First Win Of 2015

Luton Town Men's 3rd XI arrived at West Herts without a win in their last 5 games. Town had squandered a 2 goal lead to draw 3-3 in the reverse fixture in September, and were well aware that they had not yet won a match against a team in the bottom 3.

If these statistics had caused a lack of confidence it didn't show early on, with the visitors enjoying most of the possession in the first 10 minutes, and were even able to test the Home sides goalkeeper, Robin Barnes and Sam James forcing saves before Alan Clark shot wide. It did not take long for Towns dominance to pay off, with a well worked attack from the half way line which culminated in top scorer Alan Clark putting a powerful shot to the keepers left to give town the opening goal.

This was clearly a sign of relief for the reds, and it showed as their pressure dwindled and the Home side were offered a way back in after a defensive mis-communication on the Right hand allowed 2 white-clad players to drive into the area and pick a shot past the stranded keeper, ans West Herts had equalized within 5 minutes of going behind.

Enraged at this mistake, the Visitors began hounding the West Herts defense once more, with the home side scarcely troubling the oppositions final quarter. A couple of consecutive short corners won by Sean Preece and Robert Maidment yielded no goals, but a strong run by Robin Barns to collect the ball from the bass line, found Dean Pierce who smashed the ball across the D to be expertly controlled and calmly dispatched by Sam James for his second goal in as many games to restore towns lead.

The home sides heads had visibly dropped and heavy challenges were now coming thick and fast, the most severe of which earned a green card for a West Herts midfielder. Further frustration when a short corner was awarded for a controversial tackle could only be added to when Alan Clark's Drag Flick could only be deflected into the roof of the net to make the half time score 3-1.

Half Time Score: West Herts 1-3 Luton Town.

The second half began much as the first had ended, with a majority of the possession spent with town in the opposition half. Shots from Alan Clark and Dean Pierce from a short corner were saved by the keeper whilst at the other end, Luton Keeper Thomas Briggs was left untroubled. Town had carried a good shape throughout the game and another well worked attack and a fine run from Steven Pierce down the right hand side passed the ball to Dean Pierce on the top of the D, and a fine pass to Sean Preece at the back post to score his debut goal in only his second competitive match to put the game beyond the home side.

The drama was not over however, an off the ball skirmish between 2 players both received yellow cards to make the game temporarily 10 apiece. During the delay that followed both teams could be seen frantically reshuffling their formations.

The Visitors could have extended their lead still further, despite being down to 10 men. An innovative short corner routine By Steven and Dean Pierce left the keeper on his toes to save the near post shot, Whilst Steven had an even better shot matched by yet another fine save.

Back up to 11 men town were still cruising, but their strong protection of the goal was tested late on when an unconventional areal ball into the D was mis-judged by keeper Thomas Briggs, but defender Frazer Smith came to his rescue. Herts almost found a goal from a clear 3 on 1 counter attack against Russell Maidment, But Dean Pierce and Damian Hayward were able to get back and save the situation.

Towns final attack was cut short by the final whistle, but a successful day none the less.

Final Score: West Herts 1-4 Luton Town
Luton Town Goalscorers: Alan Clark (2), Sam James, Sean Preece

Man Of The Match: Sean Preece