Hatters boss not worried over Trophy outcome

LUTON Town boss Richard Money admitted he isn’t too bothered if his side progress in tonight’s FA Trophy first round replay at Welling United, writes Mike Simmonds.

The two sides played out a 0-0 draw at Kenilworth Road on Saturday, as Money made nine changes to the side who had gone out of the FA Cup against Charlton Athletic on Thursday night.

In came the likes of Alex Lacey for his debut, Godfrey Poku and Dan Walker, while JJ O’Donnell was a second half substitute and it’s their development that Money is concerned with.

A home tie with Uxbridge awaits in round two and the Hatters chief said: “Do you want to know the honest truth, I don’t care whether we go through to the second round, I really don’t.

“If we go through fine. If we don’t and from the two games that there are now, if for example Alex Lacey proves to be a superstar that’s far more value for us than going into the second round of the FA Trophy, which will become a hindrance at some stage, no doubt about that.

“So that’s an honest opinion from an honest manager. Hopefully we will create the same sort of chances in the replay and go through, but if we don’t, it’s of no priority to us.”

With that in mind, Money has already confirmed he will play a similar side to the one that took to the field on Saturday, although Jake Howells, who was making his 100th appearance will miss out.

Money added: “I think people need to understand what the afternoon was about. It was about developing and creating future footballers and I was really pleased with a lot of what I saw.

“I think the replay is perfect for us as we’ll take the same group of players and we’ll take three or four more of our youth team, people like Newman Carney, Jordan Patrick and Christian Tavernier.

“We’ll thrust them into that type of environment and the only one way that people gain experience is by playing football matches.

“I played that team because we want to see who can develop quickly, who can come through and be part of our first team squad. I had the full belief that the team was good enough to win the game and let’s be honest, what score do you want me to say that it could have been?

“But its not. We missed a lot of chances, a lot of them from young players who are just starting their careers and I thought they were in the main excellent.

“I think the replay will be great for that group of players to go into that kind of environment and learn some more. Can Alex Lacey play like that away from home when they might try and get out of their half?”