2009 November 06 « Lutonfc.com – Batesy and James' Blue Square Premier Adventure

The Matchday Programme (priced at £3.00)

Luton Town v Rushden & Diamonds THE last match under the leadership of Alan Neilson and Kevin Watson ended in another new low as Rushden & Diamonds inflicted a home defeat on the Hatters in a dire afternoon at Kenilworth Road.

We have now lost at home to local ‘rivals’ Stevenage Borough and Rushden & Diamonds this season – and the worst thing was that Rushden deserved their victory on their second-half performance.

Batesy and I left Stevenage at about 1.20pm, heading for “The Castle” pub at about 2pm, which we thought would make a change from our regular watering hole, “The Whitehouse”. After a couple of swift pints, we made our way to the ground. Batesy bought an old Luton shirt for £5 from outside the club shop to add to his collection of Hatters shirts (geek) and then we made our way through the turnstiles. Just as I was plucking my £3 from my pocket, we noticed there were no programme sellers so we couldn’t get a programme, which was annoying as we’re trying to collect them all from this season.

We purchased a couple of burgers and then made our way to our seats, sitting down just before kick-off (why do we keep leaving it so late before we get into the ground?) in anticipation for a home win. Oh dear.

Luton Town Fans in the 'Kenilworth Road' end

We started well enough and Tom Craddock had two glorious chances to give us the lead. On the first occasion he fired against the post when put clean through by Kevin Nicholls. On the second occasion, he saw his shot saved by ex-Hatter Nathan Abbey. He really should have netted one (if not both) of the opportunities. Batesy is beginning to lose his patience with Craddock and doesn’t think he will get enough goals to earn us promotion. I have been sticking up for him, but have to say I am leaning towards agreeing with him given the number of chances he is missing. I really thought this season that he was going to walk all over this league, but it is just not happening and I am not sure how much longer it can continue before I have to just say he is not good enough. Obviously I am desperate for him to come good, but every week I think, “Craddock will do it today” and he never does.

He also had two goals disallowed, the first a tap-in that was given as offside against him, and the second a thumping finish that, to be fair, was a fantastic strike but the whistle had already blown.

There was no sign of new manager Richard Money or new chief scout Gary Brabin in the dugout, it was left to Neilson and Watson to lead the team for this final time before Money takes over for the Rochdale FA Cup clash next Saturday.

I fully expected us to come out and get the win in the second-half but we were woeful – I can’t even remember us having a shot in the second 45 minutes. Rushden controlled the game and passed the ball better. In short, they looked like they wanted it more.

They took the lead in the 84th minute. Kevin Nicholls, who was well below his best again, made the vital mistake. When we should have been attacking the visitors goal, we dallied around with the ball at the back and a square pass to Nicholls on the halfway line saw the Hatters skipper slip over as he attempted to control the ball. He desperately tried to kick the ball forwards, but could only contrive to kick it into the shin of the impressive Lee Tomlin, who then ran at the Luton defence at pace. He then fired the ball past Tyler from the left corner of the penalty box with a fine finish. It was no more than they deserved to be honest.

The 402 Rushden & Diamonds Fans in the 'Oak Road' end

As we chased the game looking for an equaliser (without ever threatening to actually get one), Rushden sealed their win in stoppage-time as a ball through left Mark Byrne clear on goal and he chipped the ball over Tyler and it rolled into the net and was the cue for a mass exodus of Hatters fans, all of whom were, like Batesy and I, grumbling as they walked out of Kenilworth Road.

And so another home defeat against a local ‘rival’. The reign of Richard Money now starts. Please, just please let it be better than the last few years.

We face Rochdale of League Two on Saturday in the FA Cup First Round. They are 2nd in League Two and won 4-0 at Bournemouth on Saturday (and Bournemouth are top)! I really never thought I’d see the day when we were the underdogs at home to Rochdale! I am just desperate for us to get to the Third Round so we can hopefully get a decent away trip like Manchester United or Chelsea. Or maybe even Watford!

Richard Money and Gary Brabin are saying we can win the league still, but after Saturday, we’re 11 points behind Oxford United and we’ve played the same games. I just can’t see Oxford blowing it, although they do have to come to us yet.

According to the Walsall fans, they have said to expect under Money a lot of tight games, lots of 0-0 draws and 1-0 wins, he doesn’t give a lot away. They said “Don’t expect free flowing football and expect 1 up front with a 5-man midfield, but what you can expect is a man who loves to give youth a chance, and who is absolutely meticulous and methodical in his approach and you will get a side that is extremely well organised and gets results. It probably won’t be pretty, but you’ll get results and I would be amazed if he doesn’tg get you up this season.” I for one will take that!

Keep the faith.

James