Blackpool vs Luton Town FC (17th Dec 2016)

PUBLISHED 18:01 17th December 2016 Hatters head into Christmas with three big points!

BLACKPOOL 0

LUTON TOWN 2 (Marriott 31, McGeehan 48)

Att: 3,992 (1,095 Hatters)

Forget Blackpool’s famous illuminations, it was Nathan Jones’ Luton Town side who lit up Bloomfield Road to send over 1,000 travelling Hatters into Christmas with a huge smile on their faces.

Jack Marriott scored a cracker – his sixth of the season and third in his last three matches – just after the half-hour to set Town men merrily on their way.

Then Cameron McGeehan headed in his tenth goal of an increasingly gluttonous season to seal the points as early as the 48th minute as Jones’ men turned in what the manager described as the “perfect away performance”.

The result was even more impressive as Blackpool had risen into the play-off places in recent weeks, sitting two spots and two points off fifth-placed Town at kick-off, and had been beaten at home only once this term.

It’s now only one defeat in their last 13 league games for the Town, however, and they head into the festive fixtures with Colchester and Barnet in fine fettle, cemented in the top seven with eyes only on hunting down the automatic promotion spots in the New Year.

Jones made three changes, two enforced with left-sided defenders Alan Sheehan and Dan Potts ruled out through injury, James Justin and Olly Lee came into the side as their replacements, with Alex Gilliead also coming into midfield at the expense of striker Isaac Vassell.

Jones had opted for his third different formation in as many league games, with Glen Rea, captain Scott Cuthbert and Johnny Mullins as three centre-halves, Stephen O’Donnell and Justin as wing-backs with a central midfield three of Lee, McGeehan and Gilliead behind strikers Danny Hylton and Marriott.

The Town started on the front foot, Marriott and O’Donnell making inroads down the right and Lee crashing in a third-minute shot that flew high over the bar, before Mullins stepped out of the back three to tee up McGeehan, but his low 25-yarder was comfortable for home keeper Sam Slocombe.

His Hatters counterpart Christian Walton was the first goalie to have to make a real save though, the England Under-21 international flying through the air to tip over Blackpool captain Danny Pugh’s 14th-minute piledriver.

Four minutes later came the Town’s first real chance, Marriott winning a corner with a driving run and shot that was deflected wide, with Rea rising at the far post to meet Gilliead’s left-wing corner, though his free header drifted well wide.

Cuthbert, fresh from earning a year’s contract extension with his 50th League start for the Town last week, was proving strong at the heart of the back three, winning every header, making sliding clearances and standing up to bringing the ball out of defence to kickstart attacks.

When the Blackpool attack did get through, Walton was in top form, getting down low to hold Kyle Vassell’s 26th-minute effort, then tip the ex-Peterborough man’s drive over the bar soon after.

The game had an end-to-end feel to it, and Slocombe had to beat a Hylton drive from a tight angle away after a swift Hatters counter-attack down the right involving Gilliead and O’Donnell, seconds before the Town took a 31st-minute lead.

Hylton was the architect this time, bursting onto the ball in the middle of the Blackpool half and feeding strike partner Marriott into the box, where the 22-year-old checked back onto his right foot and slotted calmly under Slocombe from ten yards.

After a spell of Town dominance, the Seasiders reminded the Hatters’ defence of the major attacking threat that had made them third highest scorers in the division before kick-off, Jamille Matt glancing Eddie Nolan’s 39th-minute cross goalward, but Walton once more in the right place to gather.

The Hatters had a chance to increase their lead in time added on when Lee, after triggering the move with a stunning 50-yard pass out to O’Donnell on the right, volleyed over the bar after bursting into the box as Hylton’s cross for Marriott was

Within three minutes of the restart, the lead was doubled, Justin making good ground down the left and crossing for McGeehan to head in his tenth of the season from the edge of the six-yard box.

As the Town threatened to run riot, Hylton and Marriott both bent shots towards the far post after cutting in from the left, the latter’s drawing a gasp from the travelling Hatters behind the goal as it whistled just past the upright.

