Accrington Stanley vs Luton Town FC (23rd Aug 2014)

Report: Accrington Stanley 2-2 Luton Town

Goals from Luke Rooney and Jake Howells helped the Hatters recover from two goals down to earn a point at Accrington Stanley.

The Town trailed 2-0 inside 16 minutes after goals from James Gray and Luke Joyce.

But, following the introduction of Luke Guttridge, the Hatters looked a different side. Rooney halved the deficit before a deflected Howells free-kick levelled matters before the break.

Both sides came close to winning it with chances in the second half but in the end the Town had to settle for a point which at one stage looked unlikely.

It all started with the Town showing three changes to the midweek draw with Bury – Paul Connolly returned at right-back, Howells replaced the injured Scott Griffiths at left-back, whilst Alex Lacey moved into central midfield.

But the Hatters made a sloppy start on only their second visit to the Crown Ground. Accrington – who came into the game having lost all four of their league and cup fixtures – took the lead in the eighth minute when Piero Mingoia strode unchallenged down the left and his cut-back into the penalty area was touched home by Gray from close range.

The Town continued to struggle in the final third and their task of earning a result looked even more difficult in the 16th minute when Accrington doubled their lead in somewhat fortuitous circumstances. Joyce sent a header from a left-wing corner at goal which deflected onto the post. The ball, though, clipped the head of Mark Tyler and into the net.

With the Town in trouble, John Still brought on Guttridge for Lacey on 22 minutes and within a minute of coming on the midfielder immediately linked-up well with Paul Benson before he then sent a shot wide of the post on 26 minutes.

Tyler kept out a routine, curling free-kick from the edge of the box from right-back Adam Buxton on 28 minutes but, four minutes later, the Hatters got themselves back in the game.

Clever interplay in and around the Stanley penalty area led to Matt Robinson’s shot blocked, but Andy Drury kept the move alive, slipping Rooney in down the left. The midfielder wove his away into the left-hand side of the area before cutting inside and curling a well-hit effort through a crowd of players and into the bottom corner.

With the impetus well and truly with the Town, Rooney was denied a quickfire second on 35 minutes when keeper Jay Lynch tipped away the midfielder’s drive rifled in from 20 yards.

Tyler needed to be alert on 39 minutes when he tipped over a superb half-volley from George Bowerman, but three minutes later the Town were level. Guttridge was hacked down on the edge of the box and Howells’ free-kick from inside the D took a big deflection on its path beyond Lynch, and the 600 Hatters supporters celebrated the equaliser.

Sensing the opportunity, the Hatters almost completed the turnaround in the sixth added minute at the end of the first half when Mark Cullen headed a left-wing cross from Rooney narrowly over the crossbar.

The start to the second half began just as frantic as the first ended as the Town searched for the lead for the first time.

Cullen was almost found by a cute Guttridge pass on 50 minutes, Benson headed a Drury cross wide at the back post a minute later, Cullen then raced through only to stumble in the penalty area on 54 minutes before Guttridge was denied by a brave block by a home defender with his shot destined for the bottom corner.

Still the Town pressed. JJst after the hour Drury’s low shot from the edge of the box was saves smartly by Lynch before the midfielder was denied again by the home stopper on 65 minutes after linking-up brilliantly with Guttridge.

Lynch, the home keeper – making his first Football League start – continued to keep the Town at bay, this time parrying a Rooney shot from just inside the penalty area on 67 minutes.

Back came Accrington, and the Town had Tyler to thank for a fantastic one-handed stop to keep out a fierce drive from Gray on 75 minutes.

Robinson tested Lynch again after teeing himself up for a shot from distance before Alex Wall replaced Cullen with 11 minutes left as the Town hunted a late winner.

The Hatters thought they had their noses in front for the first time on 81 minutes but Luke Wilkinson’s header was disallowed for a foul in the penalty area.

