Hartlepool v Luton

[Wimbo]

Off to Hartlepool via Whitby early Monday so starting the match thread early.
I must admit, Hartlepool is a good pace to visit although unfortunately such a long haul especially for a Tuesday evening game; never mind.
Let's hope that we manage another victory there to go with the wins we have had in each of the last two seasons.
Rat Race before the game, can't be bad!

[Wimbo]

First thoughts siting down over a pint are more toward are more positive than negative.
In the first half we had stacks of possession but sadly not s shot on goal. Hartlepool, in the first half, although not dominating, played some decent passing football and rather fortunately for them in my view, took the lead with a few seconds on the first half remaining.
The second half and an early Pools red card just upped the constant pressure from the Hatters and at last chances were being created and finally captain Sheehan scored with a cracking free kick: more chances followed but we settle for a point.
Travelling back on Wednesday and I will do some more detailed notes later.
The young lads by the way, played well .

[shatter2]

Second in the league, sounds like 2 points dropped. But after twenty minutes on Saturday v Donny I will settle for that, bring on Cheltenham! COYH

[Wimbo]

Back home now and just put a match report on: whittlerhatter.weebly.com

[8two]

just a thought to possibly getting a few more on here, why not post a link on 'whittle', you may even get some 'Outlaws'.

[Wimbo]

Good suggestion Dave: what I may do is to include on the Whittler navigation bar a list of Luton football chat sites. As I see it apart from facebook, we only have:
Outlaws
262
and the ltfcfool
Have I missed any?

Any other have any thoughts?

[Wimbo]

Match notes as per on the Whittler:
As we were playing another local Tuesday evening away game, I took the opportunity to have a few days up north in Robin Hoods Bay and Whitby before heading to the always friendly Hartlepool. As a gesture to bring us a touch of luck I lobbed a quid into the bowl held by that persecuted monkey that sits on the sea gates at Hartlepool Marina. Maybe I was being a bit tight fisted and should have made in a couple of quid but there you go!

Pre-match was the same venue as it has been for our three L2 visits to Hartlepool, the superb and oh so very different Rat Race Ale House; just love it. If you have not been there before and like your real ale, then this is a must for you to visit if you are in the area.

I should say that pre-match a few of us were speculating about the makeup of our back four for the game; if Sheehan was not fit due to his head injury then who would play alongside Mullins: would it be Musonda or Famewo? What a surprise when the team sheet came out with no Mullins and a centre-back pairing of Famewo and Mullins. I must admit I was not unduly worried as I have seen Famewo play a few times in youth and friendly games and he is a real talent. Other changes were the inclusion of Gray and Gilliead.

Catching up on Nathans post match interview it seems that Mullins has a hamstring issue. Jones also commented that the starting eleven, average age 21, was the youngest ever fielded in Luton’s long league history: brave or what!

Hartlepool started well and were playing the ball effectively on the deck but without really troubling our defence in which debut boy Famewo looked totally at home; what a fine prospect he is. His young buddy, Justin, who is vastly more experienced than Famewo having two first-team starts behind him, Villa and Donny, again looked so comfortable at right back.

I would say that in the first half, especially as the half progressed, we really took control of the game and were very nicely tapping the ball around but unfortunately despite all that possession, not really creating much for Marriott to latch onto. Also, I have to admit I was getting a touch frustrated with Olly Lee whose normally strong part of his game, passing the ball, seemed to fall apart for a period in the first half. Indeed it was Lee who gave the ball away a touch needlessly lost possession on our left for the move that led to Pools gaol a few seconds before the break.

In the second half, we did have one near miss which ended with a Pools shot hitting the post but really that was about it in terms of close call on the Town goal especially after Featherstone got a red for an ill-timed high tackle on Lee. The tackle did two things, firstly giving us a man advantage and then secondly waking up sleepy Olly who played much better from that point onwards.

The remainder of the game was really all Luton with masses of possession against a retreating Hartlepool whose tactic was to hold on to the lead and try to hit us on the break; can’t blame them for that.

