a part in the move leading to Vassells’s opener. Vassell: quite a physical presence as the head bandaged Cambridge centre-half will tell you. His pace and power when on a charge is simply frightening for L2 defenders and they seem to have little answer to it as seen by his goal and penalty win. He had a really good game and is developing nicely but one thing he has to remember is that he has others such as Marriott who could sometimes be better placed to have that go on goal but if that awareness develops we will have a real Andre Gray type once again. The Subs: Sheehan, D’Ath and CMS were all introduced late in the game and all got stuck into the task. D’Ath will remember that miss from a splendid break but at least the guy was there and in the right place to take part in a splendid counter-attack. The Teams Luton: Walton, Smith, Cuthbert, Cook, Marriott (CMS), Rea, Pelly, Vassell, Senior (Sheehan), Gambin (D'Ath), Justin Unused subs: O'Donnell, Gray, Lee, King Cambridge: Norris, Dunne (McDonagh, 84), Roberts, Legge, Mingoia (Lewis, 77), Berry, Dunk (Williamson,45), Carroll, Newton, Ikpeazu, Halliday Referee: Seb Stockbridge: I thought he had a good game and so refreshing after that incompetent food last week at Wycombe. Attendance: 8,917
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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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