Youthful Hatters slip to Dunstable defeat

Beds Premier Cup Final

Dunstable Town 1 Luton Town 0

A YOUTHFUL Hatters side suffered defeat in their Beds Premier Cup Final clash with Dunstable Town in front of onlooking boss Paul Buckle tonight, writes Mike Simmonds.

Barring goalkeeper Dean Brill, recent signing Matt Robinson and attacker Dan Walker, Town used their development squad for the match, although the likes of Brett Longden, Jake Woolley, Alasan Ann, Charlie Smith and Jerry Nash have all featured for the first team.

The hosts were at full strength as Damon Pickering came closest early when his header was hooked off the line, while Smith sent a free kick over for Luton.

Dunstable had the first real sighter when Lee Roache volleyed goalwards, but it flew just wide of the post.

Blues had an even better opportunity when Roache broke down the left and his cross was turned wide by Nathan Frater, who although under pressure, should have rippled the net.

Town struggled to get to grips with their physical Molten Spartan SML Premier Division opponents at times, but did enjoy a spell of pressure as Smith shot tamely at the keeper.

Hatters were responsible for the best move though as Leeroy Maguraushe displayed sublime vision to pick out Jerome Jibodu and his cross was flicked narrowly wide by the lively Jake Woolley.

In Roache, Dunstable had the player of the half as he showed the kind of tricks and skill that saw him earn a pro contract at Barnet in his earlier days.

He forced Brill into another routine save, but offered plenty to enthuse the 394 in attendance.

Luton had another chance when Woolley won possession in a dangerous area, but with Ann screaming for the ball, fed Walker who blasted high and wide.

The second period struggled to get going early on, although Ann nodded Smith’s penetrating delivery off target.

On 59 minutes the only goal of the game arrived though as Roache escaped on the right and his shot from an acute angle was parried up but not away by Brill, who could then only watch the ball loop over his head and drop into the far corner.

Town tried to hit back as the previously quiet Ann began to take the game by the scruff of its neck.

First he delivered a wicked cross that just kicked off the turf as Woolley was waiting to pounce, before another ball across the box marginally evaded Walker.

The striker sent over another fine delivery on 70 minutes, before surprisingly dropping back into central defence, as substitute Nick Burtenshaw stuck a leg out but could only divert the ball over the bar from a matter of yards.

Blues still had the occasional offering upfront as Tony Burnett’s low shot hit Robinson and flew inches wide.

Arel Amu replaced Jerry Nash and sent a shot into Jack Smith’s midriff, while Tinashe Chabata threw himself a late corner only to connect with thin air as Blues were able to weather the storm, and hold on for a first piece of silverware this season.

Dunstable Town: Jack Smith, Damon Pickering, Daniel Mead, Shane Wood, Lucas Flood, Moses Olaye, Graeme Buchanan, Jonathan Cooper, Lee Roache, Nathan Frater, Tony Burnett.

Subs: Jonathan Barnett, Mark Boyce, Gorge Brinkman, Warren Plowright, Graeme Buchanan.

Hatters: Dean Brill, Brett Longden, Jerome Jibodu, Jerry Nash (Arel Amu 78), Matt Robinson, Tinashe Chabata, Charlie Smith, Leeroy Maguraushe (Nick Burtenshaw 46), Dan Walker, Alasan Ann, Jake Woolley.

Subs not used: Zane Banton, Ian Rees, Lewis Kidd

Attendance: 394.

For all the latest Luton Town FC news, reports, stats, player profiles, live match updates, prediction table and a complete fixture list, visit our Hatters Microsite.

Related topics: