2nd Home Win Takes Pressure Off Town

Before the match Town were very well aware that a loss would throw them right into the relegation battle, but also that their opposition were in the same position. Town had managed to win 2-1 in the reverse fixture in November, but it had been an uncomfortably close game.

The Home side started the stronger, an early interception by Sam James and good play through the middle had town on the right foot early on. The first penetration of the D came soon after when Glen lath hit the ball hard across the face of goal, but nether Dean Pierce or Bradley Jackson could touch the ball goal-wards. The visitors were gaining precious little ground in the midfield and when the ball was lost on the half way line, Southgate succumbed to a rapid Luton counter attack, orchestrated by Steven Pierce and Sam James with Robert Maidment's resultant shot striking the foot of the opponent.

The resulting Short Corner was a good one, but Maidment's drag-flick was saved by the travelling keeper. It did not take long for town to gain another penalty corner however, only for the same result from Maidment's flick. The visitors could still gain no major purchase in the game, but one of their few opportunities came from a long ball into the Luton Town D with the powerful shot saved by keeper Thomas Briggs.

At the other end town were working well with the speedy youthful strike force proving too much for the Southgate defense, and after many attempts, Town won yet another Short Corner. This time the flick found the net to give town a well deserved lead. There could have been another soon after, Steven Pierce found space on the right but could only fire his shot powerfully into the outside of the back board. Another attack and yet another short corner was passed around to find Glen Lath who's back stick shot was destined for goal, only to be blocked on the line by a foot. Nothing was given however, much to the anger of the outraged winger. Justice was served shortly after however as a swift counter attack by in form Town lead to a free hit a short way outside the D. A good routine left Fraser Smith to hit into an unguarded goal for hist first goal in senior hockey.

There was not long left in the first half, but enough time for Robert Maidment to receive the first card of the game, shown green for a challenge with a leading elbow. Southgate did also muster a counter attack, which lead to a long ball to the striker who could not control the ball, and Towns keeper saw it over the line to leave the half time score, Luton Town 2-0 Southgate Adelaide.

Right from the second half push back Town pressed the ball with pace. Martin Crimp and Daniel Crimp were preventing the visitors from getting too close to the goal, whilst in the middle a smart 1-2 between Dean Pierce and Harpreet Uppal found Robert Maidment in the D but he could not muster a shot before the defender took the ball. A few minutes later Town won another short corner, but a mis-communication at the top of the D caused the ball to strike the foot of Dean Pierce and the chance was wasted.

All match the Blues had struggled to cope with Luton's lightning pace, and this was shown when winger Damian Hayward picked up the ball at the half way line and ran the ball past 4 defenders and into the D. He could not squeeze his shot past the keeper however, and Town squandered another attack when a Long Corner cross found Dean Pierce who's shot could only strike the post.

The home side were succumbing to fatigue in the closing stages, and were losing their sharpness. They had also lost Sam James and Glen Lath to injuries, and Robert Maidment was also struggling. They defended well until the end in spite of this poor fortune and earned their first clean sheet of the season, as well as a much needed second win at home.

Final Score: Luton Town 2-0 Southgate Adelaide
Luton Scorers: Robert Maidment, Fraser Smith

Player Of The Match: Daniel Crimp