Barnet vs Luton Town FC (8th Apr 2017)

PUBLISHED 18:30 8th April 2017 Lee returns to haunt old club with Hatters winner

BARNET 0

LUTON TOWN 1 (Lee 66)

Att: 3,313 (1,687 Hatters)

On Grand National Day, Olly Lee scored the second-half winner at his old club Barnet as the Hatters jumped another hurdle in the race for promotion from Sky Bet League Two.

With the final furlongs of the season being run, Nathan Jones’ side are looking to put a winning surge together and they moved up to fourth place in the table courtesy of a second successive 1-0 victory, and Stevenage’s 4-0 defeat at Colchester, on a sun-drenched afternoon at The Hive.

Apart from the one enforced change from last Saturday’s win over Blackpool, with goalkeeper Matt Macey having been recalled by parent club Arsenal in midweek, Jones otherwise stuck with the same starting XI that beat the Tangerines.

Stuart Moore got the nod between the Town sticks, with Craig King – recalled from his loan spell with Vanarama National League side Southport – on the bench, and the Reading loanee pulled off a string of fine saves to deny Bees top scorer John Akinde in a man-of-the-match display.

Barnet started brightly, two left-wing crosses from Jamal Campbell-Ryce and Elliott Johnson causing consternation in the Town six-yard box, the first one headed well clear by Alan Sheehan and the second drifting through a crowd of players and safely past the far post.

But the Town strung together their first attacking move of note with seven minutes on the clock, James Justin switching a beautiful ball out to opposite full-back Stephen O’Donnell, who laid it inside to Lawson D’Ath, whose low cross-shot was cleared for a corner by the home defence.

Isaac Vassell was soon trying his luck, but was off balance as he shot, before Sheehan let fly from 25 yards on 13 minutes, with more power but the same end result as the ball rattled into the advertising board to the right of the Barnet goal.

D’Ath was seeing plenty of the ball and probing for openings, and it was from a foul on the midfielder by Ruben Bover that Sheehan whipped in a free-kick for Glen Rea to attack, but the centre-half couldn’t direct his header on target.

In the 23rd minute Vassell was presented with another opportunity as home keeper Jamie Stephens mis-hit a clearance straight to the striker’s feet, but the Barnet number one did well to recover and save Vassell’s left-footed effort.

Bees striker Akinde reminded the Town defence why he had scored 24 goals this season on 26 minutes, but Moore stood up well and comfortably saved the ex-Crawley man’s low shot.

After a mid-half drinks break in the early April sun, the Town continued to enjoy a majority of possession without creating a clear-cut chance, and it was Barnet who thought they’d got in next with Bover picking out Mauro Vilhete for a header on goal, although an offside flag was raised.

Vilhete soon fashioned space for another go, this time screwing a 37th-minute shot well wide from the edge of the box, then centre-half Charlie Clough glanced a near-post header over the bar from a left-wing corner with 40 gone.

A minute into time added on at the end of the half came Barnet’s best chance, as Akinde got goal side of Town captain Scott Cuthbert when latching onto Ricardo Santos’ long clearance, but Moore produced a terrific save with his feet to deflect the ball up and over the bar, before confidently gathering another Clough header from the resulting corner.

Town started the second period on the front foot, Justin attempting a curler that was deflected just wide of the far post, before Lee - who was having another impressive game in the centre of midfield - fired just wide with a left-footed half-volley as Barnet struggled to clear his corner and O’Donnell’s long throw.

Sheehan looked to inject some urgency into the attack ten minutes after the break when he stepped up from the left side of defence to fire another 25 yarder that was blocked on the edge of the area.

At the other end, Moore made his best save just after the hour when he clawed away a header from Vilhete that was destined for the top corner, moments before Jones made a double substitution, bringing on former Barnet winger Luke Gambin and Ollie Palmer in place of O’Donnell and Vassell.

Bover, who had delivered the free-kick for Vilhete’s header, was living up to his name again as he sent a shot from range that flew inches over Moore’s crossbar, but within seconds the Town had the breakthrough.

Lee had tried to play a short ball to Palmer inside the area after good work by Danny Hylton, but when Harry Taylor looked to nick it from the Hatters’ sub, the ball rolled invitingly into the midfielder’s path and he side-footed it unerringly past Stephens’ outstretched right arm and into the bottom corner.

It was the ex-Bees man’s first goal of the season, and he was soon buried under a pile of team-mates and fans as he raced to the foot of the North Stand housing the 1,687 travelling Hatters.

On 71 minutes assistant referee Robert Massey-Ellis replaced Darren England, who had pulled up with an injury, in the middle with fourth official Steven Plane winging it onto the touchline with the flag.

The replacement ref had a comfortable opening few minutes as the Hatters took control of possession and looked to kill the game, Hylton eventually breaking free with ten minutes left to unleash a 30-yard shot that was well off target.

