LADIES FOOTBALL: Hatters draw with Cambridge United

The visitors made a fine start as Tasha Fensome was brought down in the area by the goalkeeper and Zara Carroll smashed home the resulting penalty.

Soon afterwards, a Carroll corner was met powerfully by Rachel Carter but her header was cleared on the line superbly by a Cambridge defender.

Erica Byron had an effort saved, before Cambridge levelled when a well-hit shot from 25 yards caught keeper Hollie Staples off her line for the equaliser.

Staples made an excellent save to keep the scores level, but she was then beaten again on 35 minutes, with Hatters’ defenders screaming for offside.

After the break, Town found chances hard to come by as Carroll’s free kick drew a good stop from the home keeper.

Fensome was also denied, before Luton had their equaliser as Byron’s 35-yarder squirmed through the stopper’s hands.

This spurred Hatters on for the last 10 minutes as they went in search of a winner.

Fensome’s attempt was blocked, Carroll’s 30-yard volley forced the Cambridge custodian to tip over the bar and Alisha Bhatti couldn’t connect properly from close range as the game finished all square.

Manager Nikki Baker said: “I thought we started really well but let ourselves down with simple things, so we will work on those in training.”

This weekend, Luton host Lowestoft Town, while Hatters’ Development team host Comets in the Greater London Women’s League Division One this weekend.

Meanwhile, the U16s defeated Bedford Ladies & Girls U16 Jets in a friendly last weekend.