Often there can be glory in defeat and last night that proved to be just the case.
The Luton U18 side went head-to-head with the Preston North End U18 side at Kenilworth Road.
In front of a crowd of 928, the Hatters bowed out of the competition in a 5-goal thriller.
The young Hatters took an early lead, through Oli Lynch but found themselves 2-1 down as half-time approached, but the youngsters equalised, through Millar Mathew-Lewis in stoppage time.
Sadly, it was to be Preston North End that were to snatch victory, with Kian Best producing a stunning strike.
Despite best endeavours the young Luton side couldn’t get back on level terms and Preston North End now march on to face Fulham or Southampton in the quarter-finals.
Our best wishes go to Preston North End in the next stage of this competition.
But our young Hatters can be so proud of how they’ve performed in this competition and many will, I’m sure, feature in the Luton first XI somewhere down the line.
Their magnificent efforts were certainly appreciated by those who frequent social media:
Great effort lads, hope to see some of them in the first team in due course
— Andrew Collon (@andyc_128) February 6, 2023
They ought to be really proud of themselves
— Daniel Chapman (@danielchapman86) February 6, 2023
The players and coaching staff should be so proud. Well done LTFC. Keep working hard and you will get your rewards.
— Luton Town memorabilia (@StaceySellars4) February 7, 2023
Well done for getting all that way lads you've done us all proud 👏
— ltfc.rhys (@ltfc_rhys) February 6, 2023
You may not have won lads, but you done yourselves and our club proud.
COTH’s
Coventry City v Luton Town?
Coventry City To Win!
Luton Town to Win!
A Draw!
Previous article by Mad Hatter
Luton – Tonight Is The Night Fingers Crossed
They played in the style and tempo of the first team in how they setup and went about the game, extremely encouraging.
Felt for Bentley with that drop, could see how the ball was looping and spinning, with man closing unmarked didn’t have time to pull it safely into his chest.
Luker and Pinnington could cover a few mins for Doughty and Drameh this season when the games start flying at us?
I wanted to add, Alan was first to really start banging the drum on supporting the youth, and I was saying start of season how poor the reporting and coverage of youth was considering we are an established Championship side who have focussed on academy development…
But this season, with Maccas continual energy, RE now talking them up regular in conferences, the reports and schedule announcement posted regularly and even being able to watch the boys on iFollow, think it’s fair to say we have taken a lot of strides in the right direction as a club.
and deservedly so
Well done lads you have done so well to get to where you are and you are making all us so proud of you. It’s pushing the club forward and hopefully you make the first team soon which can only be good for the club . Not sure what is left for you this season as you have won the league ? Keep improving and hit all your goals in football. Coyh