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Cup of hope for Hatters

5/12/2003

FA Cup 2nd Round
Rochdale v Luton T
Saturday 6 December. Kick-off 3pm

THE FA Cup isn't just about prestige on the field any more.

The simple fact is a good run equals a healthy injection of cash, from the competition's prize fund, increased gate receipts and the prospect of national media coverage.

It certainly took the sting out of a poor league campaign for Dale last year and after a sorry start this time round the money men at Spotland will be keeping their fingers crossed for more of the same.

Luton Town are equally keen to cash in. The Kenilworth Road club are in administration, leaving manager Mike Newell to make do with a lightweight squad.

Their form, though, has been decent so far. The Hatters have lost just six of their 20 matches and are nicely situated in 10th spot, a point off the play-off zone.

Their man in form is striker Adrian Forbes who has netted seven times in 11 starts in the league and bagged a hat-trick in the first-round replay against non-leaguers Thurrock.

The former Norwich apprentice has been transformed from a useful winger to lead the line for Town and plays off target man Steve Howard to great effect.

The ex-Northampton forward, who arrived in Bedfordshire in 2001, is a handful for any defender and could give Messrs Burgess and Griffiths a headache both in the air and on the deck.

One major boost for the hosts is the news loan striker Gary McSheffrey has returned to home town club Coventry City.

The 21-year-old found a big fan in Newell during his three-month spell at the club and proved his worth with nine goals, but has returned to the Sky Blues despite being out of favour with Gary McAllister.