Cambridge United vs Luton Town FC (3rd Mar 2018)

REPORT: CAMBRIDGE UNITED 1 LUTON TOWN 1

Collins scores, but is then sent off as Cambridge hit back to take a point

The Hatters had to settle for a third draw in five unbeaten matches as Cambridge United beat the weather to get this afternoon’s game on – and then hit back to take a point after the Town were reduced to ten men when goalscorer James Collins was sent off in the second half.

The Town increased their advantage at the top of Sky Bet League Two to four points, and eight points over fourth-place, with all the other games in the division called off due to this week’s snow and freezing temperatures, apart from Carlisle v Grimsby.

With the Abbey Stadium pitch in excellent condition having passed referee John Brooks’ morning inspection, the Hatters looked on course for another maximum haul after Collins moved level with Danny Hylton at the top of the scoring charts with his 17th of the season before half-time.

But the striker picked up two yellows in four second-half minutes – the first for handball and second for dissent after Brooks awarded Cambridge a corner when the ball appeared to come off ex-Hatters defender Greg Taylor – and Jabo Ibehre dragged in-form Cambridge level with an 83rd-minute header.

Jones made three changes to his starting XI as top scorer Danny Hylton and Lawson D’Ath returned from the off for the first time in six weeks, while Dan Potts came straight back in at left-back after serving a two-match suspension.

There was also a return to the teamsheet for the first time since suffering a groin injury in the 7-0 home win over Cambridge in mid-November for captain Scott Cuthbert, who was on the bench.

Cambridge made the early running, captain Gary Deegan and striker Uche Ikpeazu both testing Hatters keeper Marek Stech inside the opening eight minutes before a quickly taken free-kick on the left almost caught the Hatters out, though ref Brooks penalised Ikpeazu for a foul at the far post as he looked to get on the end of Harrison Dunk’s inviting cross.

It was a stop-start opening period, littered with free-kicks for the hosts, but Hylton produced his first moment of class to play Luke Berry into the right side of the area, but the man whose every touch was being booed on his first return to his old club couldn’t pick out James Collins with his far post cross.

D’Ath’s return to the team lasted just 19 minutes before he limped out of the action after picking up a foot injury. His replacement, Luke Gambin, almost had an immediate impact when he threw a left-wing cross into the six-yard box, that just eluded Collins, then drew a foul from Brad Halliday on the left angle of the Cambridge box with his quick feet.

Sheehan delivered that set-piece, and then three more dangerous looking balls that no-one managed to get on the end of before the Hatters’ first real chance came just after the half-hour when Gambin won the ball just inside his own half and drove down the left wing.

The Malta international’s cut-back was intended for Hylton on the edge of the box, but the striker let it run past him for Olly Lee to hit a 25-yarder that brushed the outside of the post.

The lead wasn’t long in coming, and in the 33rd minute the Town had the advantage when Hylton’s 20-yard drive was beaten away by Forde, but only as far as Collins who steered in the rebound from a tight angle inside the six-yard box.

It was all the Hatters by this stage, with the excellent Gambin relishing his opportunity, and soon after being scythed down by Deegan – earning the Cambridge captain a yellow card – the equally impressive Berry had the ball in the back of the U’s net.

Unfortunately for the Town, referee Brooks had already blown for a foul by Hylton on Greg Taylor, who had punched the ball into Berry’s path as he rose to meet a high ball into the box.

Berry and Hylton were at the centre of everything, and the latter had another sight of goal in first half stoppage time when Berry took a ball down the right from Stacey and laid it inside for Hylton to curl a left-footed shot at goal, although it flew inches wide of Forde’s near post.

Town came out after the break in the mood to extend their lead, playing some superb football with Berry again at the heart of almost every move, one such passage through the middle of the pitch only coming to an end with another foul on him by Deegan.

