Accrington Stanley vs Luton Town FC (29th Apr 2017)

PUBLISHED 18:27 29th April 2017 Hatters seal play-off spot with a fine 4-1 win at Stanley

ACCRINGTON STANLEY 1 (Pearson 40)

LUTON TOWN 4 (Justin 28, Beckles OG 49, Vassell 54, Marriott 90+2)

Att: 2,150 (590 Hatters)

The Town made certain of their place in the Sky Bet League Two play-offs – and strengthened their grip on fourth place – with an entertaining 4-1 win at in-form Accrington Stanley this afternoon.

James Justin netted his first senior goal for the club to give Nathan Jones’ side a first-half lead, and after Matty Pearson had levelled before the break, the Town took all three points with an Omar Beckles own goal putting them back in front before Isaac Vassell and substitute Jack Marriott got in on the act.

The result means the Town - who are unbeaten in six matches - sit at the head of the play-off positions on 74 points, with fifth-placed Exeter the only team who can climb above them on the final day next week, although the Grecians – who are three points behind the Hatters – would also have to make up a five-goal swing.

What made the result all the more impressive is that Accrington were second in the division's form table, unbeaten in 15 matches up to last week's defeat at Newport, and still able to make the end-of-season shoot-out.

Jones made two changes to his starting line-up, with Jake Gray, who scored at the Wham Stadium in the FA Cup defeat in January, coming into midfield in place of the injured Lawson D’Ath while Vassell returned up front in place of suspended Danny Hylton.

The hosts enjoyed the majority of the early possession, and it was from a right-wing cross by Jordan Clark that their first opportunity arose, striker Billy Kee’s control taking him in front of Scott Cuthbert in the box, but his shot proved too high.

Knowing they needed to win both their two remaining matches, Accrington were asking all the questions in the opening quarter-of-an-hour and it needed skipper Scott Cuthbert and centre-half partner Alan Sheehan to stand tall to head away a bombardment of crosses, in particularly from Sean McConville on the Stanley left.

The Town’s first sight of goal came in the 26th minute when an intricate passing move between Olly Lee, Ollie Palmer and Gray resulted in the latter being tripped 25 yards out as he tried to play Isaac Vassell into the box.

It was Sheehan territory, and the Irishman’s curling left-footer was destined for the top corner until home keeper Marek Rodak flew across his line to pish the ball behind. Sheehan would go close from the resulting corner too, his header from Lee’s set-piece going just over the bar and onto the roof of the net.

Two minutes later the Hatters did have the advantage, however, and it was another piece of fine link play between Vassell and Palmer on halfway that saw the on-loan Leyton Orient man play Justin in on the right, and the teenager made no mistake with an angled finish past Rodak into the bottom corner.

Buoyed by being a goal to the good, the Town started to dominate the ball and Palmer flashed a 20-yard effort flashed across the face of Rodak’s goal just after the half-hour, then – from almost a carbon copy attack to that which led to the goal – he played Justin in again on 38 minutes.

This time, however, an untimely bobble in the Accrington box resulted in the right-back’s shot being sliced high over Rodak’s crossbar as the great chance to double the lead – and his Town goal tally – went begging.

Stuart Moore was asked to make his first real save on 39 minutes when Shay McCartan found himself free in the box, but the on-loan Reading man reacted well at his near post. From the resulting corner, however, Stanley were level – Pearson rising to head McConville’s delivery home, despite Justin’s best efforts to clear off the line.

They might have taken the lead a minute before the break too, but Moore acrobatically tipped McConville’s 20-yard blast over the bar and the teams went in at the break on level terms.

Stanley started the second half well and created two early chances within the first minute for Pearson and Mark Hughes, but the Town stood firm and by the 49th minute were back in front – in bizarre circumstances.

Justin took a throw on the right and there appeared no danger whatsoever as Beckles turned to nod Gray's hooked cross back to Rodak inside his six-yard box. Unfortunately for the Stanley defender, his keeper was almost standing next to him and his looping header sailed over Rodak and into the back of the net.

