Crewe Alexandra vs Luton Town FC (14th Jan 2017)

PUBLISHED 18:55 14th January 2017 Ten-man Hatters come from behind to beat Crewe

CREWE ALEXANDRA 1 (Lowe 28)

LUTON TOWN 2 (Marriott 45, Gray 69)

Att: 4,368 (995 away)

The Hatters moved back up into the Sky Bet League Two play-off places with a monumental come-from-behind win at Crewe Alexandra after playing all but eight minutes of the second half with ten men after defender Alan Sheehan was sent off.

Jack Marriott cancelled out Ryan Lowe’s opener on the stroke of half-time for his ninth goal of the season, before midfielder Jake Gray scored his fourth – one in each competition the Hatters have competed in – to seal three points after Sheehan’s 53rd minute dismissal.

Boss Jones described the victory as “massive” in terms of the current campaign – and in historical terms it was too, his side recording what is only the club’s second win in 11 attempts at Gresty Road, the other coming in 2002.

The Welshman made five changes from last Saturday’s FA Cup defeat at Accrington, and there were starts also for five of the players who kicked off the midweek Checkatrade Trophy win over Chesterfield.

Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu, Jordan Cook, Marriott and top scorer Danny Hylton all came in after being on the bench or missing the Stanley defeat through injury, while Lawson D’Ath was handed his debut a week after signing from Northampton Town.

And even though the Town met the Checkatrade Trophy ‘full-strength team’ requirement on Tuesday with five of the top 11 starters in league and cup competitions in the line-up against Chesterfield, Jones made doubly sure in Cheshire.

Goalkeeper Christian Walton, midfielders Gray, Cook, Mpanzu and striker Marriott all started Tuesday’s magnificent 4-0 victory over the League One Spireites, and kept their place in the starting line-up for the return to league action.

Jones went with his trusted back four and midfield diamond, with Mpanzu keeping the holding role he impressed in against Chesterfield – turning in another immense and mature performance – with D’Ath and Gray either side of him and Cook at the tip.

The Town started on the front foot and the first effort on goal came in the third minute when Marriott met Sheehan’s left-wing cross, but home keeper Ben Garratt comfortably held his close-range header.

Hatters keeper Walton was called into action for the first time three minutes later when Crewe winger George Cooper crossed from the left and Alex Kiwomya stole in front of Sheehan at the far post, but the England Under-21 stopper gathered at the Chelsea loanee’s feet.

Crewe fashioned a great opening on 12 minutes that Charlie Kirk put wide, but seconds later Marriott had another go, this time Garratt at full stretch to tip the Town striker’s angled right-foot drive around the post.

Alex defender Jon Guthrie soon had to slide at the near post to turn a Hylton cross behind, then – on 17 minutes – the lively Marriott let fly from 20 yards, but his shot didn’t have quite enough curl on it to bend into the bottom corner.

An open, end-to-end encounter was developing and after Sheehan fouled Oliver Turton out wide in the 23rd minute, Cooper delivered a right-wing free-kick that Guthrie headed over from close range, seconds before the Hatters’ Irish left-back ventured forward to test Garratt again from distance.

The hosts had the lead in the 28th minute, however, when Lowe took a pass from Kiwomya in his stride on the edge of Hatters’ box and held off the challenge of Justin to fire past Walton into the bottom corner.

We had to wait until five minutes before half-time for the Town’s next chance and it went Mariott’s way again, this time controlling a beautifully lofted pass over the Crewe backline from Mpanzu, but Garratt was quickly off his line to smother his close-range flicked shot.

Inevitably, when the equaliser came, it was Marriott who got it. With 45 minutes on the clock, the in-form striker took Sheehan’s pass, via a deft flick from Hylton, in his path as he turned sharply on the edge of the box before firing low and hard through Garratt’s legs at his near post for his third goal in a week and sixth in his last six starts.

Hylton soon had a crack from distance too as the Town finished the half with a flourish, and crucially, on level terms.

They started the second half the brighter as well, Cuthbert heading Gray’s left-wing free-kick wide and Cook creating space for a shot as he worked his way across the edge of the box, but his effort only troubled the top of the BMW Family Stand.

