WHERE ARE THEY NOW?
We trace Luton Town’s Second Division champions from 1981-82
GARETH Ainsworth singled out Paul Hayes after the Wycombe talisman bagged his 100th league goal to help extend the Chairboys’ unbeaten League Two run to seven games.
The 31-year-old’s 63rdminute strike was enough to see off Cambridge, who have now lost three on the spin and recorded only one win in six.
Ainsworth’s side now lie second in the table and the manager was quick to recognise the contribution Hayes had made since his summer move to Adams Park – his second spell with the club.
“Hayesy just seems to do well here but it’s no fluke. His work rate is something phenomenal for a guy his age and the others follow his example,” he said.
“He’s a clever player and knowing him from his first spell with the club I knew what he was about and was my first signing this summer.
“He’s my captain at the moment and leading the line and team well. He’s a great guy to have around as part of a terrific group of characters.
“I thought we created the best chances. Once we get through the opening ten minutes we looked good and passed the ball well.
“The team that did that best were going to win and we did that against a big, strong Cambridge side.”
After a slow first half Wycombe should have gone in front at the break but Sam Wood couldn’t collect Hayes’ pull-back cleanly enough before Chris Dunn pounced to smother.
Cambridge reacted to some strong words from boss Richard Money at half-time and Harrison Dunk almost obliged immediately, firing just past the far post from a tight angle.
The hosts were quick to respond though and Matt McClure thought he’d headed the opener from Wood’s cross only to see it cannon back off the post.
But the home support didn’t have to wait long for the eventual winner, with Hayes converting from close-range after Dunn had saved Paris Cowan-Hall’s initial header.
Robbie Simpson curled a late free-kick over for Cambridge as the visitors failed to muster a response to Hayes’ fifth of the season.
And U’s boss Money was disappointed to come away from Adams Park with nothing to show for his side’s efforts given an after- noon of promising attacking play.
“We got ourselves in so many good positions but couldn’t finish anything off,” said Money.
“It’s another afternoon with promise but unfortunately no points. I wouldn’t like to say how many times we got ourselves in good positions but didn’t produce.
“We’ve come off the pitch without scoring for the second week in a row, which is disappointing after scoring in every game before that.
“Then the one time we don’t pick up our men from a cross in a wide position we end up getting punished with the goal. “Wycombe are in a good spell and when that happens you know how to win games.”