Moore made another fine save to tip a McCartan free-kick over, but the Town were looking dangerous on the break and Vassell extended the lead on 54 minutes with his 12th goal of the campaign when he squeezed Palmer’s low cross home as Rodak scrambled across his line in a vain attempt to keep it out.

Accrington tried to hit back, Beckles almost making amends for his own goal with a 20-yard volley that shaved the top of the crossbar, but Vassell was rampant and he should have made it four – or squared for Palmer to tap in – with 65 minutes on the clock.

The Cornishman burst past Stanley defender Hughes down the right and bore down on the hosts’ goal, but Rodak got enough on his cross shot to send the ball up into air and somehow the Accrington defender and keeper got back to clear over the bar as Palmer and Vassell tried to force it over the line.

By this point the game was end-to-end like a basketball match, and Moore had to get down low to make another fine save from Stanley left-back Janoi Donacien, who tried his luck from range, before Palmer had two stabs at goal in the 72nd minute, the second deflected inches wide.

Vassell made way for Marriott two minutes later, before Jones introduced Jonathan Smith for Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu on 78 as he looked to get more game time into the legs of the pair who scored against Derby reserves in midweek.

Palmer had another opportunity to net his fourth goal in a Town shirt when Gray got to the right byline and cut back an inviting cross in the 82nd minute, but the striker’s shot was blocked and deflected wide for a corner.

It would be Gray’s last involvement, Luke Gambin brought on in his place with six minutes to go, but it was an Accrington sub who had the game’s next effort, ex-Dunstable Town striker Jonathan Edwards arrowing a low shot past Moore’s outstretched right arm – and thankfully past the post.

Two minutes into time added on, another Town game-changer, Marriott, put gloss on a fine afternoon for the Town when he raced onto another fine through ball from the excellent Lee and slipped it past the onrushing Rodak for his tenth goal of the season.

TOWN: Moore, Justin, Rea, Cuthbert ©, Sheehan, Potts, Lee, Mpanzu (Smith 78), Gray (Gambin 84), Palmer, Vassell (Marriott 74). Subs: O'Donnell, Mullins, Banton, King (GK)

STANLEY: Rodak, Rodgers, Beckles, Hughes, Donacien, Clark (Edwards 75), Pearson, Conneely ©, McConville, Kee, McCartan (Ogle 88). Subs: Brown, Gornell, Boco, Husin, Chapman (GK)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdHC_f9fxMM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jfvOV1Ovki0

http://www.lutontown.co.uk/news/article/2016-17/luton-town-accrington-stanley-3697174.aspx

PUBLISHED 18:53 29th April 2017 Hatters boss reflects on today's win at the Wham!

Hatters boss Nathan Jones was delighted with the style of today’s 4-1 victory at Accrington Stanley that made it six matches unbeaten and secured the Town’s place in the Sky Bet League Two play-offs.

James Justin netted a first-half opener and then, after Matty Pearson had levelled for the hosts before half-time, an own goal from Omar Beckles and further goals from Isaac Vassell and Jack Marriott made it an emphatic afternoon for the Welshman’s side strengthen their grip on fourth spot.

Only Exeter, who sit three points below the Town, cam jump above them on the final day of the season but the Hatters will have to lose and the Grecians win, while overturning a five-goal advantage Jones’ men now hold.

The 43-year-old said: “A lot has to happen for us not to get fourth place with the goal difference side of it, but we want to finish on a high anyway so we are going to make sure we get that fourth place.

“I thought we were excellent today. We had to scrap it out in the first half and we should have been two up when James Justin had a great chance, it took a little bobble late on.

“I didn’t really see them scoring unless it was a set play. We know their threat from set plays and we didn’t defend it well enough, which was a little bit of a disappointment.

“But second half we came out and were right at it. Obviously we got a bit of fortune with the first goal but after that it could have been six or seven, because they had to go for it – they knew they had to win.

“But I thought we were excellent. We had a real cutting edge about us and it could have been a lot more.

“It was a great strike from James and it gave us a lift to take the lead. We have a motto here: ‘Get the first goal, keep a clean sheet, win the game – any two will do’.

“What we did was we got the first goal, didn’t keep a clean sheet, but we won the game and in the second half it could have been a lot more emphatic.

