Coventry City vs Luton Town FC (13th Mar 2018)

REPORT: COVENTRY CITY 2 LUTON TOWN 2

Cuthbert and Collins return with goals to earn Hatters a big point

The Hatters showed tremendous character to fight back from two goals down at half-time and bring a valuable point back from Coventry tonight, with captain Scott Cuthbert and James Collins marking their returns to the side with crucial second-half headed goals.

First-half strikes by Peter Vincenti and Marc McNulty had given the Sky Blues the advantage, but Cuthbert – back in the starting XI for the first time in almost four months following groin surgery – halved the deficit ten minutes into the second half.

Then, after having a header chalked off for offside in the 79th minute, Collins – who missed Saturday’s defeat to Accrington through suspension – moved to the top of the Town scoring charts with a bullet header three minutes from time to haul the Hatters level during a barnstorming finish.

Manager Nathan Jones’ third change to the starting line-up from Saturday’s reversal was Harry Cornick, who came in as part of a front three alongside Collins and Hylton.

The Hatters got off to the worst possible start as they looked to bounce straight back to the top of the table, falling behind in the third minute when Marek Stech could only push Tom Bayliss’ 20-yard shot into the path of Vincenti, who slammed home from close range.

The Town were presented with a great chance to respond in the ninth minute when Cornick looked to be in on goal after City right-back Jack Grimmer sold his keeper Lee Burge short with a back-pass, but the spin and bounce on the ball allowed Dominic Hyam to get back and challenge before the striker could get his shot away.

Jones’ men were enjoying plenty of the ball in the Coventry third without creating any clear-cut opportunities.

Collins had the first shot in the 18th minute, forcing Burge into a save low at his near post, before the returning striker tricked his way past Grimmer and Hyam and into the six-yard box a minute later, only for the former to get back and nick the ball before he could pull the trigger.

Glen Rea, back in the midfield holding role, was next to have a go, trying his luck from fully 30 yards but his 24th-minute piledriver whistled the wrong side of the post.

Marc McNulty and Jordan Shipley soon tested Stech at the other end, before the former hit a snap-shot that Rod McDonald attempted to turn in inside the six-yard box, but thankfully for the Hatters it went well wide.

Shipley’s attempted 36th-minute curler after some fine one-touch passing in the middle of midfield was off target, then McNulty hit a 20-yarder that flew high over Stech’s bar as the hosts enjoyed the better of the second part of the first half.

Their second goal came right on the stroke of half-time after Cuthbert was penalised for a foul just outside the area, and McNulty stepped up to curl around the wall and into the far corner, with the aid of a slight deflection.

Jones resisted the temptation to make any changes at the break, and his side came out of the blocks quickly, Cornick getting his head on a left-wing cross from Berry,

Coventry were soon back on top, however, and Jonson Clarke-Harris attempted a left-footed curler in the 51st minute that was just too high.

The Town were back in business ten minutes into the second half when Sheehan whipped in a left-wing free-kick that Cuthbert met with a powerful far-post header to halve the deficit.

Jones made a double substitution in the 66th minute, bringing Luke Gambin into midfield in place of Rea – who had just been shown a yellow card for a foul – and Elliot Lee on up front as a replacement for Cornick.

The Town were having the better of the half territorially, but still without troubling Burge in the home goal and it was Coventry who were next to register a shot on target, McNulty once again forcing Stech into a save with his legs after cutting in from the right.

Boyhood Coventry fan Collins thought he had dragged the Town level in the 79th minute when he got on the end of a Sheehan free-kick aimed for the far post, but the linesman’s flag was already raised for offside before the ball nestled in the corner of the net.

Berry then picked out Hylton to chest down for Stacey, racing into the box on 83 minutes, but Burge was equal to the right-back’s stabbed effort as the Town turned the screw.

And they were deservedly level in the 87th minute when Gambin dug out a delicious cross from the left and Collins buried a bullet header inside the near post for his 18th goal of the season.

Coventry might have snatched it three minutes into stoppage time when sub Kyel Reid crossed from the left for Clarke-Harris to head straight at Stech, who then had to repel a fierce shot from outside the box from Reid.

But the Hatters survived to avoid losing back-to-back games for the first time this season, and move to within a point of Accrington – and seven points clear of Wycombe in fourth, albeit having now played a game more than both. Next up, Newport!