As time ticked down into the five minutes, Tyler smothered a deflected shot from Jordan Mustoe before the Town saw Wilkinson and Robinson both off target with shots from distance.

It was helter-skelter stuff in the final moments as both sides pushed for a last-gasp winner.

And Tyler had the final say with a super fingertip save in the third minute of stoppage time to deny Gray. From the corner, Howells then came to the Hatters’ rescue with a clearance off the line – and that was that.

Town: Tyler, Connolly, Howells, McNulty, Wilkinson, Lacey (sub Guttridge 22), Rooney, Robinson, Drury, Cullen (sub Wall 79), Benson. Subs not used: Franks, Ruddock Mpanzu, Lafayette, Stevenson, Justham.

Attendance: 1,562, including 586 backing the Hatters.

http://www.lutontown.co.uk/news/article/accrington-gallery-2308-1861200.aspx

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HeXVy_BIuh4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-HytoJXIhxM

Luton Town hit back from going 2-0 down after 16 minutes to earn a battling point in a breathless League Two clash at Accrington Stanley this afternoon.

Hatters found themselves trailing to goals from James Gray and Luke Joyce, but Luke Rooney and Jake Howells ensured Luton were on level terms by the break

In the second period, both goalkeepers excelled as chances came and went, as Luton had to be satisfied with a share of the spoils.

Town had made three changes as Luke Guttridge and Fraser Franks dropped to the bench with Scott Griffiths missing out altogether, while Alex Lacey, Paul Connolly and Howells came back into the side.

Midfielder Matt Robinson made his 50th appearance for Hatters, but there was still no place for Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu despite his goalscoring exploits in the week.

There was precious little to talk about in the opening few moments, before Stanley took the lead when Hatters were sliced open on their right hand side.

George Bowerman played in Piero Mingoia and he broke into the box to cross for Gray to slide past Mark Tyler on eight minute.

Hatters, who had looked so solid defensively in recent weeks, then completely fell apart as a high ball was headed goalwards by Luke Joyce.

His weak effort deflected off a Town defender in the box and trickled into the net via the post, with Tyler unable to claw it out.

Unimpressed by what he was witnessing, Town boss John Still reacted to his side’s shocking start by hauling off Lacey on 21 minutes, with Guttridge coming on.

The change gave instantly gave Hatters more pep going forward as Guttridge was off target from 25 yards.

With their tails still up though, Stanley looked for a third, Adam Buxton shooting at Tyler from a free kick.

The busy Guttridge almost stole a leveller, when he tried to pounce on a back header, but Lynch was out to hang on.

Hatters did halve the deficit on 32 minutes though when they eventually managed to sustain some attacking pressure in the final third.

Robinson’s shot was well blocked by Rob Atkinson, but Drury picked up the pieces and found Rooney, who cut in from his flank to curl a peach of a strike beyond Lynch and into the far corner.

The winger, now full of confidence, gathered the ball in a central position, burst forwards and unleashed a low drive that Lynch palmed away.

Hatters still looked uneasy at times, with Robinson gifting possession away far too easily, and Hatters almost paid the price five minutes before the break.

Bowerman’s whipped effort was turned over by Tyler, with the corner then headed wide by the unmarked Tom Aldred.

They say 2-0 is the most dangerous lead to have and this proved to be the case when Guttridge won a free kick on the edge of the box and Howells stepped up.

There was an air of inevitability about the strike, which although wasn’t truly hit, took a number of deflections to beat the wrong footed Lynch.

Hatters then amost went into the interval with the lead as Rooney’s deep cross was headed narrowly over the bar by Mark Cullen.

After the break, Luton put a lovely attacking move together, started by Robinson’s penetrating run, with Drury finally dinking a cross over that Benson glanced wide.

Rooney then slid a glorious pass through for Cullen who turned his defender inside and out, but slipped at the crucial moment, and the opportunity went begging, while Guttridge had another effort charged down as the play went from end to end.

