Luton Town 1-1 BFC, Tuesday 1st January 2019

‘We’ve never conceded when I’ve worn this shirt.’

‘How many times have you worn it?’

‘Once.  Today.’

Welcome to ...

I love Kenilworth Road.  Cramped, low-roofed, random corner stand behind floodlights, portacabin executive boxes down one touchline, rabbit-warren backstreets to traverse…yup, nothing had changed since the last time we were here 12 years ago (I looked that bit up.)  Mind, it wasn’t to everyone’s liking.  Selwood was fully wedged in and wary of cramp, moved to stand at the back, while Lynne found a seat on the end of a row for the 2^nd half. However, it’s ok….if you’re 3’6”.  Plus we always do well here, winning our last 5 league visits (just looked that up too, which has made me a little disappointed we didn’t win yesterday).

The legendary away entrance.

It was a very good game though, despite the goalless scoreline.  Continuing from Charlton, Luton simply couldn’t live with the midfield movement and twice Cauley spurned golden chances.  The 1^st, put clean through, he appeared to toe end the ball when trying to hit it with the outside of his foot.  Just get the thing on target, man.  The other one, I think he fell over trying to shoot on the turn.  Either way, 2 big misses and we should have been up at the break.

A room with a view.

The 2^nd half was the opposite.  Yes, we sprayed balls around the midfield, but moves broke down out wide and every time Luton had the ball they won a free kick or corner which they launched into the box.  Stendal insists on zonal defence, which meant Luton aiming balls long to the back post, where a player would peel off and have a free header EVERY time.  I don’t attest to the idea ‘it must have worked cos we kept a clean sheet.’  It worked cos Luton were too incompetent to take advantage, either heading over, wide, or to a Reds player every time.  One decent header across goal and they’d have had a tap-in.  I remember one in the first half (at our end) as their player walked away from Lindsay (walked!) and stood 6 yards away at the back post, where the kick predictably went.  Good to see Davies part of the ‘zonal defence’ too, choosing never to move more than a yard from the centre of the goal.  Let’s hope the ball goes there, then.

The away end...I hope that's not asbestos.

We still had one opportunity early doors in that half, as Potts smashed a shot which took a lucky (from their point of view) deflection which took it narrowly over.  Thiam also had a 20 yarder down the kepper’s throat.  In the meantime, Davies was making up for his inability to catch a ball by making 2 or 3 good saves at the other end, including a header (from a deadball!) which looked destined to be a goal.  Zonal defence wins again!

The Super Reds warm up.

The debate on the way back was whether it was 2 points dropped…or 1 point gained.  Certainly, had we been a goal or 2 up at the break, I could only see one winner.  But a draw was a fair result.  Personally, I think we can be happy with 3 wins and 2 draws against the likes of Pompey, Posh, Charlton and Luton (and an in-form Blackpool) following the Wycombe debacle.  We’ve now played 3 of the top teams twice, so while they all play each other, we’ll be hammering the likes of Rochdale and Wimbledon.  I can’t see what can possibly go wrong….!

Onwards and upwards!

The teams come out (allegedly).

*** Lindsay.  A rock.  Even found his teammates with passes too.

** Pinnock.  The perfect centre back pair?  Well, a bit of a clogger and a lot of a footballer.  The Bruce and Pallister of League 1.

* Mowatt.  I’m liking him more and more, as he keeps the midfield ticking with little passes (which are IN FRONT of players, to run onto) while he put in the odd challenge as well.

Londontykes MOTM:

Despatches:
Davies was unlucky to miss out on the top 3, as was Thiam, who not only linked well with Ben Williams on the left and had a couple of shots, but his tracking back was outstanding.  Lasted 76 mins before being replaced by Brown on the right (thereafter, all attacks came down that side).  Davies supported Thiam ably, though the twice he ‘gave and go’, Luton picked off the run.  He’s simply not fast enough.  The midfield of Dougall-McGeehan-Potts-Mowatt linked well, before Bahre (MOTM v Charlton) came on for the last half hour.  As for Cauley…I bet he never slept after those chances.

We're not the only ones wedged in...

Drink du jour: After having one night’s sleep following a New Year’s Eve party, obviously the ideal drink was Leffe in the Bricklayers Arms near the station.  Mind, like that pub in Southend, it didn’t quite taste as fresh as my local.  Do them pipes need cleaning? Or does it stand too long, cos folk are too busy drinking Fosters?

Away: 900+

The Damage:
£8 train
£3 prog
£26 ent (!)
= £37

The Tunes:
Inform-Educate-Entertain (Public Service Broadcasting)
Family of Aliens (Teleman)

Luke Berry...'does nothing everywhere' (in his time at Barnsley).

The fans gather pre-match.

I'm going in (wish me luck).

Of course you are.

The Washing Machine Stand.

The players come out.

Harry and Hatty Hatter.  Seen to be believed.

Looking towards the home end.

The dugouts (probably).