AFC Wimbledon vs Luton Town FC (31st Oct 2017)

MATCH REPORT: AFC WIMBLEDON 1 LUTON TOWN 2

Shinnie double sees Hatters progress as Southern Group F winners

The Hatters progressed to the knockout stages of the Checkatrade Trophy with a terrific win at AFC Wimbledon tonight courtesy of an Andrew Shinnie brace.

The Scottish midfielder struck a goal in each half to open his Town account since his season-long loan move from Birmingham City in the summer as Nathan Jones’ side secured home advantage in the second round as Southern Group F winners, a point above their League One hosts.

Jones selected a side that featured goalkeeper James Shea, making his first return to the Cherry Red Records Stadium since leaving in the summer, with James Justin, Frankie Musonda, Akin Famewo and Jack Senior in front of him.

Glen Rea – who will be suspended on Saturday in the FA Cup – was the only player selected from Saturday’s starting XI against Coventry, and he captained the side, with Pelly Ruddock-Mpanzu, Lawson D’Ath, Luke Gambin and Shinnie, who made his return after five weeks out with an ankle injury as a late sub on Saturday, making up the midfield, with Elliot Lee up front.

Town had the game’s first attempt on goal in the fourth minute when Elliot Lee fashioned a shooting opportunity from the edge of the box after a raking ball from Rea found Senior, who combined with D’Ath and Shinnie to tee the ex-Barnsley man up, though his effort was deflected over.

Rea put the forward in again in the ninth minute after a sharp burst through the centre-circle gave him room to find Lee in space on the right, and this time his snapshot was blocked by Dons defender Jon Meades.

The Hatters took a deserved lead in the 12th minute when Shinnie waltzed into the left side of the Dons’ area to finish with a flourish after a fine flowing move involving Gambin, Mpanzu and Senior on the left.

The hosts were level within two minutes, when Lyle Taylor finished left-footed into the far corner from 15 yards – and they might have taken the lead within another minute, were it not for a perfectly timed tackle by Musonda as Harry Forrester prepared to pounce on a Taylor backheel.

Jones dropped Rea into the heart of a three-man defence before Taylor went close again just before the half-hour mark, his floated effort just clearing Shea’s cross bar. Then the Dons left wing-back Callum Kennedy tried his luck with a 20-yard drive, with the same result.

The Town were enjoying plenty of possession without really creating any clear-cut chances, and it was Wimbledon who went close again in the 40th minute when captain Paul Robinson rose highest to meet a Kennedy corner, but his glancing header drifted wide of the far post.

Lee had the Town’s next opportunity, two minutes before half-time, when the 22-year-old collected a pass inside from Senior and drove at the home defence, only to see his 25-yarder always rising over Joe McDonnell’s bar.

The second half took a while to come to life, but just before the hour Lee sparked a rapid counter-attack after picking the ball up midway inside his own half and skipping past a couple of players.

Mpanzu took the ball on and spread the play to Gambin on the right, the Maltese international then playing the over-lapping Mpanzu in to the byline, but the midfielder’s low cross flashed across the six-yard box, just evading Shinnie’s boot.

The Scot came closer than anyone to restoring the Town’s lead in the 65th minute when he took a lay-off from Lee, after some great build-up play from inside their own half from Musonda, Rea and Famewo, in his path before pulling the trigger from 25 yards, only the post denying him this time.

Gambin had the next effort on goal as the Town stepped up the pace, Mpanzu again at the heart of things driving to the left byline before looping a deflected cross to the far post, which eventually found its way to Gambin’s feet, although his shot was blocked.

When the second goal came it was inevitable it was Shinnie, the Scot profiting from good work on the left by Lee and some intelligent play by Gambin to tee him up in the box to slot into the bottom corner from 20 yards on 73 minutes.

Two minutes later Justin produced a timely block on Cody McDonald to preserve the lead, as the ex-Norwich striker got on the end of a low Andy Barcham cross, but it was the Hatters who were soon setting the tone again, Lee working his way in from the right and cracking a shot just past the post.

Sub Luke Berry, who had come on for Shinnie, looked lively and fired a right-footed volley from just outside the area with a couple of minutes left, but McDonnell was safely behind this one – then he had a first-time effort from the keeper’s poor clearance skid just wide in injury time.

The Hatters had done enough, however, to progress to the knockout stages with home advantage as group winners.

