Bideford lose 3 - 0 to an impressive Luton Town in the Errea Cup. Despite some brave defending and goalkeeping, Lutons attacks were relentless.

Tonight Bideford played host to Blue Square Conference National side Luton Town at the Sports Ground. Luton were relegated at the end of last season from the Coca-Cola Football League 2 after a 30 point deduction.

The Sports Ground was pretty full for tonight’s match, 513 in total were there to cheer on their respective teams. Luton brought a lot more travelling support than we saw with Wycombe earlier in the week.

In Bideford’s starting line-up, Matt Downing, Ryan Draper and Danny Harris were all given the nod, with Andrew, and Scott sitting on the bench.

The match kicked off and Luton came firing out of the starting blocks, pressuring Bideford deep into their own area, often keeping them there for a number of minutes.

For 23 minutes Bideford held out, until an off target edge of the area shot by George Pilkington luckily found its way through a crowd of Bideford defenders and into the path of Luton forward Tom Craddock. Craddock wasted no time in turning on the spot and knocking the ball past Draper into the bottom right of the goal.

Bideford looked tired, Sean Joyce commented earlier today that the lads were still sore from Monday’s excellent display against Wycombe and it definitely showed.

Luton’s second came after 36 minutes, when Liam Hatch found space down the right hand side and crossed in a perfect ball for Tom Craddock to head home his second.

Half time and Luton look a more organised team than Wycombe did on Monday, they have defended superbly and not given Bideford any time on the ball at all. They have dominated possession and given the Bideford defense much to do, and Ryan Draper a constant thorn in the side.

The second half kicked off and Luton picked up where they left off, forcing Bideford very very deep. A great save from Bideford keeper Draper early in the second denied the tally increasing, and a brave block from Nick Barker a few minutes later denied Luton’s Adam Newby. The inevitability of a third goal was just around the corner though.

49 minutes in and both teams were reduced to 10 men following a fiery clash off the ball between Jamie Densham and Alan White. Both players recieved straight reds.

And sure enough, the Hatters third goal came courtesy of Drew Taylor who fired the ball over Draper’s head and ricochets in off the crossbar.

More chances fell to Luton, but some great last ditch defending and some fine saves deny Luton a further goal. The final whistle rang around the Sports ground, and cheers echo from the jubilant Luton fans.

So Bideford are out of the Errea Cup for another year, but there are still some great games to come at the Sports Ground this week including the Final which will be played at 6pm on Sunday.

Bideford’s next pre-season match is against Peninsula League side Clyst Rovers away on Saturday at 3pm.

Bideford Squad:

Draper, Downing, Barker, Rivans, Brown, Harris, Down, Hockley, Densham, Squire, Laight.

Subs: Andrew, Scott, Francis, Hopcroft, Broom, Duff.

Luton Squad:

Tyler, Keane, Howells,  Hall, Roper, Pilkington, Jarvis, Nicholls, Hatch, Craddock, Burgess.

Subs: Gnakpa, Edwards, Beavan, White, Newton, Gallen, Talbot, Charles, Watkins, Watson, Neilson.

Match Photos