Dagenham & Redbridge vs Luton Town FC (1st Nov 2015)

PUBLISHED 15:59 1st November 2015 Hatters get back to winning ways at Dagenham

DAGENHAM & REDBRIDGE 0-2 LUTON TOWN

Goals from Luke Guttridge and Alex Lawless gave the Hatters a priceless win on the road with a convincing victory over struggling Dagenham and Redbridge.

Guttridge opened the scoring on the cusp of half-time, poking home following good work from Josh McQuoid to give the Town the advantage at the interval.

The midfielder then turned provider, teeing up Lawless to tuck in his first goal of the season to confirm a first league win in five outings.

It was an encouraging display all round for the Hatters, taking their first clean sheet away from home this campaign as well as breaching last season’s away goals tally of 17.

John Still opted for three changes at his former club, giving Lawless a first league start of the season, alongside McQuoid and Scott Griffiths, while Cameron McGeehan was forced to take a place on the bench.

East London fog caused havoc in the opening stages, allowing neither team any chances in a quiet 10 minutes before Jack Marriott stung the palms of Liam O’Brien for the game’s first opening.

Marriott was involved in the next chance too, attempting to profit from a blocked Joshua Pask clearance with an acrobatic effort in the area, perhaps unaware of the time he had from the looping ball, hitting wide when he could afford to take a touch.

Dagenham were limited to half chances in the opening quarter, notably a wayward strike from Ashley Hemmings, but the Hatters were still on top as their bid for a first league win in five outings continued.

Marriott, who else, came inches from breaking the deadlock when he met Guttridge’s left-side free-kick, denied from finding the bottom corner by O’Brien’s fingertips.

Despite the Hatters’ dominance, the Daggers still held a threat with Jamie Cureton up front, who tricked his way past Scott Cuthbert on the edge of the box, but could only find a steady Mark Tyler, who was given little to do in the first half.

Back Luton came, Marriott again taking aim while under pressure from Jack Connors, before Jonathan Smith took aim from all of 25 yards, volleying inches wide after the ball dropped nicely to him from a defensive clearance.

But the Town’s dominance paid off just four minutes later as McQuoid looped a ball into space in the Daggers’ penalty box, where Guttridge was on hand to poke home brilliantly under pressure for his 19th goal in Luton colours, but just his fourth away from Kenilworth Road.

The visitors looked good value for their lead heading into half-time, although it was Dagenham in the ascendancy in the early stages of the second half, with numerous crosses from the right that were combatted comfortably by the Town back-line.

The Hatters kept pushing for a second, however, and Guttridge came close to doubling his own tally, unleashing a rasping shot which O’Brien did well to save after an excellent Luton move.

Back the hosts came, and they were perhaps unfortunate not to get a penalty when Joss Labadie appeared to be tripped, but the Dagenham man was booked for diving despite a hint of contact from Marriott in the area.

With momentum behind them, Dagenham gained their best chance of the match when Hemmings capitalised on a rebound to stream clear on Tyler’s goal, but the striker could only flick the post before the ball spun wide.

And just moments later, the Town were two goals to the good. Marriott’s persistency was rewarded when robbing O’Brien amidst defensive miscommunication, with the ball falling to Guttridge who in turn squared to Lawless to fire into a keeperless net 20 minutes into the second half.

Ex-Dagger Craig Mackail-Smith was introduced to strong applause from the home faithful, replacing Marriott as Dagenham remained limited to long-range Chambers efforts, firing over from a free-kick in a promising angle.

Guttridge came close to a second when Lawless’ endeavour down the right allowed him to loop a cross in to the unmarked midfielder, who could only nod over from close to the penalty spot.

Despite the lead, it was the Hatters who looked likelier to score as the hosts went off the boil heading into the last ten minutes as Smith in particular chasing down every ball in a bid for the Town’s first clean sheet since their 2-0 victory at AFC Wimbledon back in September.

And it proved to be so, as John Still’s team notched a much-needed victory, moving them to 13th ahead of next Saturday’s FA Cup trip to Crawley.

Hatters: Tyler; Long, Griffiths, Wilkinson, Cuthbert; Doyle, Smith, Lawless (sub McGeehan 86); Guttridge, McQuoid, Marriott (sub Mackail-Smith 68).

Subs not used: Justham, Potts, Green, McCourt, Lee.

