Luton Town v York City 10/10

[Kenneth E End]

Old adversaries from non league collide again tomorrow with the affair set to be a lot less controversial and intense than previous meetings. Being 150 miles between the two clubs, the rivalry and bitterness between the clubs in recent years would surprise many, but a run of coincidences and possibly fate made a number of games tough affairs on and off the pitch.

The catalyst was an unsavoury incident after the second leg of the play off semi final in 2010. Richard Brodie was on fire that season; he enjoyed rubbing his victim's noses in it. On this occasion he had a dig at a ball boy to really fire the crowd up, who's team were already chasing the game. But that was no excuse for what followed. Around 200 Luton fans invaded the pitch and marched towards the visiting supporters. A number of missiles were thrown at supporters and players, who had to duck for cover in a small medical room near to the pitch.

The next season, 6000 home supporters and 200 hardy souls from York travelled to Kenilworth Road despite a blizzard being forecast. Many wouldn't have been surprised if the game had been postponed or abandoned right at the start, with snow already falling. Half time came and the snow increasingly causing problems on the pitch. Sensibly, the game was abandoned 10 minutes into the second half and fans were able to make treacherous trips home. What happened next was a bitter dispute between the two boardrooms; the visitors making the case that any replayed trip should be treated like a cup tie despite it being a home League game for Luton, who wanted to give ST holders admission for free. Luton won the 'replay' 5-0.

The next season, the two sides collided in a Wembley play off final. The two sides had 'kissed and made up'. The boardrooms could do nothing about a decision that occurred at the start of the second half. Matty Blair wrongly allowed through to tap in a winner, despite being a clear yard offside, although many Luton supporters myself included had no idea until the train journey home what happened.

Anyway, that is bygones being bygones.

Luton come off an excellent run of form having won the last 4 League games in the process being top scorers, whereas the visitors having won only 1 in their last 8 in the division. The home side have a woeful recent record against the Minstermen, having only won once in 13 games since 2009 - and that 5-0 game above was after York had Michael Ingham sent off with no keeper on the bench.

The home side have a number of injury concerns, notably Craig Mackail-Smith who came off injured against Hartlepool last week. Top scorer Jack Marriott will deputise up front.

 

[JSMITH083]

a remarkably thorough write up, let me respond:

you will win, we will lose, i won't go.

 

[Judge Dredd]

I think it was more than just the Brodie thing that triggered those embarrassing scenes. There was a fair bit of trouble before the game in the first leg so I think some were out looking for it regardless of result in the second game. Mostly though I think it was just an overspill of frustration from the years of shit preceding it. Inexcusable regardless of course.

Apparently we've only beaten York once in the last 15 meetings home and away, and even that one involved them playing with an outfield player in goal for 70+ minutes. Bogey team doesn't begin to cover it so I'm a little cautious even with our good run at present.

I am looking forward to seeing McNulty punt Vadaine Oliver into the stand for basically calling him fat in the press the other day.

 

[djs]

Was that second paragraph REALLY written by a Luton supporter, or was it written by one of the trolls who spend their time stirring despite the results of the investigation into the incident, ALL of which have been discussed at length on this forum (or should I say, the previous version of this forum), and none of which I can be bothered to post YET AGAIN? Look it up.
And as for the emotive language, really......

 

[That Fat Centre Half]

Likewise slightly nervous about this one as York are a proper bogey team for us. Good result for them in the JPT as well so they will be confident.

We should win this but it would be a very like us to come off the back of 2 good away wins to a let down at home.

We haven't defended all that well recently but have taken our chances well recently
so I could see a 2-2 draw or something like that happening.

 

[worried womble]

RefWatch; Ref for always entertaining Luton v York game is Darren Handley, 38, a PE teacher from Westhoughton in Bolton. Tough, rugged looking chap. Dad was a ref. Appointed FL ref last season after 6 years in Conference. Teams have met 21 times; Luton won 7, York won 7 & 7 were draws. Of the last 13 games (since '09), York won 7, Luton just 1 (5-0 humping at Kenilworth). Reffed Luton 5 times - all away - (W2-D1-L2). Reffed York 6 times, 5 at Bootham (W3 D2 L1). Complete awayer - home win % is just 25%, lowest ever. In 26 games last season he gave 83 Y & 8 R - high.
AnagramWatch; Darren Handley = Anal Her End Dry.

