28 mins: Barnes-Homer shot 0-1

45 mins: Barnes-Homer shot 0-2

Half time: Hatters 2 Magpies 0

60 mins: Crow shot 0-3

70 mins: Ranger shot 1-3

87 mins: Newton long-range shot 1-4

Full time: Hatters 4 Magpies 1

Peter Beardsley told the Chronicle:

"It was tough and Luton were really good on the night. We played some good football at times, but physically I think they over-powered us a bit. There are always positives to take out of the game, but we knew this would be a step up.

"Richard Money had his team worked up for the occasion but in the second half we improved and played some good stuff, but perhaps 4-1 flattered them a little bit."

Town Chairman Gary Sweet:

"Our job is to have an optimum price so we can get the maximum income from the game. If I were to re-price it now having looked back I would probably knock three quid or something off the ticket price. But we didn't have that foresight when we priced the tickets well before the World Cup final." Easy to be wise after the event eh?

United made their first appearance at Kenilworth Road for sixteen years on Wednesday night, but were decidedly second best to their Conference hosts throughout the whole 90 minutes.

Richard Money's side were on the offensive from the start and Town striker Matthew Barnes-Homer failed to find the net with a free header after just three minutes, when it looked easier to score.

The former Kidderminster Harriers striker was a constant threat to the Newcastle defence and could have had a hat-trick before he eventually opened the scoring on 28 minutes, netting at the second attempt from close range.

And the same player continued in similar vein, grabbing his second of the game on the stroke of half time after the equally dangerous Jake Howells skinned Conor Newton before centring for Barnes-Homer to fire past Alnwick.

In reply, Peter Beardsley's side could only muster a wild free-kick from Ryan Donaldson and despite a slight improvement in the second half, were unable to provide any real test to the home defence.

Further goals from the Hatters looked likely, with former 'Boro trainee Tom Craddock hitting a post soon after arriving as a half-time replacement.  



Clad in their blue away kit, United fell further behind just after the hour mark, when Craddock evaded the attentions of the beleaguered Alnwick and crossed for Danny Crow to fire home. 

Newcastle reduced the arrears on 70 minutes with their first shot on target, Brad Inman releasing Nile Ranger, who rounded former Manchester United 'keeper, Kevin Pilkington and found the net.

The goalscorer was immediately replaced and newly-arrived substitute Sammy Ameobi had an opening, but couldn't collect Donaldson's flick. Donaldson himself then shaved the Town crossbar with a piledriver from the edge of the box with six minutes remaining.

Luton had the final word though with the goal of the game on 87 minutes, as Adam Newton beat Jak Alnwick from fully forty yards after the Newcastle 'keeper had come off his line to make a poor clearance. That brought down the curtain on a dispiriting night when nobody enhanced their reputations, save perhaps for left back, Paul Dummett.

Newcastle had arrived in Bedfordshire with no replacement goalkeeper and included Ben Tozer in their lineup, the defender having made five friendly appearances in the colours of Leyton Orient in pre-season. 

Niall MacKenzie

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