ARLESEY TOWN 2 LUTON TOWN 1
Beds Premier Cup final
aRMadillo Stadium
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
7.45pm
A Lee Allinson penalty late in the first half saw a Luton Town side made up mainly of development stars lose the Beds Premier Cup to Evo-Stik Premier side Arlesey Town.
It was the Hatters' final warm up game of the summer before their Saturrday night Blue Square Bet Premier season opener away to AFC Telford.
Things started badly for the visitors when Arlesey took the lead early on through Chris Marsh's sublime 25-yard effort.
Luton went close to equalising soon after on two occasions, first JJ O'Donnell came close to chipping Richard Haywood, then first teamer and skipper for the night, Danny Crow, saw his long ranger rattle the bar.
Hatters pressure told soon after when they clawed it back to 1-1. Christian Tavernier's squared ball caused havoc in the Arlesey defence with Crow seemingly getting the final touch before it crossed the line.
However, Arlesey restored their lead just before half time. Liam McGovern took a tumble in the box and Lee Allinson converted the pressure kick to make it 2-1.
Early in the second-half Luton should have been level again. O'Donnell caused problems once more, crossing for an unmarked Nathan Elder, but the trialist could only put his header wide of the far post.
The Blues still looked to extend their lead. Jason Blackett shrugged off the challenge of Alex Lacy but with only the keeper to beat, his disappointing shot hit the side netting.
A piece of sharp footwork from Ryan De Silva before a deflected effort was as close as Hatters got for the rest of the half as Arlesey hung on to take the scalp of the Conference club, the cup and county bragging rights.
