Super-sub Dawid Gawel’s dramatic brace helped secure an impressive comeback for the Hatters to claim three points against Gillingham at The Brache
In an entertaining YA League tie, a first half penalty from Harry Fox coupled with second half strikes from Gawel and a cute finish from Nassim El Gourja ensured victory for Town in a thrilling encounter.
The game started slowly for our U21s as the side struggled to keep hold of the ball against an assertive Gillingham defence who looked more than capable on the counter, with the opening goal coming from a break down the left which resulted in the subsequent cross not being dealt with at the back post, allowing the away side to take the lead just after the tenth minute.
It could have been worse for the Hatters when another gigantic leap from a Gillingham forward powered the ball towards the back of the net, which would have doubled the away sides lead had it not been for the heroics of goalkeeper Charlie Booth who clawed the ball away from goal just in time.
Just after the half hour mark, Town found their leveller, with a Gillingham defender adjudged to have handballed in the area which left the referee to point to the spot. Fox stepped up confidently to smash the ball down the middle to restore parity.
Unfortunately for the Hatters, it would be the away side who’d take an advantage into the break, with another deep cross finding a towering header at the back post yet again to restore their lead.
With an injury to Tatenda Takawira, the introduction of leading marksman Gawel ultimately swung the game back in Towns favour, the forward levelling the game brilliantly after getting away from his marker before slotting a low reverse finish into the bottom corner.
It wouldn’t be long before the forward notched again, this time working the ball into the box before bending a perfect finish into the top corner to put Town ahead for the first time. El Gourja, also introduced off the bench, sealed the three points when he too found space out wide before producing a similar finish; cutting in on his right foot to curl the ball into the net to make it 4-2.
With league leaders Wimbledon in town on Wednesday for the EFL Area Cup Final, full attention turns towards the sides first chance of silverware.
Report by: Liam Wilmot
