Beaten and Defeated

Town entered Royston with a 100% record away from home, knowing they would have to step up if that was to continue. Within minutes of the start however, the task already looked impossible. The home side were relentless from the off and after forcing returning Number 1 keeper Thomas Briggs into several smart saves, Royston hit home with a shot from a short corner that was initially saved by the keeper but rebounded onto the foot of helpless defender Martin Crimp before rolling over the line.

Shortly after the re-start Town were able to make their first real run up pitch, Dean Pierce and Sam James combining to win back to back free hits and sustained pressure in the corner of the pitch, but could not open up a shooting position. The opposition were quick to respond, a rapid flowing counter attack caught Town unprepared, and despite relieving the attackers of possession twice, could not prevent the ball falling to the unmarked striker to double the lead with a powerful shot that did not give the keeper a chance.

Town were missing a vast amount of experience in their attack, and this showed with the visitors taking a long time to find their feet, regularly hitting the ball onto opposition sticks and running into danger far too often. They were able to get a shot on goal through Sam James which fell hopelessly wide to close the second half.

Half Time Score: Royston 2-0 Luton Town

The second half had started slightly more promising by town, closing the ball down fast from the push-back, and after winning possession found themselves overpowering the Home sides defense for the first time, Fraser Smith's close range shot not troubling the keeper however. Town had been looking stronger but were missing the Spine of their team. They had a strong defense on paper however and therefore had no excuse to find themselves falling even further behind, the keeper at full stretch could only kick the ball into the goal.

The tempers were starting to show and Towns apparent dislike for umpires this season was once again showing, but it was to everybody's surprise when George Ball received the games first Green Card, for engaging the ball without dropping the required 5 yards from a free hit. The rookie fullback reprieved himself by acting as a major part of Luton Towns breakthrough, winning the ball deep in the oppositions half and allowing Glen Lath to run into the area, winning a short corner which was expertly dispatched by Robert Maidment to give the visitors hope.

Town were starting to build up a head of steam, Sam James dictating much of the play from the Center of the pitch and the central defensive partnership of Martin Crimp and Russell Maidment were finally unbreakable. The home side were being forced into overdrive to keep Town at bay and received two Green Cards in the process for a mixture of foul play and dissent. Town weren't playing cleanly either, With Glen Lath shown Green for contesting the umpires decision. Town were perplexed when a Royston player climbing all over Dean Pierce on the ball was not only unpunished, but was awarded in favor of the home side. Things were beginning to look hopeless for town, and Robert Maidment received the games fifth Green Card for dangerous play, Fraser Smith lucky not to follow suit after the same offense.

Robert Maidment was lucky not to be punished further after a clumsy tackle on a Royston player, the message to calm down was clear by the umpires. Town were still fighting to the last, a strong run by Glen Lath could not put Dean Pierce clear on goal but did win a short corner, which could not be dispatched leaving the final score Royston 3-1 Luton Town.

Town were disappointed to loose their away record but showed promise with an inexperience lineup.

Luton Town Goalscorer(s): Robert Maidment (SC)
Player Of The Match: Thomas Briggs