Attendance: 2,773, including a fantastic 1,083 from the Town.

http://www.lutontown.co.uk/news/article/gallery-dagenham-0-2-town-2778049.aspx

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8d0mDWk5PGw

League Two: Dagenham & Redbridge 0 Luton Town 2

Luton Town returned to winning ways with a professional 2-0 victory at struggling Dagenham & Redbridge this afternoon, as they sent their opponents back to the bottom of the table.

With boss John Still and a whole host of Hatters’ players and management staff returning to their old stomping ground, goals from the old guard of Luke Guttridge and Alex Lawless ended Town’s worrying winless run of four games.

The visitors had made three changes to their side, surprisingly dropping joint leading scorer Cameron McGeehan to the bench.

He was joined by Dan Potts and Craig Mackail-Smith, replaced by Lawless for his first league start of the campaign, while Josh McQuoid and Scott Griffiths came in too.

With the fog rapidly descending on east London, there was precious little early action to speak of until Jack Marriott’s snapshot stung the palms of home keeper Liam O’Brien.

On 12 minutes, Marriott had an even better chance as a charged down clearance fell perfectly for him, but with time on his side, he opted to go for the spectacular and could only acrobatically volley off target.

McQuoid then sent an effort from range into the stands, while Daggers’ only effort of note an Ashley Hemmings blast from 20 yards failing to test Mark Tyler.

It was Marriott who was having all of Luton’s best moments as with 25 minutes gone, he rose highest to meet Guttridge’s free kick with his downward header palmed behind by O’Brien.

Cureton then showed he still has it at the grand old age of 40, receiving a ball to feet, twisting and turning Cuthbert, firing off a curler that Tyler back-pedalled to hold.

Marriot once again almost broke the deadlock as he picked Jack Connors’ pocket and raced away, his angled drive saved low down by O’Brien.

Lawless and Connors then saw yellow after the Daggers full back went through the back of the Luton man who reacted angrily to the challenge.

Smith tried his luck on the volley, his wonderful effort flying inches wide with O’Brien at full sretch.

Hatters then had the lead on 41 minutes when McQuoid hooked a clever ball over his shoulder and Guttridge produce da clever finish, toe-poking over O’Brien and into the net.

In the second period, Hatters looked to double their advantage swiftly as Lawless sent a delivery right across the six yard box with no-one there to apply the finishing touch.

Guttridge drew a decent stop out of O’Brien too, before Luton had a huge let-off as Marriott looked to have clearly fouled Joss Labadie in the area only for the official to book the Daggers midfielder for diving.

Then came the two minutes that decided the game as Ashley Hemmings picked up a loose ball to dissect the Town defence and race clear with just Tyler to beat but could only dink wide of the post.

With the warning shot fired, Luton then went straight up the other end to add a second when Marriott harried a Daggers defender and O’Brien, with the ball spilling clear to Guttridge.

He unselfishly rolled it across to Lawless who took a touch and slotted in his first goal of the season. It was Luton’s 18th away strike of the campaign too, already superseding last year’s tally on their travels of a meagre 17.

With boss Still leaving the dug-out after suffering from a migraine, the visitors swapped Marriott, who had run himself into the ground once more, for Craig Mackail-Smith, as Daggers briefly threatened a reply, Ashley Chambers lofting over.

Guttridge should really have had a second when Lawless’ hooked a swirling cross into the box and with no-one on him, the midfielder could only direct a free header over.

Daggers appeared content to persevere with their slow approach play despite the situation, as although Cureton sent one shot high and wide, Tyler’s quiet afternoon continued, as he kept first clean sheet on the road this term.

The result saw Luton climb a hefty five places in the league too as they had dropped down as low as 18th after yesterday’s matches.

However, they can now head into a fortnight break from League Two, sitting in 13th position, just four points off the play-offs and six away from the top three.

Daggers: Liam O’Brien, Jack Connors, Joss Labadie, Jamie Cureton, Ashley Chambers (C, Matt McClure 76), Jodi Jones (Jake Mulraney 50), Ashley Hemmings, Joshua Pask, James Dunne, Ayo Obileye, Justin Hoyte.

Subs not used: Mark Cousins, Nyron Nosworthy, Andre Boucaud, Kane Ferdinand, Josh Passley.

Hatters: Mark Tyler, