Watford V Luton

The long awaited chance to atone for a rare derby defeat in January, came and went wiithout too much excitement or fuss.

Luton's team sheet contained the surprise that Chris Coyne was missing but Russ Perrett, once again gave a very good performance.

Brkovic and Feeney came in at the expense of Morgan and Vine.

Luton matched their lofty rivals for the vast majority of the match and bettered them for much of it. However, it always felt like a draw even from the kick-off.

Arguably, Watford were marginally the better side in the first half and a shot by Chris Eagles almost gave Luton the start they did not want but Beresford saved well.

Brkovic had a great chance to open thescoring after 9 minutes but miskicked and the chance was lost.

No quarter asked or given, both sides defended quite well and tackles were of the local derby variety, but Premier division referee Mike Dean did well to let them get on with it. However, eventually he had to get involved and a few yellow cards were shown.

Thiongs looked a bit bleak when Sol Davis pulled a thigh muscle early on but Leon Barnett did well as a substitute left back.

Feeney, who desperately needs a goal, missed another good opportunity and a quick fire shot from Robinson around the half hour mark looked goal bound before taking a deflection, but it was the home side who broke the deadlock.

A deft chip over the head of Foley left hot shot Marlon King in space and as Beresford was exposed and did not know whether to come out or stay put, he did neither and was delightfully chipped by King.

KIng had the next best opportunity of the match and Beresford made a superb save to deny him.

Luton came out for the second half and almost had the perfect start. Watford failed to clear a corner and an unlikley volley from Barnett had to be beaten away by the desperate Foster.

Luton were much better in the second half and good work from Howard saw his shot blocked but as the ball bounced to Robinson it looked for all the world a goal was about to be scored, but he shot straghit at the Watford keeper.

Luton didn't have long to wait and in the 73rd minutes, a speciality long throw down the left by Carlos Edwards was headed on by Russ Perrett wrong-footing the entire defence and leaving Brkovic unmarked at the far post 7 yards out. He made no mistake and the game was tied at 1-1.

Luton might have scored again when Edwards drove wide and Watford thought they had won it when Malky McKay headed home from an offside position but fortunately the Assistant Referee was on the ball to rule it out.

As Luton once again strove for the winner, it was Watford, on the break,in time added on, who should have wrapped it up. Marlon King who it has to be said, (choke!) was the best player on view, struck a glorious drive golwards, but our own Marlon, Beresford that is, made probably as good a save as he has made all season to preserve parity.

In the end, although both managers felt their sides should have won it, a draw was the fair result.

:-(

Marlon King - Watford: so mobile and full of pace, and he gets a shot away so quickly. Great goal and kept Lutons right flank defenders busy enough to prevent them coming forward as often as usual.

Next Match: Luton v Coventry City Sat 15 April 2006 3 PM

Return of the Little Sheff.

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