AFC Wimbledon vs Luton Town FC (27th Oct 2018)

AFC WIMBLEDON 0 LUTON TOWN 2

Pelly and Elliot on target as the Hatters move up to fifth with a third win in a row

The Hatters moved up to fifth in the Sky Bet League One table as goals from Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu and Elliot Lee secured a third successive win at struggling AFC Wimbledon this afternoon.

The Town produced a real workmanlike performance to inflict a sixth straight defeat on the Dons, and keep a second clean sheet in those three winning matches to cement their place in the play-off positions having made the breakthrough with the 4-1 midweek dismantling of Accrington Stanley.

Mpanzu volleyed in the opener just after the hour with his first goal of the campaign, while Lee – the only change to Nathan Jones’ starting line-up at the Cherry Red Records Stadium as he returned after three games out to replace the injured Jorge Grant – bagged his fifth with ten minutes to go, after Danny Hylton had seen a penalty saved in between.

James Shea was in goal on his return to his former club, with Jack Stacey, Matty Pearson, Sonny Bradley and James Justin in the back four. Glen Rea anchored the midfield with Mpanzu, Andrew Shinnie and Lee ahead of him, behind the front two of Hylton and James Collins.

The Town came within a lick of paint of opening the scoring in the fourth minute, when Lee crossed from the right and Hylton’s header hit the inside of the post and came back out, and Shinnie and Rea couldn’t force the rebound home.

The top scorer went close again in the 12th minute when Lee and Mpanzu produced a great bit of combination play to the left of the Wimbledon penalty area, the former crossed for Hylton to get another header on goal, and although it beat Joe McDonnell, centre-half Rod McDonald was on hand to hook clear off the line.

Wimbledon responded with James Hanson sending a tame header straight at Shea, before a 15th-minute corner caused consternation in the Town six-yard box, but the assistant’s flag was already up for offside before Tom Soares hooked his shot over the bar.

Anthony Hartigan fizzed a right-footed shot just past Shea’s post on the half-hour as Wimbledon enjoyed a decent spell, but the Town were soon back on the front foot, Mpanzu ignoring Stacey’s overlapping run down the right to pick out Collins at the far post, but the striker’s header was comfortable for McDonnell to hold.

A scrappy period followed, but it was the hosts who finished the half with the next shot on goal, Scott Wagstaff picking up a ball just inside the Town half and driving forward to unleash a right-footed shot that Shea was right behind.

Shinnie had the first attempt of the second half, although his 25-yard drive was too high to trouble McDonnell – and it was the same at the other end, as Hartigan curled a free-kick over Shea’s bar from similar distance after Bradley had fouled Hanson.

Justin was on set-piece duty for the Hatters in Grant’s absence, and it was from the 20-year-old’s right-wing free-kick that the next opening came for the Town, Bradley meeting this one with a looping header that landed on the roof of the net.

The breakthrough came in the 61st minute when Stacey, Hylton and Shinnie linked up brilliantly on the right for the Scot to stand a lovely cross up to the far post, where Mpanzu was waiting to volley past McDonnell for his first of the season.

Three minutes later Shinnie was at his creative best again, feeding Lee to his left, but the ex-Barnsley man’s attempted curler was well saved by McDonnell, who – two minutes later – had his easiest save of the afternoon to make as Hylton’s attempted Panenka penalty, after the striker had been fouled himself by Trotter, never looked like making its way past the home keeper in the middle of his goal.

Wimbledon threatened briefly in the 73rd minute when Trotter’s back header from a long throw was saved comfortably by Shea, but the action was soon back up at the other end as the Town set up camp in the Dons’ half.

Rea headed onto the roof of the net on 75 minutes, another Justin free-kick from the right causing the hosts a problem. A minute later a great turn by Shinnie enabled the midfielder to feed Hylton into the box to his right, but the striker could only find the side-netting as McDonnell narrowed the angle.

The Dons’ keeper denied Collins with his feet in the 78th minute, after Lee set up his fellow four-goal forward.

The favour was returned with interest two minutes later, however, as the tireless Collins won a thunderous challenge midway inside the Wimbledon half and emerged with the ball to feed Lee, who moved one goal ahead of his pal with one of those curling right-footed shots into the bottom corner that we have become accustomed to from around 22 yards out.

