Luton Town U18s claim late Cobblers winner

Luton Town U18s met their Northampton counterparts for the second week running on Saturday and this time overcame them 2-1 in the Youth Alliance League at Moulton College.

Boss Paul Driver made a number of changes to the side that was narrowly defeated the week before with Luke Trottman, Charlie Smith, Arel Amu, Jemale McKenzie-Lowe and Zane Banton all returning to the start line-up.

He said: “We did well today and it was great to have Trotts (Luke Trottman) back as this adds balance to the back line.

“We moved the ball well for the first hour and deserved to go in front from Jemale’s strike.

“Credit to them though, they never gave up and, having worked so hard to get level, they will be disappointed to get nothing from the game.”

Both teams looked to pass the ball on a good surface in an even first half of few real chances for either side.

Runs into the box by Amu and Isaac Galliford created crossing chances that were blocked and Amu got in behind the Cobblers back line, but his effort found the side netting.

For Northampton, a Kieran Fitzgerald header cannoned back off the bar to safety, as the first period finished goalless.

The Hatters started the second half stronger and deservedly took the lead on 67 minute when Trottman’s cross bounced down to McKenzie-Lowe and he drilled his shot low into the corner of the net from 15 yards.

Northampton drew level in the last five minute with a volley by skipper Connor Roberts and nearly took the lead a minute later, but a brilliant stop from Lee Hawkes denied them.

And Town grabbed all three points in injury time when Smith’s pass was flicked to Amu by McKenzie-Lowe, and he drove at the Cobblers defence and into the box before finish from a narrow angle.

Hatters: King, Trottman, Hawkes, Rees, Chabata, Tamplin, Amu, Smith (C), McKenzie-Lowe, Banton, Galliford. Substitutes: Barnes, Perry, Allman, Tayali, Ngwala.