Barnsley vs Luton Town FC (12th Sep 2020)

Match Report | Barnsley 0-1 Luton Town

Collo's fourth goal in two matches gives Hatters winning start!

The Hatters made a perfect start to the 2020/21 Championship campaign as James Collins’ second half strike secured a 1-0 win against Barnsley this afternoon.

Collins gave Town the lead in the 71st minute with a rocket from inside the box and the single goal was enough to get Nathan Jones’ side off to a winning start.

The manager made one change to the side that defeated Norwich City 3-1 in the Carabao Cup last weekend as Simon Sluga was brought back into the fold, following his time away on international duty with Croatia.

Town were pushing from the off hoping to make a similarly quick start as they did at Oakwell last season, going two-nil up within the opening five minutes.

But that wasn't to be this time around as the best chance of the half fell to Collins - who was picked out perfectly by Harry Cornick - although on the stretch he could only fire his effort over the bar.

Luke Berry came close to putting the Hatters ahead on the stroke of half-time but his fierce effort from outside of the box narrowly flew over the top.

Few chances arose for either side during the second half until Collins broke the deadlock with a thunderous strike in the 71st minute.

Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu done well to flick a header on towards the striker, who let the ball bounce before firing into the top corner, his fourth goal in two games.

Barnsley could and may well should have equalised four minutes later as Alex Mowatt crossed for substitute Dominik Frieser, but the Austrian on his Championship debut missed from close range.

The Hatters were able to withstand late pressure and stayed resolute defensively to move up into sixth on the opening day of the season.

Next up for Town is an away trip on Tuesday as preparations begin for their Carabao Cup second round clash against Reading.

Barnsley: Walton, Ludewig, Sollbauer, Andersen, Williams, Ritzmaier (Palmer 58), Styles, Mowatt, Simoes (Frieser 52), Woodrow, Chaplin (Schmidt 78).

Subs not used: Collins, Helik, Thomas, Adeboyejo.

Yellows: Woodrow

Town: Sluga, Cranie, Bradley (C), Pearson, Norrington-Davies; Rea, Berry, Mpanzu, Lee (LuaLua 62); Cornick (Bree 81), Collins (Hylton 90+1).

Subs not used: Shea, Tunnicliffe, Moncur, Clark.

Goals: Collins (71)

Yellows: Berry, Collins, Mpanzu

Referee: Jarred Gillett

Nathan Jones' reaction to the Hatters' 1-0 win over Barnsley

The gaffer had his say after victory at Oakwell this afternoon...

Manager Nathan Jones was delighted his side were able to make a winning start to the Sky Bet Championship campaign with a fantastic 1-0 win away at Barnsley.

James Collins’ second half goal was the difference between the two sides as the Hatters maintained their 100 per cent winning start to competitive action this season.

Speaking to the press after the game, Jones began by saying: “Apart from their chance, it was probably as good an away performance as you’re likely to see in terms of solidity, what we did and how we pressed. They (Barnsley) will be nowhere near where they were last year, they are a good side and I think that we have played very, very well today, I really do.

“I thought we pressed really well, we were organised, we gave them very little. We lacked just a little bit of quality in the final third, if we did then we would have had more chances but when you’ve got a goalscorer like James Collins, you get opportunities and he puts it away.”

Collo scored Town’s only shot on target but that wasn’t to say Jones’ side didn’t threaten Barnsley. The forward had another good chance, as did Luke Berry, as the gaffer insisted: “Berry’s was a lot harder, it was obviously coming back at him from 20-yards, Collo’s was a great chance, he could have actually taken a touch.

“It was a great move right from the back and it’s a real glorious chance, one you expect him to put away. No disrespect, we played these eight weeks ago or whatever it was, and they were better than us, they pressed us and we had to contain them and drew the game.

“Total change today, we were on the front foot, we pressed, we had energy, we were aggressive and I’m really proud of my team today, I thought they were excellent from start to finish. Thoroughly deserved a win, difficult place to come to because not many will win here, I’m telling you. They beat Forest last week and the way the play, the aggression, the freedom they play with, I’m so proud of my boys.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NGRyuUa8tvQ& - Nathan Jones interview

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kbTRD6QVDVk – match highlights

Collins' cracker seals opening day win for Luton at Barnsley

Championship: Barnsley 0 Luton Town 1

Talisman James Collins proved to be Luton's hero once more as his brilliant second half finish saw the Hatters pick up a gritty opening day win at Barnsley this afternoon.

A Championship fixture between the two sides had looked unlikely for the majority of last season, with both appearing destined for the drop before the campaign was postponed due to the coronavirus.

However, the duo ripped up the form book to achieve the Great Escape, showing promotion-winning form to fight clear of the drop on the final day, ensuring they linied up at Oakwell with the slate wiped clean.

It had looked like the spoils would be shared during a clash that was low on quality for large periods, until Collins took the only chance he had in the second period with 18 minute to go, excellently rifling into the top corner to steal the points.

Town boss Nathan Jones made just one change from the 3-1 Carabao Cup win over Norwich City, Simon Sluga replacing James Shea in goal, fellow international Tom Lockyer travelling, but not included in the match-day squad.

Ryan Tunnicliffe came in for Andrew Shinnie on the bench as the visitors had a chance of sorts early on, ex-Hatter Cauley Woodrow getting on the outside of Sonny Bradley, his angled drive flashing across goal, with Alex Mowatt also driving well over after dispossessing Glen Rea.

The Hatters had some moments, Rhys Norrington-Davies' cross needing a last-ditch clearance and Harry Cornick almost breaking through, as they although not enjoying the fast start they had last term, when 3-0 up after half an hour, looked happy to grow into the contest.

With 18 minutes gone, Luton fashioned the best opportunity thanks initially to some clever work by Elliot Lee.