The Town needed a sliding goalline clearance from Rea with four minutes left after a ricochet presented substitute Fumnaya Shomotun with a shooting chance, seconds before Moore comfortably clutched an Akinde header.

The Barnet forward then sent another header wide as Jones prepared to make his third and final substitution, bringing Jonathan Smith on at the ground where he suffered a broken leg in the Conference-winning season to try to stiffen up the midfield.

The officials signalled five minutes of time to be added on and two minutes into that period Moore held a volley from Curtis Weston well, but he was having the kind of day when you’d expect nothing less, and the Town saw the game through with little concern.

Two successive wins and two successive clean sheets – the Town are on a roll heading into Easter and the visit of bottom club Leyton Orient on what every Hatter hopes will be a very Good Friday.

TOWN: Moore, O’Donnell (Gambin 62), Rea, Cuthbert ©, Sheehan, Justin, Lee, Mpanzu, D’Ath (Smith 89), Hylton, Vassell (Palmer 62). Subs: Cook, Marriott, Musonda, King (GK)

Yellows: Rea, Hylton

BARNET: Stephens, H Taylor, Santos, Clough, Johnson, Vilhete, Bover (Amaluzor 69), Weston ©, Campbell-Ryce, Shomotun (J Taylor 60), Akinde. Subs: McKenzie-Lyle, Nelson, Akinola, Coulson, Tutonda.

Yellows: H Taylor, Campbell-Ryce

REFEREE: Darren England

http://www.lutontown.co.uk/news/article/2016-17/luton-town-barnet-league-two-3664118.aspx

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3AWC7ap_FIs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLJFgn1HhFE

PUBLISHED 18:13 8th April 2017 Jones' team made it two 1-0 wins on the bounce

A delighted Town boss Nathan Jones was more concerned with three points than the manner of the performance as the Hatters secured victory over Barnet that sees his side leapfrog Stevenage into fourth in Sky Bet League Two.

Hatters midfielder Olly Lee scored the only goal of the game which means Town have now won two on the bounce without conceding, following on from last weekend’s 1-0 victory at home over Blackpool.

Jones said: “I am delighted with the result, obviously at this stage of the season, performance wise we were nowhere near it. To be fair we were a little bit fortunate, Barnet probably had the best chances.

“We had a glorious one in the first half with Isaac Vassell and a few opportunities. But they had a few opportunities and as I said we were nowhere, nowhere near it in terms of our performance.

“What I said to them was get the first goal and keep a clean sheet and win the game and that’s what we did.

“I am proud of them because they gave me everything, we needed a little bit more knowhow, a little bit more guile. But the pitch was very, very difficult, it’s very dry. Barnet have raised their game, that’s the best they have played for a while – I have watched a lot of their games.

“They raise their game when they are playing against us, but look, I am absolutely delighted with the win. It puts us in a great position. Performance wise if I wanted to be critical I could. I’d rather win and play badly at this stage of the season than play brilliantly and lose.”

League Two: Barnet 0 Luton Town 1

The transformation of midfielder Olly Lee from villain to hero in the eyes of Luton Town supporters was all but completed this afternoon as he scored a cracking second half winner at Barnet.

It was just two weeks ago when Lee was the subject of criticism from a section of the away fans at Colchester United during a disappointing 2-1 defeat for the Hatters.

Recalled by manager Nathan Jones for the 1-0 win over Blackpool last weekend though in what was a man-of-the-match display, he followed that up by producing a finish of real quality with his left foot on 66 minutes to decide this scrappy encounter at the Hive.

Although Town's hopes of a top three spot have all but realistically gone now, it was still a vitally important win for Nathan Jones' side, as Town leapfrogged Stevenage into fourth place, extending their gap over eighth to a welcome six points, with a vastly superior goal difference too.

Lee's winning strike was the only real moment of composure for the visitors in a match they struggled to ever get going bar a 20 minute spell at the start of the second period, as had Barnet, more specifically, John Akinde's finishing been better, it could have been a very different afternoon.

Hatters boss Nathan Jones made just one change to the side that beat Blackpool, an enforced alteration too as with Matt Macey recalled by Arsenal on Wednesday evening, Stuart Moore won the battle with Craig King to take the number one jersey.

Moore had a few shaky moments early on and was thankful to a great headed clearance under extreme pressure by Alan Sheehan, before a routine cross almost drifted in at the far post.

The visitors couldn't create a great deal in the first half, Lawson D'Ath getting to Stephen O'Donnell's pass ahead of keeper Jamie Stephens to win a corner, while Isaac Vassell shanked wide.

Vassell was then fashioned a shooting opportunity for Danny Hylton, who saw his drive blocked, before Vassell went alone, denied by a smart stop from the onrushing Jamie Stephens.

