Hatters wary of Skem emulating their Wolves shock

With Luton’s sensational upset of Wolves in the FA Cup still fresh in the memory, they are refusing to take Skelmersdale United for granted on Saturday, writes Mark Wood.

They are unbeaten in the Evo-Stik League Northern Premier First Division North this season and tasted defeat just once in the last calendar year, and will be looking to claim a major scalp in this weekend’s FA Trophy third round clash.

Skelmersdale may sit three divisions below the Hatters, but that is exactly the same margin that separated Luton and Wolverhampton Wanderers as the Hatters shocked the Championship side 1-0 at Kenilworth Road in the third round of the FA Cup on Saturday.

Assistant manager Alan Neilson said: “It’s like last Saturday, Wolves, it’s the same difference, three leagues difference between each team.

“And of course look what happened Saturday. So we know we’ve got to be on our game. The team we select we’ve got to go out and be full throttle.

“And I’m sure the gaffer Bucks (Paul Buckle), will make sure that we do it and the staff will make sure that the players that are selected are really on it.”

Boasting such a phenomenal record, the Hatters are taking Skem seriously and have been doing their homework.

“That record is unbelievable,” added Neilson. “Whatever league you are in, if you’re winning football matches you’re doing well.

“It shows you they’ve probably got the best players in their league and their record is very, very good. I wish we had that this year.

“We’ve looked at them. We’ve got a scout to look at them, we’ve got match reports, we’ve taken them seriously.

“They’ve played 17 league games this year, 10 at home, won eight, drawn two, and played seven away games and won all seven.

“So we know it’s going to be a tough match. They’re going to come here, and seven away wins out of seven, in any league you’re at that’s a good standard.”