Score and Scorers

Starting Line Ups

Luton Town

Wrexham

Substitutes

Luton Town

Yellow and Red Cards

Luton Town

40'

79'

77'

Stat Attack

Luton Town

Other Information

By Alun Thomas, Red Passion Online

Pre-match thoughts? Welcome to the Bronx, aka the area around Kenilworth Road. Last time we were here, we won 4-3 after being three down. A similar outcome today, following Tuesday night’s win at Blackpool, would go a long way towards easing the pain of Yeovil and could set the Wrexham cat loose amongst the pigeons occupying the loftier perches of Division Two.

(Personal note: I first visited this ground in 1977 and it hasn’t visibly improved since then. I was working in Luton at the time and went to an evening game against Blackburn in the old Second Division. Memories of the game are understandably vague, but I do remember Luton winning 2-0 with both goals from one of the ‘orrible ex-Chester Futcher twins (probably Ron).

Another with memories here is officer Dibble, returning to the club for whom be saved a penalty in a Wembley final in 1988 (when he was only 42).

Conditions? A dank, autumnal dog-day.

Sum up the performance in one sentence? In fact the performance probably sums up Wrexham - sublime one half and utterly inept the next.

Turning Point? Without a doubt their first goal, within two minutes of our second gave them hope and undermined our confidence.

Main Incidents and Goals?

0-15 mins: Wrexham were smoothly into their stride, with some confident possession keeping Luton on the back foot. Score 0-0.

15-30 mins: After 19 minutes Hector was played in and his finish was textbook stuff. Score 1-0

30-45 mins: Stout defending as Luton pressed. Last-ditch tackles from Carey and Lawrence. On 43 minutes we were two up with a training ground goal, Ferguson’s corner being headed in at the near post by Desperate Dan. Critically, though, Luton’s last attack of the half produced a deflected goal from Forbes. And sorry Denis, but the sight of a clearly unfit Chris Armstrong lumbering on to replace Llewellyn made my heart sink. He’s not fit and shouldn’t even be in the squad. Half time 2-1.

Fergie has been lucky to stay on the pitch in previous games and now we will be without him for 3 games which is awful

smiffysarmy on the RP Messageboard

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45-60 mins: We metamorphosed from complete control to pub league chaos, and as Luton grew in confidence you could see the goals coming. Robinson (52 mins) and Mansell (59) scored, with Dibble helpless each time and there could have been more. Score 2-3.

60-75 mins: Yet when we reverted to playing football, we immediately created chances. Sam was everywhere and Carlos (should he have gone down?) shot high and wide. Score 2-3

75-90 mins: I saw the Ferguson incident as follows. A Wrexham attack broke up and Darren collided with Luton’s Forbes. No free-kick was given and Darren chose to dive rather than set up an attack. The ref again rightly waved play on and this time there was nothing accidental about the collision Red card for Ferguson - no question. Sam’s late drive brilliantly saved by home keeper Beresfotd. Full-time 2-3.

Opposition and Fans? Luton looked like a beaten side in the first half but were an entirety different proposition in the second 7/10. Litton is a bit like Derby - an old football town, whose fans have known success and who know it will conic again - hence they get behind their team regardless of status and problems. 8/10.

Officials? All three were generally spot-on. 8/10.

Man of the match? I though there were two. Lawrence, who was outstanding when we were on top (and when we weren’t) and Sam, whose regular inclusion is paying dividends.

If you were DS? I’d be extremely worried about our defence. Our forwards have been the subject of concern, but in the second half we were anyhow at the back. Plus -. I’d tell the players that if they could spray 50-yard passes accurately then they’d be playing for Real Madrid. They can’t so cut them out.

Post-match thoughts? My 15-year-old daughter and her first boyfriend were with us today. She - keener on Robbie than Wrexham but comes along sometimes to humour her old Dad. He - not a football fan, never been to a game before. Both claimed to have enjoyed it but on the second half showing it’s difficult to see either clamouring to come to the next eastern region game at Grimsby in December. Me? Erm … I can hardly wait.

Jump To: Match Stats, Match Reports, Detailed Match Reports, Other Match Reports, Press Conference Quotes, Division 2 Results, League Table.

BBCi: Luton Town 3 Wrexham 2 - Minute-by-minute

Ananova: FT- Luton Town 3 Wrexham 2

Denis Smith: “We were two-nil and should have been cruising, but let then straight back in just before half time and then didn’t get started in the second half. A few of the lads were carrying injuries going into the game and then to lose Chris Llewellyn meant we seemed to lose of our energies. This allowed the ball to come back at us a little too easily, but they got their second from a set piece which we had even talked about at the interval, so that’s frustrating. The third was a fluke, a cross that has gone straight in, which doesn’t make you feel particularly good. On top of this we have also had Darren sent off, which from my position looked like a situation that was six of one and half a dozen of the other. We will have to look at the video and if it was warranted then he will be fined, if not, then we will appeal. It’s frustrating all round, as right at the end we looked as those we might even have got something, but Hector Sam was denied by a great save. While I won’t criticise my lads for any lack of commitment or effort, there are times when they have to put their brains into gear. If you ask me whether I thought the result was right over the 90 minutes, then I have to say - no! Before the game I would have settled for a point here and four points from these two away games, but when you do go two-up, then I expect us to go on and get the win. I don’t like losing when we are two-up and I don’t like the way Darren was dealt with. If he has done something wrong, then fair enough, but I don’t think the official has had the best of games – we’ll leave at that…” [Source: Wrexham AFC]

Results

Barnsley

Rankin 23'

Gorre 64' (p)

2-0

Tranmere Rovers

6,963

Blackpool

Taylor 41'

1-0

Chesterfield

9,663

Bournemouth

Feeney 73'

1-2

Peterborough United

McKenzie 7'

Woodhouse 21'

5,252

Brighton & Hove Albion

Knight 45' (p)

1-4

Bristol City

Wilkshire 26'

Miller 31'

Brown 45'

Hill 85'

6,305

Colchester United

McGleish 27'

Andrews 81'

Fagan 90'

3-1

Sheffield Wednesday

5,018

Grimsby Town

Mansaram 72'

1-1

Stockport County

Clare 67'

4,014

Hartlepool United

Strachan 41' (p)

Wilkinson 75'

2-1

Rushden & Diamonds

Jack 57'

Hall Sent Off 68'

4,944

Luton Town

Forbes 43'

Robinson 52'

Mansell 58'

3-2

Wrexham

Sam 19'

Boyce 45' (og)

Ferguson Sent Off 79'

5,505

Oldham Athletic

0-1

Swindon Town

Heywood Sent Off 12'

Parkin 61'

5,282

Port Vale

McPhee 56'

1-0

Notts County

4,900

Queens Park Rangers

Gallen 33' 75'

Thorpe 72'

3-0

Plymouth Argyle

17,049

Wycombe Wanderers

McSporran 65'

1-2

Brentford

Hutchinson 29'

Tabb 90'

6,445

League Table