Luton Town Ladies 1st XI v Berkhamsted and Hemel 1st XI

On the whole Luton Town Ladies 1st XI’s performance against Berkhamsted and Hemel 1s this weekend was much like the weather, grey, damp and disappointing. The fireworks that were needed to reignite the struggling team’s league campaign were dampened by the rain and where a big bang was required it was a gentle pop that was delivered.

Like the ill fated plot there was a plan, however its application was flawed and as the famous perpetrators the team were metaphorically ‘hung, drawn and quartered’ by the Berkhamsted forwards who capitalised on Luton errors and punished them appropriately.

The fact that the match officials had seemingly left an essential piece of equipment i.e. their whistles at home did not aid Luton’s efforts in attack. With the rule book thrown out of the window, the Berko defence took full advantage of the resulting free for all, rapidly banging in two goals and leaving Luton in an all too familiar situation at the end of the first half.

With a further Berkhamsted goal early in the second half Luton found themselves further adrift. To their credit the visitors did not give up and started to pressurise the home side’s circle earning themselves the penalty corners that would provide them with a glimmer of hope. Suzanne Starkey's initial effort rebounded to the top of the circle, being picked up by Emma ‘one a season’ Whitehall, who doesn't bag herself many, but when she does they tend to be quality. This was no different, a rocket into the top of the net that the keeper could only stand and admire. This seemed to inspire Starkey to stop faffing around and actually hit the ball like she meant it, which she did admirably, smashing the aforementioned object into the bottom corner in traditional form.

So the comeback was on the cards, but as in recent weeks the cards were just not turning in Luton’s favour. A final soft goal for Berkhamsted put them into an unassailable position and left the home side with the points in a game that Luton will feel that they should and could of won. 4-2 final score.