ALL SYSTEMS GOMES!
0 3 Carlos eyes Wembley – one way or the other
14 23
BY JON WEST
CARLOS MENDES GOMES doesn’t mind how he gets back to Wembley – either the FA Cup Final or the Championship play-off decider will do.
Or, failing that, just establishing himself as a Luton regular will be another major milestone for the 23-year-old come May.
The Senegal-born Spaniard scored the second in a comfortable swatting away of Cambridge, the team everyone was talking about in the previous round.
It was the summer signing’s first goal in a Luton shirt, and a first since his penalty at Wembley last May clinched Morecambe’s extra-time victory in the League Two play-off final.
Given that Nathan Jones’ Hatters are three points off the Championship knockout slots, a national stadium return could happen even if they fall at the next Cup hurdle.
The man with both Atletico Madrid and 10th-tier West Didsbury & Chorlton FC on his CV said: “The team is doing really well and has amazing players.
“I always believe it doesn’t matter about the budget of the club you play for, as long as you have a group of lads who are willing to put in the hard work and believe in themselves, you can achieve anything. I have jumped from
League Two to the Championship and I have improved a lot.
“I’m trying to make the next step. Another promotion would be amazing.”
Mendes Gomes, making only his fifth Luton start, smashed home a low drive from inside the box in the 23rd minute.
Reece Burke had headed them in front nine minutes earlier after debutant Elliot
Thorpe had picked him out from a free-kick. Admiral Muskwe completed the scoring (below) two minutes from time with a deflected shot from the edge of the box.
Cambridge could have no complaints as the hosts, who shocked Newcastle by winning 1-0 at St James’ Park in round three, could not conjure up a repeat.
A sell-out crowd gave Mark Bonner’s men raucous backing but the U’s knew it wasn’t their day when new Hatters keeper Jed Steer parried sub Ben Worman’s shot at 2-0 – and Sam Smith hit the rebound off the bar.
Cambridge also came up from League Two with Mendes Gomes and Morecambe, now they must make sure they aren’t back there next season.
The U’s dropped down to 14th because of results elsewhere but are eight points clear of the drop zone.
Attacking midfielder James Brophy, their liveliest performer, insisted: “Whenever we have had a disappointing result we have bounced back well – so we can use this in the league.”