The ' Reds shatter the Hatters' ..Match thread !!.

[pidge]

Thaught we played well an every player 1 to 11 worked tirelessly, we wore them down for 70 minutes then fresh legs should have killed the game for us, unfortunately they never an we paid the price! Like the balance of the side with Pierro an mcconville working tirelessly to help the full backs an also creating chances, Deano an tom were solid at the back an big Jason in goal played well,onto Tuesday night now an hopefully another commited performance against quality opposition.

[AccyMad]

Agree with most of what's been said, the second half especially we deserved the 3 points Think Terry needs to get a little more involved, I know he's there to lead the line but he doesn't seem to want to get in with the nitty gritty of the game - on the whole though a good game & I'm feeling more positive than I was at the end of last season

[Chimer]

Umm .... Mrs Chimer responded to my howl of anguish when the equaliser popped up on the Final Score videprinter with "might as well start as you'll probably go on" - I think she's spent too many Saturday afternoons watching me bite my nails .....

[Redraine]

Originally Posted by Chimer

Umm .... Mrs Chimer responded to my howl of anguish when the equaliser popped up on the Final Score videprinter with "might as well start as you'll probably go on" - I think she's spent too many Saturday afternoons watching me bite my nails .....

To be honest, Chimer, the equaliser never looked likely
As Coley said it felt worse than a 4-0 defeat after we bossed the 2nd half.

[Redraine]

The Luton view for those interested

The first game of the season played in the only day of Lancashire’s summer ended in a well contested draw. Very little wham bam at the Wham (other sartorially inelegant 1980’s pop bands are also available) Stadium , George Michael driving on the pitch with half of a Snappy Snaps shop stuck to the bonnet of his car, would have enlivened proceedings somewhat.



We weren’t great by any means – far from it, but we got a point against a team we seldom play well against and it’s a very good sign when a team scores late. People used to moan about Manchester United being lucky about the amount of late goals they scored. It’s not luck; it’s a bloody minded refusal not to accept defeat. The league campaign is a long old, mainly joyless slog, most of the time it’s about grinding out results when not playing anywhere near your capabilities. It was a good work out today in hot weather, with 90 minutes of competitive football under their belts, I’m sure the players will benefit. Pre-season training and games are all well and good, but there is no real substitute for proper games. It usually takes players about six to eight games to get up to speed.



John Still’s teams over the years rarely hit the ground running, but with the squad he has assembled a top three place should be within its grasp. Famous last words, as we finish 19th.

Jonathan Smith had a productive game in his home county, making one (shame it was for the opposition with a needless, uncharacteristic poorly timed tackle on Windass on the by-line to concede a penalty) and skilfully deflecting the ball with his back from CMS’ aerobatic effort past the helpless Mooney in “Start the car” time. Leaving the hosts to cry into their pints of Milk and boiled water. Well, east Lancashire is on the cusp of 1953 and who can turn down the opportunity of nice dose of Cryptosporidium? It’s more entertaining than watching a number of 4th division teams playing!!




Whilst Accrington in the latter stages looked more likely to score again then we did of equalising, think overall it was a fair result. Neither keeper was seriously tested, apart from a fine block by Mooney to deny CMS. Mackail-Smith being a big name will take a fearful amount of clog against limited hatchet men, as was the case today against Winnard and Davies. To his credit he kept going on, his movement is excellent, he and Green have a good understanding and we looked more of a threat down the right than we did down the opposite flank. Green’s crossing was decent but with only usually our two forwards to aim at, we lacked McGeehan’s ability to break late into the box.

Not surprisingly with so many new players we look a work in progress. I would be very surprised, actually make that horrified, if that was our regular formation and line up most weeks. For what’s it worth (not a lot), think Potts is vastly superior to Griffiths (not that Griffiths has let us down – but we have a better side now), despite O’Donnell’s obvious defensive failings, we will look better with Cuthbert in the middle of the defence. McCourt playing out wide is unlikely to benefit either him or the team , although allowing for his fitness issues, he needs to play more centrally to keep him interested, his ability on the ball is outstanding, as his so control and ability to pick a pass, either that or McGeehan being in an advanced position, if we are going to benefit from Green’s ability to cross the ball.

