Fight and Fight

The Men's 3rd XI maintained their good start under the Captaincy of Russell Maidment, with a Win away to a much improved Southgate Adelaide side. But a game with the lowest goal tally throughout the whole club this season, was far from dull.

The visitors started with a strong start, despite having a squad weakened by absences, and after a few narrow misses from Alan Clark and Fraser Smith, Town went ahead, Dean Pierce's driving run from the right hand corner into the D, provided a cross that was narrowly missed by Steven Pierce before falling perfectly to Alan Clark who opened the scoring for the 4th time this season.

Town were relentless and looked like doubling their lead several times within the first 10 minutes, but Alan Clark and Dean Pierce's shots both fell wide of the goal. Such hard work early on with little success had already begun to take its toll and the home side were beginning to push back. Town were dis-orientated and were soon angered by some questionable umpiring, firstly when several fouls by the home side were left unnoticed, whilst the fist foul of the day by the visitors lead to Alan Clark to being issued a warning by the umpire. Town tried to re-focus but were enraged still further when a high stick just before an injection into the area, was once again ignored and town's appeals were dismissed.

The temperament of the game was slowly starting to rise, a double challenge finally bringing down Martin Crimp was punished by the umpire, but it was Alan Clark for the Reds that received the green card for his angry outburst. There was further outrage by the visitors when a 50-50 challenge involving Bradley Jackson was given in favor of the home side, and upon outrage by Town, the umpire ordered for the free hit to be upgraded 10 yards higher up the pitch.

This action eventually lead to a short corner against Town, after the ball flicked up off Martin Crimp's stick and was deemed to be dangerous. A good short corner routine forced keeper George Ball into his first real action of the game, with a fine save, and the keeper had to react quick to force the resultant rebound shot just wide of the post.

Close to half time Southgate broke through however when a strong shot a-midst a chaotic penalty area was met by the foot of the keeper, but agonizingly rolled just over the line to pull the home side level. Town flared into action again but for all their attacks and pressure they could not penetrate the strong Southgate defence.

Half Time Score: Southgate Adelaide 1-1 Luton Town

The second half proceeded much the same as the first, with Southgate playing on the short tempers of the Luton Town side. A few un-punished fouls, coupled with a home player kicking the ball away caused Chris Madden to inquire strongly to the umpire who temporarily stopped the clock and called the captains of both teams over and declared that the next player to argue would be met with a straight yellow card. And so, the inevitable happened and when a minor dink of the ball on the stick of Russell Maidment level with the 23 line was deemed to have sent the ball deliberately over the base line, a short corner was given to the home side.

This decision provoked angry outbursts from Damien Hayward and Alan Clark, the latter of whom received a yellow card and had to sit out the next five minutes. Southgate's shot fell wide of the post however and that gave town a temporary moment to re-shape.

Town fought back strongly with 10 men and after some strong defending and hasty counter attacks they forced their first Short Corner of the game. Martin Crimps shot struck the defenders foot leading to yet another short corner, and the same occurrence lead to a third, which was eventually saved and cleared down field. Shortly after, another rapid counter attack lead by Sam James, caused a wild scramble in the area, and whilst withstanding a hefty stick challenge by the keeper, James was able to tee up Steven Pierce for what he thought was his first goal of his career.

Town had already set up on the half way line ready to restart when the goal was dis-allowed for an apparent foot foul by Sam James in the build up. To Towns dis-may the umpire gave a free hit to the home side,and had left the keepers foul ignored once again.

The visitors fought back strongly once more, but were caught on the counter,leaving a 4 on 2 against Russell Maidment and Damian Hayward. They were saved however when a sloppy pass caused confusion among the home players gave chance for Dean Pierce, Bradley Jackson and Sam James to get back and bolster towns defense, with the ball eventually cleared by Harpreet Uppal from the left hand side.

Luton were now restored back to ten men and with time dwindling fast the visiting side threw all at the Southgate goal, eventually winning a short corner, which was superbly finished by Alan Clark to give town the victory from a tough and frustrating game with less than a minute left on the clock. A result that maintained towns 4th place as well as their 100% away record.

Luton Town Goal Scorers Alan Clark (2)

Man of the Match awarded to Fraser Smith