Those 1,095 Town fans were in great voice, with chants of ‘Nathan Jones’ Barmy Army’ ringing around the sparsely populated Bloomfield Road as McGeehan latched onto a Marriott lay-off and sent another 20-yarder inches past the opposite post.

Marriott and Hylton linked up wonderfully once again just before the hour, but the latter’s volley on the stretch after an incisive one-two flew across the six-yard box and Justin couldn't connect properly, but he did retrieve the ball and arc another one just past the far post, before McGeehan had another crack just off target.

In a brief spell of respite for the beleaguered Blackpool back four, their right-back Nolan broke forward and arrowed in a shot that Walton plucked easily from the air, then Brad Potts fired high over the bar in the 67th minute as the Town fans went through a medley of Christmas songs at the other end.

Ex-Hatter Mark Cullen, who had come on early in the second half, should have halved the Tangerines’ arrears with 20 minutes to go when he steered Andy Taylor’s inviting left-wing cross over the top from close range.

Within seconds, Jones introduced Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu for McGeehan, and five minutes later, Vassell for Marriott, with both goalscorers leaving the pitch to a standing ovation from the away end.

The hosts’ Vassell, Kyle, was still looking lively and the Town defence stood firm to block another of his efforts in the 77th minute, before an 80th-minute shot went well wide of Walton’s goal.

Jonathan Smith entered the fray in the 82nd minute, and almost immediately the Town fashioned another chance, Vassell setting Lee up for another crack from the edge of the box, this one almost taking a layer of paint off the crossbar as it flew powerfully over.

Smith proved his worth in the 87th minute by throwing himself bravely in the way of a thunderous free-kick from Potts after Cuthbert was penalised for climbing on Vassell 20 yards out, and from then on the Town saw the game out in a thoroughly professional manner.

In the shadow of one of the Britain’s great seaside landmarks, it was a towering display to enable all of Jones’ men to walk tall on the Golden Mile!

TOWN: Walton, O'Donnell, Cuthbert (c), Mullins, Justin, Rea, McGeehan (Mpanzu 71), Gillliead (Smith 83), Lee, Hylton, Marriott (Vassell 75). Subs not used: Cook, Senior, McQuoid, King (GK)

BLACKPOOL: Slocombe, Nolan (Gnanduillet 81), Aldred, Robertson, Taylor, Potts, Pugh (c), Payne, Philliskirk (Osayi-Samuel 56), Matt (Cullen 56), Vassell. Subs not used: Lyness, McAlister, Aimson, Redshaw

http://www.lutontown.co.uk/news/article/2016-17/luton-town-blackpool-jack-marriott-cameron-mcgeehan-3473972.aspx

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G78MroobBR8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bgOVQ8X_XXc

League Two: Blackpool 0 Luton Town 2

Luton Town gave their supporters the perfect early Christmas present with a thoroughly professional 2-0 triumph at Blackpool this afternoon.

Goals from Jack Marriott and Cameron McGeehan were enough for the visitors to inflict only a second home defeat of the season on the Tangerines, as Luton dominated matters, particularly in the second period, as they could have enjoyed an even larger margin of victory.

The Hatters were indebted to a couple of fine Christian Walton saves in the first period, but once Marriott struck from close range, Town exuded confidence and no little class in adding to their tally, picking up a first league triumph since their 2-0 win at Morecambe almost a month ago.

The result was vital too as with the top three also winning, Luton would have been loathe to fall any further behind their promotion rivals in this congested festive period.

Boss Nathan Jones spoke in the week about the 'unpredictable' nature of his team selection against Carlisle the previous weekend, and he continued that at Bloomfield Road.

The visitors made three changes to their starting line-up, as Alan Sheehan and Dan Potts missed out with knocks, while Isaac Vassell dropped to the bench, with Alex Gilliead, James Justin and Olly Lee coming in.

Town set up with a 3-1-4-2 formation, Glen Rea dropping into the defence alongside Scott Cuthbert and Johnny Mullins, with Lee the holding midfielder, while Marriott and Danny Hylton resumed their partnership upfront.