Mackail-Smith and Benson still have a good understanding from their time at Dagenham, which is handy as we are Dagenham old boys and Marriott when fit, will be a threat with his direct running style and pace more than McQuoid, who isn’t a bad player technically, but one of those players who I have got a sneaky feeling will prove somewhat ineffective. Hope he proves me wrong.

So a wonderfully unbalanced 4-4-2. Justham in goal. Back four of Cuthbert, McNulty, Wilkinson and Griffiths. The four across the middle Green, Doyle, Smith and McCourt, with McQuoid supporting CMS up top. With a remarkably strong bench of Tyler, Potts, McGeehan, Benson, Marriott, Ruddock and Guttridge –who would all walk into most sides in this division.

Year in, year out Accrington are the favourites for relegation. They always stay up with ease and the same will be true this season. Windass, despite his bloody awful Alice band is the stand out player (bad haircuts, tattoos and brightly coloured booties are the biggest threat tomodern day life), surprised he has stayed there, as could play at least a division higher up. He leads the line well, shame he has inherited his father’s penchant of moaning.



Coleman is a shrewd operator at this level, they aren’t pretty to watch, in fact the ball would gave gained a sizeable amount of air miles this afternoon. Playing three nightclub bouncers at the back, with a goalkeeper the height of a street lamp. Windass is without doubt the talent of the side, although the amusing named Mingoia is a tricky little winger. But the rest of the team provide little more than honest toil, credit to Accrington for being competitive on what must be a limited budget. Admittedly pre-season results are best ignored, but beating Blackburn and Rochdale whilst drawing with Blackpool is a decent build up.



The opening to the game was pretty competitive, played at a fast tempo but with neither side managing to keep hold of the ball for long – a must when playing in warm weather, Accrington denying us time on the ball, playing fairly directly towards the head of Gornell. Windass’ centre from the left after being found by Buxton, attempted to pick out Mingoia at the far post, was collected by Justham.



Justham did look to boot the ball upfield quickly to try and use CMS’ pace against Davies and Winnard, we looked better when Justham rolled the ball out to the full backs later in the match. We looked solid enough at the back, soaking up pressure; Griffiths stopped progress down the right to deny Mingoia before he could cross. Windass’ subsequent corner Davies rose highest but put off by the presence of Cuthbert nodded wide.



The host's best move of the half came from some good movement by Gornell on being found by Windass, the ball played precisely into the path of McConville, who wasted the position by firing over the onrushing Windass’ head.



Green was bowled over by Crooks, wearing lime green boots and having a top knot hair style. No further comment. Green picked himself up, the free kick over hit, Wilkinson lurking at the far post, managed to play the ball back into the box, CMS’ shot was blocked by Gornell, and then Griffiths could only slam his shot into a packed crowd of red shirts.



Pearson and Crooks combined flicking the ball into Windass squaring the ball for Gornell, his shot lacked the power to trouble Justham the save was a comfortable one.



Justham made a fine reaction save to deny Pearson, Griffiths was slow to sense the danger from McConville’s through ball. We settled down towards the half time whistle, keeping the play slightly better though McCourt, Accrington’s direct, pressing game, you sensed would see them empty out of energy, but to their credit, they didn’t really, except for when both Windass and Buxton went down suffering from cramp in the second half. Smith’s well hit side foot drive, after being found by CMS produced a decent stop by Mooney and Winnard slip almost let CMS but he recovered in the nick of time.



McNulty produced a fine header from Mingola’s cross to deny Windass. He also started a very good move involving CMS, McCourt and Green, which finished when Buxton turned Green’s low centre behind. Smith had bought hi shooting boots with him, sending a daisy cutter past Mooney’s right hand post, from Doyle’s pass.