The former U’s midfielder had a great chance to silence his critics when he arrived at the far post, but couldn’t steer his stabbed

Just before the hour mark Hylton fashioned space on the right byline after some more pinpoint passing between the striker and Olly Lee, but no-one could get on the end of his driven cross that fizzed across the six-yard box.

Hylton might have played Olly Lee in when the Hatters produced a swift break through the middle, but after the ball had eventually found its way to the midfielder, referee Brooks waved away claims for a penalty as Lee went down.

Cambridge broke quickly themselves and, with four U’s forwards bearing down on three Town defenders, Glen Rea did brilliantly to nick the ball off Medy Elito’s toe, a minute before Stech got down low to save Brad Halliday’s 63rd-minute effort at his near post.

Hylton went off in the 66th minute, being replaced by Jake Jervis, and within a couple of minutes the Hatters almost had their second, Potts meeting Sheehan’s delicious cross at the back stick with a header that drifted just wide.

Ikpeazu was proving an awkward customer for the Town defence, although a header at goal went well wide and he ballooned a shot over the top of the Newmarket Road End.

Berry robbed Deegan again in the centre-circle to set the Hatters on another attack in the 73rd minute, but Jervis’ cross to the far post was just too far ahead of Collins, and the striker picked up a yellow card for handball as he stretched to make it.

That yellow proved costly four minutes later when ref Brooks showed Collins a second yellow for complaining about his decision to award the hosts a corner, when the ball had gone out for a goal-kick off Taylor, and the Town were reduced to ten men.

Jones brought Cuthbert on for Olly Lee just as Cambridge boss Joe Dunne was introducing Ibehre – and it was the United sub who hauled his team level in the 83rd minute when he met Halliday’s cross from the right with a powerful header past Stech.

A minute later Stech had to make a terrific save from Harrison Dunk before another of the hosts’ replacements, David Amoo fired wide as the Hatters came under serious pressure.

Ikpeazu saw another effort drift harmlessly wide as four minutes of added time was announced, just before Stech had to get down low to his right to gather a follow-up shot.

TOWN: Stech, Stacey, Rea, Sheehan (c), Potts, Downes, O Lee (Cuthbert 79), D'Ath (Gambin 19), Berry, Collins, Hylton (Jervis 66). Subs: Justin, Shinnie, E Lee, Shea (GK)

Goals: Collins 33

Yellows: Downes, Collins, Potts

Red: Collins

UNITED: Forde, Halliday, Taylor, Taft, Dunk, Deegan (c), O'Neil (Maris 64), Elito (Amoo 64), Brown, Waters (Ibehre 80), Ikpeazu. Subs: Mitov (GK), Carroll, Legge, Lewis

Goals: Ibehre 83

Yellows: Deegan

REFEREE: John Brooks

ATT: 6,722 (2,405)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fIVR0YmeRCs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DDLet3S7wAs

NATHAN JONES ON THE DRAW WITH CAMBRIDGE UNITED

Nathan Jones was again disappointed to see his side drop points as Cambridge came from behind to secure a 1-1 draw at the Abbey Stadium.

It was an eventful afternoon for striker James Collins who gave the Town the lead just after the half hour mark, before picking up two yellow cards midway through the second half. Jabo Ibhere made an instant impact after he came on as a substitute, heading in Halliday's cross late on, before the Hatters had to weather a late Cambridge storm.

With all but two of the Sky Bet League Two fixtures going ahead after a few days of bad weather, the result moves the Hatters four points clear at the top of the fourth tier.

Jones said: "I am disappointed again, obviously. We were cruising in the game without any problem whatsoever, without being brilliant, just effective. We couldn't get the second goal and it all changed on a decision.

"For me James was silly for his first yellow, and then when you're on a yellow, don't get involved with stuff like that. The referee I felt could have handled it better, I've spoken to him already and he has thanked me for my attitude and the referee last week thanked me for the attitude and the way I speak, it doesn't do me any good.

