BEDFORD TOWN 0 LUTON TOWN 2
Beds Senior Cup second round
Luton town progressed past the second round of the Bedfordshire Senior Cup by making quick work of local rivals Bedford Town.
Both goals were scored by the impressive 18-year-old striker Jake Woolley, who is yet to make his league debut for Gary Brabin’s men.
“Jake worked his socks off,” Brabin praised, adding: “The second goal was outstanding.”
Woolley’s second in the 86th minute came after a neat passing move, and he finished Charlie Smith’s through-ball with a lob over Bedford keeper Ian Brown.
Eleven minutes earlier he had opened the scoring in scrappier fashion, bundling the ball over the line after Brown had failed to hold onto a corner kick.
Luton fielded a majority of young players interspersed with first-teamers and returning players such as Dean Beckwith and Shane Blackett, who have been out injured, and Charlie Henry, who has been on loan to Aldershot.
Brabin was especially pleased with the progress of experienced defender Beckwith, saying: “He’s made a giant stride to playing in our league games. He’ll be training all week and will be in our thoughts for Saturday.”
Luton were good value for the win after dominating possession in the second half and taking advantage with Woolley’s two goals. However, Bedford matched their Blue Square Bet Premier opponents in the opening period and could have taken the lead several times.
Gareth Price, whose pace caused the Hatters concern, had a shot cleared off the line after just five minutes as the hosts made a frantic start to this derby.
Drew Roberts, Bedford’s in-form top goalscorer, was troubling Beckwith with his movement and a collision between the two should have resulted in a red card for the Luton defender according to the Bedford faithful behind the goal. Instead, the referee saw no foul and Roberts was seemingly hurt and in the second period he limped off, drastically reducing Bedford’s chances of an upset.
A Tom Damon cross after 50 minutes was headed in by Josh Beech but the offside flag inspired Luton to turn the screw.
The difference in the clubs’ league statures was evident in a one-sided last 40 minutes and Woolley’s clinical finishes proved to be the difference.
