Leighton Town VS Luton Town 7:45 Kick-Off
Luton Town‘s development team was defeated by Leighton Town this evening in the second round of the Bedfordshire Senior Cup. The young Hatters travelled to Bell Close in Leighton where they were knocked out of the competition during a penalty shootout.
Luton Town’s youngsters looked evenly matched in the first half of the game against non-league SSML Premier Division Leighton, despite the difficult circumstances that the bad weather brought. A chance early on in the third minute saw Luton striker TQ Addy move the ball around three players before his pass into Allen went astray leading into the Leighton goalie’s grasp. Shots in the first ten minutes from both Zack Nelson and Josh Allen were blocked by the tight Leighton defence.
However, Luton’s first dangerous chance came in the twelfth minute of action when Hatters’ midfielder Ed McJannet crossed the ball onto the head of Nelson who hit the post, putting Luton inches away from an opening lead.
A mistake from Corbit at the back in the twenty-eighth minute saw Luton dispossessed as Leighton Town striker Jervon Campbell only had Luton keeper Horlick in front of him to beat, however, he squandered the best chance as of yet, placing his shot wide of the post. Just one minute later, TQ Addy found himself in a similar position but couldn’t follow through as he sent his attempt over the bar.
Ten minutes before half-time, Leighton striker Ashton Campbell went into the referee’s notebook after a late challenge on Corbit. In the final stages of the half, Francis-Clarke gifted the ball to Ashton Campbell in a moment of madness, luckily for Luton, the striker couldn’t finish the chance meaning Luton got off lucky for the second time this half. Another Leighton player picked up a yellow card before the referee signalled for halftime, Towell hacked down Panter in the centre of the park and Luton were awarded a wasted freekick.
Coming out for the second period, there was a recurrence in play after just five minutes played, Luton defender Francis-Clarke gave the ball away to Ashton Campbell again, but with the same outcome, the striker just couldn’t find the back of the net.
Feeling the need for a fresh pair of legs, Leighton made their first substitution in the fifty-fifth minute, Alfie Osborne made way for Leighton substitution George Kerr. Luton did the same momentarily afterwards, Josh Neufville made his Luton return for the first time since May last year, where he experienced an ankle break.
Neufville came on and certainly changed the game, his strength and dominance seemed to wear out the Leighton defenders, his golden chance came in the seventy-fifth minute, where he looked certain to fire the Hatters ahead on his return, but a brilliant last-ditch tackle from Leighton defender Fitzgerald prevented this. The tackle timed to perfection was risky as Fitzgerald was already in the referee’s book and would’ve meant a certain penalty and red card if it went wrong.
Just two minutes later, Corey Panter’s powerful close-range shot was excellently saved by Coulson after Josh Neufville fired a dangerous cross into the box for Panter to strike. Going up the other end, Leighton substitution George Kerr rallied the ball back and forth between his teammates before his effort was saved by Horlick.
Just seven minutes before time, Luton finally managed to break the deadlock, after Neufville successfully made another run into the box, finding the feet of Panter who shifted the ball onto Josh Allen, assisting Tyrelle Newton who slotted the ball into the back of the net, 1-0 Luton.
After finally finding themselves in front, Luton would’ve expected to defend their lead and have put the game to bed, however, this was not the case. In the dying minutes, a threatening ball came across the box from Leighton. Luton keeper Horlick went up in the air to claim the ball and instead punched it, the result being the ball landing at Leighton defender Luke Pyman‘s feet, who passed the ball into the goal, 1-1. Shortly after the restart, the referee signalled for full time, Luton could not find a winner and were forced into a penalty shootout.
Penalties:
Up to the mark first was Luton Town captain Corey Panter. Panter scored his penalty giving Luton an early lead.
1-0 Luton
The first spot kicker for Leighton was Towell. His shot found the back of the net, although Horlick jumped the correct way.
1-1
Josh Allen is next up for Luton Town. He places his penalty over the bar.
1-1
Ashton Campbell who could’ve potentially had a brace during the game is Leighton's next taker. Campbell doesn’t miss this shot though. His goal goes straight down the middle out of Horlick‘s reach.
1-2 Leighton
Luton striker TQ Addy is next in line. He steps up and does the same as his predecessor Allen and puts his penalty over the bar
1-2 Leighton
Can last-minute goal scorer Pyman give Leighton fans another positive to cheer about? Yes, he can, he scores his penalty.
1-3 Leighton
The pressure is on Luton midfielder Conor Lawless as he has to score to keep Luton in the cup. Lawless scores an excellent penalty smashing it into the top corner.
2-3 Leighton
Ross Adams is up for Leighton, if he scores Luton are out of the cup. He scores.
2-4 Leighton
Full Time: 1-1 Penalties- (Leighton 4-2 Luton)
A disappointing result for the Hatters as they are knocked out of the cup, but a good display from many of the Luton youth players as they played a hardworking senior Leighton team, who proved to be more clinical in the shootout.
Attendance- 868
By Jacob Blackwood
My article has featured in the paper today, the cut version for the Luton Today Paper is linked below if you want to read! 👇
https://www.lutontoday.co.uk/sport/football/luton-town/neufville-returns-but-luton-go-out-of-the-beds-senior-cup-after-shoot-out-defeat-to-leighton-3570689
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