Leaders Held

Luton Town arrived at Shefford and Sandy in full understanding of their oppositions loft standing, 7 points clear at the top of Division 7SW, having only dropped points in 2 games all season, and once at home. The visitors were very pleased to welcome back Defender Daniel Crimp from injury.

The match started much as anybody were expecting, with the leaders dominating possession and the visitors squandering any chance to get forward. Within the first five minutes however Shefford were yet to manage a single shot on Luton's goal, whilst Luton them selves had managed to get the ball forward on a couple of occasions, neither providing a goal however.

Within the next few minutes, the home side managed 2 shots on goal, both saved easily by keeper Thomas Briggs, before a fouled by Town skipper Russell Maidment gave the first short corner of the game, which after a clinical routine was wasted by the home side. A quick restart lead by Martin Crimp and a divine ball by Sam James to find striker Alan Clark with a fine shot gave town an unexpected but well deserved lead within the first 10 minutes.

The next period was much the same, the home side holding the ball, but a newly disciplined and solid Luton defense only frustrated the hosts, a feat only confounded when town won their first Short Corner of the game. The drag flick from Alan Clark would have been pushed into the net by the helpless keeper, had it not struck a defender on the line. A penalty stroke was awarded and Alan Clark stepped forward to the spot. The seemingly inevitable goal did not come however, a mis-hit by Clark pushed the ball onto the post, and the home side were let off.

The reprieve was short lived for the home side, who after another few minutes of effortless possession was countered once again by Town who won another short corner. This time it was Jack Maddens shot that found the goal, past the helpless keeper.

Shefford and Sandy were constantly becoming more rattled and were beginning to force shot after shot upon the visitors goal, with most being saved by keeper Briggs, whilst others where cleared by the solid defense. The last play of the first half came from a short corner, after a harsh Green Card for Glen Lath, after engaging the player having not retreated 5 yards after a foul. The shot from the corner was tame but an attempted clearance by Dean Pierce hit the back stick, and another was awarded. This time the shot was strong, but after being saved by the keeper was cleared up by Fraser Smith.

Half Time score Shefford and Sandy 0-2 Luton Town

The second half saw town holding possession better than in the first, much to the annoyance of the home side. Alan Clark was given a warning for dissent whilst Sam James tested the Shefford Keeper once more. At the other end, Town keeper Thomas Briggs was barraged by shot after shot, and after a string of finely saved short corners, the ball found the back of the goal after the home striker was able to run clear, to shoot past the un-sighted keeper. Despite Towns claims of a foul on Jack Madden in the build up, the goal stood.

Towns superb defending was now becoming undone, heads dropped after conceding and just minutes later the home side had pulled level after a sloppy build up lead to a mis-hit shot bypassing two defenders before rolling over the line. This latest disappointment sparked a new fire in the visitors however, with fine play down the right hand side between Steven Pierce and Daniel Crimp leading to a Shot that rolled wide by Will Madden. Upon the Re-Start Dean Pierce received a Green Card for a push from behind, despite receiving a push on the back of the head which went unnoticed.

Sam James also went into the umpires book for multiple fouls, but was one of the key players in the build up to a strong attack, which saw Steven Pierces goal disallowed for a foot foul in the build up. Meanwhile towns defense stood up well to the Home side, Inspired Keeper Thomas Briggs Saving a succession of short corners whilst Russell Maidment and Martin Crimp made several crucial interceptions to keep the score level at the final whistle.

Final Score Shefford and Sandy 2-2 Luton Town

Luton Town Goalscorers: Alan Clark, Jack Madden
Player Of The Match: Thomas Briggs