By the 53rd minute though the Town had been reduced to ten men when Sheehan, who had been booked for a foul in the first-half, received a second yellow card for bringing down Kiwomya.

Jones reacted quickly with a double substitution, Jack Senior - the day after his 20th birthday - coming on for his EFL debut at left-back in place of D’Ath, and Jonathan Smith for Cook as the Town boss remained positive with a 4-3-2 formation.

And when the chance to nick the lead came in the 69th minute, the Town took it. Gray, who had scored in the FA Cup at Accrington last week to add to his efforts in the EFL Cup and Trophy earlier in the season, was involved at the start and, gloriously, at the finish.

After a spell of Crewe possession, Gray nicked the ball ten yards outside the Town box and Smith sprayed a great ball wide to Marriott on the left. The striker drove inside and cracked another terrific shot on goal, which Garratt could only push wide towards the corner flag.

Hylton kept the ball live, tricked his way past two defenders on the byline and cut back a cross for Gray, who had continued his run into the box, to fire home from eight yards.

Crewe went in search of a leveller and with just under a quarter-of-an-hour to go James Jones arrowed a 20-yard shot just wide of Walton’s right-hand post, but almost immediately at the other end, Garratt had to race off his line to deny Marriott a second after his pace took him clear again.

Jones brought Vassell on for Marriott, who’d put in a great shift and went off to a deserved ovation from the 995 travelling fans, then keeper Walton came to punch several dangerous crosses to relieve the danger with great authority, one clearance almost reaching the centre-circle.

Centre-halves Cuthbert and Mullins headed other crosses clear time and time again, while Senior stood up to the test, tracking the dangerous Kiwomya diligently before the winger finally got a cross past him with 90 minutes up.

Thankfully Lowe’s near-post effort cleared Walton’s bar, then the Town number one dropped on a cross that took a wicked deflection off Hylton, the back four dealt with five minutes of stoppage time and Mpanzu ran the ball into the corner from deep on more than one occasion.

Sheehan meanwhile, was on the phone to the media team from the dressing room, desperate to know when the final whistle would go. It went, the Irishman breathed a sigh of relief and Jones gathered his players in a huddle before celebrating in front of the supporters.

“A partnership,” Jones called the relationship with the “best fans in the league” afterwards. It was a day when Luton Town togetherness won through, on and off the field.

TOWN: Walton, Justin, Cuthbert ©, Mullins, Sheehan, Mpanzu, Gray, D’Ath (Senior 56), Cook (Smith 56), Hylton, Marriott (Vassell 86). Subs: O’Donnell, Mackail-Smith, Lee, King (GK)

Yellows: Cook, Sheehan

Reds: Sheehan

CREWE: Garratt, Turton, Guthrie, Ray, Bakayogo (Saunders 76), Kiwomya, Jones, Hollands (Wintle 85), Cooper, Kirk (Dagnall 65), Lowe. Subs: Richards (GK), Nugent, Udoh, Ainley

Yellows: Hollands, Turton

PUBLISHED 19:00 14th January 2017 The** Hatters boss was over the moon with his side's performance**

Town boss Nathan Jones was ecstatic after watching his side come from a goal behind at Crewe Alexandra to win 2-1 at Gresty Road.

Ryan Lowe gave the hosts the lead in the first half with a smart finish, before Jack Marriott levelled on the stroke of half-time. Alan Sheehan saw red just under ten minutes into the second half after receiving his second yellow card, before Jake Gray scored the winner as he converted Danny Hylton’s cross.

Jones said on his side’s performance: “Superb, honestly superb. I say this quite a lot, I am so proud of them.

“To be fair we were brave again. We kept two up top because we wanted to win the game.

“We felt we were good enough to win the game, even with ten, and I thought we were outstanding to a man.

“From our goalkeeper, with late punches, brave, our two centre halves did superbly well, little Jack Senior came on, with telling contributions.

“Pelly-Ruddock did superbly well, Jake Gray with another goal, Hylton gave an immense performance, Marriott a bit of danger.

“Every single one of them, absolutely delighted. A wonderful, wonderful performance.”

http://www.lutontown.co.uk/news/article/2016-17/luton-town-football-league-two-crewe-alexandra-3518686.aspx

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34JH13lyJU4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4yto0vgdi4

League Two: Crewe Alexandra 1 Luton Town 2

As season defining moments go, Luton Town's 10-men, come from behind, 2-1 victory at Crewe Alexandra could be right up there.

