Positives Despite Defeat

After a long summer break for the Luton Town 1st XI, this week saw them take a short trip up the A6 to local neighbours, Bedford HC, in a pre-season friendly. Over the summer Luton Town 1st XI took on a new, younger and fresher look, as some old faces were unavailable, retired, or have moved onto pastures new. This meant that Luton came up against last year’s skipper, Garry Newman, who is now plying his trade for Bedford HC after joining them in the summer.

Due to the holiday season, Luton managed to take the bare 11 away to play Bedford’s squad of 16, who reside in the division above Luton. With everything taken in consideration, Luton performed extremely well giving them plenty of hope for the season ahead.

The game started out very evenly, both sides moving the ball very comfortably around the back and into midfield without creating too many chances. Then came the breakthrough, midway through the first half saw a mistake from Luton, an unmarked player within the D getting an important touch to put it beyond the Luton’s debut keeper, Kailum Mistry. After taking the lead, Bedford started to apply more pressure on Luton’s defence by creating some dangerous chances. Luton created chances themselves in the first half with Sam Coombes, going through one-on-one with the Bedford’s keeper, who superbly blocked Sam’s effort from going goal wards.

HALF TIME [1 -0]

Luton started the better of two sides with Cameron Sarrington bursting from deep within Luton’s half, skipping past several Bedford players using his blistering pace to then find himself in the shooting circle forcing a save from Bedford’s keeper. Jack Madden was next to find himself testing the goalkeeper, striking the ball well towards the corner, but only to be matched by another save from Bedford’s no. 1.

As the second half worn on, Bedford’s superior squad size started to tell, creating more goal scoring opportunities themselves. A swift counter attack from Bedford caught Luton on their heels and an easy tap in, Bedford 2 – 0 up. With minutes to go, a deflected shot at a penalty corner fell kindly for former Luton skipper, Garry Newman, who struck into the far corner to make it 3 – 0 to Bedford.

FULL TIME; 3 - 0

The season looks promising for Luton, and so does the future.