Hatters centre half makes debut as a striker!

DEADLINE day signing Luke Graham enjoyed an interesting debut for Luton Town during Tuesday night’s 4-0 victory over Darlington, writes Mike Simmonds.

The 24-year-old centre-half, who joined just before the transfer window closed on Monday evening, came on for the last five minutes as a makeshift striker in place of Lloyd Owusu.

He said: “I think the gaffer thought I’d get up there and make a nuisance.

“Lloyd (Owusu), who was fantastic and scored some great goals, has gone off and I’ve come on to freshen it up and try to run around a little bit.

“I’m pleased to play wherever to try to contribute to the team and winning football matches.”

Graham was on the sidelines for the opening 85 minutes where he saw his new team-mates struggle to break the deadlock against an insipid Darlington.

The goals eventually came though and it was something that Graham was always anticipating.

He continued: “I thought from the start, the quality into the box from Alex Lawless and the set-pieces were absolutely fantastic.

“I lost count of the amount of times the boys got their head on the ball, but it just wasn’t going in the back of the net.

“I said to Pilks (Kevin Pilkington) on the side that as soon as we get the first goal the floodgates will open, it was that type of a game.

“The lads were patient and kept digging away and digging away.

“We’ve got a bit of quality and maturity in the team, we’ve just got to believe and keep doing the right things.

“Teams in this league resort to long ball and the quality goes, but the quality we’ve got we keep plugging away.

“As soon as we got that first goal, I knew it would be three or four.”

Graham could well be in line for his first start in a Hatters shirt on Friday night when Town host Gloucester City in the FA Trophy.

The defender is eligible to play in the competition and admitted the thought of playing at Wembley for the second season running, Graham was part of the York side who reached the play-off finals last year, was very appealing.

He added: “Hopefully I get a chance to play, I don’t know what kind of team the gaffer will put out, as I’ve only just walked through the door.

“It would be great to get out there and show the fans and the manager what I’m about.

“The squad has shown in the FA Trophy when he (Richard Money) has mixed the teams, they are good enough to fill in and do the job required.

“There is no greater incentive in football than to play at Wembley. It’s a fantastic experience and I’d love to get there again.”