The visitors', who had fallen behind to Ryan Lowe's neat finish on 28 minutes, hit back to level moments before the break through Jack Marriott's ninth of the season.

Defender Alan Sheehan then saw red for what was a ridiculous lunge when he was already cautioned with nine minutes gone of the second half, but rather than try to hold out, Luton went again.

They were rewarded for a display choc full of passion, commitment and no little skill, thanks to Jake Gray's second strike in as many games on 69 minutes, before keeping their hosts at arms length for the remainder, to climb back into the play-off places, recording only a second win at Gresty Road in their history.

Roared on by a vocal following from Bedfordshire, boss Nathan Jones gathered his side for an impromptu huddle in front of their travelling hordes at the final whistle, to further emphasise the important of this first league win of 2017.

Hatters had made five changes from the FA Cup defeat to Accrington, with recent addition Lawson D'Ath in for his full debut, while Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu, Jordan Cook, Danny Hylton and Marriott replaced Jonathan Smith, Josh McQuoid, Isaac Vassell, Olly Lee and the suspended Glen Rea.

Town dominated territory and possession in the early stages, Marriott heading at Ben Garratt, although Crewe, under new management in former player David Artell, had the better chances, Alex Kimomya's effort smothered by Christian Walton.

Alex should have led with 16 minutes on the clock as a quick break saw suspiciously offside-looking Charlie Kirk in acres of space, but he poked badly wide as no flag was raised.

Hatters replied with Marriott's angled drive that forced Garratt to tip behind for a corner, as the striker looked Town's most likely outlet in the opening 20 minutes.

He tried his luck once more, bending another effort which didn't miss by much, and although scuffed well wide soon after, there was no doubting his intents after a forceful run.

However, Crewe, on the back of three games without finding the net, were creating the most clear-cut opportunities, George Cooper's superb free kick met by Jon Guthrie who bulleted his header over from close range.

One more Luton responded, although their efforts more often than not came from distance, Sheehan's tame effort easy for Garratt.

Just before the half hour, Alex took the lead when Gray was nowhere near strong enough in the tackle and Kiwomya broke away to cleverly feed Lowe, who showed all his 38-years of experience to finish smartly beyond Walton.

Town were close to a leveller on the stroke of half time, Mpanzu's dinked through ball finding the run of Marriott who controlled instantly only to find Garratt out in time to block his toe-poke.

Just as they were about to troop of for an undoubted tongue-lashing from Jones, Luton found themselves on level terms.

Hylton's flick was picked up by Marriott, who despite having the angle against him, shot low and hard, with Garratt not covering himself in glory, allowing the striker's shot to squirm through his legs and over the line.

It was Marriott's ninth of the season and sixth in seven games, as Luton may have gone on to sneak the lead, Hylton ambitiously trying to beat Garratt from 30 yards.

Buoyed by their equaliser, Luton made a strong start to the second half, Scott Cuthbert and Cook off target before Marriott's cross shot required desperately clearing away.

Then came the game's defining moment, as Hatters were then reduced to 10 men for the seventh time this season, due to Sheehan's second rash and completely needless mis-timed sliding challenge.

The Irishman immediately punched the ground in frustration, knowing the error of his ways, leaving referee Graham Salisbury with little option but to reach for a second yellow.

Instead of trying to hold on to what they had, Jones sent on Smith and Jack Senior for his league debut, replacing Cook and D'Ath, as the Luton chief remained positive, staying with two upfront in Hylton and Marriott.

The move paid dividends too 14 minutes later as Marriott raced past two defenders, cut in and sent a low shot that Garratt parried.

Striker partner Hylton was first to the rebound though, twinkling his way past his man on the byline, and with the home defenders appealing the ball had gone out, put it on a plate for Gray to tuck home his second goal in two matches.

Now with their noses in front, Luton put up a solid front to repel the hosts attacks, limiting them to potshots, with James Jones arrowing one behind.

In fact, such was Town's energy, verve and tireless pressing, they could and probably should have added to their lead with 12 minutes to go.