“There was a lot of space late on because they are pushing on, trying to get the win, and we could exploit that with the pace we’ve got in the side.

“We are delighted with the win. To come here and win 4-1 – it’s a real difficult place to come and win, and to do it in the style that we did was extra special.”

League Two: Accrington Stanley 1 Luton Town 4

Luton Town continued to hit form at just the right time this season with a hugely entertaining 4-1 win at Accrington Stanley this afternoon.

The result, achieved without leading scorer Danny Hylton, saw Nathan Jones' side not only cement their place in the play-offs, but also made virtually sure of fourth position as well, with Exeter, who won at Doncaster Rovers, needing a hugely unlikely goal swing in their final fixture of the season next week.

Town's win also ended their hoodoo at the Wham Stadium too, as their four previous trips had seen three draws and one defeat, while they ended their hosts unbeaten record on home soil since December, extinguishing Stanley's own play-off hopes too.

Although the scoreline might show otherwise, this game was very much in the balance until a hilarious own goal just after the break from home defender Omar Beckles, saw Luton take an advantage they were never going to hand back.

Town chief Jones made two changes, Isaac Vassell in for the suspended Hylton, while Jake Gray replaced Lawson D'Ath who missed out with a hamstring injury.

Stanley, knowing victory was essential to maintain their hopes of a top seven finish, made the brighter start, Jordan Clark swivelling to shoot over on seven minutes.

Hatters spent the opening stages having to be on their mettle defensively, needing to keep out a number of dangerous crosses from the hosts, who swung the ball in whenever they got into wide areas.

Luton finally had an opportunity on 24 minutes when Alan Sheehan's free kick from 25 yards drew a cracking stop from Marek Rodak, the ball destined for the top corner.

Sheehan headed over at the far post from Olly Lee's deep corner, before Luton were ahead on 28 minutes when they won the ball back in midfield and Ollie Palmer sent Justin clear on the right.

There was still plenty for the former U18 defender to do and he did it quite magnificently, racing into the space ahead of him, arrowing a wonderful strike across Rodak into the bottom corner for his first ever professional goal.

Justin should have made it 2-0 on 38 minutes later, with an even easier chance from even closer in, as played through once more by Palmer, he leant back and fired miles over.

That miss was to prove costly as within 60 seconds, Shay McCartan escaped Town's defence from the goal kick, his effort parried behind by Moore.

From the set-piece, Matty Pearson climbed highest and his downward header was adjudged to have crossed the line despite the best efforts of Justin and then Moore.

Town's keeper made a fine stop in the closing stages, Sean McConville's effort dipping and moving, the on-loan stopper doing excellently to tip it over.

After the break, Luton had the lead with an error from Beckles that would have easily made the old Danny Baker own goals and gaffes videos from yesteryear.

A long throw bounced up in side the area and with absolutely no-one around him, the Stanley defender waited for Rodak to come and claim, before calmly nodded over the top of his stranded keeper and tamely over the line.

Moore repelled McCartan's free kick, while it got even better for Luton on 54 minutes, as with Stanley committing men forward, and Lee slid Palmer away on the right.

The striker turned provider once more, his cross turned home past the scrabbling Rodak at full stretch by Vassell to mark his 50th appearance with a 12th goal of the season.

Stanley continued to pepper Town's keeper from range, Pearson's drive requiring Moore's intervention, while Beckles, attempting to atone for his error, thundered one inches wide.

Hatters should have made it four when Vassell sped past Mark Hughes, but with Palmer in acres of space for a tap-in, he went for goal, denied by Rodak, with the rebound looking to have crossed the line, until Town's striking duo between them contrived to knock the rebound over.

Moore came to Luton's rescue once more as Janoi Donacien got in behind the visitors' back-line as Town's stopper got down well to save at the expense of a corner.

Palmer, desperate to get on the scoresheet sent an effort deflected wide, before sub Jack Marriott put the icing on the cake, sent through and expertly poking beyond Rodak, for a first goal since January 14.

Now Town turn their attentions to a home game against Morecambe on Saturday, with the chance to finally make it three wins in a row this term, which would see them enter the play-offs in even redder hot form.

