Town Lose In Disrupted Match

This was a match of special significance between Luton Town and Cheshunt, with the visitors needing a win to keep their promotion hopes alive, whilst due to a technicality in higher divisions the home side still needed another point to ensure survival. In the reverse fixture, Cheshunt won comprehensively 8-0, so there was more than promotion and safety at stake.

The two sides both started strongly with Cheshunt holding most of the early possession in the opposition half, but unable to trouble the home keeper Thomas Briggs. Towns prospects took a dip early on however when Sam James picked up a minor groin injury, forcing him temporarily off the pitch. Town continued strongly holding off the Cheshunt advances but took another blow when Damian Hayward received a powerful hit on his knee from a short corner drag-flick. This brought along a lengthy delay whilst the fullback was helped off the pitch, to be replaced by the still injured Sam James.

Cheshunt took the re-start quickly and caught Town unprepared and still trying to find some organisation. This may have resulted in a goal but for the combined efforts of defender Martin Crimp, who dampened the pace of the shot and keeper Thomas Briggs who was able to kick the ball clear. Town had begun to fight back with several efforts on goal being blocked. After some fine build-up play down the right hand side by Bradley Jackson and Steven Pierce Town found themselves with the best chance yet with the ball finding Carter Bright in the area, but the keeper cleared the ball. Town thought they should have had a short corner from this however as Carter Bright had appeared to be fouled by the charging keeper. This went unnoticed and the ball fell to Dean Pierce on the left who ran 10 yards into the are drawing foul after foul until the short corner was finally awarded.

Alan Clark's shot was blocked by the keeper however, and after a quick long corner routine, Town was able to muster another shot on goal, this time blocked by the keeper at his near post. Cheshunt's rapid counter attack was stopped by a strong, crunching tackle by Bradley Jackson, and the home side were able to maintain the pressure. Cheshunt did break free however and another rapid counter attack had the Luton defense back-peddling. In a moment of mis-communication, two Cheshunt midfielders crossed paths and in the confusion, collided with Luton skipper Russell Maidment, causing yet another stoppage to the proceedings to treat the head injury, which left Maidment on the side lines and town temporarily down to 10 men, whilst waiting for George Ball to kit up.

It was in this period that the damage was done, despite defending valiantly town conceded when a powerful shot flew past the helpless keeper and into the goal despite Glen Lath's attempted clearance. Town were back to 11 men after last minute stand in George Ball had taken to the pitch, and town were now enjoying a majority of the possession, but were punished once again by a Cheshunt counter attack, with another finely struck shot ricocheting in off the home keeper.

Half time score: Luton Town 0-2 Cheshunt

Town flew out of the blocks in the second half with Alan Clark making a fine aerial pass to Dean Pierce who had run deep down the left hand side. Pierce won a free hit but Robin Barnes could only hit the shot across the face of goal. It was at the other end that the reds had problems however, with an unfortunate collision between Dean Pierce and a Cheshunt striker left the home player with a severe facial injury, causing the lengthiest delay yet.

With Pierce now off the pitch for good town were once again down to 10 men. The situation was not helped when Alan Clark received a yellow card for dissent leaving the home side with 9 men for the following few minutes.

Town were falling apart with such a disadvantage and Cheshunt took full advantage with a shot bouncing into the goal off the stick of George Ball making the score 3-0. Shortly after another counter attack and a 3 on 1 with the Luton keeper made the score 4-0.

This is how the game ended but the final score was the least of the worries for many Luton players. Despite this hefty loss, results elsewhere meant that Luton Town were guaranteed a place in Division 7SW next season. Cheshunt however would have to wait for next weeks results to learn their fate

Final Score: Luton Town 0-4 Cheshunt
Player of the Match: Bradley Jackson for a mature and much improved performance