Carlisle United vs Luton Town FC (21st Apr 2018)

CARLISLE 1 HATTERS 1 - THE TOWN ARE GOING UP!

Point at Brunton Park and Crawley holding Exeter guarantees League One football

The Hatters secured automatic promotion from Sky Bet League Two – guaranteeing League One football for the first time in ten years – on a sun-drenched afternoon at Carlisle.

Olly Lee’s second-half equaliser, combined with Exeter being held at home by Crawley, means the Town cannot now be caught by the Grecians and almost certainly guarantees second place, with Wycombe six points behind but 29 goals worse off than Nathan Jones’ men.

Carlisle had taken a first-half lead through Danny Grainger’s penalty, but once again Jones’ side showed the never-say-die character and spirit to come from behind to get something from the game, meaning that the title remains a possibility – albeit slim.

Accrington won at Wycombe to move six points clear of the Town, but victories from their remaining two games and Stanley losing all three of theirs would see the Hatters crowned champions – not that the possibility of that even entered their heads as the manager, his staff and players celebrated with 1,404 delirious Hatters at the end.

Jones had named an unchanged side for the third successive match knowing a fourth win in a row would bring about confirmation of automatic promotion.

James Shea was in goal, with Jack Stacey, Glen Rea, Alan Sheehan and Dan Potts at the back, Alan McCormack, Olly Lee, Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu and Elliot Lee in the midfield diamond, with top scorer Danny Hylton and James Collins up front.

Carlisle started on the front foot, Mike Jones sending in the game’s first shot on goal in the third minute, then Jamie Devitt trying his luck from range three minutes later, but Hatters keeper Shea was comfortably behind both efforts.

The Hatters worked their way into the game and after Mpanzu had played Hylton in down the left channel, the top scorer picked out Olly Lee with a clever cross, but the midfielder’s first touch let him down.

The hosts were in front by the 13th minute when Richie Bennett was brought down by Shea as he looked to get on the end of a pass from Ashley Nadesan, with captain Grainger converting the penalty with a side-footed shot to Shea’s right.

Veteran defender Clint Hill was next to have a go, meeting a right-wing corner with a firm header that Shea held well, and it took the Hatters until the 26th minute to mount another attack of any real note.

First Olly Lee’s cross from the left found Hylton, but Hill took the ball off the striker’s toe before he could shoot, then Elliot Lee regained possession and worked it out to Potts to the left edge of the box, but the left-back’s right-footed shot trickled harmlessly into Jack Bonham’s arms.

Within a minute, as fans cheered on learning that Crawley had taken the lead at Exeter, Jack Stacey was racing to the right byline and cutting the ball back towards Hylton, but once again the Carlisle defence held firm.

Devitt was soon firing a 30-yard free-kick high over the bar at the other end, before Sheehan’s 36th-minute set-piece from the right touchline caused consternation in the home box, as Elliot Lee then stood a cross up for Hylton, whose header was blocked, and McCormack saw a follow-up shot cleared.

Collins had a sight of goal in the 43rd minute when Mpanzu’s pass found him lurking to the right of the area, but the ex-Crawley man’s shot was deflected wide of the far post, then Potts went into referee Seb Stockbridge’s book for a foul on home right-back James Brown, although the decision might just as easily have gone the Hatters’ way.

With Carlisle slowing the game down at every opportunity, the first half had been a stop-start affair – but the Hatters came out after the break and immediately went on the attack, Potts’ cross from the left travelling all the way through to Mpanzu to the right of the area, but the midfielder’s 20-yard shot flashed just wide of the post.

Moments after Shea had claimed a dangerous looking Grainger free-kick from wide on the left, Hylton led a rapid Town break through the centre of the pitch on the hour, eventually finding Collins to his left, but Ellis produced a timely block as the striker pulled the trigger.

The equaliser came in the 62nd minute, and once again Hylton was at its heart, finding a pocket of space to the right of the box and firing a low angled shot in that Bonham could only parry into Olly Lee’s path.

It may not have been from 70 yards, but this was the midfielder’s sixth – and most important – goal of the season as he calmly side-footed home from six yards.

Rea had produced a fine header to put Bennett off as he looked to nod in at the far post just before the goal, then McCormack somehow managed to get a back header on a Bennett cross as Nadesan prepared to head in.

Stacey led a Town charge in the 79th minute, carrying the ball 40 yards and slipping Mpanzu in through the middle, but Bonham raced out to block as the midfielder looked to place the ball past the onrushing keeper.

Devitt dragged a right-footed shot just wide of the post with Shea rooted to the spot, then Mpanzu went up the other end and saw a looping header bounce off the top of the bar.

