Mike Simmonds: Half term report on the Hatters

Saturday’s last-gasp 1-0 victory at Newport County AFC saw Luton sixth in the Blue Square Bet Premier, seven points away from that elusive top spot, but they then dropped back to nine points behind with a disappointing 1-1 draw with AFC Telford on Tuesday night.

Headteacher Gary Brabin has often mentioned the need to ‘whip the horse’ in January as that is when he feels the school league tables will start to take shape.

With a number of his class being kept off school by their parents for a variety of ailments in the first part of the term, leading to worrying attendance rates, the boss isn’t unduly annoyed by their indifferent exam results so far.

One slight worry for Brabin would be their efforts against the bigger schools from Wrexham, York and Fleetwood, who sent their bully boys round and ended up stealing not only his lads’ dinner money but also three points too.

He has had to hand out some detentions too, with Dean Beckwith staying behind after his red card against Lincoln and Alex Lawless handed extra homework due to his half time incident at York City.

After striker Danny Crow reminded everyone that playtime isn’t over until the final bell is rung in Newport, there was a renewed confidence approaching lessons this week, which swiftly evaporated against AFC Telford in midweek.

Although Luton have an awards evening planned at the end of term, were they to hold one now, it could well read something like this.

Top pupil: Amari Morgan-Smith – the striker is the leading candidate for head boy, with nine goals making his enforced absence all the more frustrating.

Most improved student: Aaron O’Connor – by his own teachers admission, struggled to fit into his new school at the start, but is now showing just why he was signed, with a seemingly endless reserve of energy.

Goal of the season: Jamie Hand. That volley against Darlington after just coming on. Simply stunning.

Save of the season: Mark Tyler’s amazing paw over the bar from Tom Shaw in the 1-0 home defeat against Cambridge. A magnificent stop.

Best school dinner: No contest. Kidderminster away.

Worst school trip: Stockport away, school bus got stuck in some hideous traffic.

All of which leads to a current mark of C on the report card. Maybe dropping to a C- after Tuesday.

The governors of Kenilworth Road want and expect promotion though, so Brabin and the class of 2011-12 will be hoping once the summer holidays come round in six months time, they will be taking an A grade back to their parents with two simple words. Well done.