It was Lee who had the first attempt of note, shooting waywardly from 25 yards, while Cameron McGeehan's effort dribbled through to Sam Slocombe.

Christian Walton prevented Blackpool from taking a 15th minute lead though, brilliantly tipping Danny Pugh's fizzing effort over the bar.

Hatters went close after Marriott won a corner, with Gilliead's delivery met by Rea, who after leaping well, could only glance disappointingly wide of the target.

Walton's handling was spot on midway through the half after Kyle Vassell showed all the confidence from his 11 goals so far this term, wriggling away from Mullins and shooting low.

The keeper then came to the rescue again moments later as the Tangerines broke away, with Vassell once more going for goal despite Brad Potts in acres of space for a tap-in, Town's on-loan Brighton stopper sticking out a strong hand.

Hylton tested Slocombe, who looked less assured than the Town custodian, awkwardly palming away the striker's angled effort away, Justin unable to collect the rebound.

Hatters broke the deadlock on the half hour though from another blistering countering attack. with Blackpool appealing in vain for a handball against McGeehan.

Referee Peter Bankes waved play on as Hylton received the ball and fed Marriott who turned inside Tom Aldred, tucking his shot underneath the advancing Slocombe for a sixth goal of the season and first in the league since September 24.

Walton again was well positioned to keep out Jamille Matt's header on 38 minutes after the striker got up above Cuthbert, further emphasising his importance to the side this term.

Luton almost had a second on the stroke of half time as Hylton's deflected cross was cleared away from the line, with Lee busting a gut to reach the loose ball, unable to keep his powerful volley down.

After the break, Hatters made the ideal start, rewarded for the high tempo efforts with a well-worked second. Gilliead burst forward after picking up a loose ball, with a number of ricochets playing in Justin, who produced an inch-perfect cross for McGeehan to nod past Slocombe for his 10th of the season.

Marriott looked to have made it 3-0 moments later, his curler not missing by much, while McGeehan also had a go, sending a low effort only narrowly off target.

Town looked in complete control, with Justin affording the visitors some welcome width on the left hand side that they have been crying out for in recent weeks, as his swirling delivery wasn't too far away from the far corner.

Blackpool remained a sporadic threat at times, Eddie Nolan shooting at Walton, but Luton's defence, marshalled by the superb Cuthbert, were happy to throw their bodies on the line and ensure a fourth successive clean sheet on their travels, shutting out a side who were amongst the top scorers in the league this season.

Rather than try and sit on their lead too as other sides in their position might have done, Luton went in search of a third, Gilliead dancing round his man and crossing just beyond the waiting white shirts in the area.

Lee almost wrapped it up with six minutes to go as picked out by Isaac Vassell's pull back, he showed wonderful technique to send a scorching effort which grazed the top of the bar, but but Luton saw out injury time with a minimum of fuss to ensure a wonderful start to the first part of their Christmas quartet.

Blackpool: Sam Slocombe, Andy Taylor, Clark Robertson, Kyle Vassell, Brad Potts, Tom Aldred, Eddie Nolan (Armand Gnanduillet 80), Danny Philliskirk (Bright Osayi-Samuel 55), Jamille Matt (Mark Cullen 55), Danny Pugh (C), Jack Payne.

Subs not used: Dean Lyness, Jim McAlister, Will Aimson, Jack Redshaw.

Hatters: Christian Walton, Glen Rea, Johnny Mullins, Scott Cuthbert (C), Stephen O'Donnell, Olly Lee, Cameron McGeehan (Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu 71), James Justin, Alex Gilliead (Jonathan Smith 83), Danny Hylton, Jack Marriott (Isaac Vassell 75).

Subs not used: Craig King, Jack Senior, Josh McQuoid, Jordan Cook.

Attendance: 3,992.

Referee: Peter Bankes.

Star man: Scott Cuthbert.

'Perfect' away display gives Luton fans the best Christmas present

Luton Town gave their supporters the best Christmas present with the ‘perfect’ away performance during their 2-0 win at Blackpool yesterday according to boss Nathan Jones.

