Hylton and co dreaming of a final showdown at Wembley

Luton striker Danny Hylton has been regaling his Town team-mates with stories of Wembley in a bid to whet their appetite ahead of a Checkatrade Trophy semi-final clash with Oxford United this evening.
Danny Hylton is determined to play at Wembley again this seasonDanny Hylton is determined to play at Wembley again this season
Danny Hylton is determined to play at Wembley again this season

The winners of the tie will travel to the home of English football to take on League One strugglers Coventry City.

Hylton had a taste of the grand occasion last year, when he as part of the Oxford side who were beaten 3-2 by Barnsley in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy final, with the now Luton forward scoring his side’s second goal.

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On the chances of playing there again, Hylton said: “I was lucky enough to go there last year in the JPT final, we lost the game but it was still an unbelievable day and I’d love to go back there again.

“They’re probably all bored of hearing about it the lads, I tell them about it all the time, but I’ll tell them again before the game.

“It really is an amazing day, an amazing feeling to play in Wembley.

“You watch it on TV as you never know if you’re going to get the chance to go there again, so it’s one that we’re going to want to take and do everything we can to get there.

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“Honestly, apart from the birth of my kids, that Wembley day is probably one of the best days of my life. I’d love to do it again.

“There isn’t a team in League One or League Two that wouldn’t want to be where we are now, so I’m happy that we’re there and hopefully we can get to Wembley.”

Hatters have another JPT finalist in their ranks too as Jonathan Smith was part of the Swindon side who were beaten 2-0 by Chesterfield in March 2012.

After playing in the group stages, he also knew what kind of day out was up for grabs, saying: “I’ve been in the final of the JPT before with one of my old clubs, so I don’t take these games lightly.

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“I’m not one to go out there thinking I’m too good for this as I’m not, I’ll give my best any chance I get to wear the shirt.”

On-loan keeper Matt Macey is yet to taste the experience of playing at Wembley, but it’s something he would relish, saying: “It would be a nice little bonus to play at Wembley, there’s the incentive for you.

“It would be a new experience for me, but I won’t get carried away, we’ve got a semi-final to deal with first, and that’s the most important thing.”

Standing in Town’s way through are an Oxford side that Hylton in particular knows very well, having spent two seasons with the U’s prior to joining Luton in the summer.

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On coming up against his former team, he said: “I’m delighted that I get to play against them, I know how good they are, but I know how good we are and I fancy us when they come here to beat them.

“Obviously it’s against my old club, which makes it that little bit more special but it doesn’t matter who it’s against.

“One or two (have been in touch) so I just try to keep out of the silly little mind games at the minute.

“They’ve got some very good players, so it’s going to be a really tough game but there’s no reason why can’t beat them.

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“It’s weird that the first time I meet them it’s going to be in a game with such high stakes.

“It’s one game and whoever wins goes to Wembley. I had a great two years there but I would love to beat them.

“They’re only a League One team. I fancy us against any League One team.

“I fancy us against anyone in the Championship as well, so it’s not a game where me or anybody in there (dressing room) is going to go in fearing.

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“They’re League One, well done, but I don’t think they’re any better than us.

“I’ll take a one-off game anytime to go to Wembley.

“At this time of the season, it’s not just a little game that you’re going to play a big team, it’s a real chance to go to Wembley. We’ll do everything we can to win and we’re looking forward to it.

“These lads work so hard so it would be a little bit of icing on the cake.”