His crossfield ball was headed on by Martin Cranie for Cornick, the attacker delivering a delicious cross for Collins, who volleyed over on his left foot, screaming in clear frustration afterwards.

Barnsley upped their tempo though after the let-off, forcing a succession of corners, Callum Styles shanking an effort wide from a decent position and then Woodrow's attempt dribbling into Sluga's gloves as the hosts wrested the initiative back.

A quiet period was almost enlivened by an absolute stunner from Luke Berry against his former side, the midfielder's blast from just outside the box after a clearance fell invitingly, narrowly missing the top corner.

After the break, play became increasingly scrappy from both sides, with neither team able to get a foot on the ball as they had at time during the first period.

Jones threw Kazenga LuaLua on after an hour to try and improve proceedings, but still, the visitors lacked the quality to ever really look like breaking down a stubborn home defence.

However, they did just that with 18 minutes to go, netting a goal out of keeping with the contest.

With the Tykes not getting enough on their clearance, LuaLua won an important header, Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu flicked it on and Collins fairly leathered his half volley past Jack Walton and into the roof of the net from just inside the box.

Breaching the home defence in their own stadium was no mean feat by the Hatters too, with Barnsley not conceding since March 7, keeping out Millwall, Blackburn, Wigan and Nottingham Forest in the league, plus Forest again in the Carabao Cup last weekend.

As was the case last week, Luton then switched off momentarily, but unlike last week, they weren't made to pay for their loss of concentration, although they should have, Dominik Friesier missing an absolute sitter, putting his diving header from a matter of yards wide of the post.

Luton regained their composure in the final 10 minutes though, with Barnsley having just one attempt, Kiliam Ludewig's spectacular but wayward drive, as they comfortably held on for an opening day win, recording a shut-out away from Kenilworth Road at the first time of asking, something that had taken them until February last term.

It also continued the Hatters' excellent defensive record on the road under Jones too, marshalled superbly by skipper Bradley, making it four clean sheets out of five since the manager returned in May.

Tykes: Jack Walton, Killian Ludwig, Michael Sollbauer, Mads Andersen, Jordan Williams, Marcel Ritzmaier (Romal Palmer 58), Alex Mowatt ©, Callum Styles, Elliot Simoes (Dominik Frieser 52), Cauley Woodrow, Conor Chaplin (Patrick Schmidt 78).

Subs not used: Brad Collins, Michal Helik, Luke Thomas, Victor Adeboyejo.

Hatters: James Shea, Martin Cranie, Rhys Norrington-Davies, Matty Pearson, Sonny Bradley ©, Glen Rea, Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu, Luke Berry, Elliot Lee (Kazenga LuaLua 62) James Collins (Danny Hylton 90), Harry Cornick (James Bree 80).

Subs not used: James Shea, George Moncur, Ryan Tunnicliffe, Jordan Clark.

Booked: Woodrow 7, Berry 31, Collins 57, Mpanzu 84.

Referee: Jarred Gillett.

Luton boss labels Tykes win as 'magnificent' for his aggressive Hatters

Town chief hails the attitude from his side at Oakwell

A thrilled Luton boss Nathan Jones was fulsome in his praise of the Hatters' spirit and aggression after their 1-0 win at Barnsley this afternoon.

James Collins' clinical finish with just 18 minutes left was enough to separate the sides, ensuring Town began their Championship campaign with an opening day triumph.

Speaking afterwards, Jones said: "Apart from their chance, that’s probably as good an away performance as you’re likely to see.

"In terms of solidity, how we pressed, and these will be nowhere near where they were last season by the way, these are a good side and I think we just played very, very well today, I really do.

“We pressed really well, we were organised, we limited them to very little.

"We lacked just that little bit of quality in the final third, if we did then we would have had more chances, but when you’ve got a goalscorer like James Collins who gets an opportunity and puts it away, that’s what you need.

"No disrespect, we played these eight weeks ago, or whatever it was, and they were better than us.

"They pressed us and we had to contain them and even though we drew the game, they were a little bit more front-footed than us, but a total change today.

"We were front-footed, we pressed, we had energy, were aggressive, I thought they were excellent from start to finish and thoroughly deserved the win.

"It's a difficult place to come to as not many will win here, I’m telling you, they beat Forest last week, the aggression, the freedom they play with, but I’m so proud of my boys."

Collins' winner when it came saw both Kazenga LuaLua and Pelly-Ruddock win aerial challenges before the striker lashed beyond Jack Walton and into the top corner.

Jones continued: "It’s a little bit scrappy at times, but what we've done is win two headers before it, so all the basics, all the aggression that we wanted to show, we did.

"We knew, if you don’t show aggression against Barnsley, they are an aggressive side, we saw that in League One and we saw that in the Championship, and we did.

"We won two headers prior to it and then it’s a wonderful, wonderful finish, it really is."

Luton were almost pegged back immediately, Dominik Frieser putting a header wide from a matter of yards at the far post, leaving Jones relieved that the chance hadn't been taken.

He added: "We should have cleared it, if we had cleared it and done the basics they wouldn’t have had it, but that was the one chance and if we’d had drawn the game, I would have been really disappointed as I didn’t see us losing the game, I really didn’t.

“We didn't hang on, what they do at the end is, they threw literally everyone forward, I think the groundsman was in our box at the end of the game.

"What you have to do is win your headers, do your basics and we did.

"We limited them to one shot from 25 yards which if it goes in, fair play, but it didn't, so a magnificent away performance.

"But we’ve won the game, I’m delighted to get off to the start, three points, that’s all you can ask for.

"We’re sixth in the league, I know its only one game, but it’s nice, it’s nice to see us looking that way rather than the other and I’m really, really proud of how we’ve gone about it, I really am."