Banton nets late winner as Town defeat Histon

Pre-season friendlyHiston 0 Luton 1

Young striker Zane Banton scored a last-minute winner as Hatters picked up 1-0 victory against Blue Square North Histon at the Glass World Stadium this evening, writes Mike Simmonds.

It had looked like the match would end goalless after a hard-fought 90 minutes that was lacking in real quality until Banton gave a further example of his burgeoning potential, rifling home from close range after good work by Brett Longden.

Town named a stronger side than had played at Maidstone on Tuesday, with full back Danny Fitzsimons making his first appearance in a Hatters shirt against his former side, named captain on the night too.

Jim Stevenson also turned out against the team Luton signed him from, while Anthony Charles, Andrew Parry and Scott Rendell gained valuable minutes.

Trialists Jake Hall and Oliver Hughes both started for the visitors too, with Histon naming Town duo Jake Woolley and Jerome Jibodu in their side.

After a hard-fought opening period, where chances were at an absolute premium, Histon had the first shot on nine minutes as Jay Dowie’s hopeful effort was gathered by Elliot Justham at the second attempt.

It took Town almost 30 minutes to test home keeper Calum Kitscha, with Parry’s 20-yarder drawing a flying save and Hughes unable to turn in the loose ball.

Hughes then broke the offside trap and delivered a low cross that was just cleared off the line by Jibodu before the stretching Rendell could turn it in.

After the break, Town were denied a penalty as Hughes drew a lunging challenge when he burst into the area, but managed to stay on his feet and his cross-shot was cleared to safety.

Histon had a sniff soon afterwards when Justham came out of his area to head away, with Nathan Hicks’ snap-shot flying off target.

The keeper was soon called into action again, producing a marvellous stop with an outstretched glove as substitute Claudiu Hoban’s daisycutter appeared destined for the bottom corner.

Woolley should have netted from the rebonud, but Justham was up quickly to block his close-range effort.

Hatters came close to an opener themselves, Parry breaking well from midfield, beating two markers and unleashing an angled drive that deflected behind for a corner.

Town made some changes as the game wore on, introducing youngsters Banton and Charlie Smith, with Banton heading into the arms of Kitscha after a fine run and cross by O’Donnell.

The Stutes almost broke the deadlock with 10 to go, but Declan Hunt missed his kick after Luton were opened up on the left, while Justham then made a fine tip over from Woolley’s close range flick.

Town should have been ahead in the closing stages, when Hall broke up play and slipped in Rendell, but with the goal gaping, he dragged wide from eight yards.

It mattered little though as Banton popped up at the death to win it with an astute finish.

Histon: Calum Kitscha, Grant Roberts, Jerome Jibodu, Jay Dowie, Renmy Clerima, Omar Beckles, Eugene Libertucci, Nathan Hicks, Jake Woolley, Declan Hunt, Charlie Day.

Subs: Harry O’Malley, Harri Hawkins, Joe O’Donoghue, Claudiu Hoban, Joe Asensi, Charlie Binns, Jack Sessions, Jack Higgs.

Hatters: Elliot Justham, Brett Longden, Zak Stephens (Lathaniel Rowe-Turner 70), Anthony Charles, Andrew Parry (Charlie Smith 75), James Stevenson (Ian Rees 80), Jake Hall, JJ O’Donnell, Scott Rendell, Oliver Hughes (Zane Banton 70).

Subs not used: Ben Barnes, Jemale McKenzie-Lowe.