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Hatters ease past Liverpool
Luton too strong for young Reds
Luton Town 3 Liverpool 0
HATTERS produced an excellent display in their first pre-season friendly at Kenilworth Road on Tuesday night, easily despatching a youthful Liverpool XI.
Goals from Matthew Barnes-Homer, Danny Crow and Dan Gleeson were enough for Luton to overcome their illustrious opponents and give the watching faithful a glimpse of their undoubted potential.
Luton boss Richard Money made four changes from the 3-0 defeat at Alfreton with Mark Tyler, Keith Keane, Jake Howells and Crow all starting, in what could easily have been the Hatters first-choice side.
A young Liverpool looked overawed in the early stages and George Pilkington almost broke the deadlock immediately, but his left-foot shot was well gathered by Dean Bouzanis.
Barnes-Homer also came close, curling an effort wide, while a few strains from an errant vuvuzela received a mixed reaction from the Kenilworth Road supporters.
It was Barnes-Homer who was having the games best moments, forcing a smart save from Bouzanis and then sending another drive off target.
Strike partner Crow should have broken the deadlock on 15 minutes, capitalising on some loose control from Jack Robinson, but his wild hack was well off target.
Crow was quick to show he could easily be a fans favourite this year, full of intelligent running, and from one such dart to an excellent Howells pass, his control just let him down.
The deadlock was almost broken after 26 minutes when Andy Drury stepped up and curled a wicked free-kick inches over the bar, while Howells continued to impress, and warmed Bouzanis' palms from distance.
Liverpool barely threatened in the opening period, with Toni Brito E Silva's break, their only real foray forward, which was snuffed out by Shane Blackett's intervention.
The Hatters were ahead on 39 minutes when Barnes-Homer controlled a ball over the top on his thigh and with the Reds defence pleading for offside, beat the weak attempt of Bouzanis to find the net.
Jesus Fernandez did finally send a shot Tyler's way, but it was easy for the Hatters stopper.
Luton went 2-0 up in sublime fashion on the stroke of half time thanks to a storming run from left back Freddie Murray.
Starting on the halfway line, he powered forward and the ball was dummied by Barnes-Homer allowing Murray to toepoke into the path of Drury, whose cross was expertly finished by Crow.
After the break, Luton quickly increased their advantage on 56 minutes when a deep free kick from Drury was headed back across goal by Pilkington and Gleeson was on hand to bundle the ball over the line.
As the half wore on, Hatters grew in confidence, as their visitors struggled to ever impose themselves on proceedings and lost their cool at times, with Barnes-Homer and Crow the victims of some particularly rash challenges.
Money took the second half to blood some of the club's burgeoning youth talent, with Godfrey Poku, Alex Lacey and Adam Watkins all getting playing time.
Lacey almost rounded off the perfect night for Luton, beating his man and breaking down the right, but his cross was blocked.
It mattered not though as the hosts made do with three to run out easy winners.
Luton: Mark Tyler, Dan Gleeson (Adam Newton 60), Freddie Murray, Shane Blackett (Alex Lacey 83), George Pilkington, Andy Drury (Adam Watkins 75), Keith Keane, Adam Murray (Godfrey Poku 64), Jake Howells, Danny Crow (Dan Walker 72), Matthew Barnes-Homer.
Subs not used: Kevin Pilkington, Alan White, Kevin Gallen, Tom Craddock, Stefan Bailey.
Liverpool: Dean Bouzanis, Jonathon Flanagan (Emanuel Gomis Mendy 46), Jack Robinson, Alex Cooper (Michael Ngoo 74), Andre Wisdom, Conor Coady (Jakub Sokolik 74), Toni Brito E Silva (Vincent Weijl 46), Victor Palsson, Nikola Saric, Jesus Fernandez, Gerado Bruna (Michael Roberts 61).
Subs not used: Deale Chamberlain.
Attendance: 2,769.
Star Hatter: Keith Keane, dominated the midfield ground yet again.
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Weather for Luton
Friday 25 May 2012
Today
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Temperature: 11 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 21 mph
Wind direction: East
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Temperature: 11 C to 22 C
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