"It's clearly a goal kick, not a corner. But Collins has gone about it the wrong way and has gone with his arms open and apparently the letter of the law is if you go to a referee with your arms open you get a booking. I felt he could have handled it a little bit better.

"It's a big game and there is a lot of enthusiasm and desire goes into these games. He made a mistake, Collo made a mistake coming up to him. That changed the game and we were backs to the wall and we had to defend out for a point. We were absolutely controlling the game and cruising."

Collins off as Hatters are held by Cambridge

League Two: Cambridge United 1 Luton Town 1 Yet another lack of discipline proved costly for Luton as they were held to a 1-1 draw at Cambridge this afternoon.

The Hatters had looked well on course for a crucial victory which would have seen them move clear in the race for the League Two title, until goalscorer James Collins was booked twice in the space of four minutes.

The first for trying to handball Jake Jervis's cross over the line was silly, while the second, appearing to say something to referee John Brooks after a corner went against the Hatters, saw Town down to 10 men for the eighth time this season.

That left Luton with 13 minutes to hold on to their lead given to them by Collins rather than search for a second, and they managed just six of them, sub Jabo Ibehre powering a header past Marek Stech from Brad Halliday's cross with virtually his first touch.

Town then withstood an aerial onslaught at the death to make their point, moving four clear of the non-playing Accrington, plus eight in front of fourth placed Notts County.

The visitors made three changes for the match, one of only two that went ahead in the division, Cambridge's groundsmen deserving plenty of praise for their efforts to beat the 'Beast from the East' and get the game on.

Danny Hylton, Dan Potts and Lawson D'Ath came into the side in place of Andrew Shinnie, James Justin and Harry Cornick, who missed out completely, striker Elliot Lee and club captain Scott Cuthbert on the bench as well.

The hosts had all the early pressure with Luton barely able to get out of their half in the opening five minutes, Gary Deegan's low shot easy for Stech, while the keeper stopped Uche Ikpeazu's instinctive turn and shot from 20 yards.

D'Ath's afternoon was unfortunately ended early after just 19 minutes, as he took a knock after going in with a challenge on Ikpeazu and couldn't continue, Luke Gambin on after just 19 minutes.

Town started to weather the pressure they were under, with Flynn Downes beginning to get the visitors ticking as they wrested control of the game away from their hosts, Luke Berry, booed mercilessly on his return to his former club, standing out as well.

Gambin looked impressive from the moment he came on, with one run from inside his own half, seeing a low ball miss Hylton but fall perfectly for Lee, whose low shot beat David Forde, only to glance the outside of the post.

It was 1-0 on 33 minutes as Hylton used Jack Stacey's overlap to good effect and tried his luck from 25 yards, Forde's parry pounced upon by Collins, who slid in his 17th of the season.

Hylton went close again in first half stoppage time, displaying excellent control, to have a go with his left foot, not missing the target by much.

Town were then indebted to the head of Potts as after Ikpeazu battered his way through both Lee and Jack Stacey, Jonah Lomu-style, his pull back met by Jevani Brown, the left back getting a vital headed block in.

In the second period, a magnificent Town move started by Gambin saw Stacey's cross met by Berry, Gary Deegan blocking behind for a corner.

Town kept pressing for that second, Hylton's lovely low cross just beyond Collins, while the striker could have found the unmarked Lee, but opted to go alone, where he ran into traffic.

That led to a break by the hosts, with Glen Rea doing superbly to stand up Billy Waters, Stech also saving at his near post from Brad Halliday as United tried to ramp up some pressure.

Rea's header easy for Forde, although the keeper might have been picking the ball out of the net had Potts hit the target from Sheehan's pinpoint free kick.

Hylton went off on the hour mark for Jake Jervis, as with Ikpeazu upfront, U's were a threat, the striker heading wide and then skying woefully over from 20 yards.

The game then turned when Collins was cautioned twice and had to leave the field, clearly furious with the decision.

Cuthbert came on for Lee as Luton tried to shore things up, but Ibehre used his height to bring the scores level with a thumping header.