The livewire Marriott got on the wrong side of his marker, but with Garratt out, tried to lob the keeper and saw his effort blocked.

Late on, Alex started to apply the pressure, with diagonal balls into the box, but centre halves Cuthbert and Johnny Mullins stood up to the task, while full backs James Justin and Senior stuck to their guns impressively, with Smith and the growing in maturity Mpanzu leading the charge away from danger as well.

Keeper Walton came out to punch clear on three occasions, alleviating the pressure when required, as Crewe's only efforts of note saw Lowe dink a volley over and Hylton's diversion clasped by the Luton stopper.

A late, late header flew over the top for the hosts too, as the final whistle saw Hatters climb back up to sixth, and now trail the top three by just six points, after Carlisle were held by Morecambe, setting up a mouthwatering trip to Wycombe Wanderers next weekend.

Alex: Ben Garratt, Oliver Turton, Jon Guthrie, George Ray, Ryan Lowe (C), James Jones, George Cooper, Zoumana Bakayogo (Callum Saunders 76) , Danny Hollands (Ryan Wintle 85), Charlie Kirk (Chris Dagnall 65), Alex Kiwomya.

Subs not used: Dave Richards, Ben Nugent, Daniel Udoh, Callum Ainley.

Hatters: Christian Walton, James Justin, Alan Sheehan, Scott Cuthbert, Johnny Mullins, Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu, Jordan Cook (Jack Senior 56), Jake Gray, Lawson D'Ath (Jonathan Smith 56) , Danny Hylton, Jack Marriott (Isaac Vassell 85).

Subs not used: Craig King, Stephen O'Donnell, Craig Mackail-Smith, Olly Lee.

Attendance: 4,368 (995 Luton).

Booked: Cook 32, Sheehan 34, Hollands 40, Turton 48, Jones 79.

Sent off: Sheehan 54.

Referee: Graham Salisbury.

Hatters MOM: Jack Marriott - striker shone out all afternoon.

Jones thrilled by Luton’s ‘wonderful’ victory at Crewe

Hatters boss Nathan Jones hailed his side’s ‘immense’ performance as they fought back to win 2-1 at Crewe Alexandra this afternoon.

Luton had fallen behind midway through the first half to Ryan Lowe’s neat finish, before levelling on the stroke of half time courtesy of Jack Marriott’s ninth goal of the season.

Defender Alan Sheehan was then sent off nine minutes into the second period, but Hatters didn’t let that affect them, with Jake Gray netting the winner in the 69th minute.

Afterwards, Jones said: “I say this quite a lot, but I’m so proud of them. I felt we were good enough to win the game, even with 10, and I thought we were outstanding to a man.

“From my goalkeeper (Christian Walton) with late punches, coming for it, the two centre halves did superbly well, little Jack Senior came on, with telling contributions.

“Pelly Ruddock in the middle of the pitch did superbly well, Jake Gray with another goal, (Danny) Hylton with an immense performance, Marriott with a bit of danger, every single one of them.

“I’m just delighted, absolutely delighted, a wonderful performance, wonderful.”

Jones made five changes to the side that had lost out to Accrington Stanley in the FA Cup last week, including handing a debut to recent signing Lawson D’Ath.

The boss added: “Lawson hasn’t played much competitive football lately so he needed to get up to speed quickly and he only does that with games.

“It was a gamble to play him today instead of Jonathan Smith who’s done excellently, but there’s some big games coming up and Jonathan knows he’s an important member for me.

“It was good for Lawson to get minutes under his belt and the other changes we made were not really enforced but we felt that was the strongest side we could put out and was the side that was really going to give us something.”

Jones believes Crewe victory could be a key point in Town’s campaign

Luton boss Nathan Jones has revealed just why he called an impromptu huddle in front of Town’s travelling army of supporters in the aftermath of the 2-1 victory at Crewe yesterday.

The visitors, who had played for most of the second half with 10 men, went on to win the match thanks to Jake Gray’s 69th minute strike.

It saw Luton cut the gap to third placed Carlisle to six points with a game in hand and once the final whistle had gone Jones was quick to get all the players together in a show of unity.

Speaking afterwards, the Town chief felt the magnitude of the victory could have a defining role in the Hatters’ campaign, saying: “I got them in because that’s a big win and can be a real, real key point of the season.

