Carlisle United vs Luton Town FC (14th Mar 2017)

PUBLISHED 00:25 15th March 2017 Hatters back up to fifth after goalless draw in Cumbria

CARLISLE UNITED 0 LUTON TOWN 0

Att: 4,052 (377 away)

The Hatters moved back up to fifth in the Sky Bet League Two table tonight with a point at promotion rivals Carlisle United, who remain a place above Nathan Jones’ side having played a game more.

Jones made two changes from the 2-0 defeat to Stevenage on Saturday, with skipper Scott Cuthbert missing out after hobbling off with a hamstring problem in the second half at Kenilworth Road.

Olly Lee came into to midfield with Glen Rea dropping into the heart of defence, while Luke Gambin came into the side at the tip of the diamond, with Jonathan Smith dropping to the bench.

The Hatters started brightly and Alan Sheehan, captaining the side on his 50th Luton appearance, whipped a free-kick just over the bar after Isaac Vassell had been brought down just outside the area following a good break down the right by strike partner Danny Hylton.

Hylton was soon into referee Lee Mason’s notepad for a foul on Carlisle captain Danny Grainger, but by the 11th-minute he was causing more problems for the home defence with the ball, receiving it from the marauding Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu and sending in a low cross-shot that just beat Vassell sliding in at the far post.

The hosts had the game’s first corner on 18 minutes, but Matt Macey – who had already claimed a John O’Sullivan cross from the left comfortably – punched Nicky Adams’ delivery clear, before getting

his body behind the same player's shot from the edge of the box.

Lee became the second Town player booked for a foul on O’Sullivan, before Jordan Cook went past two players on the Town right and cut the ball back for Hylton in the six-yard box, but the striker couldn’t get his shot off.

Macey and Sheehan combined to keep out Jamie Proctor just before the half-hour when the Carlisle striker got on the end of a long throw to the far post, but the Hatters were looking dangerous with Gambin getting on the ball putting crosses in from both wings, the second finding Cook arriving at the far post but he couldn’t generate enough power in his header to trouble home keeper Mark Gillespie.

Carlisle winger John O’Sullivan reminded the Town defence of his threat with a couple of shots, one that flew wildly over the bar and a second that lopped up off the sliding Sheehan and onto the roof of the Hatters net.

But as the half drew to a close, the Hatters were on the front foot with Hylton having a shot blocked after more good work by Gambin.

Carlisle started the second half the brighter, with Grainger finding the side-netting after a short corner on the left, but the Town were looking dangerous too, Gambin firing just over in the 53rd-minute after a quick break involving Hylton and Mpanzu.

Jones’ side were having a good spell and Hylton got on the end of a deep right-wing cross by Cook, but couldn’t direct his volley on target, then Sheehan whipped in a right-wing free-kick that Vassell got a glancing header on, but Carlisle cleared off the line.

With Jack Marriott waiting patiently to come on just after the hour, the Hatters continued to raid with Cook and Stephen O’Donnell both whipping in good crosses before Hylton had the best effort of the night with a shot on the turn that Gillespie tipped onto the bar.

When Marriott finally got on, the striker arrowed a 25-yard shot goalwards, but it flew just wide of Gillespie's far post – then came an eight-minute hold-up as Dan Potts was treated for a head injury after helping clear a corner from the right.

The left-back received warm applause from the home crowd as he was carried off on a stretcher, replaced by James Justin, but the hosts looked dangerous on 83 minutes as their own sub James Hooper looked clear in the middle, only for Stephen O’Donnell to get back and halt his run with a perfectly timed tackle.

With 87 minutes on the clock Hooper sent a 20-yard shot straight at Macey, before a long throw from O’Donnell on the right found its way to Marriott at the far post, but his effort on the turn was deflected wide.

In ten minutes of time added on, the game went from end-to-end with Carlisle sub George Waring heading a long throw from Grainger wide, before Sheehan sent a free-kick over the bar and Marriott fired another shot wide as Jones men had to settle for a point.

