The writing’s on The Wall

Another triumphant chapter in the long history of games against teams from Hertfordshire. Good to see that once again truth and justice defeated whinge and hack.

I do enjoy a local derby. Who doesn’t? Whilst this isn’t THE local derby, it is indeed a local derby as St Evenage with all its grace and charm lies nearer to us than the other comedy Hertfordshire outfit. It is games like these where the atmosphere and added spice can transcend league positions and form. The greater the intensity of the crowd the more it can become 11 men battling against another 11 men with quality and form meaning nothing. As it happens of course, the form team and better side won out over the cloggers from down the road, which was only fair.

Hopping into the car on the way back and shushing the kids it was fascinating to listen to 1CRs Simon Oxley describing Stevenage as a side that would be ‘up there’ at the end of the season, his strange assertions seemingly backed up by a random (and somewhat confused) caller from Hertfordshire claiming that Stevenage would not only finish above Luton but be in the automatic promotion positions. Other than the usual huff, puff and bluster I saw nothing about Stevenage to suggest they would be challenging for anything this year, other than perhaps the trophy for the most yellow cards. I suppose I can credit Westley and his team for something – they are the equivalent of the Wimbledon (the originals) of the 1980s, small budget, not much talent but they compete on their own terms by playing a brand of football with an aggressive ‘in your face’ style which enables them to compete on the same terms as everyone else. At the end of the day, it is still long-ball, dirty little kicks and shoves and constant bleating to the officials. There’s clearly something in the water in Hertfordshire because it’s a footballing theme.

One of the enjoyable asides during such an away trip is to spot the inevitable Luton fans in the away bit of the main stand, and there were quite a few, including somewhat incongruous Bruno Stein. Not sure what he was doing and for whom, but good to spot him. There were the usual exchanges, expulsions and dust ups which only serve to enhance the atmosphere adding an edge, a frisson to the argy bargy also going on, on the field. Not sure what to make of the stewarding – it was the usual mix of friendly banter and over-exuberant heavy handedness. But as we are not waking up to headlines of 40 fans arrested and tear-gas I suppose they must have done something right. Mind you, it never ceases to amaze me the broad spectrum of support our wonderful club attracts. I’m a broad-minded guy, I’ve been around the block a few times but even I overheard a few new terms of abuse yesterday that I had not heard before.

I’m glad we beat them to continue our excellent run. We played well enough in the opening spell to have finished the game off before the first Westley Time Out©. As it happens, by the time the normal Westley Time Out© occurs they were gradually clawing their way back into the game and presumably it was surplus to requirements. We did get one in the second half though right on cue, just enough to take the wind out of our sails and to break up the momentum. The cheats.

Pelly Ruddock was a revelation on the right. He gave them a real headache and they never came to terms with him at any point, for it was his turn and pass to Alex Wall which provided the winner. He was still terrorising and tormenting poor Charles and the Stevenage team at the end. He’s a brave lad, and just as well that he is quick and agile because their sights were trained on his shins.

But for Chris Day (good shot stopper, poor kicker) we would have been three up in 15 mins. One of his saves was as good at Tyler’s last week. He could do nothing about our first goal, another towering header from Luke Wilkinson, from another free kick served up perfectly by Drury, as simple as you like (the pass, not Drury – though as an aside AD is looking increasingly like mad-Alan White – see below) Drury played out on the left in a 442, and was effective in attack, mainly in the first half, but is less effective at tracking back, leaving Griff a little exposed on occasions. Griff got forward nicely yesterday, though won’t be happy with a couple of his crosses – another good couple of opportunities which on another day should have found a Luton player. Perhaps he reserves his best for the home games where he inevitably wins the man of the match award. 

Andry Drury or is it Alan White?

Cullen was replaced by Charlie Walker, and strange pink boots aside he looked slightly quicker and certainly keen to make an impression. Was his header over the line? Well, I thought it was. Charlie thought it was, John Still thought it was, and more importantly some of the Stevenage players thought it was. Shame that the combination of a dopey linesman and ref missed it. Look forward to seeing a bit more of Mr Walker quite possibly on Tuesday night. Perhaps not the boots though!

Speaking of dopey linesmen, was their goal offside? Well, at the time I thought it was. Certainly when the player picked the ball up on the right he was goal-side of the defence, but looking at it on MoTD last night and using the technology afforded me by Sky+ (believe in better) as the ball was kicked I think dear Macca just played him on. Perhaps knowing this, it was Macca who stuck his hand in the air to appeal for offside and was keenest to berate the lino after the goal.

Still on the theme of dopey linesmen, just how many foul throws did they do? How do they get away with that? Perhaps the officials are so numbed by the constant bleating and whinging by Westley that they ignore the little things. Anything for a quiet life….

So, 1-1 ten minutes to go in a local derby, a game we should be winning and what do we need? We need the Blunt Instrument that is Alex Wall. When you see him up close (as I did when the goal went in, a bit too close) flippin’ ‘eck he’s a big strong lad. A man whose pint you wouldn’t spill. In fact a man for whom I would buy a spare pint, just in case I did spill it. Pelly Ruddock picked the ball up from a poor throw by Stevenage and slotted the ball inside to Mr Wall who took a touch then struck a curling ball into the back of the net. Cue celebrations. I’m chuffed for him. Still not entirely convinced that he understands why he got a dressing down from JS a few weeks ago after the sending off in the 5-0 reserves win – but there you go. He redoubled his efforts on the training pitch, when it wasn’t his training and commitment which were in doubt. What he does give you is the occasional spark of match-winning magic and a battering ram up front. We’ve had a few of those down the years and long may it be the case. Good competition up front for the target man position. The experience and wiry strength of Benson, the energy and willingness of Lafayette and the sheer presence, strength and determination of The Wall.

Final words for our hardworking two starters in midfield Nathan Doyle and Smudger Smith. The two of them had to cope with three from Stevenage and outplayed them and out passed them. Bearing in mind Doyle isn’t supposed to be fit yet, he’s doing a very good job of sitting in front of the back four and stating that “they shall not pass”. Smudger was replaced with 25 mins to go by Jim Stevenson who upped the tempo and allowed us a degree of extra control.

So an excellent win and an enjoyable match and experience. A sound win against a difficult opposition which I’m sure absolutely delights John Still. A few years ago we might have buckled under the pressure and oppression, but not now.

On Tuesday we continue our defence of the JPT against another side whom we haven’t played since we met in non-league. I will be there, though I’m not sure who else will be. Currently playing for Crawley is a certain Mr Keet’ Keane. Whether or not he will play on Tuesday is anyone’s guess. I guess progress depends upon how seriously we or they are going to take it, though it is always nice to play in cup finals at Wembley.

Next Saturday we play Phil Brown’s Sarfend who despite losing yesterday are challenging at the top end of this division again. This is will our first game at home in the league against them since 2007 and the dark days of Jackson, Goodall, McVeigh and Currie who never seemed like Luton players at the time and I suppose never will. In 2007 we were on our way down, seven years later and our club, manager and players are on our way back.