Stanley tried to wrest the initiative back as Howells had to slide in with a wonderful last-ditch challenge and from the resulting corner, Naismith nodded over.

Another lovely piece of play that was knitted together by Guttridge saw Drury race into the box but Lynch made himself big to smother his attempted chip.

The keeper was called upon again to repel Rooney’s low shot, but Accrington came back well, Windass hammering wide when well placed, while Benson looped a header narrowly off target.

Gray then escaped the attentions of Wilkinson and from a tight angle, saw his volley wonderfully tipped over by Tyler.

Robinson’s audacios volley from distance was grabbed at the second attempt by Lynch as Still replaced Cullen with Wall.

Hatters thought they had the lead for the first time when Luke nWilkinson headed home Drury’s free kick, but he was clearly leaning on his man and it was disallowed.

In a nervy finale, it was Accrington who looked the more likely as Gray escaped Town’s defence only to see his rasping left footed superbly tipped round the post by Tyler.

The corner was then headed goalwards by Rob Atkinson, but his header was bundled off the line by a grateful Howells.

Stanley: Jay Lynch, Adam Buxton, Luke Joyce, Tom Aldred, James Gray, Kai Naismith, Piero Mingoia, Nicky Hunt (Marcus Carver 89), Rob Atkinson, Jordan Mustoe, George Bowerman (Josh Windass 67).

Subs not used: Joe Lumley, Dean Winnard, Shay McCartan, Will Hatfield, James Alabi.

Hatters: Mark Tyler, Paul Connolly, Jake Howells, Steve McNulty, Luke Wilkinson, Alex Lacey (Luke Guttridge 21), Andy Drury, Matt Robinson, Luke Rooney, Mark Cullen (Alex Wall 79), Paul Benson.

Subs not used: Fraser Franks, Elliot Justham, Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu, Ross Lafayette, Jim Stevenson.

Bookings: Hunt 83, Carver 90.

Attendance: 1,562 (586 Hatters).

Hatters star man: Luke Guttridge - his arrival changed the game.

League Two: Accrington Stanley 2 (2) Luton Town 2 (2)
Battling Hatters overcame a nightmare start to fight back from two goals down and claim a 2-2 at Accrington Stanley this afternoon, writes Mark Wood.

Boss John Still condemned Town's 'schoolboy' defending in the first half as they fell behind to James Gray's strike early on, with Mark Tyler's bizarre own goal doubling their advantage soon after.

However, the introduction of Luke Guttridge midway through the first half turned the game on its head as Town fought back and levelled before the break with goals from Luke Rooney and Jake Howells.
The Hatters dominated the second half without being able to find the crucial breakthrough as they were thwarted by league debutant keeper Jay Lynch.

Despite countless chances they couldn't find the net, while Stanley almost grabbed a winner late on as a hard-fought clash finished with honours even.

Town made three changes from the team that snatched a 1-1 draw against Bury during the week as Scott Griffiths missed out and Fraser Franks and Guttridge dropped to the bench, with Rooney, Alex Lacey and Howells coming into the starting XI.

Luton were their own worst enemy from the start as Stanley took the lead from their first real attack on eight minutes.
Piero Mingoia did well as he broke down the left and delivered the perfect cross for Gray to turn home from close range.

At the other end Mark Cullen threatened briefly as Lynch was swiftly off his line to save at his feet.
Town's pedestrian start to the first half was exposed again as Accrington doubled their lead on 16 minutes after the visitors failed to clear their lines.

Luke Joyce headed powerfully back into the box from the edge of the area as Steve McNulty's outstretched foot turned the ball on to the post and rebounded off the helpless Tyler's back and into the net for 2-0.
Knowing he had to act, Luton boss Still withdrew the hugely unfortunate Lacey and introduced Guttridge into the attack, who was key to the Hatters' response.

The experienced midfielder let fly moments after coming on as he crashed wide from range, while at the other end Adam Buxton's free-kick was straight at Tyler.

