‘I don’t think I’ve been involved in a stranger game than that’
SHELDAN KEAY
ACCRINGTON Stanley’s final home game of the season ended in defeat after they were beaten by Luton Town at the Wham Stadium.
An Omar Beckles own goal, along with strikes from James Justin, Issac Vassell and Jack Marriott proved enough for the visitors, despite Matty Pearson converting for Stanley.
It means that the Reds have lost their unbeaten home record in 2017, but manager John Coleman felt his side were by far the better team despite the heavy defeat.
“I don’t think anybody can believe the scoreline, I certainly can’t believe it anyway. I don’t think I’ve ever been involved in a stranger game than that,” he told the club’s official website.
“We defended poorly but we had to commit men forward and I think the last two goals have come as a result of that.
“I thought we were the better team and that may sound stupid but I genuinely thought we were. We gave up too many chances in the second half and that was a result of us getting desperate.
“It cost us the game and we lost our shape after that. We were good up to the last 20 minute then we seemed to go out like a light, so it’s hard to take.”
Stanley started the game well and went close in the opening stages when Billy Kee fired narrowly over the crossbar.
The home side then thought they should have had a penalty when Pearson went down in the box, but referee Chris Sarginson turned down the appeals.
Luton went close at the other end on 26 minutes when Alan Sheehan’s free the back of the net to make it all square.
McConville then nearly went from provider to scorer when he attempted a 30 yard strike at goal, but Moore managed to deny him and ensure the scores were level at half-time.
Luton retook the lead on 49 minutes.
Beckles’ attempted header back to Rodak was mistimed, meaning it looped over the goalkeeper and into the back of the net.
At the other end, Moore was in inspired form for Luton, making a great save to Moore to keep out Shay McCartan’s free kick.
Things then got worse for the Reds when Vassell got on the end of Ollie Palmer’s cross on 54 minutes and made it 3-1.
Beckles nearly made up for his earlier own goal when his volley was narrowly off target, before Pearson forced Moore into yet another save.
Luton added insult to injury when they added a fourth through Marriott in injury time.