PREVIEW: Luton Town v AFC Telford

AFC Telford come to Kenilworth Road with a torrid away record having now gone over a year without a win in the Blue Square Bet Premier, writes Mike Simmonds.

The last place they won was at York City of all grounds, with a 1-0 triumph back on August 20, 2011.

Since then, they have taken 11 points from a possible 66, with 11 draws and 11 defeats from their 22 matches.

This season, the Bucks, who are still one of the only part-time clubs in the Conference, had an early chance to rectify their travelling issues, but ended up with a decent point at Barrow after a goalless stalemate on the opening day.

They then lost 2-1 at home to Forest Green Rovers, but finally got their campaign up and running with a 3-0 triumph over Braintree Town under the watchful eyes of Town’s first team development coach Carl Emberson.

Like Hatters, Telford have completely revamped their squad this season, with over 10 new players coming in and virtually the same amount being released too.

Boss Andy Sinton has brought in a blend of experience and youth with Steve Leslie from Shrewsbury and Chris Blackburn from Stockport joining up along with the likes of Wolves youngster James Spray too.

Telford will no doubt be once again be looking to consolidate their position in the Conference again, something they just about managed last year, finishing one place and five points above fourth bottom Hayes & Yeading, who were relegated.

Team news: Hatters are still without Danny Spiller (achilles) and Garry Richards (ankle) who face a long lay off, while James Dance is also still missing.

Defender Alex Lacey is fit once more after his shoulder injury, while Adam Watkins is available after missing the last two games with an ankle problem.

For Telford, top scorer Chris Sharp is absent as he has undergone a hernia operation sidelining him for five weeks. With 11 goals last season after signing from Welsh side The New Saints, his absence will be keenly felt. Chris Blackburn and Steve Jones missed the win over Braintree with back and foot injuries, and remain doubtful this weekend too.

In charge: Andy Sinton – flying winger who won 12 international caps for England, his debut in a 1-1 draw in Poland in 1991, before finishing with the 7-1 win at San Marino in 1993.

His career included spells with Spurs, QPR, Sheffield Wednesday and Wolves, before joining Fleet Town, where he became football development officer. Sinton took over as manager and was then appointed AFC Telford boss on May 26, 2010.

In his first season, he led the Bucks to second place in Conference North and clinched promotion to the Conference via the play-offs.

View from the opposition: Boss Andy Sinton on his side’s poor away record: “One day that will come to an end. It could come to an end at Luton. We go to every away game trying to win the game.

“It’s something we need to arrest. Our preparation has got to be spot on but we certainly don’t go away to get beat and we certainly don’t go there to just shut up shop and get a point.

“I remember beating York away and it was a smash-and-grab, we hardly had a shot. I will take that three, four, five, six, ten times this season if we can go away and get it.”

One to watch: Midfielder Nathan Rooney, 19, started his career with Wolves, before being released from Molineux in the summer and was snapped up by Telford.

Has already scored twice for his new side in three games, including a penalty in the 3-0 win over Braintree.

Top scorers: Hatters – Stuart Fleetwood (4). Bucks - Nathan Rooney (2).

Last time out: Hatters were held to a 1-1 draw at Kenilworth Road by AFC Telford last season. Winger Robbie Willmott had given the hosts a first half lead, crashing his shot home after James Dance’s attempt was blocked.

However, the Bucks levelled in the second half, when Sean Newton’s long range free kick was too good for Kevin Pilkington.

Hatters: Kevin Pilkington, George Pilkington, Jake Howells, Curtis Osano, Janos Kovacs, Keith Keane, Alex Lawless, Robbie Willmott, James Dance (Aaron O’Connor 68), Danny Crow (Adam Watkins 81), Stuart Fleetwood (Ryan Brunt 71).

Attendance: 5,399.

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