TOWN: Macey, O'Donnell, Rea, Sheehan (c), Potts (Justin 78), Lee, Cook, Mpanzu, Gambin (Palmer 86), Hylton, Vassell (Marriott 65). Subs: Smith, D'Ath, Famewo, Moore (GK)

Yellows: Hylton, Lee

CARLISLE: Gillespie, Grainger (c), Joyce, Proctor, Adams, Brisley, O'Sullivan (Waring 85), Lambe, S Miller (Hooper 82), T Miller, Liddle. Subs: Crocombe, Ward, Salkeld, Holt, McQueen

Yellows: Joyce, Brisley

REFEREE: Lee Mason

PUBLISHED 00:01 15th March 2017 The** point takes the Town into fifth place**

Town boss Nathan Jones said he was pleased with the overall performance of his players as they played out a goalless draw at Brunton Park.

The point picked up against Carlisle moves the Hatters into fifth, ahead of sixth placed Stevenage on goal difference.

Both the Cumbrians and the Town had a number of chances to take all three points on the night, but Jones’ side had to settle for a point on the night.

He said: “It was a pretty even game to be fair, we probably had the better chances in the first half, Danny had one that flashed past the post. Then they defended really – well they were defending for their lives late on.

“But, I asked for a response from the weekend and I got it. It’s a shame that we couldn’t have that type of battling performance, that type of on the front foot performance on Saturday, then I have no doubt we would have won the game.

“In terms of that it was good to bounce back, it’s a very difficult place to come. They’re on a bad run, they’ve had a few bad results so they were going to be up for it as well. So it was important that we didn’t lose the game tonight.

“I am pleased with the response, the work rate, the desire to try and get a result, that was in stark contrast to the weekend.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9OBdSE8kwY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sCGDXmwfZ2c

http://www.lutontown.co.uk/news/article/2016-17/luton-town-football-league-two-carlisle-united-3625099.aspx

League Two: Carlisle United 0 Luton Town 0

Luton Town were held to a goalless draw at fellow promotion chasers Carlisle United this evening.

After a subdued first half, the visitors did improve in the second period, and looked the more likely to score against a Cumbrians side low on confidence, but crucially couldn't create enough chances of a clear-cut nature to consistently test home keeper Mark Gillespie.

Hatters boss Nathan Jones made two changes from the 2-0 defeat to Stevenage, with Olly Lee back for his first league start since Boxing Day and Luke Gambin included as well for Scott Cuthbert and Jonathan Smith.

Alan Sheehan, on his 50th Luton appearance, put an early free kick over the top from 25 yards, as Danny Hylton saw an early yellow for his challenge on Danny Grainger.

Town then escaped from a muddle defensively to burst forward through Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu, who held off a challenge and found Hylton, the striker dragging his shot wide.

Carlisle hosts had their first effort of note on 18 minutes, after Matty Macey uncomfortably palmed a corner away, he handled Nicky Adams' hopeful follow up.

The hosts looked dangerous from their long, flat throws into the area, with one such delivery allowed to go all the way to the far post, as Jamie Proctor's close range attempt was blocked by a combination of Macey and Sheehan midway through the half.

Jordan Cook, who had impressed on the right hand side in the early stages, reached Gambin's high, hanging cross, sending a downward header that Gillespie was equal to.

Proctor came close again as he got his head to a cross, but Macey gathered, while he was fortunate to see John O'Sullivan's effort deflected narrowly over the top.

After the break, a clever short corner routine saw Grainger thunder his effort into the side-netting, while Hatters looked to respond, Gambin over the top from 25 yards.

The visitors were close again moments later, Cook's deep cross met by the stretching Hylton who couldn't keep his volley down.

That signalled a good spell of pressure, Cook just unable to twinkle his way through the defence to lose the ball at the final moment, while Sheehan's free kick was parried by Gillespie, with Rea's rebound charged down.

Luton kept pressing, knowing their hosts could buckle after coming into the game on the back of four straight defeats and not scoring in any of them either.

O'Donnell saw his low cross blocked by Gillespie, with the Cumbrians keeper producing an even better stop from Hylton's blast, magnificently tipping over the bar just after the hour mark.