TOWN: Stech, Stacey, Cuthbert ©, Sheehan, Potts, Rea (Gambin 66), Downes, Berry, Cornick (E Lee 66), Collins, Hylton. Subs: Justin, Mullins, O Lee, Jervis, Shea (GK)

Goals: Cuthbert 55, Collins 87

Yellows: Rea

COVENTRY: Burge, Grimmer, McDonald, Vincenti (Ponticelli 90), Doyle ©, McNulty, Hyam, Clarke-Harris, Haynes, Shipley (Reid 64), Bayliss (Kelly 76). Subs: O’Brien (GK), Stokes, Biamou, Barrett

Goals: Vincenti 3, McNulty 45

Yellows: Kelly

REFEREE: Charles Breakspear

ATT: 8,863 (2,002 Hatters)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cl0AIUp120E

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgdnCJuFHX4

NATHAN JONES ON THE DRAW WITH COVENTRY CITY

Town boss Nathan Jones was pleased with his side's second half turnaround as they came from two goals down to draw 2-2 against Coventry City at the Ricoh Arena this evening.

Peter Vincenti netted after three minutes after he prodded in from close range at the back stick, before Marc McNulty's free-kick from 22-yards on the stroke of half-time left Town with a mountain to climb.

The result sees the Town remain second, a point off Accrington Stanley at the top of Sky Bet League Two.

Jones said: "Yes it was [a game of two halves]. We were nowhere near in the first half. We didn't get to grips with it, we didn't pass the ball well enough, we didn't keep the ball well enough, we didn't defend well enough. We didn't do anything well.

"Then to concede after a minute from poor defensive play, so we were really disappointed. At half-time we didn't rant and rave, we knew we had to find a solution and not add to the problems and in the end we changed to a diamond and we were better in the second half.

"They could have nicked it, we could have nicked it. Jack Stacey had a great chance but we were much more like the threat and the team that we are. We played with energy. These have got the best defensive record in the league, but to score two goals and claw the game back was wonderful."

Jones celebrated with the supporters at the end of the game after his side battling performance. Asked what his message to supporters was for the final nine games of the season, he said: "Stick with us. There's going to be twist and turns. We have given them [the supporters] a hell of a season so far. We have given them enough football, enough goals, enough entertainment to earn a bad performance now and again.

"We gave them a half and they weren't happy about it, but they've got to stick with us.

"We work tirelessly every day. I am a passionate manager and I work tirelessly. But now we need them to get behind us, they might need to drag us through the odd game now and again because they're a good group and an honest group.

"We make mistakes, but that's the league, that's the level and that's what happens. If they want to get out of this level, then they have got to play their part and they have done tonight, second half they were magnificent tonight."

Collins scores late on as Hatters hit back to earn a point at Coventry

League Two: Coventry City 2 Luton Town 2 James Collins scored a late leveller as the Hatters came from 2-0 down to earn a hugely precious point at Coventry City this evening.

It had looked like Luton were going to suffer back-to-back defeats for the first time in the league this season, right up until the 88th minute when substitute Luke Gambin sent over a tantalising cross for Collins to bury with a thumping header, sending the 2,002 visiting fans into raptures.

The result saw Town stay second in the table, one point behind Accrington, but now seven ahead of fourth placed Wycombe with just nine games to, starting at Newport County this weekend.

Earlier, boss Nathan Jones made three changes, bringing in Collins, Harry Cornick and Scott Cuthbert for his first start since November, Elliot Lee and Olly Lee relegated to the bench, with Andrew Shinnie dropping out.

Town got off to the worst possible start on just three minutes when Ryan Haynes produced some lovely skill on the wing, his ball across the area fired goalwards by Tom Bayliss, Marek Stech parrying and Peter Vincenti on hand to volley in the rebound.

The Hatters might have levelled on nine minutes when Jack Grimmer's loose backpass was collected by Harry Cornick, but he couldn't sort his feet out in time and a home defender nipped in.

Collins' 20-yarder was easy for Lee Burge, while the Town forward then went to ground in the area, but his penalty appeals were waved away.

Glen Rea almost marked his 100th appearance in style, letting fly from 30 yards, his low effort only just missing the target.

City then applied some pressure of their own, Stech gathering Marc McNulty's low drive and parrying Jordan Shipley's curler behind.

However, City had what looked a crucial second goal just moments before the break, as Cuthbert gave away a free kick 22 yards from goal.

With Luton's wall pushed right back, McNulty curled his effort around it and into the bottom corner with a stationary Stech not covering himself in any glory at all.

Jones opted against making changes in the second period, with Luton facing an uphill battle to restore parity against a side who possessed the best defensive record in the division, and had only conceded 11 at home.

