Just Back-on the train.

Beaten by a better side today. Luton's passing and movement reminded me at times of Town in Buckley's first spell. It may well however have been very different if their lad had received the correct colour card for scything down Dembele in front of the dug out. It was late, his feet were off the floor and he wasn't in control. Text book straight red really!
For 40 odd minutes Town defended as well as they did at County last week but then the midfield parted with one pass  leaving their guy to curl an unstoppable effort inside the post. Macca had no chance.
To their credit Town continued to battle with Sam Jones involved in most of the attacking stuff although in truth our lack of a cutting edge was demonstrated again and again. Summerfield fired one just wide first half and Matt hit the outside of the post from a very tight angle early second half.
The second goal killed the game really with their lad getting in front of our defender (I couldnt see who) from a free kick.
Once D.J. and Siriki departed the flair also went. Hooper played some useful link up play, Vernon did what he always does-put the effort in but we never really looked like giving them a nervy last 20.
MOM a toss up between Clarke and Collins (unless either were the defender sleeping for goal number 2.)
Good turn out of Mariners who made plenty of noise.
I'll be amazed if Luton aren't automatically promoted on their showing today.

Great report Barralad, we were beaten by the better team. Slick passing and movement to the point were they looked like they had 2 extra men at one point. I was impressed by the way we defended but it felt like a matter of time before they scored.
I think Dembele's pace made the foul look worse but no surprise it was only a yellow as the ref made some weird decisions.  At one point the lino flagged for offside against Luton and he gave them a free kick.
We huffed and puffed around their goal but they also looked pretty solid at the back. Matt won a lot of aerial balls but none in really dangerous areas and thought we could have even gone more hoofball into their box (I'll punish myself later)
Woolford and Vernon offered nothing, to the point that a knackered Dembele and Matt might have been better. I was mildly impressed when Hooper came on and suspect there's a footballer in there somewhere. Certainly better than his early publicity.
Town fans well behaved and in excellent voice. Davies MOM for me, he never stopped and looks like a 25 year old trying to impress.

Can't add too much more. Luton looked like a good div 1 side.the fact that dembele was anonymous until he switched sides shows what a good game their right back had. They were too quick in feet, mind and motion.couldnt fault towns performance, they did well to hang on in there. Went with some Luton fans who said that was a pretty standard performance from them.you can easily see how they've thrashed some many sides.
Collins and Clarke deserve huge praise whilst rise and summerfield covered acres, with rose the more impressive IMHO. It was rose who didn't really go with Collins for their second. Was impressed with jones who is very skilful and hardworking.matt tried hard but was on a hiding to nothing with just pretty aimless balls launched forwards. Davies was good as well. You knew we'd given up the ghost when we had Vernon, Woolford and hooper up front!

Agree with the above best team won and I think the smart money would be on them to finish top from what I saw of Notts County last weekend. Really liked their passing & movement and unlike many sides at this level they where able to generate a real tenpo from the kick off. It would be easy to say that the difference was that they had finishers in Berry and Collins but in reality today they where a better football team than us.  

So mid table side lose away at the league leaders who on the day where better than the visitors, time to move on and start thinking about Boxing Day I reckon.  

No shame in losing 2-0 away to a side who may very well be champions in May. Least we don't have to go there again this season. Dust ourselves off and get three points on Tuesday!

Ultimately, this should be our hardest game of the season, and we by no means embarrassed ourselves. So as others have said, we move on to 2 games which are far more important in the battle for the playoffs.

Echo most of what others have said except I can't see what was the point of Matt today. Sam Jones' decision-making let him down a few times but boy does he have potential.

To add to Bucks' comments about bizarre refereeing decisions, at one point in the first half Summerfield got in front of one of their players near our left corner, got pushed in the back and went down very easily. The ball went out on the sidelines off Summerfield. Did the ref:
(a) award them a throw-in;
(b) award us a free kick;
(c) award them a throw-in and book Summerfield for 'simulation'?

None of the above. He gave them a free kick.

Can only agree with the above. Their passing and movement up front was outstanding for this level. They have a number of clever players, good hold up play and they are quick and organised. We couldn't live with them, we didn't play badly, sometimes you have to hold your hands up and say you've been beaten by the better side.

We can still make the play offs, but we'll need to sign two or three players in the window that can go straight into the side, a left back, a centre forward and perhaps Jamey Osbourne can be that 'third signing'?

Cant believe the balanced and well considered reports and summaries....c'mon play the game.....we lost FFS ...Slade Out !!

Someone made the comment, which I could only nod in agreement ' it was like meeting the div 2 equivalent of man city'