We now started to really create some openings but frustratingly the clock ticked on and on yet despite chances, no goal. Then a foul just outside the area as Gilliead was felled, I do like that guy, up steps captain Sheehan to send a super left-footed free kick into the net. Brilliant stuff; would we be able to crack on for the winner or would we be caught on the break Stevenage style?

Well despite a few really close calls on the Hartlepool goal we just could not force that winner; on the night I was happy enough to take the point from the home of our gracious hosts. Overall I feel we played very well in a team that is young and still forming both as a unit and as individuals. I doubt that anybody could claim that they were not entertained last night and it was more of a match to remember than one to forget.

Nice Note:
As we neared the end of the game the PA announcer gave the attendance followed by informing the listeners that 311 Luton fans had made the long trip up to follow their side. The entire three sides of the ground occupied by Hartlepool supporters gave very generous applause; such a classy touch that shows the nicer side of being a supporter. The Pools supporters have Middlesbrough, Sunderland and Newcastle all very close by yet stay true and loyal to their town club: marvellous, true supporters in my view and a town that I love to visit for a game of football.

A few thoughts on individual performances:
Walton: I am getting to like this commanding keeper the more I see him. Originally described as a young Joe Hart but I reckon I would rather have Christian than Joe as our keeper; I never really rated Hart that highly; let's tell Brighton that Walton is struggling and keep him!
Justin: Quality defending and simply looks like he has been playing in the team a lot longer that he actually has. Always looking to make himself available in order to start a move and go forward. If I am being picky, he did over-hit his crosses a touch; can’t really see SOD getting back whilst Justin remains fit.
Potts: keeps improving as a defensive full back; no issues there. I still doubts that good player as he is, he is yet to develop into a true wing back: reverse gear is still in use I am afraid. Harsh on the good young defender; sorry!
Famewo: an incredibly assured and confident league debut from this 17-year-old. He attacks the ball well and just like his youth team colleague Justin, always makes himself available to take part in play. A lad with a really big future and hopefully at our club
Sheehan: played like a leader and to me there seems to be more to Sheehan than just a defender. Created lots down the left in the second half and scored with a cracking free kick. Others have mentioned this ahead of me but considering Sheehan’s tackling ability and his ability to make a pass, would he be a better bet then Olly Lee in front of the back four?
Lee: I felt Lee simply gave the ball away too cheaply in the first half and much of that was self-inflected as he made so many over hit passes in the first half. He also gave the ball away in the play that led to Hartlepool’s goal. Thankfully, Lee did improve in the second half.
McGeehan: I thought he had a decent game and was involved in lots of what was going on; still feel he could move up a gear or two.
Gray: played well and got all over the midfield supporting colleagues; I like having this guy in the team.
Gilliead: lovely ball control and for much of the game looked to be our most creative player; I was a touch surprised when he was subbed but he may have been tiring.
Pelly: played most of the game in a much more forward role than usual and with his pace and power he did well. With a touch more luck, he could have given us the lead in the first half with a shot on goal and also had a shot deflected onto the post in the second half.
Marriott: Not much service to Jack in the first half despite our territorial domination. He got much more of the ball in the second half and another night our Jack could have had a couple of goals.
Subs:
Vassell: lots of energy and I reckon that after a goal or two to give him confidence that he can make the grade, he will do well.
Cook: lots of space for him to operate in and almost scored the winner with a great shot and decent save by the keeper.
Teams:
Luton: Walton, Justin, Potts, Famewo, Sheehan , Lee, Gray (Vassell 65), McGeehan, Gilliead (Cook 80), Pelly, Marriott.
Subs not used: O’Donnell, King, Smith, King, Musonda
Hartlepool: Carson, Richards, Nsiala, Donnelly, Carroll, Featherstone, Laurent, Hawkins, Alessandra (Deverdics 73), Amond (Heardman 84), Thomas (Fewster 87).
Cards: Yellows for Gilliead and Famewo: no card for Hylton as he behaved himself sitting in the stand.
Red: Pools Featherstone for flattening Lee with a high kick.
To be fair, a competitive but never dirty game.