Stanley: Marek Rodak, Matty Pearson, Mark Hughes, Omar Beckles, Jordan Clark (Jonny Edwards 75), Shay McCartan (Reagan Ogle 88), Sean McConville, Seamus Conneely, Billy Kee, Janoi Donacien, Harvey Rodgers.

Subs not used: Scott Brown, Terry Gornell, Rommy Boco, Noor Husin, Aaron Chapman.

Hatters: Stuart Moore, Scott Cuthbert (C), Glen Rea, Alan Sheehan, James Justin, Olly Lee, Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu (Jonathan Smith 79), Jake Gray (Luke Gambin 85), Dan Potts, Ollie Palmer, Isaac Vassell (Jack Marriott 74).

Subs not used: Craig King, Jack Marriott, Zane Banton, Johnny Mullins, Stephen O'Donnell.

Attendance: 2,150 (590 Luton fans).

Referee: Christopher Sarginson.

Hatters MOM: Isaac Vassell. Here, there and everywhere. Bagged his 12th goal too.

Luton's cutting edge delights boss Jones

Hatters boss Nathan Jones was thrilled to see his side show a cutting edge as they hammered Accrington Stanley 4-1 at the Wham Stadium this afternoon.

James Justin opened the scoring in the first half, before he missed another glorious opportunity moments before Town were pegged back by Matty Pearson’s downward header.

However, once Omar Beckles comically put through his own goal on 49 minutes, Luton took full control of the scoring, as Isaac Vassell slid home (54), with Jack Marriott completing the rout in stoppage time.

Jones said: “I thought we were excellent today, I really did.

“We had to scrap it out a bit first half, we should have been two up, in terms of James Justin had a great chance, which took a little bobble late on.

“I didn’t really see them scoring apart from maybe a set play. We knew they were a threat from set plays, we didn’t defend that well enough and it was a little bit of a disappointment.

“But second half we came out and we were right at it. Obviously we got a bit of fortune with the first goal, but then it could have been six and seven as they had to go for it, they knew they had to win.

“I thought we were excellent, we had a real cutting edge about us today and it could have been a lot more.”

Jones was also happy to see his side show they can triumph with talismanic striker Danny Hylton, who was missing through suspension.

He continued: “What we put to bed a little bit now is the last times Danny hasn’t played, its normally all doom and gloom, but they’ve taken it on board.

“All three of my strikers contributed massively today and we’re delighted with the win we really are.

“We had real clear cut chances, Isaac Vassell was clean in, only got to square it, we missed chances as well and we created opportunities.

"To come here and win 4-1, it’s a real difficult place to come here and to win in the convincing style we did was extra special.”

The result means Luton are virtually guaranteed fourth place too, with one game to go, something Jones wants to cement in the last game of the regular season at home to Morecambe next weekend.

He added: “A lot has to happen for us not to get fourth place, just the goal difference side of it, but we want to finish on a high anyway, so we’re going to make sure we get that fourth place.

“At the minute, in the form table these (Accrington) are second best, and last week Notts County were in great form. Blackpool when they came to us were in great form, so we seem to be beating sides in really good form.

“It’s brilliant and that’s good because going into the play-offs, everyone who goes into the play-offs are usually in good form, but so are we.”

Accrington Stanley 1-4 Luton Town: Hatters secure play-off place with convincing victory

Luton Town will have the chance to put nightmares of play-offs past to bed in the near future, as they secured their spot in the end-of-season lottery with a 4-1 victory at Accrington Stanley.

But that will not be what this game is remembered for by many fans; that honour belongs to Omar Beckles' comical own-goal at the start of the second-half that saw Luton regain the lead.

It was also a landmark afternoon for James Justin, as Luton's home-grown wing-back netted his first senior goal. That was cancelled out by Matty Pearson's thunderous header from a corner, an area that Luton again struggled with.

Isaac Vassell's 12th of the season gave the Hatters a two-goal cushion with more than half an hour remaining, a fine way to make the 50th appearance of his debut season at the club, before Jack Marriott rounded off the win in added-on time.

With Danny Hylton serving the first of his two game suspension, Isaac Vassell came back into the side to partner Ollie Palmer up front. Lawson D'Ath was also not risked due to injury, giving Jake Gray an opportunity to impress ahead of the play-offs.

