We were held to a goalless draw by Luton Town at Kenilworth Road on Saturday afternoon.
In our second pre-season friendly of the day, following a 2-2 draw with Wycombe Wanderers in a behind-closed-doors encounter at Hotspur Way a few hours earlier, we again saw honours end even as Thomas Frank handed extended match minutes to more senior players against the Hatters.
Following the same formula as against Wycombe, the majority of the starting XI completed 75 minutes before being replaced by some of our younger stars for the closing stages.
Luton had more chances overall, Nahki Wells denied by a superb save from Antonin Kinsky at the start of the second half in their best opportunity, while Mohammed Kudus had a shot blocked on the line and Will Lankshear dragged a late opportunity wide in our only two meaningful attempts at goal.
Kudus’ effort came after just 10 minutes after we did well to keep the ball in play down the right touchline, but the new signing’s shot was somehow kept out by some last-ditch defending from Christ Makosso. Wells had a couple of attempts charged down at the other end while Kal Naismith went close with a curler and Makosso’s header under pressure cleared the crossbar as the Hatters sought a breakthrough.
In reality, Guglielmo Vicario wasn’t meaningfully tested, but his half-time replacement Kinsky certainly was, the young goalkeeper producing an excellent save to keep out Wells’ volley from Millenic Alli’s cross eight minutes into the second period. Kudus couldn’t capitalise after our former goalkeeper Josh Keeley nudged the ball in his direction a few minutes later, with the former West Ham man conjuring up more danger with some good footwork as he got to the byline on the right a quarter-of-an-hour from time, but his cut-back hit a defender and was gratefully gathered by Keeley.
We had a big chance to win it in the 89th minute after Callum Olusesi – the only player to feature in both first team games on Saturday – stepped in to win possession on the right and fed fellow substitute Lankshear, but the striker dragged his shot across goal and wide as our afternoon ended in frustrating fashion.
Referee: Tom Nield.
Venue: Kenilworth Road, Luton.
Weather: Sunny intervals, gentle breeze, 21 degrees.
Attendance: 10,871.