Jack Marriott put the visitors in front with an excellent close range finish in the first half, before Cameron McGeehan bagged his 10th of the campaign, nodding home James Justin’s cross moments after the interval.

A delighted Jones said: “It’s the best Christmas present you could possible have asked for.

“In terms of three points, the manner and the performance was something I’m proud of, really proud of

“That’s as good an away performance I’ve seen from anyone at this level. I thought we were just majestic, I really do.

“I can’t think of many adjectives to describe that performance, but we were clinical, we were ruthless, we worked hard and we looked solid.

“They were superb today, they did me proud and that’s my team out there. I’m proud of the team, I’d put my name to that team, no problem, I thought they were absolutely outstanding.”

Blackpool had been in excellent home going into the clash, losing just once in front of their own fans this term, unbeaten in their previous nine matches at Bloomfield Road with seven victories, scoring 23 goals.

They weren’t without their own chances either, with Kyle Vassell forcing keeper Christian Walton into two excellent saves during the first half.

However, once Marriott had broken the deadlock, there looked only one winner, with Luton oozing quality, particularly in the second period, while keeping their fourth successive away clean sheet in the league too.

Jones continued: “For a keeper of his quality, they were routine ones. They were in and around him, they’re coming in at velocity, but you don’t expect an England U21 keeper to get beaten from there. We don’t and he didn’t.

“These are a good counter-attacking side, but we’re the best I think at that and once we got our opportunity, Jack took it clinically.

“Then at half time, they (players) said, they’ll come at us and I said, ‘no, they won’t. We’ll go at them’. We came out of the blocks, scored a great goal and what a performance. As away performances go, that’s perfect.

“They have one or two opportunities from distance and counter attacks, but apart from that we negated a side that hasn’t lost in nine at home.

“They’ve been beating (teams with) scores of threes and fours against people and taking teams apart. Without being too disrespectful, I thought we did that to them today.”

No talk of the play-offs as Jones concentrates on promotion

Hatters boss Nathan Jones doesn't want to entertain talk of the play-offs this season as he's fully focused on his only goal, winning promotion to League One.

Luton remained firmly in the hunt for an automatic spot with an excellent 2-0 victory over Blackpool yesterday, as they head into the busy Christmas period nine points behind leaders Plymouth and seven off Carlisle and Doncaster, who both won too.

However, after witnessing the confident manner in which his side triumphed at Bloomfield Road thanks to goals from Jack Marriott and Cameron McGeehan, Jones said: “I want to mention something. I had an interview on Thursday and I was asked, ‘was it important just to stay in the play-offs?’

“Yeah, if you want to be that, but that isn’t our goal, so I don’t want to be asked that question again.

“It isn’t just important to stay in the play-offs. We have one goal and I believe we’re going to achieve it, but our focus is up.

“Yes, we could have fallen out of the play-offs today if a lot of things went against us, but our destiny is in our own hands and that’s how I like it. If our destiny is in our own hands, I trust our players.

“Blackpool could have gone above us today but there was a gulf today and I don’t mean that disrespectfully. Today was a gulf and I thought we were excellent.”

Despite injuries to both Alan Sheehan and Dan Potts, Jones stuck with his three at the back formation, moving Glen Rea alongside Scott Cuthbert and Johnny Mullins, setting up in a 3-1-4-2 system.

On his selection, Jones continued: “They were both injured - Sheehan in the game last week and Potts in training, so he was a little bit unlucky.

“I just feel it gives us an extra dimension going forward, in terms of the width that we have. We’ve just got good players in those positions. I thought we were excellent, another clean sheet too.

“We have the best defensive record in the league, that hasn’t changed today, that’s just been enhanced. It’s only subtle tweaks and a lot’s made of systems and so on, but the way we play, it’s just about trying to find the best formation, the best formula for us to win games. I thought we really were excellent.”

Jones’ tactics paid off too as with full back James Justin pushed further forward into a left wing position, it was he who set up McGeehan’s second half clincher, with a delightful cross from Alex Gilliead's pass.

The Town boss added: “That’s what we put him in there for. I thought he was superb. We want assists and that was one of the things to focus on, from our wingbacks.