Stanley had to win to keep their own play-off hopes alive, a situation that looked improbable at the halfway stage as they sat 22nd in the table. But they're a club used to surprising people and they certainly took the game to Luton from the off.

Backed by a small but loud home crowd, Scott Cuthbert and Alan Sheehan had to be on their toes and dominated in the air in the opening stages.

That initial impetus from Stanley slowly wore off as the half went on, and it was Town who forced the first save of the match.

Stanley keeper Marek Rodak scrambled across his goal to tip Sheehan's free-kick out of the top corner, but there was little he could do less than two minutes later.

Palmer showed good awareness to release Justin down the right, the youngster drove into the box and fired a low shot across goal and into the bottom corner. It was the youngster's first goal in senior football; a moment he enjoyed in front of Town's travelling support.

And Justin should have doubled his tally for the afternoon ten minutes later as Palmer again found the wing-back in plenty of space. It was probably an easier chance, but he went for power instead of precision and ballooned the ball over the bar.

Town were made to pay for that miss shortly after. Shay McCartan's effort was pushed behind by Moore and from the resulting corner Pearson powered a header home from close-range.

Shortly after the break, the Hatters were gifted the lead again. A long ball bounced into the box and Beckles, under no pressure whatsoever, attempted a header back to his keeper. Rodak had advanced off his line to claim the ball, however, and Beckles' header looped over him and into the empty net.

Despite looking shaky from a number of Stanley corners, an area that has been Luton's Achilles' heel all year, Town netted a third on the break, less than ten minutes into the second period.

Palmer delivered a low cross and Vassell was all on his own to turn the ball in at the back post.

Moore had to be alert to keep some long-range Stanley efforts out in the final 30 minutes, with one particularly impressive stop to deny Janoi Donacien.

Vassell and Palmer both had opportunities to put the result beyond doubt at the other end and that honour eventually fell to Marriott.

The striker calmly slotted the ball past Rodak in added-on time for his tenth of the season.

Luton Town: Moore; Rea, Cuthbert, Sheehan; Justin, Lee, Ruddock-Mpanzu (Smith 79), Gray (Gambin 84), Potts; Vassell (Marriott 73), Palmer.

Unused subs: O'Donnell, Mullins, Banton, King.

Accrington Stanley: Rodak; Pearson, Hughes, Beckles, Clark (Edwards), McCartan (Ogle), McConville, Conneely, Kee, Donacian, Rodgers.

Subs: Brown, Gornell, Boco, Husin, Chapman

Nathan Jones pleased with Luton Town's form and labels Accrington win as 'extra special'

By Bedfordshire On Sunday | Posted: April 29, 2017

PLEASED: Nathan Jones was delighted with Luton's display against Accrington

Nathan Jones labelled Luton Town's win at Accrington Stanley as 'extra-special', after they confirmed their League Two play-off place.

Stanley were one of the in-form sides in the division going into the game and it is a ground that Luton have never won at previously.

But the Hatters showed a cutting-edge that has sometimes been lacking in recent games to put Stanley to the sword, with James Justin, Isaac Vassell, Jack Marriott and an own-goal from Omar Beckles doing the damage.

"To come here and win 4-1, because it's a really difficult place to come, to win so convincingly was extra special," Jones said.

"We had to scrap it out a little bit first half, but I didn't see them scoring apart from a set play.

"We know they're a threat from set-plays and we didn't defend it well enough, which is a bit of a disappointment.

"But second half we came out and we were right at it. There was a bit of fortune with the first goal, but it could have been six or seven.

"They had to go for it; they knew they had to get the win, but we were excellent and we had a real cutting-edge about us."

If the Hatters beat Morecambe next week, it will be the first time this season they have put together three wins in a row.

Jones is pleased to see his side coming into form, and beating sides who have also been winning games, ahead of the play-off games.

He added: "Stanley are the second best side in the form table. Last week Notts County were in great form and Blackpool as well when they came to us.

"So we are beating sides that are in good form. That's good, because going into the play-offs every team is in decent form and so are we."