TOWN: Shea, Justin, Musonda, Rea, Famewo, Senior, Mpanzu, D’Ath, Shinnie (Berry 80), Gambin, E Lee (Jarvis 83). Subs: Potts, O Lee, Sheehan, Richardson, Isted (GK)

Yellows: D’Ath

Goals: Shinnie 12, 73

DONS: McDonnell, Oshilaja, Robinson ©, Meades (Egan 74), Sibbick, Kennedy, Abdou, Hartigan, Forrester (Barcham 62), Taylor (Kaja 41), McDonald. Subs: Tzanev (GK), Francomb, Soares, Kalambayi

Yellows: Meades

Goal: Taylor 14

REFEREE: Gavin Ward ATTENDANCE: 581

NATHAN JONES ON THE CHECKATRADE TROPHY VICTORY OVER AFC WIMBLEDON

Town boss Nathan Jones was impressed by his side's second half performance in their 2-1 win at AFC Wimbledon as the Hatters progressed to the knock-out stages of the Checkatrade Trophy top of Southern Group F.

Andrew Shinnie opened his account for the Hatters and the scoring on the night as he smashed home from close range after Jack Senior and Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu combined well on the left-hand side after 12 minutes.

The hosts immediately responded though as Lyle Taylor slotted home past ex-Dons stopper James Shea, but Shinnie restored the Town's lead as he curled home from just inside the Wimbledon box in expert style with 18 minutes of normal time remaining.

Jones said: "It took a bit of time to get to grips with them, they're very strong in terms of what they do – their top front man, they played up to him.

"So it was a good test for our two young centre halves, we had to change early on to give them a bit of a hand to get to grips with the game. Once we did that I thought it was a real good game.

"Credit to Wimbledon – they wanted to top the group, we wanted to top the group and I thought it was an excellent game.

"It was competitive and I am really, really pleased because I thought the first half was a really even contest, but second half I thought we were excellent, I really did. We had a couple of opportunities as well to score again."

Birmingham City loanee Shinnie made his first start for the Town since he picked up an ankle injury five weeks ago and he certainly left his mark on the game, being unlucky to not net a hat-trick having also hit the post. Jones was pleased to see the attacking midfielder back in action.

"I think he has taken both goals very well," the Welshman continued. "We had some lovely work in the build up to it, but then there's a bit of individual skill to get the goal.

"He has scored both goals left footed and I am pleased for him. Before he got injured he was providing some massive assists for us, but tonight he showed he can score goals as well, that's probably just what he has lacked."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G68xy4ujet4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RMM45UQpOSI

Shinnie at the double as Town top the group

Checkatrade Trophy, group F: AFC Wimbledon 1 Luton Town 2

A brace from Andrew Shinnie saw Luton Town finish top of Checkatrade Trophy group F with an impressive 2-1 win at League One AFC Wimbledon this evening.

The on-loan Birmingham City midfielder produced two efforts of unerring quality, both with his left foot, as the Hatters leapfrogged their opponents to ensure a home draw in the next stage.

Luton boss Nathan Jones made 10 changes for the contest, with only Glen Rea keeping his place, as he is suspended for Saturday’s FA Cup clash with Portsmouth, meaning starts for James Justin, Akin Famewo and Frankie Musonda, while youngster Drew Richardson was on the bench.

Striker Elliot Lee had a chance to impress too as he came close inside five minutes, taking Lawson D’Ath’s pass and seeing his shot deflected behind.

The Hatters then moved in front on 12 minutes when the ball was played into Shinnie and unmarked, he danced into the area, rifling the ball past Joe McDonnell for his first goal for the club.

However, Town’s lead lasted all of two minutes as home striker Lyle Taylor showed his predatory instincts to fire into the bottom corner from close range. The hosts threatened again, Taylor bemusing Musonda and chipping narrowly over, while Callum Kennedy whizzed one off target from 25 yards.

Taylor was then withdrawn after struggling with a back injury, Town briefly coming to life with three minutes to go until half time, Lee rifling one into the stands.

After the break, there was precious little action of note in the opening 15 minutes, until Shinnie took matters into his own hands, letting fly from 22 yards only to see his rocket crash against the post and away.

That saw the visitors in the ascendancy once more, with McDonnell having to punch clear from Gambin, while the midfielder took aim again, his effort not troubling the keeper.

Stepping it up, Luton then had a second thanks to a goal of real quality on 72 minutes.

Firstly, Lee spun his man with a lovely turn in the area. He fed Gambin, who picked out Shinnie and the midfielder produced a classy low finish, side-footing into the bottom corner for his double.

The Hatters almost wrapped the game up with 10 to go, Lee going alone and his low rasping drive didn’t miss the bottom corner by much.

