Encouraging display for Town youngsters
A Town Under-18s side containing three under-15s and five under-16s went down to a narrow 1-0 defeat at Leyton Orient in the Youth Alliance Merit League on Saturday morning.
In the first game after Wednesday’s FA Youth Cup triumph at Preston, Paul Driver’s young side put in an impressive and encouraging shift against a stronger and experienced Orient side.
The O’s took the lead with a dubious goal on 35 minutes when Liam Gooch was impeded in the six-yard box and the loose ball was tapped home.
The Hatters came close to levelling when Michael Shamola saw an effort hit the crossbar just before half-time but, despite finishing the stronger of the sides, the Town were beaten for the first time this season by the O’s.
Driver told lutontown.co.uk: “I’ve never been so pleased with a group after they’ve been beaten.
“To have three under-15s and five under-16s involved was excellent for their experience for academy football in future seasons.
“It’s a rewarding policy for them and us as a club. They struggled physically on a few occasions but we finishing the stronger of the two sides and everyone involved can hold their heads high despite the final score.”
Town: Gooch, James (sub Mead 53), Panter, McGhan-George (sub Sorunke 71), Jones, Brown, Peck, Cotter, Shamola (sub Neufeille 73), Read, Verney.