 

[Kenneth E End]

I am looking forward to seeing McNulty punt Vadaine Oliver into the stand for basically calling him fat in the press the other day.

Vadaine Oliver hasn't achieved anything in his career whereas McNulty has 4 promotions to his name. Seemed to recall he missed a sitter for Lincoln at Kenilworth Road a couple of years ago.

 

[Kenneth E End]

Having won 4 in a row, the team almost picks itself at the moment. Could be the odd change; Guttridge has played twice this week already so may be rested for later matches. Mackail-Smith may play.

Subs: Justham, Potts, Ruddock-Mpanzu, Lawless, O'Brien, Green, Mackail-Smith

 

[Judge Dredd]

Can't see Still resting Guttridge, he took him off at half time on Tuesday to rest him for today so that should be enough. He's second choice to the Derry Pelé at the moment anyway, so he's only got to get through today and then he can rest next week.

I hope CMS is fit but I would guess that he won't be. No need to risk him if it's a marginal call with Marriott in the form he is in at the moment. Seems that he definitely won't start at any rate; if he did (and the rest of the team stayed the same) we'd violate the JPT 6 players rule.

 

[Kenneth E End]

Seems that he definitely won't start at any rate; if he did (and the rest of the team stayed the same) we'd violate the JPT 6 players rule.

Didn't think of that actually - what a ridiculous rule. I'd love the Football League to try and implement this in the League Cup.

 

[That Fat Centre Half]

Didnt mind what Oliver said about McNulty because its factually accurate, if you move him out of a central position and turn him he is vulnerable. Not sure if Oliver is the type of player to do that though.

Thought it was odd he said "Its a big pitch" though. It really isn't, its one of the smallest and quite significantly smaller than the Bootham Crescent pitch he is used too.

Think the team Kenny has posted will be the one, as an aside is anyone else quite disappointed with Danny Green? I really thought he would be a key player for us this season but we're preferring a forward in McQuoid and a centre mid in McGeehan in wide areas so far.

 

[JSMITH083]

Didnt mind what Oliver said about McNulty because its factually accurate, if you move him out of a central position and turn him he is vulnerable. Not sure if Oliver is the type of player to do that though.

Thought it was odd he said "Its a big pitch" though. It really isn't, its one of the smallest and quite significantly smaller than the Bootham Crescent pitch he is used too.

Think the team Kenny has posted will be the one, as an aside is anyone else quite disappointed with Danny Green? I really thought he would be a key player for us this season but we're preferring a forward in McQuoid and a centre mid in McGeehan in wide areas so far.

regards to the size of the pitch, ours has been narrowed somewhat from last year due to Wilcox's negative mindset. regards to Oliver not being/being the man to drag McNulty out wide, he did a good job of it with Donny players in the week, he is more mobile than he is given credit for.

Not going today due to being on a self imposed exile to avoid abusing Wilcox, will be listening intently, praying for points we need/a heavy defeat which will push Wilcox through the door

 

[Judge Dredd]

Didnt mind what Oliver said about McNulty because its factually accurate, if you move him out of a central position and turn him he is vulnerable. Not sure if Oliver is the type of player to do that though.

Thought it was odd he said "Its a big pitch" though. It really isn't, its one of the smallest and quite significantly smaller than the Bootham Crescent pitch he is used too.

Think the team Kenny has posted will be the one, as an aside is anyone else quite disappointed with Danny Green? I really thought he would be a key player for us this season but we're preferring a forward in McQuoid and a centre mid in McGeehan in wide areas so far.

Early days yet of course, but thus far Green has been the most underwhelming "big name" signing this side of Jon Shaw. Hopefully more to come, you can see he has quality but I'm not sure about his mentality.

 

[Judge Dredd]

Well didn't see that change coming, Potts in for Griffiths and CMS starts. Interested to see more of Potts, he must have quality to be at a Prem club for so long.

 

[Urban]

Luton fans in acting like scummers shock.

 

[Judge Dredd]

Urban in Luton-based chip on shoulder shock

 

[That Fat Centre Half]

Missing McCourt quite badly here, lots of possession but nobody able to provide a decent final ball. We then poorly defend a set piece and find ourselves 1-0 down to a side who look like they had set up for a point.

In for a very frustrating second half I feel.

 

[Judge Dredd]

We seemed to weaken as the game went on somehow, York went from a team who were clearly happy with a point to the ones looking most like winning it after we equalised.

