Only a brief set of match notes today as it’s a fairly busy reporting day on the sister Whittler site: Stockwhittler (link on the about me page).
It’s just so nice to exit the sub fridge temperatures of the winter and enjoy the spring sunshine for a game of football. I don’t think we have had anything other than sunshine since the away game at Colchester a few weeks back; simply so much better than sitting cramped up on a very cold “bum freezing” plastic seat on a winters day in January. Tinker man Jones only made one change from the side that started at Mansfield on Monday with Ollie Palmer coming in for Isaac Vassell who moved to the bench: a chance for the tall Palmer to convince Jones that he should be offered a contract at the club. It was definitely not a dull start to the game with both sides seeking to go forward and try to create chances. Our first real chance came via some powerful play from Pelly who surged into the County area and I thought he was on for a crack at goal but he cleverly released the ball to Potts on the left side of the box for Potts to send a left-foot shot the wrong side of the post: a nice move that maybe should have brought the opening goal. After six minutes a goal did come but unfortunately not for Luton. It was one of those frustrating defensive moments when firstly our right flank did not hold allowing a County player to knock a ball to the edge of the area and secondly the fact that Hewitt had so much space to volley his shot past Moore in the Luton goal. It’s a fact that we are fairly mean in terms of goals conceded but that stat hides the fact that the odd sloppy goal has converted so many winning situations into drawn games. Fortunately, it did not take the Hatters long to hit back after a surprise Hylton long-range shot hit the crossbar only for Palmer to do really well and head the ball into the net despite the attempts of Collin in the County goal. The game continued in this open fashion and it was just nice to sit there in the stand and see some entertaining football after a home season sadly lacking in football pleasing to the eye. Hang on though, then we see Danny Hylton a little needlessly colliding with the County keeper who sadly made the most of the situation that got Danny boy his 14th booking of the season: is that a record for a Luton player I wonder: maybe he will get some kind of trophy for the achievement! After some good other attacking moves that came close, the Hatters eventually then took the lead just before half-time when Pelly, who had had a couple of shots blocked earlier in the half, received a pass from D’Ath and struck a ball from the edge of the area into the corner of the net to send us into the break ahead. I don’t think that Pelly actually struck the ball as he intended to but who cares and on the balance of play we deserved that lead. It was good work by D’Ath who was heavily involved in the game and only Pelly’s second goal of the season; if only he would pull the trigger a little more often. The entertainment continued into the second half and we really could so easily have run up another three goals to the scoreline. Firstly Hylton to my mind should have killed the game when from a good position he shot just wide of the post. Then the unlikely Palmer spotted the County keeper way off his line and attempted a type of long-range chip from about 40+yards but the ball went the wrong side of the post. County lived on their fortune and could have equalised at around 60 minutes when a good shot from range was tipped over the bar by Moore: a really decent save from a keeper ever growing in confidence. Then back up the other end, Hylton had another good chance having been put through by the on-form Pelly but keeper Collin did well to block Hylton’s effort. It’s not great for the playoff nerves just being the odd goal in front when other chances could have been snapped up and we could have been dragged back to 2-2 had Stuart Moore not made his second high quality save of the afternoon leaping to his right to send a powerful shot away for a corner. It must have been a complete surprise to us all as Hylton was fairly needlessly booked again, his second yellow of the game and he marched off the pitch to applause from the Luton faithful: really unfortunate two bookings for our Danny in one game: still, the rest will do him good. Overall Impression: Maybe Jonesy has been right all along and we will prove strong late in the season even if game 43 is leaving it a touch late but let’s enjoy the moment: we played well. I was nice to see so many players having decent games all within the same match. Cuthbert was his usual immense self, Pelly has woken up again and Lee had his fifth influential game on the trot. Overall, a good three points and very importantly all the players turning in a good performance and pleasingly also entertaining the home supporters as well. So, it looks like the playoff places are booked and we really look destined for 4th place which I reckon could well give us an away game in Stevenage on the 14th May; that would be my choice. A few thoughts on individual performances: Moore: well done NJ, your 4th consecutive decent young keeper on loan following in the footsteps of Mitchell, Walton & Macey. Moore has done well to recover from his Cheltenham nightmare and made two really high quality saves yesterday. I would be happy to see him at Luton for next season if NJ can arrange it. Justin: after a nervous start he improved as the game went on and I think that next season after some rest and consolidation over the summer months, we will have a top quality right back on our hands. Cuthbert: another solid strong game from the commanding Cuthbert. Rea: it looks like his better form may be returning to him after it’s winter absence and maybe that’s due to him being used in a position that suits his skills more: centre back. Sheehan: brave as always in a game against one of his former clubs. Potts: some of the crowd do have a go at Dan Potts but to my mind, he is a class defender trying to learn a bit of wing play: I thought he did well at Mansfield and again well against County. Lee: as mentioned above, another good game from Olly Lee. He was always looking to pick out a team-mate over distance and also made some decent interceptions. D’Ath: Mr continual motion D’Ath does the simple stuff well: good game. Pelly: maybe the fire has again been lit under Pelly’s bum! He had a good creative, powerful game. Palmer: he did really well following up McGeehan style to head the Hatters equaliser and overall had a good match. Hylton: what can you say? He drives you mad with his needless yellow cards yet if you change his game would he be the same player? A good shot to aid that first Luton goal but he should have scored at least one goal himself in the second half. The Subs: Gray: did well enough but looks like he needs time on the pitch. Vassell: as expected he gave the County defence some real problems with his pace; good guy but needs to wake up to the fact that sometimes another player is better placed to take a shot on goal: it will come as he develops. The Teams: Luton: Moore, Justin, Rea, Cuthbert, Sheehan, Potts, Lee, Pelly, D'Ath (Gray 61), Hylton, Palmer (Vassell 72). Subs: O'Donnell, Smith, Marriott, Gambin, King (GK) Yellows: Pelly Reds: Hylton (two yellows) County: Collin, Dickinson, Duffy, Hollis, Ameobi, Milsom (Yeates 81), Grant, Hewitt, Clackstone, A Campbell (T Campbell 90), Stead (Forte 72). Subs: Smith, Thompson, Searson-Smithard (GK), Howes Yellows: Grant, Dickinson, Hollis, A Campbell Referee: David Webb
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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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