Town Defeated At The Last

Luton Town had a strong line up for the replay of the home derby, that had originally been scheduled 3 weeks prior, but had been called off at half time due to a frozen pitch.

The early possession was with the Vagrants and this showed in the opening 10 minutes, with a well worked attack culminated with a powerful shot that put the visitors in front. So far town had been punished for a slow and weiry start. Things changed soon after the opening goal however, the hosts having much of the posession, carrying off quick sharp passes, whilst a solid defense ensured that goalkeeper thomas briggs had little to do towards the end of the first half.

The equaliser proved elusive until the 32nd minute with Alan Clark, Sam James and Robin Barnes all missing chances before strong play on the left hand side by Dean Pierce won a Short Corner. Alan Clarks resultant drag flick was seemingly blocked illegaly on the line by a Vagrants player, and may have earned a Penalty Stroke. This pailed into insignificance as the spinning ball rolled just over the line, dispite the keepers best efforts.

Half Time score: Luton Town 1-1 Luton Vagrants

The secons half started much sharper by the home side, several short and long corners may have been unpunished by the reds, but persistent dribbling by Sam James and Dean Pierce were winning countless fouls whilst Fraser smith and russell Maidment was keeping the Away side at bay with a solid defense.

Town had chances to put the game to bed in the closing stages, Alan Clarks long ball down field had found Robin Barnes in the area, but when both he and Sam James slipped inside the penalty area due to the deterierating conditions, the chance was lost. Some excellent passing in the middle and town were in again however, Sam James' pass found Dean Pierce who's shot agonisingly stuck the post before rolling out of play.

The home side had failed to capitalise on some shakey Vagrant defending, and when george ball deliberately forced the ball over the bass line to clear, the resultant short corner gave the visiting side the equalise, and Town's heads dropped. Dispite even more good play, town were finally undone, a rushed clearance from the defence gave the ball straight back to the player in black who was able to shoot straight through the legs of the unsuspecting goalkeeper, as the very last hit of the game gave the Visitors all 3 points to put them only 1 point behind the Hosts in 9th and 8th respectively.

Luton Town Goal Sorers: Alan Clark, Sam James

Player Of The Match: Sam James