Fans/atmosphere

A strong following by the town fans wasn't matched with either a good performance or a good atmosphere. The side stand was all but filled with Hatters, but the Crewe support left a lot to be desired when it comes to their main stand. However, to be fair to the lads behind their goal, they sung all the way through and it was worth a chuckle when they started to chant "we're going up as ____ champions" in injury time

Day's ratings

Stadium - 6/10 Gresty Road
Home fans - 8/10 Small amount really but with just three wins prior to today in the whole of 2005 they can only be applauded to the full
Away fans - 7/10 Good folllowing but distinct lack of singing, possibly because we were spread across such a wide berth, and the fact that the team didn't turn up in the second half
Journey - 8/10 Very quick and a freebie for me because I won Town On Tour's predict a score competition last time out!
Programme - 6/10 "We're such a small club" splashed all over it, and suspicions that perhaps Dario Gradi doesn't write his opening collumn
Match itself - 7/10 Entertaining for the neutral, I'm sure
Performance - 6/10 After some very impressive display this season, we were poor
Hatters' star Man - (7/10) Edwards did his best to get the boys going

Crewe Alexandra 3-1 Luton Town

Match Report

A disappointing day at the office for Luton having had so many fantastic results in August and September, it was another case of us not finishing off lowly opposition. The day started well and looked to be going to plan when a cross floated across from the right and Morgan cheekily chipped the 'keeper Ben Williams and found the back of the net
*GOAL 28 minutes Railwaymen 0-1 HATTERS
However, as the first half drew to a close, Crewe were the team in command and managed to hit the crossbar not once but twice befor ethey got their just rewards with a Jones turn and shot to make it all square
*GOAL 37 minutes RAILWAYMEN 1-1 Hatters
Neither side had another chance reallly and the half ended in dull fashion, completely the opposite to how the game was shaping up before Alex's equiliser.
*Half-time Crewe Alexandra 1-1 Luton Town

The second half started, and for most Luton fans it was a pretty miserbale time with the side not being able to keep to the pace of the first half. Despite saying this, the opening ten minutes were all Luton's and Howard had a shot fly narrowly over the bar, before Jones had another chance, this time his shot only finding the side netting.

As the clock ran down it really did seem like a point was going to be gained by each team, but then with just a couple of minutes left, Lunt connected with a Luke Rodgers' cross, and Crewe suddenly seemed to be heading towards only their third win since New Year's Day. The result was confirmed when a defensive lapse from Heikennen found Varney in acres of space to finish the job off.

Steve Bostock©