Luton Town FC vs AFC Telford United (25th Aug 2012)

Three sent-off as visitors grab narrow win

Three men were sent off as the Town lost at home to AFC Telford United.

It was a goal three minutes before the break that won it for the visitors when Kieron St Aimie's header's header beat Mark Tyler.

The Hatters pushed for a way back in the game after the break but could not find a way past the Telford defence.

The game turned ugly 11 minutes from the end when Daniel Preston and Ronnie Henry were sent-off for an altercation in the penalty area.

Stuart Fleetwood rattled the bar, Jon Shaw saw an effort hacked off the line before visiting substitute Jake Reid was sent-off for a challenge on Lathaniel Rowe-Turner having only been on the pitch for 69 seconds.

It was 10 versus nine for the final few minutes but after six added minutes the visitors held on.

Full report to follow. http://www.youtube.com/embed/Pq2-6DUcfSc

RESULT: TOWN 0-1 TELFORD

All over here, the Town lose at Kenilworth Road. Report and reaction to follow.

Into the last minute. Six added...

Five left, chances for Gray and Rendell go begging.

Seven left, and Telford are now down to nine men. Telford sub Jake Reid sent-off for foul on Rowe-Turner.

All happening here. Both sides are down to 10 men following red cards to Ronnie Henry and Daniel Preston. Town have ha chances. Fleetwood hitting the crossbar, Shaw somehow failing to convert after beating goalkeeper. 10 minutes left.

Smidgen over 20 minutes left here. Still the visitors lead. 5,970 inside KR today with 111 from Telford.

Hour gone, Town pushing in search of an equaliser. Visitors keeper not really rested as yet.

55th minute, first Hatters change. Andre Gray on for Watkins.

Big chance for Shaw after a fine move with Fleetwood but the striker's effort is straight at the keeper.

Off for the second half and there's a change for the Town, Greg Taylor is on for Yaser Kasim.

HALF-TIME Town trail at the break. See you in 15 minutes for the second half.

Almost 1-1, Rendell can't guide home Shaw cross from close range.

GOAL - Telford lead, left-wing free-kick comes across and it's headed home by Kieron St Aimie at the near post. 0-1. The Town go behind again.

Five minutes to the break, still 0-0. Hatters pushing forward still but the visitors have had their chances.

Half-an-hour played, Town pressing but still goalless here.

25 gone, and a great save from Mark Tyler keeps the score at 0-0 as he pulls of a tremendous one-handed save to keep out Nathan Rooney's goal-bound effort.

As the rain pours the Hatters continue to boss this game. Lawless has a shot saved by Young in the Telford goal, before Fleetwood sees his follow-up blocked with the goal gaping.

Town still well on top here, Fleetwood and Howells have efforts charged down following a set-piece before Jon Shaw heads over at the back stick on 12 minutes. Wasn't far over. 0-0 still.

Hatters have started on the front foot, Watkins and O'Donnell half chances but still goalless.

Off and underway here. Town shooting towards the Kenny End in this first half.

Teams are out...

15 minutes to kick-off here...

14:10 TWO CHANGES

Town boss Paul Buckle makes two changes to the side that won 2-1 at Hyde. Janos Kovacs is missing through injury whilst Greg Taylor drops to the bench. In come Jake Howells and Adam Watkins.

We're expecting Alex Lawless to move to right-back and Ronnie Henry to move into centre-half.

Town: Tyler, Lawless, Henry, Rowe-Turner, Howells, Kasim, Watkins, O'Donnell, Rendell, Fleetwood, Shaw. Subs: Taylor, Beckwith, Gray, Woolley, Brill.

Telford: Young, Salmon, Valentine, Preston, Rooney, Trainer, Hubbins, St Aimie, Spray, Leslie, Rose. Subs: Jones, Reid, Taylor, Cudworth, Brown.

Boss Paul Buckle thought his side did everything but score as the Town lost their first match of the season with a 1-0 defeat at home to AFC Telford United.

The Hatters created a string of chances but couldn’t find a way past a resolute visiting defence who took the three points back to Shropshire thanks to Kieron St Aimie’s first half header.

So disappointment for manager, yes, but Buckle was keen to reassure supporters of his belief in the side after Telford’s victory.

“Of course I’m disappointed – I’m always disappointed if we haven’t picked up maximum points,” he told Hatters Player afterwards. “But it wasn’t through a lack of trying, a lack of creating chances or a lack of ball retention – we did everything but put the ball in the back of the net.

“You can’t criticise strikers – they don’t mean to miss the target. The records of our forwards speak for themselves.

“Losing a game isn’t the end of the world. After a defeat we need to look at why we lost and be sensible about it and not forget or throw away all the work we’ve done.

“The key was we created loads of the chances – any manager will tell you they’ll be worried if there team isn’t creating them – but we are. No game in this league is easy, no team in the league will give you an easy ride. If that was the case we’d be out of it by now.

“I’m pleased that the Luton Town team today was up for it and played on the front foot throughout. On another day we could have scored three or four.”

Buckle revealed afterwards that a groin strain ruled out defender Janos Kovacs.

And with Ronnie Henry facing a suspension after his red card in an altercation nine minutes from time it leaves the Town short of central defenders at the club with Garry Richards out injured.

“Janos was a big loss,” said the manager. “Every ball that comes into our 18 yard box he clears. It’s going to be tough. We need to get a 6ft plus defender in because we’re short of them now."