STRIKER Collin Samuel got his first taste of life in the Blue Square Bet Premier after making his Hatters debut as a second half substitute during the 1-1 draw at Bath City on Tuesday night, writes Mike Simmonds.
Samuel replaced Danny Crow late on, but couldn’t find a winner for his side, although he was involved in the challenge that saw Paul Stonehouse sent off for his second booking.
The Trinidad & Tobago international said: “We made two quick subs to try and create something to try and get the win.
“It was a bit difficult coming on trying to make something happen at that stage, them with 10 men, defending for their lives.
“Sometimes the ball does fall for you in the box, unfortunately it wasn’t like that.”
When asked why Hatters hadn’t gone for the jugular in the second period, with a 1-0 lead and their hosts already down to 10 men, Samuel said: “We didn’t take full advantage of it. We created a few chances which we should have taken, it was disappointing.
“I think everyone was pretty much playing as good as the first half, but I think second half they moved the ball a bit quicker.
“They came out fighting with 10 men and chased a lot of lost causes and we weren’t upping the tempo of the game.
“When your chances come you need to take them because you just never know.
“Football nowadays, you can be leading two or three nil and teams come back and maybe draw the game or win the game.
“Everyone is disappointed because we should have come off with the win with them having a man down.
“We need to learn from our mistakes and go into the next game and try and capitalise on that.”
The 30-year-old has been undergoing a mini-pre-season since signing a short-term contract on deadline day at Kenilworth Road after being released by St Johnstone.
Having made his debut, the forward now wants to earn a first team start and more importantly, first goal.
He said: “The last couple off weeks I’m just trying to get up to speed, as quick as possible, I’m not far off now.
“I’ll wait for an opportunity to come and whenever I get it I need to take it with both hands and try and stay in the team as long as possible.”
When asked if he had a goal target in mind, Samuel said: “I wouldn’t say an actual tally because I’m not really into the team yet.
“I’m trying to get my fitness levels as high as possible, so I know once I’m up to that I know I can set the standard and take it from there.
“The main thing for me is getting the first goal.”