“I’ve been in sides that have got promoted and sides that have done well and there’s moments in seasons that are key moments and I think that’s a big, key moment, I really, really do.

“To be brave and to do what they did, they followed instructions and believed in what we’re doing right in front of our own crowd.

“It’s just immense and that’s a big, big win today today, a big, big moment.”

Striker Jack Marriott, who bagged his ninth of the season on the stroke of half time to make it 1-1, agreed, saying: “It could be, it certainly could be, we’ve just got back it up and now and keep pushing.

“We were handed a difficult hand when Sheez got sent off and that shows the dressing room what we’ve got.

“It could well be a defining moment, but we look forward to next weekend and hopefully we can get another three points.”

Hatters once again took a huge number of supporters to the game, with 995 cheering them to victory, as Jones was quick to pay tribute once more.

He said: “They’re the best fans in the league, they’re outstanding. They sang, they filled that end, they were great, great atmosphere and they just keep doing it.

“But the thing I’m going to say is we’re a partnership. The team and them, we’re a partnership.

“They give us energy, we give them something to get behind, so it’s brilliant and they’ll be buzzing.

“It’s a good day, a good day for Luton Town. Because of circumstances and how things went and so on, it was a big win and a great day.”

Football League debutant Jack Senior, who had only played in the Checkatrade Trophy prior to his second half introduction, was in awe of Town’s travelling fans too.

He said: “One of the first things I heard when joining was the fans are brilliant and you can see why.

“They filled the whole stand, were out-singing the Crewe fans for 90 minutes.

“It gives you so much confidence to just do your best and do your best for the fans as well as your team-mates when they’re shouting your name, shouting everyone’s name and encouraging you as much as they do week in week out.”

Meanwhile, goalscorer Marriott added: “Like I’ve said before in previous interviews, our fans, they come to some very, very far places and they sing all game, they don’t stop.

“They really are superb and to bring nearly 1,000 today is superb and they were incredible.”

Bravery pays off for bold Hatters boss with Railwaymen triumph

Hatters striker Jack Marriott praised the ‘guts’ shown by manager Nathan Jones after Luton won 2-1 at Crewe Alexandra yesterday, despite being reduced to 10 men early in the second half.

The visitors were forced to play the last 36 minutes plus stoppage time a player light after Alan Sheehan was dismissed for his second booking with the scores at 1-1.

However, rather than take off a striker and look to preserve what they had, Jones kept both Marriott and Danny Hylton upfront in a bid to get the victory they desperately needed to make inroads into the top three.

The bold decision proved a masterstroke too as Marriott, who had netted Hatters’ leveller, saw his shot parried as Hylton picked up the rebound to tee up Jake Gray for his 69th minute winner.

On remaining so positive despite the red card, Marriott said: “I think that shows a lot of guts from the coaching staff and the manager himself, but also shows our mentality.

“We want to win the game, if unfortunately we lost the game by going for the win, that does happen, but we’re going to go for the win and we always will.”

Jones himself admitted that looking for the victory the only decision on his mind, as he said: “A lot of people go 4-4-1 and then I think it just invites the pressure.

“But we’re such a counter attacking side anyway, that we feel that as long as our outside men work hard, then we still have a threat on the counter to have won the game, and that proved right.

“We wanted to push, we felt we could still win the game, we wanted to win the game, so that’s what we did.

“We’re a strong side, we’re a fit side and that’s a credit to the people we have at the club and then they show a desire to work hard and want to do well.

“Jack’s tested the keeper as he’s done on a number of occasions today, Danny’s done immense, but we know what we get from Danny as he is immense and that’s what Jake does.

“He arrives, arrives well, he’s an attacking midfielder, that’s why we brought him here for that and I’m delighted for him.

“We’ve done it before, we’ve done it at Exeter away, done it at Newport at home, and won the game and scored again at Exeter.

“It’s not something we don’t work at, not something we don’t fathom for.

“We’re a brave side as we want to win games, but it’s only brave if they believe in what I try to do and they do that every day.

“It was a real rearguard at the end. We were only under pressure from crosses, but we dealt with them very, very well and I’m a very happy man.”

