Battling To Victory

Luton Town were looking to bounce back after two disappointing losses at the start of the season, but any hopes on getting the jump on their opposition were put to bed early on when Stevenage's rapid counter attack and a fine shot saw the ball fly past keeper Thomas Briggs to open the scoring within the opening 5 minutes. The visitors tried several times to extend their advantage but could not find a way past Towns Centre Back pairing of Phil Bright and Russell Maidment.

It had taken a while for Town to get into the game, but once they had, it didn't take long for them to start challenging the Stevenage goalkeeper with several Short Corners being awarded in their favour. A powerful Drag Flick by William King could only find the crossbar but the resultant shot by Nathan McNeil was kicked away from goal by the travelling defender, who was subsequently shown a green card and Town were offered a chance to equalise from the penalty spot.

After a quick dispute over who would take the Penalty Stroke, William King stepped forward and placed the ball to the left of the keeper, to open his account for the season. Town pressed on against 10 men, trying to make the most of their 2 minute advantage, but after another couple of short corner efforts by Robin Barnes, Stevenage were restored to 11 players. This boost for the visitors saw them immediately pick up the pace, with a well worked ball from the back down the pitch forced a smart save by Thomas Briggs. The hosts bit back immediately with a goal coming from an unlikely source in the heart of their defence to give town the lead once more.

There was little time for any other action in the first half leaving the half time score Luton Town 2-1 Stevenage

Town started brightly in the second half with strong play down the right hand side between Bradley Jackson and Nathan McNeil, an after several attacks they were awarded another short corner. A swift routine saw Nathan McNeil's shot deflected wide by a defender. The Long corner that followed lead to a skirmish in the area and Town were awarded another Short Corner. This time the injection was poor and Stevenage tried to clear the ball, but were cut off at the half way line by Bryn Owen who made a swift marauding run down the heart of the pitch before unleashing a shot that forced the Stevenage keeper to make the save. Another long corner lead to another skirmish. The visitors attempted to clear the ball to the left, but were thwarted by Bradley Jackson who kept the ball alive, allowing Dean Pierce to force the ball through the scrum of players to be turned home for King's second.

Stevenage countered immediately from the re-start with the attacker running the ball past defenders as if they were not there. It took a foul by Phil Bright to stop the run. Stevenage kept pressing and after a string of free hits just outside the area, finally managed to pull one back after a penetrating cross from the right was tapped in at the far post.

Un-ruffled, town quickly set about restoring their 2 goal lead, and after a barrage of Short Corners, they very nearly did, with Kyle Beirne's shot falling just wide of the near post. It was Robin Barnes who scored next however, after seeing his own low shot blocked, sending his second effort high into the net to make sure. Town pressed on but Stevenage pegged them back again with yet another goal from a set piece.

Luton came on strong once more able to hold the play in their oppositions half and beginning to control what had so far been an incredibly open game, with every clearance cut off by Towns midfielders. A smart interchange between Dean Pierce and William king was cut out by the defence, but the aerial clearance was once again cut off by a brilliant take by Kyle Beirne, the subsequent attack fell short however.

Luton did suffer a setback however when star performer Bradley Jackson took a high flying ball to the finger and could not continue. Town did eventually manage to resurrect their 2 goal lead once again when William King shot neatly past the off balance goalkeeper to make the score 5-3. Town tried at this point to control the game but before long Stevenage had pulled back once again.

The home side remained un ruffled however and had begun to keep possession and slow the play, occasionally bursting forward in the hope of another goal. After another wild Stevenage clearance was driven directly to Bryn Owen the midfielder spotted space in front and proceeded to run the ball up field. In a desperate attempt to keep his team in the running, a Stevenage defender lashed out, binging Owen to the floor, earning himself a green card, but crucially stopping the attack.

Stevenage tried to get back into the game but time ran out after the combined efforts of Dean Pierce and Nathan McNeil kept the ball in the corner until the final whistle.

Final Score: Luton Town 5-4 Stevenage