More success for Cedars squad!
The Luton Town Cedars Under-18 Development Squad built on the successes of last season with a further three winners trophies, one runner-up spot, one third place and two semi-finals from the nine competitions they entered.
The full roll of honour reads as follows:
Southern Counties Floodlit Youth League: Corinthian Division - Winners.
Southern Counties Floodlit Youth League: Divisional Champions Play Off - Runners Up.
Southern Counties Floodlit Youth League: Colwyn Cup - Semi Finalists
Southern Counties Floodlit Youth League: Brian Hitchings Cup - Semi Finalists
Bedfordshire Schools County Cup - Winners
South Beds District Schools Cup. - Winners
Football Conference Youth Alliance, London / South East Division - Third Place
Additional to the trophies the programme has provided very real opportunities for the players to progress into Paul Driver’s Luton Town professional scholars Under-18 group. This season has seen Callum Gregory and Luke Dunstan go back into the club on Day release to work with the club’s professional scholars.
Head Coach Stuart Smith told lutontow.co.uk: “As well as the lads have performed this season in some respects we are all a little disappointed with the final trophy haul. We felt that with the quality we possess we should have finished the season with six or seven trophies.
“Unfortunately injuries to key forward players at important times impacted on our ability to score goals which obviously costs games, particularly in knock out tournaments.
“However, the most satisfying aspect of the season has been the vastly improved quality of the football played. He have asked the lads to play a more possession based game and be more patient with the ball. The lads have responded to this and our match analysis tells us that our targets are being achieved. However we are in the professional development stage so as well as developing the lads technically we must improve them tactically.
“The progress in this area has also been very satisfying with the lads being capable of playing in a number of different shapes. Going forward the lads now must improve their ability to close games out, a skill that will be vital in their progressions in to competitive adult football. We are looking to develop intelligent technical players who play the game in the right way but at the same time understand how to manage and win a game which is ultimately what a first team manager requires. The lad’s development is in no small measure down to the excellent work of Joe Deeney and Andy Zeller whose time and coaching expertise has been invaluable to the lads, who in turn have shown a great willingness to learn.”