Very strange subs from Still today. We didn't do nearly enough to win the game, keeper made 1 save from a corner and we scored a penalty. No threat from open play whatsoever.

 

[Duffy]

There seems to be a level of outrage at the Luton penalty.

 

[Judge Dredd]

Looked a stone waller on first viewing from where I was sat, didn't see too many complaints from the York players either. I'll wait to see it again though.

 

[That Fat Centre Half]

Just didnt do nearly enough to win the game, pretty disappointing how we didnt really react after the penalty just carried on in the same insipid fashion really. Really thought we would push on from there but we didnt and in fact York ended the game the stronger of the two. For some reason we just didnt support Marriott and resorted to the aimless hoofs that we normally do at 1-0 up and trying to see it out, the Guttridge/Doyle substituion epitomised this. At home it just didnt appear to be clicking and although we knock it around fairly well at times that final bit always seems to catch us out and our only goal threats are penalties and set pieces.

We needed some width but we kept forcing everything through the middle which was so tightly packed it needed far more intricate play than we are capable of to break down. Mentioned it above but felt we needed some proper wingers today rather than a centre midfielder and a striker. Both incessantly came inside which just packed everything in a tight area. Think Green/Hall might be a bit miffed that we elected to go 352, a formation which has really never worked for us, to provide that width through wingbacks rather than them getting a crack at it in the 4231 which has been fruitful of late. Especially as at the end it was more 361 given the lack of support for Marriott!

The York manager was very angry about the pen, it did look like one to me but was other side of the pitch so perhaps he saw something different? None of the York players seems upset though which but Wilcox was still ranting about it down the tunnel.

Not a terrible result by any means but does feel like the momentum has been lost a little after 2 very good away wins.

 

[Kenneth E End]

The Luton penalty, was a penalty, although I think (like all players) he was certainly 'looking for it'.

However, York should've had even more of a blatant penalty in the first half. McNulty was caught out by Oliver, missed the ball and wrapped his legs around him. The referee was less than 10 yards away and was quite bold with his decision. York were 1-0 up at the time too just before half time.

I think we did well in the first half, up to the 18 yard box where every single time the final ball was lacking. The possession was all ours and somehow found ourselves behind. The complete opposite happened in the second half and Luton themselves scored against the run of play.

 

[Kenneth E End]

Luton fans in acting like scummers shock.

Err how so?

 

[Judge Dredd]

http://www.hattersnews.co.uk/LTFC.php?ID=6420

Looks a foul there, crap angle though.

 

[TheMinsterman]

Wilcox being livid is probably more to do with the fact he's on borrowed time than its validity I suspect.

 

[Judge Dredd]

http://www.hattersnews.co.uk/LTFC.php?ID=6425

A bit on the soft side perhaps, but anywhere else on the pitch and it's given as a foul 10 times out of 10 so no real grounds for complaint IMHO.

 

[Duffy]

http://www.hattersnews.co.uk/LTFC.php?ID=6425

A bit on the soft side perhaps, but anywhere else on the pitch and it's given as a foul 10 times out of 10 so no real grounds for complaint IMHO.

Really, I think that's a shocking decision. It's not even a foul, the Luton player was looking for it.

 

[Kenneth E End]

It was soft. However, elsewhere on the pitch the referee was happy to blow up for it. There was an incident at both ends in the second half, where York City players were "fouled" in the same way, in the eyes of the referee, yet both assistants who were a matter of 5 yards away from each incident, were motionless.

As I say, it was a bold decision. York should've had a penalty to go into the break 2-0 ahead - absolutely. However, the number of stonewall penalties that were turned down last season for us was verging on the ridiculous.

 

[That Fat Centre Half]

Yeah that penalty is a lot more soft than it looked in real time, fromy angle anyways. Can see why York might be feeling a bit hard done there really.

To be fair to the ref he was fairly consistent with fouls like that throughout, gave some both for and against Marriott just after this, but yeah, pretty soft.

 

[djs]

Agree that it was very soft, we all said so at the time. But, there is a picture on the Luton site that shows the defender pulling Potts right arm with two hands - technically then you could argue that it was a penalty (although certainly not enough of a foul to knock him over). But if all similar instances were penalised you would get dozens of penalties every game, and that's just against Wilkinson!
I also agree that York should have had a penalty in the first half for the scissor tackle, again we all said so at the time.