Bulls suffer deluge at Luton

It’s been a while since we shipped seven,  Mansfield was the last one I recall witnessing, but today at Kenilworth Road United got hammered by seven goals without reply.  A somewhat fortunate first-half opener from Andre Gray preceded a second half spree which saw Gray complete his hat-trick along with strikes from Benson, Howells (Pen), Ruddock Mpaznu and Lawless.

In a strange way, this didn’t feel as bad as the defeat at Woking because it was clear that The Hatters were a superior side that took their chances well.

Start For Danny Leadbitter

Martin Foyle gave a start to Danny Leadbitter in place of Don Collins who dropped to the bench.  Frankie Artus was reported to be unfit so Dan Walker started in the vacant wide position.  Recent youth signing Cory Williams was included in the substitutes.

Luke Gutteridge’ early speculative collapse to the ground found no sympathy from referee Darren Handley and a long ball from Rod McDonald went through to keeper Tyler.  Luke Graham cleared a Gutteridge shot off the line before the hosts took the lead on twelve minutes.

The ball was worked down the right and when McGeehan’s swerving shot deceived Lloyd-Weston Gray was on hand to slot home the parried shot from six yards.

For the remainder of the first period, The Bulls pretty much gave as good as they got although the Hatters’ strike force certainly looked the brighter with their superior movement and interplay.

Little And Large - Rankine Challenged By Griffiths

A promising break by Dan Walker ended with a miss-placed pass before DLW was quickly out to block a shot from Benson.  Rankine worked some space on the right to produce a cross that ricocheted off the stanchion for a goal kick.  Pelly Ruddock was dispossessed by Chris Bush to free Chris Sharp but Ruddock’s revenge challenge on Sharp strangely drew no more than a free kick from the referee..

Walker’s driven cross failed to find A Bull’s striker and Jon Brown’s dangerous cross was cleared at the expense of a fruitless corner.  Gray had a chance to double the lead but blasted well over from fifteen yards when through on goal. 

McGeehan was carded for a late one on Jon Brown and was swiftly followed into the notebook by the petulant Gutteridge for a leg-swipe at Kingsley James.  Clearly annoyed by the late challenge, James returned the complement a couple of minutes later and duly received a yellow carding himself. 

HT Luton 1 Bulls 0

United had fought well in the first half and, while failing to produce much in the way of clear goal-scoring opportunities, had taken their share of possession.

The second period couldn’t have started any worse with Luton grabbing a swift second goal just a couple of minutes after the restart. A deep corner was headed back across goal by McGeehan and Paul Benson tucked away a nice header to double the lead.

Luton's Second Goal

The Hatters had their tails up and when Ruddock went down easily under a challenge from Kingsley James just inside the box, Jake Howells converted fron twelve yards to effectively put the game out of reach just ten minutes after the break.

Kingsley James Shouts For A Corner

Kingsley was replaced by Rob Purdie who, rather oddly, took up a position wide left but a fourth goal arrived following a fine passing movement and a confident finish from Ruddock beyond DLW. 

The hard-working Chris Sharp was hauled off for Sam Smith in another baffling change as all semblance of the early organisation vanished from The Bulls’ play.

Further goals arrived by way of a brace from Gray and an added-time effort from Lawless as all resistance from The Bulls evaporated.  A disappointing Chris Bush was dragged off for Dom Collins who played right side with Leads moving across to the left but the sad truth is that too many of Martin Foyle’s signings are simply not good enough and have left the budget stretched beyond the limit.

FT Luton 7 Bulls 0

Hereford: Lloyd-Weston, Leadbitter, Graham, McDonald, Bush (Collins 70), Walker, Edge, James (Purdie 59), Brown, Sharp (Smith 62), Rankine. Subs unused: Evans, Williams.

Luton: Tyler, Henry, Franks, McNulty, Griffiths, McGeehan (Robinson 70), Mpanzu, Gutteridge, Gray, Benson (Shaw 79), Howells (Lawless 76). Subs unused: Justham, Charles.

Apart from some first half graft there was little to encourage the 156 Herefordians in the impressive crowd of 7111 and hearing more tales of woe from the manager doesn’t help.  Man up Martin, you signed ‘em, you sort it out.

See you next weekend.

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