Report Dagenhams first crack and the Carling cup and first home game of the eason ended in defeat as League one Luton Town took the spoils. The ame however wasn't an easy ride for a Luton side boasting players such s Don Hutchison and Paul Furlong. The Daggers made one significant change from Saturdays defeat at tockport, last seasons top scorer Paul Benson left out (injured?) in favour of Chrissy Moore.
The game started in poor conditons and they got worse throughout the tie, rain and wind lashing across the ground and in the early exchanges, Lutons experience seemed to cope well with the Daggers very direct
approach having the first effort on goal through Morgan. The conditions were making the game tough for everyone but it burst to life 10 minutes before the break. Daggers should have taken the lead through Big Dave Rains from a Sloma corner. After an almighty scramble, Rains lashed effort appeared to be turned wide by the Luton custodian. Fair play if he did save it but it really should have been nestling in the onion bag. Rains then had an effort blocked by the unit that was Sam Parkin. From that breakdown, Luton broke with purpose and were awarded a penalty in strange circumstances, strange that only the ref saw what for. It looked from my vantage point point that a Luton player felled Parkin but there was also a claim for handball thrown into the ring. Either way, Spring netted from the spot.
The second period saw the game turn into a decent cup-tie with Luton looking to kill the game off and Dagenham having a go back. The Daggers had plenty of posession but only created blocked efforts for Annie and Glenda. However, Luton extended their lead against the run of play. Huke, who had been impressive after coming on for Rains, was robbed of the ball on half-way and when the ball found its way to Talbort, his deflected effort gave Robbo no chance. It looked a tall order for the boys but they had a lifeline within 5 minutes, Mooreo's brilliant run presented him with a chance which was parried by keeper Brill into the path of super Strevs who made no mistake. Sadly, this looked to be the best of it for the boys as Luton used there experience to take the sting out of the game. There was almost a final twist. Robbo, up for a Saunders set-piece, saw his bundled effort stopped on the line. Had it forced extra-time, Robbo
would have been the first keeper to score in open play in both the F.A and League cups. Always next year...
Upminster Daggers Man of the Match: Glenn Southam
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