A weekly newspaper reporter achieved a boyhood dream of taking shots on his favourite football team’s home ground – winning match tickets in the process.

JP Asher, who works for Stevenage-based paper The Comet, was chosen to take part in a half-time competition at Luton Town FC’s Kenilworth Road ground, during the interval of the club’s 2-0 victory over Port Vale.

Luton supporter JP, 26, was one of three fans picked from the crowd to take part in the contest, which saw them kick five footballs at a hole-filled target board on the pitch – receiving one point for a shot through the centre hole, three for a shot in the bottom corner, or five for a shot in the top corner.

JP achieved a total of five points from his attempts, and was rewarded with two free tickets to Luton’s home game against Chesterfield, which was held on Saturday – the same day his son Thomas turned three.

Comet reporter JP Asher and son Thomas proudly showing off their Luton colours

Both father and son were treated to a 1-0 victory for Luton over the Derbyshire side.

JP told The Comet: “I was just hoping not to embarrass myself by falling over or something, to be honest. Certainly to actually win was beyond all my expectations.

“I can’t think of a more fitting way for Thomas to come for his first home game – on his birthday, and with tickets won by his dad’s lucky shot.”