Tom Aldred's dangerous back header almost let in the sniping Guttridge before the Hatters grabbed a lifeline on 32 minutes.

The quiet Matt Robinson did well to control the ball on the edge of the area as his low shot was blocked, but Town continued to press as Rooney cut in from the left and curled a superb effort past the unsighted Lynch.
Andy Drury then found the buoyed Rooney who forced a sprawling save from Lynch with his 25-yard effort.

At the other end George Bowerman's superb half-volley from outside the box forced Tyler to turn over the bar before Luton deservedly levelled three minutes before the break. Brilliant feet by Guttridge earned Town a free-kick on the very edge of the box and Howells' low effort was deflected past the hapless Lynch.

It was all Luton at the end of the first half as Cullen's cross was snared, while Town almost snatched the lead in the sixth minute of stoppage time with a lightning break as Rooney picked out Cullen in the box who arched his neck muscles only to see his header loop over the bar.

Town proceeded to dominate the second half without quite being able to land the killer blow.
Guttridge found the onrushing Cullen early on and his cross was just cleared before Drury could capitalise.
Patient build-up play from the Hatters saw Benson head wide from Drury's cross, while Rooney and Cullen then combined superbly as Rob Atkinson's last-gasp challenge saved Stanley.

Guttridge let fly with an effort that was destined for the bottom corner before it was blocked as Town laid siege to the home side's goal.

Target man Benson then did well to lay the ball off for Guttridge as Lynch just held on to his low effort with his fingertips.

A wonderful passing move from Luton saw Guttridge flick Drury clean through, but Lynch again spread himself to pull off a brilliant one-on-one save to deny the midfielder.

A Howells effort was easily saved before former Swindon team-mates Benson and Rooney combined with the midfielder seeing his low drive saved.

The second half was virtually all Luton, but Stanley did look dangerous on the break as sub Josh Windass dragged just wide after good work by Mignoia.

Town continued their second half onslaught as Benson's header from Howells' cross curved just wide, before the home side almost snatched the lead out of the blue with 15 minutes left when Luke Wilkinson was caught out by a ball over the top and Gray's sharp effort forced a reflex save from Tyler.

Windass tried his luck as he fired wide, while Robinson did well to win the ball before he saw his effort swerve wide of the mark.

Town had a goal ruled out with nine minutes to go when Wilkinson headed home Drury's free-kick, only to be penalised for climbing on his man.

Robinson skewed another chance from the edge of the box wide, before Stanley almost twice grabbed victory in the third minute of stoppage time.

Gray once more got in behind and had the home fans on their feet when Tyler turned his shot into the side netting, only for them to realise it had ended up on the wrong side of the net.

And from the resulting corner Howells cleared Atkinson's effort off the line as Town clung on for a point from a topsy-turvy encounter.

Stanley (4-4-2): Jay Lynch, Adam Buxton, Luke Joyce (C), Tom Aldred, James Gray, Kal Naismith, Piero Mingola, Nicky Hunt (Marcus Carver 89), Rob Atkinson, Jordan Mustoe, George Bowerman (Josh Windass 67). Substitutes not used: Joe Lumley, Dean Winnard, Shay McCartan, Will Hatfield, James Alabi.

Hatters (4-3-3): Mark Tyler, Steve McNulty (C), Alex Lacey (Luke Guttridge 22), Andy Drury, Paul Benson, Jake Howells, Mark Cullen (Alex Wall 79), Luke Rooney, Matt Robinson, Paul Connolly, Luke Wilkinson. Substitutes not used: Fraser Franks, Elliot Justham, Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu, Ross Lafayette, Jim Stevenson.

Booked: Hunt 83; Carver 90+4.

Referee: Sebastian Stockbridge. Assistant Referees: Simon Clayton and Kevin Mattocks Fourth Official: Simon Mather.
Attendance: 1,562 (586 Luton).
Star Hatter: Luke Guttridge. His introduction completely reinvigorated the Hatters.=