That was enough to seal a fifth win in the last six league matches – six in seven in all competitions – with the Town scoring two or more in each of our last eight fixtures. Next up, Rochdale!

TOWN: Shea, Stacey, Pearson, Bradley, Justin, Rea ©, Mpanzu, Shinnie, Lee (Sheehan 84), Hylton, Collins. Subs: McCormack, Cornick, LuaLua, Jarvis, Jones, Isted.

Goals: Mpanzu 61, Lee 80

DONS: McDonnell, Purrington (Pinnock 65), Oshilaja ©, Nightingale, Wagstaff, Hartigan, Appiah (Pigott 65), Trotter, Hanson, Soares, McDonald. Subs: King (GK), Watson, Thomas, Egan, Burey.

REFEREE: Andrew Davies

ATT: 4,202 (751 Hatters)

NATHAN JONES ON THE 2-0 WIN OVER AFC WIMBLEDON

Town boss Nathan Jones was pleased to see his side grind out a win against AFC Wimbledon at Kingsmeadow this afternoon.

After a goalless first half, the Hatters found the back of the net twice as Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu fired in his first goal of the campaign from Andrew Shinnie's cross just after the hour mark, before Elliot Lee bent one into the bottom right corner from 22 yards with ten to play.

Jones said: "I think it was as good [as recent home performances], I just don't think it was as fluent. It was a different type of game, they matched us up man for man all over the pitch, there wasn't space to exploit.

"We showed a thoroughly professional side to us, we kept a clean sheet, we defended our box well against difficult opponents because they're in a false position. They shouldn't be where they are, we've watched them and they have got some decent players, Hanson is a real threat. I think he was marshalled fantastically well by our centre-halves and Glen Rea in front of them.

"So we really had to dig in today and show our character and our performance levels and I am very, very pleased with that. First half we weren't really at it, second half I thought much, much better. The margin should have been far greater."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=070UcaI0N-s

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

Three wins in a week for Luton as Dons are dispatched

League One: AFC Wimbledon 0 Luton Town 2

Second half goals from Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu and Elliot Lee earned Luton a third win of an excellent week as they triumphed 2-0 at struggling AFC Wimbledon this afternoon.

After what was a first half lacking in quality, Town backed up victories against Walsall and Accrington Stanley with a much improved display after the break, and could even afford to miss a penalty through Danny Hylton on their way to a second away success of the season.

Manager Nathan Jones made one change for the clash, Jorge Grant missing out with a slight groin injury, Lee coming in, while Lloyd Jones was back on the bench.

Luton's opportunities came from aerial balls into the box, James Collins having a header straight at Joe McDonnell, while Hylton glanced Justin's free kick off target.

Just before the break, Scott Wagstaff's hopeful 25 yarder was straight at Shea, the effort summing up the disappointing nature of the first period.

After the break, Shinnie showed some good intent, rifling over the bar from range, while Hartigan also tried his luck when a fair way out, his free kick not coming down in time.

Still it was in the air when Luton looked the most likely, Justin's set-piece reaching Sonny Bradley whose header landed on the roof of the net.

Luton then had the lead on 61 minutes, when Shinnie did superbly to get away on the byline, picking out Mpanzu at the far post, who volleyed home his first goal of the season.

Buoyed by the assist, Shinnie started to take control of midfield, dominating proceedings, as he powered forwards to find Lee, who cut back on to his right shooting at McDonnell.

The keeper was to play a crucial role on 67 minutes though as Hylton was tripped in the area, referee Davies pointing to the spot.

Hylton stepped up, but this time his attempted dink down the middle lacked power and height, as although McDonnell had already gone to his right, he had plenty of time to just readjust and catch the tame attempt.

The Dons, the lowest scorers in the league, and without a goal in their last two, never really once looked like getting back in the game, Liam Trotter's header from a long throw easy for Shea.

Town continued to press, trying to kill the game off, Rea looping a header over, while Hylton, looking to make amends, could only rifle into the side-netting, with Collins denied by the legs of McDonnell.

Luton did have the crucial breathing space that their second half display deserved with 10 minutes left, as a fine advantage from referee Davies, saw Collins win the ball well and find Lee 22 yards from goal, who proceeded to bend the ball beyond McDonnell and into the bottom corner.

