Hatters fall to a derby defeat at Watford

Luton's first trip to arch rivals Watford since 2006 ended in disappointment as they fell to a opening league defeat of the season at Vicarage Road this afternoon.

The eagerly-anticipated clash which Town fans had waited almost 15 years for never quite caught fire in the manner they had been hoping, a lack of supporters taking away any edge they might have enjoyed in Hertfordshire, as in truth, the Hornets were never unduly tested on their way to victory.

Hatters boss Nathan Jones made one change from the side who beat Derby County 2-1 last weekend, Ryan Tunnicliffe coming in for Glen Rea, who was forced off in that contest due to feeling light headed in the first period.

Watford had talisman Troy Deeney back on the bench, along with experienced striker Glenn Murray, with keeper Ben Foster the only player from either side to have experienced this fixture previously.

After a tight first 10 minutes, Luton were almost architects of their own downfall, Rhys Norrington-Davies giving possession away with poor pass inside his half.

Tom Cleverly drove forward and teed up Joao Pedro just outside the box, the attacker forcing a sprawling low save from Simon Sluga, who was up to gather the loose ball too.

Barring that one blemish, the Hatters looked solid in the early stages, trying to free Harry Cornick when possible, one impressive break on the right seeing Town's speedster nutmeg Ben Wilmot and reach the byline, his cross cut out Foster.

Cleverley had his own attempt on 20 minutes, Luton deflecting it behind and Ismaila Sarr's header from the set-piece going well wide.

A crazy 60 seconds then saw Town going from a position where they should have been celebrating the lead, only to find themselves falling behind.

Danger man Cornick was once again to the fore, the attacker whipping over a wonderful low cross for Collins who just six yards out, expected to see the net bulge, as has happened on so many occasions for the Hatters.

However, on this occasion, it somehow did not, as Town's striker could only put his effort against the underside of the bar as it rebounded out and away.

Then, not even a minute later, Luton were picking the ball out of the net when Ken Sema did excellently on the left, his cross met by Pedro, who beat Sluga via a slight deflection off skipper Bradley.

After the break, Watford remained in the ascendancy and appeared to have a second when they carved open Town's defence, Pedro slipping in on-loan Manchester United youngster James Garner.

His low drive forced an excellent save from Sluga, with Matty Pearson then throwing himself in the way of Cleverley's follow-up to crucially prevent Watford doubling their advantage.

Jones brought on Jordan Clark for Elliot Lee to try and get a handle on proceedings, and he immediately escaped down the right, only to see his cross easily cut out by Foster.

Town then had easily their best spell of the game, starting to get on the front foot, win their midfield battles and pick up a number of second balls too.

Martin Cranie's intelligent pass freed Collins in the area, as he cut on to his left foot and tried to pick out the top corner, curling well over with team-mates well placed.

That proved to be his last action of the afternoon, Danny Hylton introduced for the final 20 minutes, in search of his first ever goal in the Championship, Kazenga LuaLu swiftly arriving as Joes played his cards.

Town were indebted to Sluga again for being just one behind with 10 to go, the keeper making a fine low stop to his left after Tom Dele Bashiru's effort hit a defender and was arrowing into the bottom corner.

The visitors just couldn't create that clear-cut chance they desired, Luke Berry's ambitious left footed volley unable to test Foster.

Even though Luton flung skipper Sonny Bradley upfront for the latter stages, Town's final ball was poor as they couldn't ever find the head of their captain, falling to defeat.

Hornets: Ben Foster, Jeremy Ngakia, Ben Wilmot, Tom Cleverley (C), Joao Pedro (Troy Deeney 89), Ken Sema, Nathaniel Chalobah (Tom Dele-Bashiru 63), Craig Cathcart, James Garner, Ismaila Sarr (Domingos Quina 90), Christian Kabasele.

Subs not used: Daniel Bachman, Craig Dawson, Glenn Murray, Kiko Femenia.

Hatters: Simon Sluga, Martin Cranie, Rhys Norrington-Davies, Matty Pearson, Sonny Bradley ©, Ryan Tunnicliffe (Kazenga LuaLua 77), Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu, Luke Berry, Elliot Lee (Jordan Clark 58), James Collins (Danny Hylton 71), Harry Cornick.

Subs not used: James Shea, Tom Lockyer, Peter Kioso, George Moncur.

Booked: Pearson 75.

Referee: John Brooks.