Luton Town arrived at their local rivals with a more structured squad that the week previously, and were hoping to get some points on the board at this early stage of the season.

Town started strongly against 9 men, with a couple of strong attacks early on, Nathan McNiel and William King working well together up front, and the hosts could only hold on for 9 minutes before skipper Dean Pierce fired the ball across the area, missed by King and McNiel before being struck home by Kyle Beirne for his first goal of his career.

The Luton Vagrants responded sharply with a few smart runs down the right hand channel, forcing a smart save out of keeper Thomas Briggs. Another attack down the Left was cut out by George Ball, with the resultant counter attack leading to Towns first Short Corner of the day. The resultant shot by Robin Barnes fell just wide of the near post.

Town continued their strong build up play, with John Hathaway and Robert Maidment running the midfield, and offering plenty of chances to Azmat Rashid and Robin Barnes up front. It was Steven Pierce who eventually added to the visitors lead however, with a tidy finish at the back post after a wild skirmish in the penalty area. Town could have extended their lead still further when William King unleashed a strong drag flick from a penalty corner, only to be blocked on the line by Towns own George Ball.

Amidst their domination the visitors had taken their foot off the gas, and were rapidly punished by their opposition, with a smart run down the right hand side and a strong cross through the area before being turned in at the far post. The Vagrants, now up to 10 men continued to improve throughout the half and might have equalised before the end of the half, were it not for a superb block on the line by Steven Pierce, the hosts seemingly finishing the first half on top.

Half Time Score: Luton Vagrants 1-2 Luton Town

Not Long after the re-start the home side were fully restored to 11 men and were beginning to heap more and more pressure on Martin Crimp and Russell Maidment at the heart of Towns defence. The loss of Zain Kazmi at half time due to injury, meant even more pressure for the visitors, who finally succumbed to a rapid counter attack that left the keeper facing a 2 on 1 which Briggs could not save.

With the Vagrants having pulled themselves level, Towns heads fell and the next 20 minutes were spent with the ball being aimlessly passed back and forth through the midfield. With yet another strong counter attack the hosts were able to get around the back of their rivals defence and slotted home to take the lead for the first time in the game. Just moments later a distracted Luton Town side allowed their opposition to complete their comeback, when a powerful shot was deflected to the striker and netted to make the score 4-2.

This latest set back sparked life into Town however, and after a couple of well defended counter attacks, the visitors were able to muster a flurry of shots on goal, but none were able to better the home sides keeper. This rejuvenation came too little, too late for the inexperienced visitors, but a promising and improved performance did offer some consolation.

The Final Score: Luton Vagrants 4-2 Luton Town

Luton Town Goalscorers: Kyle Beirne, Steven Pierce

Player of the Match: Steven Pierce