LUTON TOWN 1 CITY 0
League Division 1
27th September 1986
Attendance 9,371
Scorer B Stein(81)
Ref I Borrett
City Suckling, May, Wilson, Clements, McCarthy, Redmond, Hopkins, McNab, Christie, D Beckford, Simpson – sub White(83)
Luton Sealey, Johnson, Grimes, Nicholas, Foster, Donaghy, Hill, B Stein, Newell, M Stein, Preece – sub Nwajiobi(unused)
FROM THE PRESS BOX
VINCE WRIGHT WRITING IN THE TIMES 29TH SEPTEMBER 1986
If the League clubs vote next Monday to keep Luton Town out of the Littlewoods Cup, then the poorer for their absence. On Saturday, Luton beat Manchester City as convincingly as their chairman, David Evans, won his televised argument with his City counterpart, Peter Swales, about the merits of banning away supporters.
Swales and his directors stayed away from Kenilworth Road in protest at Luton’s home members-only policy, yet if they would surely have protested at City’s performance.
City are a team without goals and, on Saturday’s evidence, almost without hope. Only Luton’s wasteful finishing, particularly by Mark Stein and Newell, and goalkeeping of the highest quality by Suckling saved them from a hiding.
The first priority for Billy McNeill’s successor must be to sign a top-class forward. City have managed only five goals this season and three of those were against Wimbledon on the opening Saturday. Against Luton, the No. 9 Christie was so ineffective that he was replaced near the end by White, one of City’s many teenagers.
Beckford was no more successful against Foster and Donaghy. Injury has sidelined Citys other recognized forward, Davies, but his form has been indifferent since moving from Chelsea, and there are rumours that he will soon be leaving.
Goals are also a problem for Luton. Brian Stein, who scored the winner, is their oly marksman who is scoring regularly, and he starts a two match suspension today. However Stein’s absence could be offset by the return of Harford after injury, who tested his injury in the reserves at Chelsea. If he feels no ill effects he will have his first senior game of the season at Tottenham on Saturday.
Even without Hartford, Luton had three times as many goal attempts as City, whose only genuine chance was squandered by Beckford in the second half.
Suckling’s best saves werefrom a Hill shot and a Brian Stein header and it was not until the 82nd minute that the latter brought some sanity to the scoreline when he converted Hill’s unselfish pass.