Jones did make two alterations when down to 10 men, bringing on Jack Senior for his Football League debut and Jonathan Smith to shore up the midfield.

Senior was quick to praise the work done on the training ground which allowed Hatters to remain such a positive force in the last half an hour, adding: “That’s testament to the lads, they work very hard in training and I’ve noticed that from the first day I’ve came in.

“The fitness level that you have to be at to play in this team, you have to sustain it and when you come to a Saturday you’ve got to be at it.

“We work on everything in the diamond and other situations when we’re ready for a Saturday and it just showed out there how good we are really.”

Crewe Alexandra 1 Luton Town 2

IF this stunning victory against all odds does not transform Luton's promotion push, nothing will. This was magnificent. This is what seasons hinge on.

Never has boss Nathan Jones gone as wonderfully berserk at the full time whistle. Almost 1,000 travelling Town fans lapped it up and never has it been more deserved. Not only had the Hatters only ever won at Crewe once before, they had to break that bad run with ten men for 41 minutes.

The manager could not lavish enough superlatives upon his men in the aftermath, but one word he used summed it up perfectly – "immense".

They had to be. His side were poor in the first half, slipping deservedly behind to a 28th minute Ryan Lowe goal, but Jack Marriott squeezed in a leveller just before the break.

Town got on top in the second half but, eight minutes in, Alan Sheehan stupidly got himself sent off for a second bookable offence – Luton's seventh red card of the campaign – and things could have been bleak.

That feeling was only fleeting because Jake Gray – charged with replacing the goals of injured midfielder Cameron McGeehan – scored in the 69th minute and from there the visitors could have won by even more. He's so far living up to that billing.

"Superb," said Jones afterwards of his team, adding: "I thought we were outstanding to a man."

That wasn't as apparent in the opening 45 minutes though. Crewe's Charlie Kirk and Jon Guthrie missed glorious chances to take the lead, while Marriott was one of the few Hatters to cover himself in anything approaching first half glory – with a series of intelligent runs and a few pot-shots at goal.

The Luton forward finally got what he deserved, if not what his side did, as he took Danny Hylton's flick and rammed in from the tightest of angles, the ball squirming through goalie Ben Garratt and over the line.

Town started the second half well but then Sheehan made a gaffe that belied his experience, slashing wildly at the ball, missing, and taking out Alex Kiwomya. The full-back knew instantly that his afternoon was over.

Jones immediately made changes with Jordan Cook and Lawson D'Ath – on his Hatters debut – replaced by Jonathan Smith and Jack Senior, for the 20-year-old's Football League bow.

But in keeping Marriott and Hylton on the pitch, it signalled a positive move which paid off when Hylton bullied his way to the byline and cutback for Gray to stab in. It was the midfielder's second in two games and a first league strike for Town.

Jones said: "We're such a good counter-attacking side anyway that we feel, as long as we work hard, then we still had a threat on the counter to win the game and that proved right.

"We've done it before. We did it at Exeter away, against Newport at home, so it's not something we don't work at. We're a brave side because we want to win games. But it's only brave if they believe in what I try to do. They do that every day."

That courage so nearly made the margin of victory even greater. This was by no means a smash-and-grab away-day.

Eight minutes after taking the lead, Marriott profited from a Crew error but, one-on-one with Garratt he tried to lift it over the keeper, only to be foiled.

Crewe inevitably pushed for a leveller, but the closest they got was Kiwomya and Lowe both firing over, while a series of confidence-inducing punches from Town keeper Christian Walton provided a feeling that this was going to be Luton's day.

And what a day it was – the kind you could look back on as a turning point.

Crewe: Garratt, Turton, Guthrie, Ray, Lowe, Jones, Cooper, Bakayogo (Saunders, 75), Hollands (Wintle, 85), Kirk (Dagnall, 65), Kiwomya Unused subs: Richards, Nugent, Udoh, Ainley

Luton: Walton, Mullins, Cuthbert, Gray, Hylton, Cook (Smith, 57), Marriott (Vassell, 86), Mpanzu, D'Ath (Senior, 57), Justin, Sheehan Unused subs: O'Donnell, Mackail-Smith, Lee, Senior, King

Referee: Graham Salisbury

Attendance: 4,368 (995)