The referee was lenient all afternoon, but it was a major surprise to see none of the hosts in the book until early in the second half. Wilkinson was very lucky not to be cautioned for blatantly felling Windass. Crooks tripped Doyle. Green’s accurate flighted free kick found Wilkinson but he was unable to keep his header down.



Windass was having some joy against Cuthbert on the left, playing neat passes into the gap for runners; this one found Gornell and Griffiths smacked it away from near the goal line.



That after we had a decent spell, Wilkinson taking the ball away from Gornell, spraying a superb pass into Green, rounding Buxton, side foot into CMS his drive well blocked by the sprawling Mooney. Then McQuoid went on a fine run, collecting Justham's throw, but just as he approaching the penalty area, Crooks on the cover blocked his attempt.



Windass received the ball on the left, little danger looked on, a neat body serve defeated Cuthbert and as he tried to go along the touchline, Smith tripped up. Windass got up and fairly leathered the ball to the right of Justham, who had little chance of stopping that. It was a very clean strike and fairly rattled into the net.



Pelly replaced McCourt, with Benson for McQuoid. With Accrington putting everyone behind the ball, it was very difficult to us to create much, using the width would have been a better option than to try and wade our way through their massed ranks. It was rather playing into their hands.



With Accrington’s tactically approach of dropping deeper and deeper, clearing the ball but with no-one there for them to chase it or try and hold it up, almost as a tribute act to Peter Kay and his ‘Ave it commercial. They tired losing Windass through cramp. His final contribution hoofing a shot into Clitheroe after a pull back by Kee, after Wilkinson’s header was not properly cleared.



Their subs helped them, Kee giving them fresh legs up front and Barry was accurate with his passing. With Mingoia a constant threat, those three played some tidy football. Crooks could only help the ball into Justham’s hands from Mingola’s centre.



We upped the ante with the introduction of Marriott on for Green. He gives us the spark and directness we have badly missed since Gray left. Marriott is the type of player who makes things happen, running at opponents, always looking to do something positive. When fully fit, he will be a major asset to the team.



His first contribution was a rather hopeful shot into the away end from Benson’s knock down. Marriott playing on the left had the beating of Pearson easily for speed, setting up Pelly to cut back inside and lift his left foot shot over.



Accrington started having some joy on the counter attack. Kee slipped Gornell through on the right, but a heavy touch let him down. Gornell held off Cuthbert, found Barry and McNulty charged the ball down. It was getting hectic end to end stuff, Barry and Mingoia looking as though they may kill the game stone dead. Barry played on Mingoia a weak finish, well saved by Justham.



With four minutes signalled, we got a crucial equaliser, a long throw from Cuthbert flicked on; CMS had a shot, deflected past Mooney by Smith. Cue mini pitch invasion. We still have a few minutes to try and win the game, a mazy dribble by Marriott, just managed to shot which Mooney was equal to it, bouncing out to Benson who was denied by a combination of CMS and the sub Wright. Griffiths’ long ball was flicked on well by Benson; Pelly couldn’t supply the finish, which would have been harsh on Accrington.

So onto Bristol City in the League Cup. We acquitted ourselves well against a very good Swindon side last season, so hopefully we can repeat that level of performance before the far more important game on Saturday against Oxford.



Luton - Elliot Justham 7.25, Scott Cuthbert 6.5, Steve McNulty 7 , Luke Wilkinson 5.75, Scott Griffiths 6, Danny Green 6.75 (Jack Marriott), Jonathan Smith 5.75, Nathan Doyle 6.25, Paddy McCourt 6 (Pelly Ruddock 6), Craig Mackail-Smith 7.5, Josh McQuoid 6( Paul Benson 7) .

Subs not used - Mark Tyler, Dan Potts, Cameron McGeehan and Luke Guttridge .

Accrington - Mooney, Pearson, Winnard, Davies, Buxton(Wright), Mingoia, Crooks, Conneely, McConville(Kee), Gornell, Windass. (Barry) Booked - Crooks.