The hosts really should have ahead on 27 minutes, when John Akinde raced through the middle, getting the better of Scott Cuthbert, but his shot was timid and easy for Moore.

Ruben Bover didn't miss by much on the half hour, as the Bees had a good spell prior to the break, an intricate move leading to Mauro Vilete scuffing at Moore and Charlie Clough glancing a corner off target.

If Akinde's first chance should have been taken, his second on the stroke of half time, definitely had to be, when a long ball caught out Cuthbert leaving Bees' towering striker clean through.

However, he produced an effort un-befitting of a striker who has 23 league goals to his name this term, with Moore sticking out a leg to turn over the bar.

Luton's on-loan Reading stopper then claimed Charlie Clough's header from the corner as the deadlock remained at the break in a first half, Town had never really got going in.

Jones' charges made a far better start to the second period, Lee sending a left footer over the top, however they were indebted to yet another excellent stop from Moore on the hour mark, as he flung himself to his left to claw out Mauro Vilhete's header that was arrowing into the top corner.

With Stephen O'Donnell struggling at right back once more, Town made a double change, replacing the full back and Vassell for Luke Gambin and Ollie Palmer.

The moved worked a treat too, as Hylton got away on the right and his cross into the box saw Palmer battle for possession, with the ball dropping perfectly to Lee who controlled his left footed effort into the corner for an excellent first goal of the season.

Having the goal advantage and looking like they could add to their tally, Hatters then started to almost try and hold on to their victory, conceding territory in the closing stages.

Barnet could and should have made them pay too, with Glen Rea's last ditch clearance preventing Justin Amaluzor's shot finding the corner, and Akinde missing two great chances that should have been meat and drink to him, heading one tamely at Moore, and the other not even requiring a save from Town's recalled keeper.

When Curtis Weston's ambitious volley was gathered it was game over for the hosts, as Luton could celebrate a second win and clean sheet to boot with their nearly 1,700 strong contingent in the away end, who have hopefully changed their lyrics to the song for Town's midfielder for good.

Barnet: Jamie Stephens, Elliott Johnson, Richard Santos, Curtis Weston (C), John Akinde, Ruben Bover (Justin Amaluzor 68), Jamal Campbell-Ryce, Harry Taylor, Fumnaya Shomotun (Jack Taylor 61), Mauro Vilhete (Simeon Akinola 75), Charlie Clough.

Subs not used: Kai McKenzie-Lyle, Michael Nelson, Luke Coulson, David Tutonda.

Hatters: Stuart Moore, Scott Cuthbert, Glen Rea, Alan Sheehan, Stephen O'Donnell (Luke Gambin 62), James Justin, Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu, Olly Lee, Lawson D'Ath (Jonathan Smith 89(, Isaac Vassell (Ollie Palmer 62) Danny Hylton.

Subs not used: Craig King, Jordan Cook, Jack Marriott, Frankie Musonda.

Booked: Taylor 48, Rea 60, Hylton 90, Campbell-Ryce 90.

Attendance: 3,313 (1,687 Luton).

Referee: Darren England.

Hatters MOM: Stuart Moore. Two crucial saves. The one from Vilhete proved a real game-changer.

Jones thrilled as Hatters earn 'fortunate' Bees victory

Hatters boss Nathan Jones was thrilled to see his side battle to what he felt was a fortunate 1-0 win at Barnet this afternoon.

Town midfielder Olly Lee scored the only goal of the game midway through the second half with a wonderfully composed finish into the corner of the net.

However, the visitors were indebted to some fine saves from recalled keeper Stuart Moore, coupled with Bees’ striker John Akinde’s wasteful finishing, as it could have been a different outcome at the Hive, something Jones was well aware of, saying: "I am delighted with the result. Obviously at this stage of the season, performance wise we were nowhere near it.

“To be fair we were a little bit fortunate, Barnet probably had the best chances.

“We had a glorious one in the first half with Isaac Vassell and a few opportunities.

“But they had a few opportunities and as I said we were nowhere, nowhere near it in terms of our performance.

“What I said to them was get the first goal, keep a clean sheet and win the game and that’s what we did.

“I am proud of them because they gave me everything, we needed a little bit more know-how, a little bit more guile, but the pitch was very, very difficult, it’s very dry.

“Barnet have raised their game, that’s the best they have played for a while – I have watched a lot of their games.

“They raise their game when they are playing against us, but look, I am absolutely delighted with the win. It puts us in a great position, performance-wise if I wanted to be critical I could.

“I’d rather win and play badly at this stage of the season than play brilliantly and lose.”

Barnet 0-1 Luton Town: Olly Lee the Hatters hero in north London

Luton Town came away with a narrow 1-0 win at Barnet on Saturday, thanks to Olly Lee's second-half strike.

