Some quite interesting facts in the wake of Saturday's latest win
PROMOTION PREMONITION?Saturday’s 2-1 win at Hartlepool was the Town’s fourth win in 10 visits to Victoria Park. Two of the Hatters’ three previous wins came in the Football League and came during seasons in which the Town were promoted, in 2001/02 (won 2-1, Matt Taylor and Dean Crowe) and in 2004/05 (won 3-2, Chris Coyne, Kevin Foley, Enoch Shownumi). But let’s not count those chickens yet, eh?
AWAY THE LADS
The Town made it three successive wins away from Kenilworth Road in the Football League for the first time since 2005 (wins v Torquay, Bournemouth, Wrexham). Exeter is the Hatters’ next port of call on 1st November, when they will aim to make it four straight away victories. The Town have not won four successive Football League fixtures away from Kenilworth Road since stringing six wins together at the end of the 2001/02 season (v Lincoln, Torquay, Rushden, Swansea, Hull, Shrewsbury).
PASSES FROM PELLY
Pelly Ruddock Mpaznu drew level with Andy Drury at the top of the Town’s assist table with his third assist of the season when threading through the pass that led to Mark Cullen’s opening goal at Hartlepool. It was the former West Ham man’s third assist in as many away games, having won the penalty at Cambridge before setting-up Alex Wall’s winning goal at Stevenage.
50 UP FOR CULLEN
Mark Cullen celebrated his 50th appearance in Luton colours by scoring his fifth goal of the season – and 15th in total for the club – at Hartlepool on Saturday. Impressively, the Hatters have won 12 and drawn of the last 13 matches in which the former Hull man has scored. The one draw came when he scored the 90th minute winner against Cambridge last season. Remember that? Of course you do.
SUPER SUB
Jim Stevenson came off the bench to score his first goal for the Hatters, three weeks since he saw a goal ruled out by the latest offside flag in the history of the universe. However, importantly, his goal against Pools turned out to be the winner. The midfielder’s goal was the third time a substitute has scored an important goal this season, after Pelly Ruddock earned a point against Bury and Alex Wall scored the winner against Stevenage. Last season, as the Town won the Conference title, 11 goals were scored by substitutes.