Carlisle threw men forward in search of a winner, knowing they could still get in the play-offs – but the Hatters defence were solid and saw the game out with news of the final whistle blowing on the 2-2 draw at St James Park guaranteeing the Town’s promotion.

Congratulations to NJ, his staff and all the players who have played a part. You have been immense and while Nathan always says how proud he is...today, we can tell you exactly how proud we are of you all!

The Town Are Going Up!

COYH!

TOWN: Shea, Stacey, Rea, Sheehan (c), Potts, McCormack (Mullins 90+1), O Lee, Mpanzu, E Lee (Downes 90+2), Collins, Hylton. Subs: Justin, Cornick, Jervis, Gambin, Stech (GK)

GOALS: O Lee 62

Yellows: Potts

CARLISLE: Bonham, Grainger (c), Joyce, Jones, Devitt, Campbell-Ryce, Bennett, Ellis, Brown (Miller 72), Hill, Nadesan (Twardek 72). Subs: Gray (GK), Parkes, O'Sullivan, Lambe, Stockton

GOALS: Grainger (pen) 13

Yellows: Ellis, Grainger, Jones

REFEREE: Seb Stockbridge

ATT: 5,523 (1,404 Hatters)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5OJ6I-_1aH4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L04ivx8qEd0

NATHAN JONES ON WINNING PROMOTION

Town boss Nathan Jones was overjoyed as the Hatters achieved promotion to Sky Bet League One with a draw at Carlisle United this afternoon.

With Exeter City drawing at home to Crawley Town, the Town needed a point at Brunton Park to ensure they climbed out of the fourth tier.

The hosts took the lead from the penalty spot when James Shea was deemed to have tripped Richie Bennett in the penalty area, with Danny Grainger converting the spot-kick.

The Hatters responded midway through the second half, Olly Lee calmly slotting in from close range after Danny Hylton's shot had been saved.

With Wycombe losing at home to Accrington, Jones' team have all but secured second spot in the division, with the Chairboys on 29 fewer goals on goal difference with two games left to play.

Jones said: "You've got to enjoy these times because they're few and far between. Six promotions I've had, but I've been in it not far off 30 years. So if you have one every five years you wouldn't take that from anything else! If you had a kiss off your wife or girlfriend every five years you would be struggling.

"To do that is a wonderful achievement and we've got to enjoy and we will enjoy it. We will make sure we're ready for next week, but we will enjoy it.

"Five of our players have been honoured in the PFA Team of the Year. We've got a night with the supporters tomorrow that we will enjoy in the right manner. But we will enjoy it because they have worked tirelessly.

"This isn't just a 90 minutes or 60 minutes of hard-work here, back in June our mindset was promotion. Our mindset was right there and we haven't veered from that. Some have been disappointed at times but they have taken it in the right way, they've created an environment that's amazing, I am so, so pleased I really am.

"As I have said to the lads we will celebrate it and enjoy it, but I want to make sure we don't go out with a whimper next week because there's still something to play for, it's difficult but there's still something to play for."

Luton seal promotion to League One with Carlisle draw

League Two: Carlisle United 1 Luton Town 1

Luton Town are back in the third tier of English football for the first time in 10 years as Olly Lee's second half equaliser sealed promotion to League One with a 1-1 draw at Carlisle United this afternoon.

It had looked like the visitors, who went into the game knowing a win would do the job, would have to put their party on ice, trailing 1-0 at half time and seeing Exeter turn around a goal deficit to lead 2-1 against Crawley.

But in the space of 60 second half seconds, that all changed, as Lee levelled for the visitors, while Harry Kewells' Red Devils side equalised at St James Park, ensuring Luton would be up.

That they were at a sun-drenched Brunton Park to the delight of nearly 1,500 fans who had made the long trek up.

Hatters boss Nathan Jones named an unchanged team for the third game running, but witnessed a disappointing opening 20 minutes where his side struggled to get going.

Mike Jones tried his luck from 25 yards, James Shea behind it comfortably, with the Hatters keeper then repelling Jamie Devitt's long ranger.

Town were behind on 12 minutes when Richie Bennett was played in by Ashley Nadesan and went to ground over Shea's challenge, with referee Sebastian Stockbridge awarding a penalty.

United skipper Danny Grainger made no mistake from the spot, sending Shea the wrong way to quieten the packed away end.

As news of a goal for Accrington at Wycombe filtered through, the hosts threatened again, Clint Hill's header from a corner straight at Shea.

The veteran was then involved in a tussle with Hylton, both players spoken to by Stockbridge, as Luton finally had a spell of pressure, pushing United back.

Hylton's touch was just off, Clint Hill clearing, as Dan Pott's effort was easy for Jack Bonham, who then denied former Cumbrians player Jack Stacey, with the rebound hacked away from inside the six yard box.

