Latics superstar fan and New Zealand’s very own time traveler, Richard Le Mare takes a look at this afternoon’s clash at Kenilworth Road between Luton and the Latics in his own imitable way.
SPOILER ALERT. Match Report. (Aren't international time zones great).
Luton 1 - Wigan 3
It was back in 1971 that I first visited Kenilworth Rd. Luton were playing Lazio in the Anglo Italian Cup, and the following week they played Leyton Orient.
We walked up the road passing the terraced houses, the turnstile clack-clacked round as the foot pedal was depressed by the guy in the booth, which was only fit for slim people.
Up the stairs and we could look down into Mrs. Jones' garden and notice that she had
just finished her washing. She flies her colours every match day. With no interest in football, the kids bounce on the trampoline.
Inside, fans were counted into the bar, one in, one out. In those days there were no seats and the away fans bar was simply more space to pack us lot in.
The teams came out, John Ryan as full back, Jim Ryan on the wing and the Futcher brothers were somewhere. Eric Morecambe was in the Directors box. Leyton Orient lost, Lazio won.
There is nowhere close for the Eavesway coach to park. We had to walk past the terraced houses and see that Mrs. Jones' washing had just been done. Clearly she's very slim, so be nice to her as she'll be in the turnstile booth.
Inside the narrow terraces now have seats closer to each other than an EasyJet plane.
Unlike last time us 'Tics visited Kenilworth Rd, their team isn't like watching Wigan just before administration. Callum Mcmamamamanaman won't score against us in the 94th minute, Kal Naismith won't constantly hassle the defence.
This time Naylor scored first - for no other reason than to make amends to the wayward pass on Wednesday morning at 07.12 NZ time - a 'clinical' pass from Charlie Wyke, Naylor slots it in. 0:1
Max showed us that trying to lob the keeper a bit like Figueroa at Stoke does actually work. 0:2
Tilt decided that going full tilt is a better tactic than going into the corner, stopping, looking up, seeing there is no defence but several blue shirts, so sits on the ball until 6 defenders have arrived, so passes it to Amos. This time full Tilt. 0:3
Nyambe feeds Shinnie from left defence, left mid field, right wing back. They're everywhere, right full back, and are simply MotM. They're tireless and I was exhausted watching them.
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Broadband goes down in Luton and no one cares.
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It's possibly the best stadium you'll visit, and for those of you who weren't even thought of in the '70s, Kenilworth Rd is a bit like they all used to be. It's cosy, quaint, small, fun, and you can crank up the best atmosphere. Unique.
As Avery Brundage, International Olympic Committee President said, "it's the taking part that counts, not the winning". Of course he was talking rubbish. We are lucky because today we got both at the best little stadium.
Eric Morecambe sang "Bring me Sunshine", the 'Tics fans yelled "what do you think of it so far" and as if it had been rehearsed, the Luton fans shouted "RUBBISH". Angela Ripon smiled. Hats off to the HATTERS!
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| RicardoTwoHalves - The tics NZ Correspondent |
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