World prematurity day was kicked off in Luton with the supporters charity of the year, NICU. This is the section of the L&D hospital that is helping out premature babies and their families.
It was a lovely bright sunny day but I am sure that most of us were hoping for a 'Sonny day'. Hoping for Sonny Bradley to score his first goal for the club in his first time facing his former club who he left in the summer to join Luton.
To kick off the fundraising, myself and many other helpful volunteers along with lots of people from the hospital collected the kind donations from many supporters of both clubs. We are all very grateful to everyone who did manage to contribute.
The game began with Plymouth kicking off, and it had to be said that neither team started off particularly well with a number long balls being played. With the long passes played from either side and let's just say that the goal kicks didn't quite go where expected.
Anyway, both teams settled down, Luton more than Plymouth, who launched a good attack where the ball was played into James Collins who laid it off for Jack Stacey to play the ball into the box on the floor into the path of Harry Cornick who, running towards the near post, tried a cheeky flick only to see it saved by former Luton loanee Matt Macey.
Once again, it didn't take us long to open the scoring. After good run from Elliot Lee he passed it to James Justin who cut the ball back into the path of James Collins who slotted the ball nicely with his left foot onto the far post and into the other corner of the net.
After this Luton were playing wonderful free flowing football and after a good dummy from Lee, Stacey retrieved the ball and played a great ball through for Cornick who had a shot which was pushed out by Matt Macey but only into the path of Lee who finished the move off with Luton's second goal.
Now the Town were playing with real confidence and soon after Andrew Shinnie picked out a pass to Cornick who was in behind the Plymouth defence, he then squared the ball into Justin who stabbed the ball into the back of the net. After a great finish, there was a great celebration performed by Justin, Cornick, and Pelly. This was a swimming and then surfing celebration, perfect to match Luton's wave after wave of attacks.
There was no simple way back into this game for Plymouth and that great task was made even harder when on the stroke of half time, Justin was again in a strong attacking position and he was fouled inside the box and after a good piece of advantage by the referee, he pulled the play back and awarded Luton a penalty. James Collins stepped up in the absence of Danny Hylton and fired home into the top corner from the penalty spot.
The town went into half time leading 4-0 and in a very good position to add another win to what is currently the best home record in the league.
Everyone's expectations were high and they were expecting a continuation of the good first half performance in the second half and these expectations were almost met as Sonny Bradley rose in the centre of the box and headed towards the goal, only to see a fine fingertip save by Matt Macey. Almost the dream goal but not quite.
However, Luton did extend the lead to 5 when a perfectly weighted and picked pass from Lee was chipped into the box to James Collins who took a touch and finished it off nicely to complete his hat-trick.
Despite James Shea's best efforts to keep a clean sheet, Plymouth did get one consolation goal back near the end of the match when their Grant fired home a great finish.
The game finished 5-1, it was like watching a game of fifa with Nathan Jones controlling the team, it was almost as good as actually playing fifa in Harry's hideout. Everyone was happy and cheered the players and the managing staff. The outstanding home form continues.