Luck ran out for Luton C spectacularly on 21st November 2024 in their away match the team that is in a class of it's own in division 2, Milton Keynes B. Outrated on every board by 200-300 points, it was always going to be a very big ask of the development team to come away with something but the whitewash loss was nevertheless a disappointment for us.
I wasn't able to study any of the other games in detail during the match, and didn't have the heart to ask anyone for their scoresheets for a game review and report. My own game against Andrew Bowler was an example of how not to play the Italian the opening. I failed to advance the a-pawn to create a retreat square for the c4-Bishop giving Black the advantage from move 8. My pawn-h3 to prevent Bg4 was another mistake, as this became a target and allowed Black to place his Knight on f4. As Andrew Bowler said in the post match analysis, "That's your problem". It was a problem I was unable to solve and cost me the game. The games on the other boards weren't much better, all of us making mistakes against a opponents who were just too strong. By 9.30 pm, we were all done. All smiles for the Milton Keynes B (see picture). A night to forget for Luton C.
Final result: Milton Keynes 5-0 Luton C.