VILLA THRILLER IS FORGOTTEN
YEOVIL halted Luton’s express start to the new season as Tom Eaves’ late header denied the Hatters a third successive victory.
Having thrashed Plymouth Argyle on the opening day and then knocked Aston Villa out of the EFL Cup on Wednesday, Luton were on course for another win when Stephen O’Donnell put them ahead.
But, with 12 minutes left, Eaves headed Kevin Dawson’s cross past Christian Walton to preserve the Glovers’ own unbeaten start.
Luton boss Nathan Jones said: “We had plenty of chances to score more goals, but I just felt we looked a bit lethargic in our play.
“We had no energy at times and you could see that some of our players were some way short of where they usually are.
“The fixture list is relentless at this stage of the season. It’s ridiculous the amount of games we play this month and in those circumstances it’s a good point.
“Both keepers made good saves today and the game could have gone either way in the end. It was a bit like a boxing match as it swung from end to end in the closing stages.
“Both teams were really going for it, both teams were trying to win it and, in the end, we got a point each."
Yeovil came into the game without four senior defenders through injury and also lost Alex Lacey in the first half when he sustained an arm injury after tumbling over an advertising hoarding.
But, with rookies Bevis Mugabi and Matt Butcher teaming up in central defence, the Glovers battled to a deserved point.
Manager Darren Way said: “I thought our lads were amazing. I’m biased, I know, but I thought we should have won today.
“We dealt with the adversity of Alex's injury and the way we came out and fought back in the second half made me a very proud manager.
“We stood up to the test of coming to Kenilworth Road just a few days after Aston Villa lost here and Luton know they have to get promoted this season.
“I was delighted with the equaliser and that’s a reward for Tom Eaves for the hard work he’s put in since he joined the club this summer.”
After Artur Krysiak made a good early save to keep out a header from Luton midfielder Glen Rea, the Hatters went ahead on 26 minutes.
Dan Potts’ cross was cleared to O’Donnell, who blasted a first-time angled drive past Krysiak into the roof of the Yeovil net. But Yeovil battled back after the break and makeshift right-back Dawson burst forward before delivering the perfect cross for Eaves to loop a header into goal.
LUTON TOWN (4-4-2): Walton 6; O'Donnell 8, Mullins 7, Cuthbert 6, Potts 7; Cook 5, Rea 8, McGeehan 6 (Smith 65, 5), Mpanzu 7 (Gray 58, 4), Hylton 7, Marriott 6 (Vassell 86, n/a). Subs not used: Lee, King, McQuoid, Justin.
YEOVIL TOWN (4-3-3): Krysiak 6; Mugabi 6, Lacey 5 (Campbell 32, 5), Butcher 7, Dickson 6; Dawson 6, Lawless 7, Dolan 6; Hedges 7, Eaves 7 (Sowunmi 83, 6), Khan 6. Subs not used: Maddison, Smith, Bassett, Lea