Jones swapped Vassell for Jack Marriott midway through the half and the striker sent a rasping drive that wasn't too far away, while Glen Rea had two quickfire efforts charged down.

There was a lengthy stoppage on 70 minutes as Dan Potts went down with a nasty looking head injury, and was stretchered off, with 10 minutes of stoppage time added.

Late on, the game became like a basketball encounter, although neither side appeared to possess the conviction to actually win it, Macey saving from James Hooper and Marriott dragging well wide at the death.

The result saw Luton climb to fifth in the table after Stevenage lost to Blackpool, although they dropped seven points behind third placed Portsmouth, who hammered Grimsby 4-0, putting even more importance on Saturday's home clash with Exeter City.

Cumbrians: Mark Gillespie, Danny Grainger (C), Luke Joyce, Jamie Proctor, Nicky Adams, Shaun Brisley, John O'Sullivan (George Waring 85), Reggie Lambe, Shaun Miller (James Hooper 82), Tom Miller, Gary Liddle.

Subs not used: Max Crocombe, Joe Ward, Cameron Salkeld, Jordan Holt, Alex McQueen.

Hatters: Matt Macey, Stephen O'Donnell, Dan Potts (James Justin 78), Alan Sheehan (C), Glen Rea, Olly Lee, Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu, Jordan Cook, Luke Gambin (Ollie Palmer 86), Isaac Vassell (Jack Marriott 65), Danny Hylton.

Subs not used: Stuart Moore, Lawson D'Ath, Jonathan Smith, Akin Famewo.

Booked: Hylton 6, Lee 17, Joyce 20, Brisley 58.

Attendance: 4,052.

Referee: Lee Mason.

Jones praises Town’s response during Cumbrians draw

Hatters boss Nathan Jones was pleased with the response he had from his side during last night’s 0-0 draw at fellow promotion chasers Carlisle United.

The Luton chief had been far from happy during the 2-0 defeat to Stevenage at the weekend, but felt this was a performance far more in keeping with his team.

He said: “I asked for a response from the weekend and I got it. It was a shame that we couldn’t have that type of battling performance, that type of on the front foot performance the other day as I’ve no doubt we would have won the game.

“But it was good to bounce back. It’s a very difficult place to come to, they’re on a bad run, had a bad few results, so they were always going to be up for it as well.

“It was important that we didn’t lose the game, but I’m pleased with the response and work-rate and desire to try and get a result, that was in stark contrast to the weekend.”

Jones made two changes to the side that lost at Kenilworth Road to their near neighbours, as Olly Lee and Luke Gambin came in, with Scott Cuthbert injured and Jonathan Smith dropping to the bench.

On his selection, Jones continued: “We picked a side to try and win the game, we picked a real good footballing side.

“We took a gamble really in terms of coming away, and it wasn’t an away team where we tried to set up and stifle them.

“We tried to get on the front foot, tried to play and move the ball quickly, so it was a brave choice from us really.

“We didn’t play at all at the weekend, we really didn’t. I look back and we created so many chances, how I don’t know as we didn’t play like we normally do.

“I wanted us to be more fluent, so I picked players like Gambin, (Jordan) Cook, Pelly-Ruddock (Mpanzu) and Olly, four footballers in there and I wanted us to win the game, wanted us to play how we are and get back to how we are.”

It was the visitors who were the side that looked the more likely to break the deadlock during the second half, with Danny Hylton’s shot tipped over by keeper Mark Gillespie, while Glen Rea had two efforts charged down, with sub Jack Marriott not far away either.

Jones said: “Second half we were slightly the better side. It was a very, very even game and I just think we edged it on chances.

“I’m disappointed we couldn’t have won it, but it was very, very important that we didn’t lose the game as we have a game in hand that can take us above them.

“So it was good to bounce back and not to go back to back defeats.

“I’m pleased we’ve stopped the mini rot in terms of one game, it’s taken us up a place too. All trght it’s closed up behind us but what we have to do is get our destiny back in our own hands.”

Although it was the second game in a row Luton have drawn a blank, Jones wasn’t too worried by the lack of goals, as he said: “We had a few opportunities, Isaac Vassell’s had one kicked off the line and so on.

