The second clash of the season against Cambridge United was as lively an affair as the first and a frantic second-half that yielded four goals eventually felt like a defeat as the U’s fought back from 0-2 down to snatch a point with a last-gasp equaliser.
Although the eventual result was disappointing and left us ‘gutted’ at the end, we personally had a cracking day. With our friend Mendel back from Afghanistan for a two-week ‘rest and relaxation’ period before he sets off back out there until next April, we took the opportunity to get an executive box for the game. Knowing Mendel was back, it made sense to do it and we thought it would be a nice surprise for him and make the day that extra bit special.
The Matchday Programme (priced at £3.00)
Mendel and his girlfriend, Claire, arrived at my house at 12.30pm as we planned to get into the executive box bar for 1pm. However, Batesy and his fiancée, Sarah, were stuck in traffic on their way from Chelmsford and, as we were all jumping in their car so we could have a drink or two, we had to wait for them! We arrived in Luton at 1.35pm, parking in our reserved space in the executive boxes car park in Kenilworth Road and then making the short walk up to the executive box entrance in the wind and rain.
We headed straight for the bar and had a few drinks each whilst the Liverpool v Manchester City game was played on the large screens. Mendel’s girlfriend Claire was looking forward to seeing the match as she had never been to a live football game of any sorts in her life! Sarah, on the other hand, loves her football and has already been to a few Luton matches with us this season.
At this point, I pointed out to Mendel that he was in the programme, which he was very surprised about but seemed really happy and grateful for. At this point, I would like to thank the club, particularly Stephen Browne and Andrew Barringer for putting the message and photograph into the programme at such short notice. It really did mean a lot and just made the day that little bit more special and personal, especially to Mendel. I know the prospect of spending Christmas and the next five months in Afghanistan isn’t particularly appealing for him so it was great that he could see we cared and that the team he supports had made such an effort. So, once again, a big thank you to Luton Town Football Club. This is exactly why we support this great club – could you see Manchester United, for example, making such an effort for one of their troops?
Mendel in the Programme
We headed for our box at about 2.50pm (with drinks in hand!) and were told by a steward that we had to “put the blind down” because we were drinking alcohol (not quite sure why?).
The first-half performance was nothing to write home about, but we started the second-half very brightly indeed. In fact, for the first half an hour or so of the second period we dominated the game and scored twice, firstly through a fine finish from Claude Gnakpa and then a superb strike from long distance by Tom Craddock. How he needed that!
However, we then pressed the self destruct button (again) and just minutes after going 2-0 in front, we allowed Cambridge substitute Danny Crow to pull a goal back with nine minutes left. Fred Murray, against his former club, then conceded a penalty. Needless to say it caused some angry scenes both on and off the pitch and in executive box number 1 the Hatters fans were subjected to some chanting from the travelling Cambridge fans. However, the Luton boys in box 1 had the last laugh as Kevin Pilkington saved the penalty from U’s top scorer Chris Holroyd.
Amazingly though, two minutes into injury-time, Murray headed a free-kick back against his own post and, with a U’s player following in at an angle, Kevin Nicholls stupidly took away his legs and conceded a second penalty. Cue at this point more mad scenes in the away end, aimed especially at box number 1. This time Crow stepped up and he sent Pilkington the wrong way to make it 2-2.
The final whistle blew soon after and we left the ground absolutely gutted and feeling like we had lost the match. Certainly two points dropped.
The performance had been much better though and the signs were encouraging. However, I can’t help thinking that we aren’t going to win this league when we are conceding 2-0 leads at home (talk about state the obvious James!).
At the end of the game, Mendel’s girlfriend, Claire, said she enjoyed it so much she would like to come to Mansfield Town on the Tuesday night, so maybe we have made a new Hatters fan!
James
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- The Matchday Programme (priced at £3.00)
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- Mendel in the Programme
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