UEA FC 2nd team began their away campaign with a return to the grey, lifeless town of Luton. Phillips was unlucky to lose his place to the experienced Turk Altay, and Okpala was replaced by the tireless Graham on the left hand side. With Hastings putting his academic work first as usual, Evans was handed a start in a deep midfield role.
The side were hoping to build upon their impressive start against Staffordshire 2s in the previous week and picked up where they left off with Luke Graham capiatalising upon some persistent work from Brad Nelson up top, which he neatly dispatched past the hapless Luton goalkeeper. Despite the goal, UEA struggled to get going and were sloppy in posession at times having to resort to a counter attacking style and exploiting the pace of wingers Willerton and Graham down the flanks. Willerton was instrumental as ever and was the heart, soul and brain of everything UEA did. Inevitably, Willerton showed his class by volleying in an absolute screamer from an excellent ball over the top by Conor Bell, which had the girls on the touchline wetter and smellier than a fish in the Atlantic. The goal itself was likened to that of Pajtim Kasami for Fulham against Crystal Palace by captain Dan Williams who described it as 'almost identical to Kasami's goal but with aplomb'. Midway through the first half Luton were lucky not to go down to ten men after an absolute horror tackle on Evans. Despite Evans brushing it off presumably due to the large quantity of wool which surrounds his body, UEA couldnt couldnt help but react and felt that at least a yellow should've been brandished for the Luton player. Just before half time UEA grabbed their third with some intricate play from Hargreaves in the centre of the park floating a quite pungent ball over the top with Nelson applying a classy finish into the bottom left.
Despite making the most of their 15 minute half time break, Luton didnt turn up until 5 minutes into the second half, by then however Willerton had added his second and UEA's 4th with a simple tap in after a parried effort from Nelson. The inspirational words uttered by skipper Williams at half time were short lived as, after the goal, Luton started to dominate. UEA began to invite Luton onto them, taking their foot off the gas and struggling to retain posession.
Luton scored some goals.
Helped by a few questionable decisions from the camera friendly nigerian referee, the last 10 minutes saw the match turn into a somewhat cagey affair with Luton looking especially dangerous from their long throws and pace down the flanks. If it wasnt for the UEA FC school spirit and some heroics from Kibbey in goal, one save in particular likened to Mart Poom v Coventry in 2008, then the scoreline may have been different. The boys know that they will have to perform better to stay at the top of this league, but at the end of the day as we all know 3 points away from home when you're not playing you're best marks the sign of a great side.
Edited by Alex Willerton
