Luton beat neighbours

Drew Talbot secured a win for the Hatters ten minutes from time after going in 1 down at half time.

In temperatures approaching 80 degrees at Broadhall Way, Kevin Blackwell fielded a strong line up but saw his side find themselves behind to a Stuart Lewis goal.

Luton began with:

DeanBrill

Kevin Foley

Keith Keane

Alan Goodall

Matthew Spring

Darren Currie

David Bell

Dave Edwards

Sam Parkin

Paul Peschisolido

No news as to why Coyne was absent, otherwise this looks like the first choice starting 11 as it is otherwise identical to the Rushden game.

Luton's first half performance was somewhat laboured and Stevenage were worth their slender half time lead.

However, a different attitude was noticeable in the Hatters in the second half.

They competed for the ball with more intent and always looked like taking over the game.

Craig Dobson had an early chance for Stevenage causing Brill to punch his shot clear. Currie found Parkin with a perfectly weighted cross but the referee didn't like the Town striker's jump.

After a quarter of an hour, Bell picked up a knock in a rare 'meaty' tackle and Morgan came on for him, and the game became very similar to the Oxford match with many players going through the motions but not overly concerned about the outcome.

Around the half hour mark Tesafaye bramble robbed Edwards and almost scored a 'goal of the month candidate when he saw Brill wandering off his line and all but lobbed him, with Brill breathing a sigh of relief when it landed on the crossbar and not in the net.

Brill must have still been contemplating that let off a minute later when Stuart Lewis hit a hopeful drive from way outside the penalty area which the keeper looked to have covered but allowed the ball to slip past him. Murmurs from the Luton fans about lack of strength in the goalkeeping position ensued!

Steve Robison came on for Dean Morgan about 7 minutes before the break. It was unclear as to the reason for subbing the sub, as he couldn't have been on for more than 20 minutes and didn't seem to be injured. Mind you he didn't seem to be getting into the game either.

neither side looked to have the guile or intent to forge another goal before half time

Luton looked a lot more interested after the break and passed the ball ariound keeping possession. After five minutes hit a cracking shot from distance which did not miss by many inches with the home keeper scurrying.

Stevenage were not totally out of it and Steve Morison showed why many Town fans would like to see him at Luton with a perfect pass for Dobson who met it in his run and somehow managed to control it then lift it over the bar.

Luton had looked likely to equalise and soon afterwards, Spring found Parkin with a nice through ball and Parkin's shot was very well saved by Julian but he could not hold it and Peschisolido had the easiest of jobs to slip in the loose ball.

Stevenage almost responded perfectly when bramble headed home from a good cross by Dobson but he clearly fouled a Luton defender.

Springy almost treated us to one of his specials which had been set up for him but he was off target, but in the end the goal did come and it was Talbot who made Blackwell's job a little harder for team selection next week, having replaced Pesch with 15 minutes to go.

Foley found Talbot's run to the right and the Ginger ninja collected it beat one defnder with a deft turn and nutmegged another before sliding the ball into the corner of the net.

Stevenage tried to get some reward from teh game but Furlong, on for Parkin, hooked a goal bound header (by Hakim?) away to safety as the clock ran down.

It was another of those hit and miss friendlies which gave little real insight into what to expwect once the season starts, but there were some slick passing movements by Luton and the overall feel of their play in the friendlies has been similar to the football style that they played under Newell.