Fatigue

Luton Town started the season at home to double promoted Cheshunt 3s in East Leagues Division 7SW. There had been mixed fortunes when Luton played Cheshunt 2s last season with Town conceding 12 goals in 2 games, with injuries galore in the penultimate game of the season.

Cheshunt started the stronger, making the most of the fact that most of Luton's players had already played a match that morning. Town were able to hold on in the opening staged and even stabilised the game after a while. Cheshunt were still having the most chances however, forcing two fine saves out of Keeper Thomas Briggs early on. When he visitors did find a way past the in form keeper, however, they found the shot blocked on the line by defender Fraser Smith.

It was Cheshunt who scored the opener however, with a sharp shot from a short corner hit far into the right hand corner. Towns heads appeared to drop and Cheshunt were gifted another few shots on goal which had to be deflected wide by George Ball and Zain Kazmi. Town continued to absorb pressure until a turnover in possession lead by Sam Coombes and John Hathaway allowed town to get down the other end of the pitch where Azmat Rashid won a short corner, the first for Luton in the half.

From John Hathaway's delivery, Clive Whittle took a powerful shot from the top of the circle which rebounded off the keeper and into the path of Zain Kazmi at the near post to give the defender his first goal of the season. Town were able to maintain possession after the goal and almost netted again when Clive Whittles aerial pass was almost deflected into the goal by striker Robin Barnes. Yet another opportunity went begging for the hosts when a powerful hit into the area was deflected over by Rashid.

Cheshunt were able to spring another attack before the interval, but the bouncing shot could only bobble just past the keepers near post leaving the half time score: Luton Town 1-1 Cheshunt.

Town hoped for a stronger start to the second half, and almost managed a goal when a midfield skirmish lead to Kyle Beirne firing the ball down the line into Bradley Jackson's path, who was then able to find Robin Barnes. The Striker unselfishly rolled the ball into the path of Azmat Rashid whose shot could only strike the outside of the backboard. At the other end a foot foul was awarded against Zain Kazmi. From the resulting Short Corner another finely struck shot forced yet another save from Briggs in goal, but another subsequent short corner shot flew past the keeper and in off the stick of George Ball on the line to restore the visitors lead.

This time Luton did not let their heads drop and seemed to have found a second wind, using their width to their advantage when skipper Dean Pierce made a fast run down the right hand side. The run could not be stopped by a defender until the ball reached the final third when the ball was deflected out for a side line ball. Clive Whittle had no options ahead so he experienced midfielder simply held the ball in the corner drawing foul after foul until Dean Pierce finally found an opening, firing the ball across the face of the circle missed by everyone.

Pierce thought he'd found another opening when Barnes found him in the left of the circle, but the narrow angle meant that the reverse stick push flew high across the face of goal and out for a free hit. Town did not give up however and after a blistering run by Azmat Rashid, the hosts won themselves another short corner. This time Clive Whittles shot was un-challenged as it flew through the crowd and into the corner of the goal to equalise for Town once again.

Fatigue had begun to set in however, with the visitors causing headaches for Luton's defence with Zain Kazmi and Fraser Smith working over time to keep the score level. Twice Luton were able to create counter attacks, and both times Cheshunt were able to steal the ball back and set off on their own counter, which were both cut out in the nick of time by George ball, who was just able to deflect the two efforts away from the goal.

A three on one on the goalkeeper late on left the stopper lying on the ball to give away yet another short corner. A poor delivery seemed to have wasted Cheshunts opportunity but a quickly worked ball won them another short corner. The keeper saved the shot but the deflection rolled into the path of a visiting striker who gleefully hit into an open goal to down Luton's hopes of a point.

It had been a difficult day for the Home side, who struggled late on with no substitutes, and despite a great amount of pressure in the closing stages, Cheshunt held on to claim victory.

The Final Score: Luton Town 2-3 Cheshunt

Luton Goal Scorers: Zain Kazmi, Clive Whittle

Player of the Match: Thomas Briggs, for a competent and much improved performance.