Hatters were close again when Alan Sheehan's freekick caused havoc, with cries for a handball, as first Hylton, then Olly Lee and McCormack all had efforts blocked away by some desperate defending.

James Collins tried to pick out the bottom corner, his low shot deflecting behind, as Town trudged off, still in a position of ascendancy with Exeter being held by Crawley.

In the second period, Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu went close early on, teed up by Collins, his angled drive from 18 yards flew narrowly wide, while elsewhere, former Hatter Jayden Stockley put the Grecians in front.

However, a crucial few moments saw Jamal Campbell-Ryce dink over a cross which flicked off Rea's head meaning Bennett could only shoulder it wide.

Town then attacked as they got the goal they desired, Hylton's cross-shot parried by Bonham where Olly Lee kept his cool to tuck home left-footed and send the travelling support into raptures.

Lee's strike took on even more significance with news of an equaliser for Crawley making it 2-2, the point would have been enough for Luton to go up.

After the goal, Luton defended impressively, repelling a number of corners, importantly always remaining a threat when possible.

Stacey set off on another superb run forward, scattering challenges as the ball rebounded into the path of Mpanzu who had almost given up, only to be faced by Bonham, the keeper saving well.

Jamie Devitt was inches away from throwing a massive spanner in the works on 80 minutes, arrowing a low shot just wide, Shea left rooted to the spot.

Olly Lee them almost had a stunning second goal, unleashing an instinctive 20-yard volley that just didn't dip in time.

Luton kept looking for the goal that would take any other result out of the equation, Olly Lee over, and then Mpanzu heading into the ground and on to the bar from Potts' excellent left wing cross.

With Exeter's result confirmed, a huge roar went up from the away end, as they knew Luton were up as long as they didn't concede again.

Late on, United sent Bonham up for a corner, but it was flicked over the bar and the final whistle went, leading to wonderful scenes of celebration between both players, management and supporters, as Town could finally celebrate a job well done.

United: Jack Bonham, Danny Grainger (C), Luke Joyce, Mike Jones, Jamie Devitt, Jamal Campbell-Ryce, Richie Bennett, Mark Ellis, James Brown (Tom Miller 72), Clint Hill, Ashley Nadesan (Kris Twardek 72).

Subs not used: Louis Gray, Tom Parkes, John O'Sullivan, Reggie Lambe, Cole Stockton.

Hatters: James Shea, Jack Stacey, Dan Potts, Glen Rea, Alan Sheehan (C), Alan McCormack (Johnny Mullins 90), Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu, Olly Lee, Elliot Lee (Flynn Downes 90), Danny Hylton, James Collins.

Subs not used: Marek Stech, James Justin, Luke Gambin, Jake Jervis, Harry Cornick.

Referee: Sebastian Stockbridge.

Booked: Potts 44, Ellis 44, Grainger, Bennett.

Attendance: 5,523 (1,404 Luton).

Hatters MOM: Alan Sheehan. Marshalled the defence superbly.

Jones is bursting with pride as Hatters are up

Luton Town boss Nathan Jones was bursting with pride after leading Luton Town to promotion from League Two this afternoon.

A 1-1 draw at Carlisle courtesy of Olly Lee's second half equaliser saw the Hatters go up after Exeter were held to a 2-2 draw by Crawley.

Speaking afterwards, a champagne-drenched Jones said: "It's wonderful, we started slowly and got punched on the nose again and had to recover from that, but once we recovered from that, I thought we were very good.

"Second half we took the game to them, and on the balance of play, chances-wise, we had more chances then they did.

"We could have put it to bed a lot earlier, and then they could have nicked it late on with an opportunity, but I’m absolutely delighted.

"I’m so proud of them, proud of the club, the fans, the board, especially the players, because they’ve had to go out there and do it and it isn’t easy being Luton Town.

"It isn’t easy playing the way we do, and when we turn up it’s a big game for everyone. We just showed some character, we showed quality, we showed everything we needed to show and I’m so proud of them, I really am."

Jones admitted there had been pressure on the Hatters this week knowing they were within touching distance, but none more so than they had been under all campaign, adding: "There’s pressure on Luton wherever we go, because we demand from ourselves, our fans demand from us and we’re big pull.

"Portsmouth had to cope with it last year and did fantastically well and we’ve had to do exactly the same, I think we’ve been absolutely magnificent, I really do.

“Accrington have been phenomenal in terms of the points tally they’ve had, so we haven’t been able to do anything about that, but we’ve been excellent.

"We’ve been a wonderful side to watch, we’ve been a wonderful team, we’ve scored goals, we’ve attacked, we’ve played a wonderful brand of football, developing younger players too.

"I’m so proud of them, they’ve been excellent and the fans once again were outstanding."