The victory pushes the Hatters up on to 66 points but they remain in fourth, taking a stronger hold on a League Two play-off position.

In blazing, hot sunshine, Luton went close early on when Lawson D'Ath was superbly played in on the right side of the box, and he cut the ball back only to be snuffed out for a corner.

Isaac Vassell and Alan Sheehan had efforts go well wide, as the Hatters looked to step their game up. But Barnet were postive themselves, using both flanks well on the break.

Luton continued to look the better side and they nearly capitalised on a mistake by home goalkeeper Jamie Stephens, whose kick was charged down by Vassell.

But it was the hosts who should have taken the lead when John Akinde was played in and he burst towards goal on the edge of the box, but his shot was poor and easy for Stuart Moore to save.

Luton's dominance began to fade heading towards the half-time break, allowing Barnet to take control of the contest a lot more. And again, they should have opened the scoring when Mauro Vilhete received the ball on the edge of the box, but like Akinde, his effort was tame.

Another chance went begging for the London side when centre-back Charlie Clough got in front of his marker from a corner to glance a header narrowly over.

Barnet wasted yet another chance - their biggest of the first half - when Akinde got in behind Luton skipper Scott Cuthbert, he looked certain to score, but Moore stayed big and denied him one-on-one.

The visitors certainly needed a wake-up call and they looked rejuvenated very early on in the second period, putting plenty of pressure on the home defence.

And the away fans were calling for a penalty when Vassell went tumbling as he burst into the box, but referee Darren England pointed straight for a goal kick.

But on the hour, Luton had Moore to thank for a world-class save. It was stunning, diving to his left mid-air superbly to deny a header at the back post.

Boss Nathan Jones then decided to change things up, making a double substitution, with Luke Gambin and Ollie Palmer coming on for Stephen O'Donnell and Vassell.

Luton broke the deadlock soon after on 65 minutes through Lee, just inside the box placing superbly into the bottom corner to beat Stephens.

Referee England replaced himself with 20 minutes remaining - possibly due to the heat - with fourth official Steven Plane taking the assistant's role and Robert Massey-Ellis becoming the man in the middle.

The visitors didn't give up entirely, although you could tell they were tiring in the final stages hoping to hold on to their lead.

Barnet, to their credit, huffed and puffed themselves in sweltering conditions, with Akinde wasting two chances in quick succession with his head late on.

Five minutes were added on to make Luton sweat a little bit more, and Barnet certainly did just that, throwing everything they could to get an equaliser.

But Jones' men held out comfortably and made sure they came away with all three points.

Luton Town: Moore, O'Donnell (Gambin 62), Cuthbert (c), Rea, Sheehan, Justin, Ruddock, Lee, D'Ath (Smith 89), Hylton, Vassell (Palmer 62).

Subs Not Used: King, Cook, Marriott, Musonda.

Referee: Darren England, replaced on 70 minutes by Robert Massey-Ellis

Attendance: 3,313 (1,687 Luton fans)

Luton Town boss not giving up on overtaking Portsmouth as he hails Olly Lee winner at Barnet

Luton Town boss Nathan Jones hailed midfielder Olly Lee for a moment of quality, after his strike gifted the Hatters all three points at Barnet.

The home side should have been ahead in the first half, but Jones' side came out a lot stronger in the second and finally broke the deadlock on 65 minutes.

The ball fell nicely for Lee just inside the Barnet box, placing low into the bottom corner to send the travelling support behind the goal home happy.

"He's shown a real strength of character, I know what he can do and why he's in the side," said Jones.

"He's a wonderful technician and he's vital. Olly didn't lash at it like others have with their chances, he's shown the only bit of real quality and composure on the pitch and scored a wonderful goal, I am pleased for him.

"It was a wonderful finish, we're all very pleased for him. The three points was huge, especially considering the other results.

"I didn't want to change too much this week. We didn't really get to grips on the front foot, maybe because it was a hot day, but it was the second clean sheet and 1-0 win, I'll take that all day."

Indeed, it was a scorching day in north London, with temperatures well into the 20s all game which made it tough for both squads.And Jones admitted it proved to be a sticking point.

"You don't expect these temperatures. Our tempo was down in terms of how we wanted to press, we weren't able to press as high as we wanted and really get after them," he said.

"It was a hot day, so it wasn't as fluid or slick, but we just ground it out. That's what you have to do."

Luton are eight points away from Portsmouth in that third automatic promotion position, and with 15 still to play for, it's very much up for grabs still.

Jones says his side will be gunning to win their remaining matches to make it possible.

"We won't give up. It's a difficult thing, you'd rather be in their position than in ours, but it's theirs to lose," said Jones.

"All we can do is concentrate on our games and keep winning and keep trying to win."We went through a really tricky spell but we have shown real character. We have ground out two wins back-to-back."