From then on, Town were on easy street, comfortable repelling the Dons' direct threats, as they won their first even league contest at the Cherry Red Records Stadium.

The win put them up a place to fifth in the table as well, climbing above Accrington, who held leaders Portsmouth to a 1-1 draw.

Dons: Joe McDonnell, Ben Purrington (Mitch Pinnock 65), Deji Oshilaja, Will Nightingale, Scott Wagstaff, Anthony Hartigan, Kwesi Appiah (Joe Piggot 65) Liam Trotter, James Hanson, Tom Soares, Rod McDonald.

Subs not used: Tom King, Tennia Watson, Terell Thomas, Alfie Egan, Tyler Burey.

Hatters: James Shea, Jack Stacey, James Justin, Matty Pearson, Sonny Bradley, Glen Rea (C), Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu, Andrew Shinnie, Elliot Lee (Alan Sheehan 84), James Collins, Danny Hylton.

Subs not used: Harry Isted, Alan McCormack, Aaron Jarvis, Harry Cornick, Lloyd Jones, Kazenga LuaLua.

Booked: Wagstaff 62. Referee: Andy Davies. Attendance: 4,202 (Luton 751).

Jones hails his professional Hatters after Dons win

Hatters boss Nathan Jones praised the professional on display from his side after they won 2-0 at AFC Wimbledon this afternoon.

After a goalless first half, Luton ground out their opponents in the second period, goals from Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu and Elliot Lee ensuring the visitors ran out victorious.

Speaking afterwards, Jones said: “I think it was as good, maybe not as fluent, but it’s a different type of game, they came and matched us up, they went man for man all over, so that means there wasn’t space to exploit.

“But we showed a thoroughly professional side today, clean sheet, defended our box fantastically well against difficult opponents because they’re in a false position.

"They shouldn’t be where they are as we’ve watched them, and they’ve got some decent players, (James) Hanson is a real threat, but I thought he was marshalled fantastically well by our back four and Glen Rea in front of him.

“So we had to really dig in today and show a different side of our character and performance level, and I’m very, very pleased with that.

“First half we weren’t really at it, but second half I thought it was much, much better and the margin should have been far greater.

“When you go for man for man, it takes time to grind that down, we’ve had to do it at Wycombe and had to do it at Charlton, wait until the space opens up.

“So we’ve got to exploit the space and we did that. It was a bit of a war of attrition first half, so it's just make sure we stay in the game and when the game opens upthen we showed the quality.

“We asked them to be brave at half time and they were.

"They came out, passed it much better and second half we scored two, should have scored three with the penalty and the keeper made a few saves to keep the score down.

“We’re pleased, an away performance, clean sheet, three points, that’s all that matters.”

Luton boss: It wasn't a day for chipped penalties

Hatters boss Nathan Jones couldn’t hide his frustration with striker Danny Hylton for his failed Panenka penalty attempt during today’s 2-0 win over AFC WImbledon.

With Luton winning 1-0 in the second period, Hylton was felled in the box, before stepping up from the spot.

However, his weak chip was easily collected by keeper Joe McDonnell, ensuring the game was in the balance until Elliot Lee’s strike late on gave the visitors real breathing space.

Jones said: “It wasn’t a day for chipped penalties, I’ve just spoken to him and I’ve not had a go at him, but it’s not a day for chipped penalties today.

“Today’s a day when you wrap it in the corner and we get out of here with three points because it’s a difficult place to come, a real tough place to come.

“It wasn’t a chipped penalty kind if day, and I know he’s in good form and that’s the disappointing thing really because it keeps it on a knife-edge really.

“If i had done that, I’d have been pinned against the walls now (by his team-mates), because you would be thinking, ‘hang on, that’s not good enough, it’s not about you.’

“He’s just let us down a tiny bit, but he’s done it before and scored, and hes a big player for us.

“I just wanted him to show a little bit more of a clinical edge and professional edge.”

Lee also felt his side got Hylton out of jail slightly, adding: “That’s the risk he takes.

“It would have been nice if he’d just have finished it off for us, but if you dink it and it goes down the middle you look great, if it doesn’t you look like a fool.

“Listen we’ve got Danny out of trouble today, so we’re a team, that’s what we do.”