Grays Athletic (Home) (FA Cup)

SO THE FA Cup was here and we were in the 4th Qualifying Round! A home draw with Grays Athletic and I have to be honest it did not fill me with the excitement the league fixtures have done so far this season. In all honesty, part of me thinks that although a good cup run in this competition would be great for fans and players alike, it would it distract us from the league. I mean I would rather go up this year than get to the Third Round of the FA Cup and get beaten by some Championship team.

The Matchday Programme (priced at £3.00)

I had stayed at James’ the night before the match so had loads of time to get to the ground and soak up some FA Cup magic!

We arrived in Luton at about half one and went to the “Whitehouse” for a few pre-match drinks. Literally as soon as we headed to the bar my initial thoughts were, “God its quiet in here”. I put this down to the fact that for many fans the result of this game was not so important and maybe they would just go straight to the match rather than soak up some pre-match atmosphere.

We headed to the ground at about half two. At this point I had only just remembered that we would not be sitting in our usual seats. Instead, we would be in the ‘Kenilworth Road’ end behind the goal. I was quite excited about this as bizarrely I have never sat in this stand in all of the Luton Town matches I’ve ever been to (Don’t really know why, just pot luck I guess). We arrived at the ground and did our usual routine of getting the programmes and then some food. It might just be me but after the debacle of the mouldy burger bun earlier in the season, the burgers seem to have improved greatly. I was impressed (small things please small minds!).

With about 5 mins to kick-off, we realised that our initial fears of the attendance being very low were going to become a reality. It was quite disheartening to see such a small crowd.

I was pleasantly surprised at the team Alan Neilson and Kevin Watson had put out, although Pilks in the centre of midfield was a surprise.

We took the lead courtesy of a scrambled Shane Blackett effort from a corner and doubled our advantage through an own goal shortly before the break. A comfortable win was sealed in the second-half thanks to a strike from the edge of the area by Asa Hall. We also saw the debut of young winger Taylor Nathaniel in the second-half – hopefully another talented player to emerge through the Kenilworth Road ranks.

The 3-0 result was very impressive, especially with so many first-team players out. Asa Hall was particularly impressive, as was Jake Howells. With four wins and one draw in Neilson and Watson’s five games in charge, it has been a very good turn around from 5 weeks ago.

I do believe that the recent results have given 2020 a big headache. If a new manager comes in and doesn’t start well then we will all ask why Neilson and Watson were not given a chance. Likewise, if Neilson and Watson are given the job and start their permanent reign badly, fans are likely to moan that we should have bought in someone with more experience. So whoever comes in has to hit the ground running in my opinion.

So a First Round tie against Rochdale at Kenilworth Road awaits and to be honest I am not too sure what to expect. We basically have the same team from last year and if we were in the league above I feel we would be expected to beat them. But, alas, we are in the Conference and are the “Under Dogs” so it should be a good game.

Anyway, back to the league on Saturday with Rushden & Diamonds at home. Hopefully another three points, whoever is in charge, and we can slowly start clawing back some points on the top two.

COME ON YOU HATTERS!

Batesy