“I can’t say that’s how it’s going for us, as we’ve gone two games without scoring now which is unlike us and not symptomatic of a long period.

“Before that we scored four goals, we’ve just had a difficult week against sides around us.”

Meanwhile, Hatters were cheered on by a superb 377 fans at Brunton Park, as Jones added: “We appreciate it, they did it last year, did it now, it’s absolutely magnificent.

“They’ve seen a proper away performance in terms of graft, in terms of energy, they’ve got something to get behind.

“We’re sorry we couldn’t give them a win and nick a goal but it wasn’t for lack of trying.

“They’re magnificent fans and you don’t see that very often, Luton to Carlisle, 400 odd fans, absolutely outstanding.”

Lee left frustrated by spell out of Luton team

Luton midfielder Olly Lee was thrilled to put a frustrating spell on the sidelines behind him when he made his first league start since Boxing Day in the 0-0 draw at Carlisle United on Tuesday night.

The 25-year-old had been restricted to just 85 minutes of League Two football since the 1-0 defeat to Colchester United, having even missed out on being included in the match day squad at times.

Asked about his return to the side, Lee said: “It’s great to be back in. It’s been a tough couple of months for me and I’ve obviously been quite frustrated, so it was nice to be back and I enjoyed it out there with the lads.

“Yes, you feel it a little bit (extra presure). You want to play well, but I’m confident in my ability and I know what I’m capable of and hopefully I can help the team out.

“I’m just eager to impress and I’ve just been knocking on the door trying to get back in.

“To be fair to be the lads they’ve been unbeaten the whole time I’ve been out so I can’t really say much.

“But I’m glad to be back, glad to get my chance and I thought I did well.”

When questioned if he had approached manager Nathan Jones about his lack of first team action, Lee said: “Yes, we spoke a lot, I’ve been very frustrated with it and that’s between me and the gaffer.

“It was nice to get my chance and hopefully I grabbed it with both hands.

“I want to keep my place now, you’re going to have to rip the shirt off me!”

On his decision to recall Lee, Jones said: “Olly’s trained well, he’s not out of our plans, and we wanted to pick a footballing side.

“What we say to our players, is, you’re going to get opportunities, all of them are, it’s just how they take those opportunities.

“I’ve no fear about putting Olly in in a massive game like this in terms of the league stature and the team, he’s trained very well, does his extras and he’s deserved that.

“I thought he did excellently. We asked him to get on the ball, he did, probably dusting the cobwebs off for the first 45 and was then far more influential so a credit to him.

“That’s the type of professionals we have and that’s why encourage them do to that day in day out.

“Because when they get an opportunity, there’s no point then turning up and being miles off it as if you do that, you don’t get opportunities again.

“But he didn’t and credit to him, I’m delighted for him.”

Jones had admitted to selecting the likes of Lee and Luke Gambin to give his side four footballing midfielders at Brunton Park.

The former West Ham man felt that suited his skillset perfectly, saying: “That’s what I’m good at, that’s what we look to do, we want to play out from the back and I feel I’m the best man for the job.

“It’s wasn’t as fluid as we would havbe liked, but nice to be back out there and will only get better from here.”

Lee was also noticeably more involved in the physical side of things against the Cumbrians, and it’s something he has been looking to improve on during his time out.

He was even booked by Lee Mason for what he one such challenge, although the midfielder felt it was harsh, saying: “I thought it was a great challenge to be honest, and I got booked for it!

“They (coaching staff) just made me aware of different things, and I always work on my game anyway, so it was just a case of working hard and getting back in the team.

“That’s what a lot of League Two football is about. It’s not just about what you can do on the ball, it’s the horrible side off it, so I’ll be looking to improve on that and hopefully I’m getting better at it.”

Jones felt it was unfortunate for the midfielder to see yellow, adding: “Olly’s was just a bit of a coming together, I thought he won the ball.

“The referee’s a Premier League referee though and I thought he did very, very well, as it was a very competitive game as well, but nothing untoward happened.”