Club

GRAEME JONES ON THE 2-1 WIN AT BEDFORD

Hatters boss Graeme Jones was delighted with how his team performed at Bedford this afternoon in what he described as "the final session" of the squad's week-long trip to Slovenia.

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George Moncur and Jake Jervis netted the goals in front of 1,604 at The Eyrie, and Jones said: "There were plenty of chances for us in both halves really. Unless I'm wrong, I think they had two efforts on goal - James made a really smart save in the first half, and they scored with their second. I can think of maybe ten clear cut chances each half, but you've got to put them in the net.

"Overall, I'm really pleased because it's been about the training programme and this was the last session within that, so with no injuries, I'm delighted with that."

The only slight niggle was young defender Corey Panter, who played the opening 45 minutes but was one of seven changes at the break.

"Apart from Corey Panter, who felt his hamstring a little bit, I'm more interested in today as an extra training session. If we were planning to try and peak for any game, we wouldn't have had 14 sessions this week, and that's what we've had.

"It was a real volume day. It was a mentally demanding day for the players, but I think Corey will be fine and overall I'm delighted with how the week's gone as well as today."

Jones and his players were delayed on their flight back to Luton Airport from Kranjska Gora yesterday evening, so today's game was especially tough for the lads when travelling to their homes and back to Bedford is taken into account.

"I think most of the boys will have got back to their houses between 9pm and 10pm last night, and that's on the back of 14 sessions - three a day and two on Friday - so today is part of the training programme," said Jones. "Obviously you want to win, but the most important thing is that everybody comes through unscathed.

"There were no issues from the game. There were one or two heavy challenges that I was a little worried about, but sticky pitch, long grass, it was dry, it was hot and I'm pleased that we're all OK."

As well as long-term injury casualties Glen Rea and Alan Sheehan, the Hatters were without Danny Hylton - who flew home from Slovenia in midweek - Sonny Bradley and Dan Potts.

The manager explained: "Danny felt his knee a little bit, but it's been scanned and it's all fine. Sonny and Dan were a little bit fatigued after the week in Slovenia, and we just didn't want to take any risks. They'll both be training on Monday."

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