"He got in, put in a great ball and it was a great finish, so I'm really delighted.”

"Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way, oh what fun it is to see Luton win away."

All the singing Hatters fans want for Christmas is this. They'd take this, full stop.

Their side's dominance over promotion rivals Blackpool, from Jack Marriott's 31st minute opener to the last, was comprehensive and up there with any of Town's best away days this term. Plymouth, Leyton Orient, eat your heart out.

Before that opener, they were still in control, but once Cameron McGeehan nodded his tenth of the term inside three minutes of the second half they looked a cut above a side that had started the afternoon just two points behind Luton, having gone nine games unbeaten at Bloomfield Road.

But, top of the Christmas tree, was boss Nathan Jones masterminding a formation to excite. Now, all we want for Christmas is 3-1-4-2.

The Hatters manager said afterwards that there was a "gulf" between the teams and, especially after a red-hot 15-minute introduction to the second period, the scoreline flattered the Tangerines.

Town went ruthlessly for the jugular – full of verve and attacking intent, that new shape affording them the width so often lacking in the diamond set-up.

James Justin, normally of right back fame, added an impressive new string to his bow because of it – as an immensely promising as a left wing-back – and claimed the assist for the killer second. His was just one of numerous standout performances.

Scott Cuthbert repelled everything at the heart of that changed defence for an eighth clean sheet of the campaign and more of the miserly stuff that has made Town League Two's meanest defence, while Marriott put in a good shift, getting back amongst the league goals after a three-month wait. Even top marksman Danny Hylton kept off the naughty list for the fifth game in a row, while claiming an assist for his striker partner.

And, a year to the day that John Still's Luton leadership was terminated, the mood was throughly festive. His successor got serenaded with "Nathan Jones' Barmy Army…" by 1,095 travelling fans and he responded with hugs all round for the front row at the final whistle.

"What a performance. As away performances go, that was perfect," Jones said.

The Hatters deployed a keep-ball tactic early on that had the Tangerines largely chasing shadows. Despite that they almost opened the scoring and Danny Pugh would have hit a stunner, but the skipper's dipping volley was expertly tipped over by Christian Walton.

Then twice in quick succession the shot-stopper was called upon to save from Kyle Vassell, first a low drive and then a spectacular one-handed stop. That was effectively the end of any thought they they might take something from this contest.

Opposite number Sam Slocombe tried something similar to more awkwardly paw away Hylton's angled drive, but the striker was then instrumental as Town took the lead.

Quick on the counter, while Blackpool protested unsuccessfully a McGeehan handball, he fed in Marriott who cut inside Tom Aldred and slotted beneath the Seasiders' stopper.

The Hatters could have doubled their tally on the stroke of half time, though Olly Lee volleyed over after promising build-up, but it only took two-and-a-half minutes of the second period for the second and Justin's inviting cross was met full force by McGeehan, who nodded himself into double figures for the campaign.

Marriott should have added a third soon after, but after drifting into the box his shot flew the wrong side of the upright.

It emboldened Luton and they looked dangerous with every foray forward. McGeehan piled just wide from 20 yards, while Marriott was a little too unselfish when presented with a decent chance and, seconds later, Justin curled one just wide of the angle of post and bar.

Lee was a lick of paint away from a goal with a fantastic effort from distance, which would have added some more decoration but, regardless of the margin of victory, this was how to kick off the festive period.

This was Christmas with bells on.

Blackpool: Slocombe, Taylor, Robertson, Vassell, Potts, Aldred, Nolan (Gnanduillet, 81), Philliskirk (Osay-Samuel, 56), Matt (Cullen, 56)s, Pugh, Payne Unused subs: Lyness, McAlister, Aimson, Redshaw

Luton: Walton, O'Donnell, Mullins, Cuthbert, McGeehan (McGeehan, 71), Hylton, Marriott (Vassell, 75), Gilliead (Smith, 83), Rea, Lee, Justin Unused subs: Cook, Senior, McQuoid, King

Referee: Peter Banks

Attendance: 3,992 (1,095)