Sub Luke Berry was unable to convert Gambin’s cross from inside the six yard box, while the midfielder then couldn’t beat McDonnell after his clearance fell to him 35 yards from goal.

However, Town had done enough and will now wait to see who they face in the next stage, due to be staged in December.

Dons: Joe McDonnell, Deji Oshilaja, Paul Robinson (C), Jon Meades (Alfie Egan 73), Toby Sibbick, Callum Kennedy, Jimmy Abdou, Anthony Hartigan, Harry Forrester (Andy Barcham 62), Lyle Taylor (Egli Kaja 40), Cody McDonald.

Subs not used: Nik Tzanev, George Francomb, Tom Soares, Paul Kalambayi.

Hatters: James Shea, James Justin, Jack Senior, Akin Famewo, Frankie Musonda, Glen Rea, Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu, Luke Gambin, Andrew Shinnie (Luke Berry 80), Lawson D’Ath, Elliot Lee (Aaron Jarvis 83).

Subs not used: Harry Isted, Dan Potts, Olly Lee, Alan Sheehan, Drew Richardson.

Booked: D’Ath 60, Meades 62. Referee: Gavin Ward. Attendance: 581.

Jones praises his young Hatters for defeating Dons

Hatters boss Nathan Jones heaped praise on his side after they defeated AFC Wimbledon 2-1 in the Checkatrade Trophy last night to finish top of the group.

Although a draw would have been enough to ensure progression in the competition, Hatters produced a fine second half display to triumph, as Andrew Shinnie’s classy strike with 18 minutes to go sealed the win.

Jones said: “I thought it was a real good game, credit to Wimbledon, they wanted to top the group, we wanted to top the group and I thought it was an excellent game, real competitive.

“I’m really, really pleased as I thought first half was a really even contest, but second half I thought we were excellent, I really did and we had a couple of opportunities to score again.

“I thought it was quite an even game, both teams treated it well. It was a proper game of football, two teams that want to win, two teams that are similar in level and I enjoyed watching it and enjoyed the test that my players got.

“That back four was a young, young back four and to come up against the test that they did and to withstand it for most of the night was very good.”

Hatters had taken the lead through Shinnie after just 12 minutes, only to be pegged back instantly, the dangerous Lyle Taylor on target.

For once, Jones didn’t overly mind the fact they conceded as he preferred the challenge it gave his young centre half pairing of Akin Famewo and Frankie Musonda.

He continued: “I’m disappointed but I’m also pleased as it tested us. “One it tested me tactically, two it tested our two young centre halves because we came up against Lyle Taylor, who’s let not forget, when we came here 18, 19 months ago, he terrorised our two first team centre halves.

“So it was a real good test for them and they needed to get to grips with that.

“Once they did that, I thought they were excellent. I was disappointed to concede so quickly, but in terms of a learning curve it was vital.”

Jones had made 10 changes for the game, only keeping Glen Rea in the side from Saturday’s 3-0 defeat to Coventry City, naming the 23-year-old captain too.

The side had an average age of 22, as on his selection, he said: “I think everyone’s up to speed now, people like Shinnie, Lawson (D’Ath), Pelly Ruddock (Mpanzu), who have missed out through injury or suspension.

“I thought Glen Rea was immense tonight, he was captain, when he stepped back into the back three in the first half, he settled us down, steadied the ship a little bit.

“There were some real, real good performances, JJ (James Justin), another 90 for him and they all got tested, which was a good thing.

“That’s better than cruising the game as they got a real test. There’s some good players in the AFC Wimbledon team and then were bringing on players as well, like (Andy) Barcham who’s excellent at this level, so I’m pleased.”

The victory now gives Town home advantage in the next stage, and saw them improve on their points tally from last season, aided by two bonus points picked up with penalty shoot out wins over Tottenham U21s and Barnet.

Jones added: “It’s just treating the competition right, people make rules and if there’s a penalty shoot out to decide the game and get a bonus point then try and win it.

“Because that meant going into tonight, we could have drawn the game and gone through, but the win just gives us that little bit more of an advantage.

“Plus, Joaquin (Gomez) did the presentation and we said, we want to be further ahead of where we were last year in all aspects.

“We had six points last year, we lost to Millwall in the final game, so it was a similar kind of test we came up against, and we topped the group.

“Our group has been a real good group. The game against Barnet was a real competitive game, the game against Tottenham was too, so credit to all of them. “We’re just pleased to have gone through and to get home advantage, it does help in this competition because the last thing you want to do is add a big journey and an overnight stay as it really does disrupt your week in terms of preparation, not just for the league game on the Saturday.

“So to come up against a real proper test is good for us.”