The visitors quickly showed their aren't the highest scorers for no reason though, as Cornick glanced an early header wide, before Town gave themselves a lifeline on 55 minutes when Alan Sheehan's deep free kick was missed by Burge, Cuthbert planting a downward header into the net.

Midway through the half, Jones brought on Elliot Lee and Gambin for Rea and Cornick, but neither the changes or the goal really looked to have pepped up Town as an attacking threat.

If anything, City looked the most likely to increase their tally, McNulty denied a clincher by the legs of Stech with 14 minutes to go.

Luton thought they had a leveller through another set-piece as Sheehan's curler from deep was flicked in by Collins, with Burge rooted to the spot.

Unfortunately for Town's striker, the official's flag went up with Town off celebrating, cutting the joy short as they remained 2-1 behind.

The visitors went close once more moments later, Luke Berry's lofted pass chested down by Hylton and Stacey's close range effort parried by Burge.

Luton did get their leveller with two minutes to go though, when Gambin delivered from the left and Collins powered home his 18th of the season.

The equaliser though seemed to breathe life into the hosts, with Luton indebted to Stech for preserving a point, blocking McNulty's attempt, with the rebound fluffed.

Stech then gathered Jonson Clarke-Harris's downward header and flung himself to his left to palm Kyel Reid's 25-yarder aside as the Hatters clung on.

City: Lee Burge, Jack Grimmer, Rod McDonald, Peter Vincenti (Jordan Ponticelli 90), Michael Doyle (C), Dominic Hyam, Jonson Clarke-Harris, Ryan Haynes, Jordan Shipley (Kyel Reid 64), Tom Bayliss (Liam Kelly 76).

Subs not used: Liam O'Brien, Chris Stokes, Max Biamou, Josh Barrett.

Hatters: Marek Stech, Jack Stacey, Dan Potts, Scott Cuthbert (C), Alan Sheehan (C), Glen Rea (Luke Gambin 65), Flynn Downes, Luke Berry, Harry Cornick (Elliot Lee 65), James Collins, Danny Hylton.

Subs not used: James Shea, James Justin, Johnny Mullins, Olly Lee, Jake Jervis.

Referee: Charles Breakspear.

Booked: Rea 63, Kelly 78.

Attendance: 8,863. (2,002 Luton).

Hatters MOM: Scott Cuthbert – captain brought Town back into the game.

Luton chief hails Sky Blues point as a ‘mood-changer’

Hatters boss Nathan Jones hailed his side’s come from behind 2-2 draw at Coventry City last night as a ‘mood-changer’.

There was an air of doom and gloom at half time in a three quarters empty Ricoh Arena with Luton 2-0 down against a home side with the best defensive record in the league and having kept eight clean sheets in front of their own fans.

But Scott Cuthbert’s header gave Town renewed optimism, and they sealed another draw, their fourth in six games with James Collins’ thumping 88th minute header.

Jones said: “First half it wasn’t (good), but lets set the scene for a minute.

“We’ve been unfortunate the last three games, let me tell you now, our performance levels haven’t dipped too much.

“Against Cheltenham, we conceded two from sloppy play, one from a worldie strike and we’ve had a couple of worldie strikes against us lately, but we’ve dominated games.

“We were by far the better side at Cambridge and should have won the game but for things that happened and refereeing decisions have gone against us, and I’ve had to handle that, we’ve had to take it on the chin, but we’ve been the better side in pretty much every game.

“We were absolutely outstanding against Accrington, so I was proud of us, then we come here and it’s a real difficult game, played against these and when we turn up, it’s an added motivation for them.

“I felt first half we were nowhere near, second half we were more like us and we showed some character.

“That’s a wonderful point, that’s a big, big point, that’s a little bit of a mood-changer that one.”

Although the result wasn’t enough for Luton to reclaim top spot from Accrington, they did stretch the lead over fourth placed Wycombe to seven points, albeit having played a game more now.

Jones added: “It’s another point, 70 points we’re on now with nine games to go, and that isn’t a bad haul to have.

“We’d have taken that last year, we finished on 77 last year, so we’re only seven point off last year’s total with nine games to go.

“We come here, the pitch is horrific as a lot of pitches are when they share the ground (with Wasps), but we showed a lot of character and that’s the big thing.

“I’m proud of my club, proud of my fans, proud of how we went about it, proud of our decision making as a coaching staff, it’s a positive evening not a negative one.”