ESPN CUP RUN OF THE YEAR
LUTON TOWN
THE name Luton Town might be more famous for actually reaching the FA Cup final in 1959, and more recent Wembley wins inthe Littlewoods Cup and Johnstone’s Paint Trophy.
But in their fourth season as a Non-League club – and most disappointing in league action – the Hatters did create history by becoming the first side from outside the top 92 to beat a Premier League side in the FA Cup.
Sutton United were the last Non-League side to knock a topflight club out of the world’s most famous cup competition, beating Coventry City of the old First Division in 1989.
But Luton’s moment of glory came at Carrow Road, Norwich on January 26 when sub Scott Rendell struck the game’s only goal in the 80th minute to send the Canaries flying out in the fourth round.
Ryman Premier strugglers Hastings United went on a memorable run to the third round, beating shocking Bishop’s Stortford and Harrogate Town before losing 4-1 at Championship side Middlesbrough.
And Macclesfield Town knocked second-tier champions Cardiff City out in the third round before losing narrowly to eventual Cup winners Wigan Athletic in the fourth.
But Luton’s magical journey started with a wins over fellow Blue Square Bet Premier clubs Cambridge United, Nuneaton Town and Conference South side Dorchester before Championship side Wolves were beaten by an Alex Lawless goal
at Kenilworth Road.
Then came the historic win in east Anglia to reach the last 16, before a second Championship side – Millwall – ended Paul Buckle’s team’s run round five.
The manager would leave the club three days later with a summer move to America with TV presenter partner Rebecca Lowe looming.
But his and his team’s name had already been written in FA Cup folklore, especially with highly-rated forward Andre Gray, midfielder Lawless and striker Rendell collecting player-of-the-round awards at Wembley last Saturday.
Hatters vice-chairman David Wilkinson said: “Scott’s goal at Norwich will live long in the memory, as will how well we were received at Carrow Road.
“It was just a wonderful, wonderful day.”
