York set to renew rivalries once more with Luton

York City and Luton Town, clubs with proud histories and lofty ambitions, are finely-matched, full-blooded opponents.

In recent times, these one-time members of the Football League have belied their geographical distance of 180 miles to the extent that one might have imagined their meetings were local derbies.

This was again highlighted during last Saturday’s full-blooded FA Trophy semi-final first leg at Bootham Crescent, where York established a 1-0 lead to take into tomorrow’s rematch at Kenilworth Road.

Luton had two players sent off – one in the 14th minute, one in the 54th – and might well have had a third dismissed had manager Gary Brabin not substituted an increasingly irate Charlie Henry just before the hour mark, the midfielder delivering a passable impression of a walking red card after several decisions had gone against him.

York could – and probably should – have had a man sent off as well when Moses Ashikodi flew in late on Henry in the second minute of the game, the resultant yellow card as much of a surprise to the Bootham Crescent faithful as the travelling supporters.

It all represented something of a role reversal after York had two players dismissed on their last visit to Kenilworth Road during a Conference match in January last year.

On that occasion, Michael Ingham and Jonathan Smith were given their marching orders as Luton ran out 5-0 winners.

However, a fixture in which early baths have become commonplace was nothing compared to the events of May 2010, when York visited Luton for the second leg of the Conference play-off semi-final.

Then, after the inevitable sending off of another player, Luton’s Adam Newton in the final minute, events spilled over into something more unsavoury at the full-time whistle.

York’s 1-0 victory, which sealed a 2-0 aggregate win, was the catalyst for a pitch invasion by sections of the home crowd which saw the visiting players forced to cower in the stands.

Striker Richard Brodie was hit by a coin, and it was only the actions of the police and the Luton stewards which prevented more trouble.

It was a classic example of what can happen when individuals bereft of grey matter take sport too seriously, with York having upset the form book to secure their place in the final at Wembley, which they went on to lose 3-1 to Oxford United.

Although memories of those ugly scenes at Kenilworth Road remain vivid, both clubs have been keen to play down their significance in recent days.

York and Luton have met four times since then, three of them at Bootham Crescent, and been involved in various player transactions.

And, with all due respect to the admirable institution of the FA Trophy, it does not normally inspire the same passions as those created by missing out on a potential Football League place.

In short, the sense is that what happened two years ago is very much “water under the bridge” – even if the clubs’ rivalry remains as fierce as ever in a footballing sense.

York City manager Gary Mills was quick to diffuse tensions going into the tie.

“It creates problems if you start talking about things off the field rather than on it,” he declared.

“Within the dressing room, we are concentrating on beating a good side in Luton.

“It’s two teams riding high in the Blue Square Bet Premier, which makes for a great semi-final.”

Last Saturday, it was York’s fans, rather than Luton’s, who drew Mills’s ire following the final whistle at Bootham Crescent.

The former European Cup winner was seething after sections of the home support booed his players off the pitch, frustrated at York’s inability to put the tie beyond the reach of a side reduced to nine men.

On reflection, there was perhaps an element of frustration all round but the reality remains that York secured a good victory against a good team and that their Wembley aspirations are very much on track.

A 3-2 triumph at fellow promotion hopefuls Grimsby on Tuesday night, secured by a stoppage-time winner from Jamal Fyfield, catapulted York back into the play-off places and represented a terrific and timely boost.

Now York will travel the 180 miles south in fine heart as they aim to finish the job at Kenilworth Road.

Interestingly, and given their increasingly pronounced rivalry, it will be only the 24th time York and Luton have met in any competition.

Sixteen of those games have taken place since December 1996, with Luton having generally operated at a higher level than their North Yorkshire counterparts.

Indeed, it is only 20 years since Luton were in the old First Division.

In 1987, the Hatters achieved their highest-ever League position – seventh in the old First Division, finishing above Manchester United.

The following year, they won the League Cup with a 3-2 victory over Arsenal.

It was back to Wembley again when Luton reached the League Cup final again in 1989 but lost 3-1 to Brian Clough’s Nottingham Forest.

Their freefall has been sharper than York’s but both clubs appear on an upward curve.

And with both potential opponents in the Conference play-offs as well, their rivalry could continue for a good while yet.