Luton and Scunthorpe plot the path to Wembley
After 46 games, 115 goals and 12 penalty shoot-outs, the final of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy has now been decided.
18 Feb 2009
Luton Town and Scunthorpe United have plotted their paths to Wembley in April after overcoming brave resistance in the shape of Brighton and Rotherham respectively in two enthralling area finals.
And while the Iron will deservedly get many plaudits for their 3-0 aggregate success, the Hatters will undoubtedly grab more headlines for their efforts in a fairytale Johnstone’s Paint Trophy storyline.
Mick Harford’s men secured a nostalgic return to the Home of Football in a dramatic penalty shoot-out win over Brighton, to give their legions of fans something to smile about. The stark contrast between the scenes of jubilation at Kenilworth Road and the mountainous task to stay in league football makes Luton’s success all the more amazing.
While Scunthorpe were making a smooth progression to the final, nobody knew who would be joining them at 9.45pm on Tuesday night, as Luton and Brighton were deadlocked at the end of three hours of football.
The sides shared the spoils in a pulsating 1-1 draw, and with both teams drawing 0-0 in the first leg, a penalty shoot-out was needed to separate the teams.
Keeper Lewis Price provided the heroics for Luton with two flying spot-kick saves to ease the pain which has wrapped itself around the Football League's bottom club.
Price threw himself to his right to save efforts from Jason Jarrett and Chris Birchill, sparking scenes of pandemonium and a pitch invasion which covered the Kenilworth Road playing surface.
It was tough on Brighton, who had battled for much of the game with 10 men after David Livermore was sent off, and their defensive efforts were not lost on Sky co-commentator Gary Birtles, who eulogised on a ‘masterclass of organisation, determination and desire.’
Luton Town manager Mick Harford was delighted that his side will be playing at Wembley for the first time in 15 years, and 50 years on from their historic achievement in reaching the 1959 FA Cup final.He said:
“It’s great for the fans, obviously. They’ve been great and have been on a rollercoaster ride for years and they’ve been rewarded for sticking by the club.
“I’m delighted for the players too, as they have come to this football club knowing the situation we are in and now they have this opportunity to play at Wembley which is fantastic for them.”
Meanwhile, at the other end of the M1, Scunthorpe consolidated their first leg 2-0 advantage with a Gary Hooper strike to see off a brave Rotherham side at the Don Valley Stadium.
Scunthorpe boss Nigel Adkins is now setting his sights on lifting the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy, to ‘put a smile on people’s faces.’
He said: "We set our stall out to get there and put smiles on people's faces. "We navigated out way through the competition and we want to win it just as we want to gain promotion back to the Championship. That's our aim."
Gary Hooper's lone goal at the Don Valley Stadium was enough on the night after United carried a two-goal cushion from the first leg into the game against Rotherham.
And the 21-year-old striker says he is excited at the prospect of playing at Wembley. He said:
"I've never played there before so it will be a good day for the fans, my family and hopefully we'll get our hands on the cup and win the game.
"I've never been to the new Wembley Stadium but I'm from London and it will be a great day and I can't wait for it. I'm really excited but tomorrow is another day and we're back training on Thursday and play Swindon on Saturday and we need to focus on the league now."
Johnstone’s. Bringing colour to the beautiful game.
