Henry howitzer seals Waders win as the Hatters book their place in Beds Senior Cup final as Kevin Nicholls looks on

A BRILLIANT solo effort from the impressive Charlie Henry booked Luton Town a place in the Bedfordshire Senior Cup final as they beat Biggleswade Town 1-0 at the well-appointed Carlsberg Stadium this evening, writes Mark Wood.

Bonny Biggleswade had their moments on the night, with Luton legend Kevin Nicholls an interested onlooker from the stands, but it was the Hatters who deservedly progressed to the final where they will meet Dunstable Town at Kenilworth Road.

Luton named a strong side for the encounter featuring the likes of the fit-again Dan Walker, John Paul Kissock, Shane Blackett, Henry, Godfrey Poku, Craig McAllister and Jake Woolley, mixed with a number of other youngsters.

After an even start Town took the lead with a phenomenal goal on seven minutes. Henry skipped along the periphery of the box and let fly with a stunning strike into the top left from 20 yards that left Waders keeper San Leggett grasping at thin air.

An audacious long-range strike from James Freshwater dipped just over on 13 minutes as the Evo-Stik Southern League Division One Central side threatened going forward.

Luton played some nice stuff and Henry had another decent chance blocked, before Biggleswade almost equalised in farcical fashion on 23. Luton keeper Lewis Kidd stupidly took a throw when a wayward effort had spun out and Jerome Jibodu was promptly robbed of the ball but, with Kidd well out of his ground, Brett Donnelly’s opportunistic effort looped well over.

The Waders went close to an equaliser again five minutes later when Ashley Fuller whipped in a great low cross from the left that was turned goalwards at the near post by Donnelly, but his point-blank effort drew a reaction save from Kidd as he turned it round the post.

Another Freshwater effort was miles off target, while Donnelly showed him how it was done moment later with a neat touch before letting fly with a great 30-yarder which forced Kidd to tip over the bar.

Walker’s forceful run ended in a skewed effort that went miles wide, while Woolley got in behind but couldn’t get a shot away.

Harry Hunt lofted well over before the break for Bigglewade before some nice skills from Craig Daniel ended in him firing straight at Kidd as the Hatters led 1-0 at the break.

Youngster Alasan Ann came on for Walker – back after a long injury lay-off - at the break as Luton started the second half brightly.

Henry teed up Kissock two minutes in but his effort was straight at Leggett and Poku dragged his follow-up just wide.

Lively midfielder Henry whizzed a free-kick inches wide on 53 minutes, while Hunt’s long range effort was right at Kidd moments later.

Biggleswade went close again on 58 minutes when Freshwater drove into the box and Donnelly was just unable to get on the end of it.

Ann was the first name into the book on 68 minutes as he and Steve Gentle both slid in for the ball, leaving the Waders centre-half scrunched up on the deck.

The action slowed as the subs rolled with clear-cut chances at a premium, although the hosts had a chance to equalise with five minutes to go when a corner was headed back across goal and Gentle could only stab over, but the Hatters held on to book their place in the final.

Waders: San Leggett, Peter Gatti, Darryl Coakley, Liam Folds (C), Steve Gentle, Kevin Kilroy (Alex O’Brien 55), Craig Daniel, James Freshwater, Brett Donnelly, Harry Hunt (Paul Barnes 72), Ashley Fuller. Substitutes not used: Stuart Lochhead.

Hatters: Lewis Kidd, Jerry Nash, Jerome Jibodu, John Paul Kissock, Shane Blackett (C), James Ferguson, Charlie Henry, Godfrey Poku, Craig McAllister (Leeroy Magaraushe 70), Jake Woolley (Jemale McKenzie-Lowe 70), Dan Walker (Alasan Ann 46). Substitutes not used: Nick Burtenshaw, Ben Barnes.

Bookings: Ann 68,

Referee: G Muge.

Assistant Referees: T Ratheram and A Medlock.

Attendance: 156.