The brand new Championship season is underway as twenty-four teams begin their quest to try and reach the almighty heights of the English Premier League. The first game of the new domestic season saw Luton Town and Middlesbrough square off, and six goals later, it’s safe to say that their encounter lived up to the hype.
An absolute thriller
The atmosphere was electric at Kenilworth Road, with both sides having high expectations for the next nine months. Just seven minutes into the game, however, Jonathan Woodgate’s side scored the first goal of the new Championship season courtesy of an Ashley Fletcher header. Alas, Luton fans weren’t left down in the dumps for long, with Sonny Bradley equalising with a wonderful effort. They then found themselves ahead, with Martin Cranie’s header ensuring the home side had the advantage.
Simon Sluga was made to pay for a mistake before half time, though, with Assombalonga’s poor effort somehow trickling past him and into the net.
Moving forward
Lewis Wing then proceeded to give Boro the lead once again, with a strike that would’ve been good enough to win any game of football. Then, when the visitors were awarded a penalty, it seemed like it was all said and done for the Hatters – but it wasn’t to be as Assombalonga’s odd night continued with a miss from the spot. At that point, it really did feel like the tide was going to turn.
James Collins was the hero who popped up with a late equaliser with five minutes of regular time remaining, ensuring that they both shared a point. Given the nature of how the game went they’ll probably both be happy with that, although there are certainly defensive issues on both sides of the coin.
Luton will now move on to another tricky game next weekend as they prepare to go head to head with Cardiff City. Middlesbrough will take on Brentford, knowing that their fans will be desperate to see a win in order to reassure them that they are capable of making a significant push for the playoffs between now and the end of the season.
Match Report
Luton: Sluga (6), Potts (6.5), Bradley (8), Pearson (6.5), Cranie (7), Tunnicliffe (6.5), Mpanzu (6), Shinnie (6), Lee (6.5), Collins (7.5), McManaman (6.5), Butterfield (6.5), Moncur (6.5), Cornick (6.5)
Middlesbrough: Randolph (5.5), Howson (7), Ayala (7.5), Shotton (6), Coulson (7), Wing (7.5), Clayton (6.5), McNair (7), Johnson (8), Assombalonga (7), Fletcher (8.5), Saville (6), Browne (6)
Referee: Oliver Langford
Goals: Bradley, Cranie, Collins :: Fletcher, Assombalonga
Yellow Cards: Mpanzu, Collins, Wing, Fletcher
Red Cards: N/A
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