Swindon P.S.F.A. vs Luton S.F.A. u-11s 29-10-11 Berkshire League

Swindon recorded their first Berkshire League victory of the season with 2:1 win over Luton. The visitors were put under pressure early on by their hosts with Legge clearing a goal bound effort out for a corner. Swindon were able to clear the initial flag-kick but found themselves having to defend a second corner when McGinn’s excellent covering tackle was adjudged to have come off him before crossing the line. This time the homesters were able to test Townsend in goal but he was more than equal to the effort, palming the shot away before Legge cleared. Having resisted this pressure Swindon went close to opening the scoring when a mistake in midfield enabled Townsend’s long drop kick to fall to Benge but unfortunately the ball ran away from him and the Luton custodian was able to collect at his feet. The Hatters responded with another swift attack down the left but Townsend produced another fine save and Philips cleared the corner. Swindon broke the deadlock after twelve minutes. Cremin’s clever diagonal ball looked like go off for a throw but Lea’s determination enabled him to beat the Luton full back and deliver a superb cross into the near post and Benge drilled the ball home from close range. The homesters were denied an equaliser three minutes before the interval when Townsend again made a fine save low to his left. Swindon could have doubled their lead with almost the last action of the half when Lea’s effort was well held by the Luton ‘keeper. After the interval Swindon served notice that they were not content to sit on their lead. Benge and Skinner both saw their shots safely gathered by the Luton goalie following some delightful passing in midfield. Luton should have restored parity on two occasions but were thwarted by a brace of superb saves from Townsend, the second of which was made at point blank range. Swindon work rate couldn’t be faulted; Leach battled hard to contain the pacey Luton attack despite carrying an injury and Merchant and Philips snuffed out a series of hopeful Luton attacks. Swindon sensed a second goal was on the cards for them. The impressive Lea had a shot which went across the face of the Luton goal and a second from distance that unfortunately beat both the ‘keeper and the goal frame. The Bedfordshire side levelled the scores when Jones followed up his own shot after Townsend had blocked the first. Swindon refused to be discouraged and further pressure forced them to concede a free-kick. Lea’s effort cleared the wall but hit the underside of the bar and bounced the wrong side of the goal-line. The visitors’ hard work finally paid dividends when Merchant collected Philip’s lobbed pass over the defence and flicked the ball over Austin to re-take the lead. Luton threw players forward but resolute defending from skipper Brown aided and abetted by McGinn, Philips and Leach enabled Swindon to secure all three points and a thoroughly deserved win.