[lancsdave]

Originally Posted by Redraine

The first game of the season played in the only day of Lancashire’s summer ended in a well contested draw.

They should have made a weekend of it, it's day 2 today

[accybeme]

brilliant performance we deserved to take all 3 points and at the end of the game the hatters fans were ecstatically celebrating the draw, thankfully the Ref soon got wise too Mackail-Smith chucking him-self to the ground at every opportunity, on this form Morecambe are again going to struggle to beat the Stanley, com-on Reds/stripes

[football19]

Great read that Redraine,not stopped laughing at his " three nightclub bouncers at the back"comment!,wonder how he would describe his centre backs !!!.
Did anyone else see our keeper pick one of their fans,who run on the pitch,off his feet and place him over the dead ball line!!,wouldn't mind but he was about six foot and his feet were still two foot Off the ground!!!,very funny moment 😀

[Redraine]

Originally Posted by football19

wonder how he would describe his centre backs !!!.
Did anyone else see our keeper pick one of their fans,who run on the pitch,off his feet and place him over the dead ball line!!,wouldn't mind but he was about six foot and his feet were still two foot Off the ground!!!,very funny moment 😀

His centre backs were built like brick s**t houses! I just loved the way Griffiths and Dickenson on their left were reduced to panic and fell over themselves every time Piero attacked them in the second half. I saw Mooney dealing magnificently with the invading fan, but he really shouldn't have got involved as you never know what those idiots have got up their sleeves.

[choirboy]

Luton quote (courtesy of Redraine).....
"Very little wham bam at the Wham". (It rhymes with WHAM!)
That guy needs to get a life!....He must have too much time on his hands!
His report made quite interesting reading but had the obvious bias towards his own team.
Our guys played superbly and we only lacked that 'killer instinct' to score the extra goals that we deserved. Generally we played them off the park with our wonderful, flowing passing game! Coneely, Pierro and Josh Windass were brilliant with the rest of the team only a shade behind them. The new boys did really well too. Around the 75th minute when the substitutions were being done we literally had them 'On the rack' as they were looking pretty goosed! This is when we should have finished them off!
Still, it was a fine opening performance that shows lots of promise for the rest of the season
ON STANLEY ON

[maccawozzagod]

Had we got a second goal I have no doubt that we'd have scored a third as well. That said we didnt particularly threaten to score and their keeper did very little all afternoon. Some of the build up play was very good though and I enjoyed the ole moments around the 80th minute.

Very promising start to the season and the fact we are disappointed not to have 'shattered the hatters' speaks volumes

[choirboy]

Just looked up the Gate figures........
Attendance: 2,359 (1,175 Luton supporters)...
Which means there were 1184 Home fans on which I find somewhat disappointing.
I actually thought that there was around 2,700 looking around the ground yesterday!?
What can we do to get the people of Accy to come on and support our super team?

[Redraine]

Originally Posted by choirboy

Just looked up the Gate figures........
Attendance: 2,359 (1,175 Luton supporters)...
Which means there were 1184 Home fans on which I find somewhat disappointing.
I actually thought that there was around 2,700 looking around the ground yesterday!?
What can we do to get the people of Accy to come on and support our super team?

Well I just don't believe those figures which are saying Luton fans were in a minority - absolute rubbish! Maybe we shouldn't enquire too much though!

[Chrisr]

I noticed the defence lost its shape after they took Adam Buxton off. Man of the match for me. however we should have finished that game 2 or 3 goals up. our defending needs to learn to communicate better with the midfield. Never should we have two of our own players competing for a header, A good shout would help, But I think we are off on the right foot. 3 points would have been great but we did not lose. let's get a result from the Hull game. oh by the way a new football league on channel 5. josh was mentioned in despatches. watch the space.

[shadsworthcloud]

Coley's post match interview does nothing to attract fans. Might as well put up a sign outside saying "Don't bother"