Then it was all about Town trying to preserve a point as they were a different side without either Hylton and Collins upfront.

United almost snatched a winner, Stech showing sharp reactions late on, with Town's defenders throwing their bodies on the line, Ibehre slamming wide too, as the visitors just about held on.

United: David Forde, Bradley Halliday, Gary Deegan (C), Greg Taylor, Billy Waters (Jabo Ibehre 80), Uche Ikpeazu, Harrison Dunk, George Taft, Liam O'Neil (George Maris 64), Jevani Brown, Medy Elito (David Amoo 64).

Subs not used: Dimitar Mitov, Jake Carroll, Leon Legge, Paul Lewis.

Hatters: Marek Stech, Jack Stacey, Dan Potts, Alan Sheehan (C), Glen Rea, Flynn Downes, Olly Lee (Scott Cuthbert 79), Lawson D'Ath (Luke Gambin 19), Luke Berry, James Collins, Danny Hylton (Jake Jervis 66).

Subs not used: James Shea, James Justin, Andrew Shinnie, Elliot Lee. Referee: John Brooks.

Booked: Deegan 34, Downes 57, Collins 73, Potts 79.

Sent off: Collins 77.

Attendance: 6,722 (Luton 2,405).

Hatters MOM: Luke Berry - kept a calm head against his former side.

Jones disappointed by decision to dismiss Collins

Hatters boss Nathan Jones was left to rue the decision from referee John Brooks to send off striker James Collins during his side’s 1-1 draw at Cambridge this afternoon.

Having already been booked for a handball when trying to make it 2-0 on 73 minutes, Collins was cautioned again just four minutes later for dissent following a decision to award a corner that should have been a goal kick to Luton.

Down to 10 men, the Hatters were then pegged back by Jabo Ibehre’s late header as Jones said: “I am disappointed again, obviously.

“We had the three points, we were under absolutely no pressure whatsoever, I thought we were cruising in the game, without being brilliant, just effective, we couldn’t get the second goal and it all changed on a decision.

“For me, James was silly getting a yellow card and then when you’re on a yellow, don’t get involved with stuff like that.

“The referee I felt could have handled it better, I’ve spoken to him already. He was fine and he’s thanked me for my attitude and the referee last week thanked me for the attitude and the way I speak, but it doesn’t do me any good.

“It’s clearly a goal kick, they’ve given a corner, so he’s irate about that, but Collins has gone about it the wrong way and has gone with his arms open.

"Apparently the letter of the law is if you go with your arms open to a referee you get a booking.”

The Town boss felt that Brooks, a late replacement for Brett Huxtable, could have kept his card in his pocket though, adding: “I felt he could have handled it a little bit better.

“This is a big game and there are tempers, there is a lot of enthusiasm and desire goes into these games.

“He (Brooks) made a mistake, Collo made a mistake coming up to him, just handle it better, just control it, don’t just give him a second yellow and send him off, that ruins thing.

“That changed the game and we were backs to the wall and we had to defend out for a point, whereas we were absolutely controlling the game and cruising.

“After making a mistake himself after giving a corner when it was clearly a goal kick because if a Cambridge player heads it over the byline, by the definition of the law, that’s a goal kick to Luton Town.

"So if that had happened, which it should have happened then the other incident wouldn’t have happened.

"Then when Collins comes at him with his arms open, by the letter of the law it’s a booking, but surely he could have understood a little bit and said ‘hey, calm down, it’s a big game here, I know you’re irate and I’ve made a mistake, just calm down.'

"He could have instead of just flashing bang a yellow, so I felt he could have handled it better.

"If you go by the later of the law on everything, Gary Deegan was booked, then he must have given 18 fouls away, so by the letter of the law, it’s a repetitive thing.

"It would have been harsh as they weren’t anything, but you handle a game if you’re a referee and that decision, that’s all.

"I felt the referee had a good game in general, it’s just frustrating.”