The first question of the afternoon was how would the players react to the uncertainty over the club's future? Having belatedly started to show a bit of character and putting together three wins in four games, would the ten point deduction destroy our momentum? The early signs weren't good with Luton dominating possession in the opening ten minutes. But as we know well enough, those aforementioned football gods love to put the boot in when you're struggling, and Luton's already weakened side was soon further depleted as Keith Keane limped off to be replaced by 17 year old George Beavan for his full debut.
Within minutes of this setback Luton found themselves two down. Before the game their supporters had told us they were without a single fit centre back, and this was evident in both the goals. For the first Hollands spotted Vokes in yards of space between the central defenders and chipped the ball over the defence. Luton keeper Brill rushed out to cover for his absentee defenders, but the pass was perfectly weighted; Vokes got there first first, rounded the keeper with ease and rolled the ball into the empty net. A minute later another Hollands high ball behind the Luton defence produced more chaos. Goodall made a mess of his defensive header allowing Kuffour to collect the ball, lift it over Emanuel and flick it past the advancing Brill.
Vokes and Perrett had chances to increase the lead, and it was 25 minutes before Stewart was forced into serious action, blocking a header and scrambling the ball away for a corner. Cummings cleared off the line from a corner in the 37th minute, and with defence not exactly our strongest suit this season and memories of the collapse in the home game with Luton still fresh, a third goal was needed before anyone started to feel relaxed. Just before half time we got it in style, Gradel sending an unstoppable shot into the top corner from 30 yards. Not quite as good as his goal at Crewe, but good enough, and perfectly timed to shatter what little morale Luton still had.
At half time Pearce replaced Cummings, who had picked up a knock in the first half. Those of us hoping for a penalty shoot-out between the respective administrators for half-time entertainment were disappointed, and the second half did not start well for Bournemouth as Stewart unaccountably neglected the basic goalkeeping maxim of getting your body behind the ball, allowing a bobbling 35 yarder from Emanuel to slip through his hands into the net. Shortly after Stewart was forced to make a save diving to his right, but that was about it for the Luton fight back.
Kuffour was unlucky not to increase the lead when he hit the bar with 10 minutes to go, and he eventually got a well-earned second goal in the closing minutes. Having hit the post with a shot on the turn, he controlled the rebound while still on the ground, got to his feet, coolly sidestepped the keeper, and drove the ball past the covering defender. Time only for the obligatory time-wasting substitutions, Gradel and Bartley exiting to deserved applause to be replaced by Pitman and (at last) Partington.
An enjoyable game, but a result unlikely to be of any significance come the end of the season, with an improbable 28 points (or more) now needed from 15 games to avoid relegation. Perhaps the best that can be hoped for is that both these teams may still be around to contest this fixture a division lower next season.
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AFCB: Stewart, Cummings, Gowling, Perrett, Cooper, Gradel, Hollands, Gradel, Bradbury, Vokes, Kuffour
Subs: Pryce, Tessem, J Pearce (for Cummings, HT), Partington (for Bartley, 90), Pitman (for Gradel, 90)
Richie Barker, Leyton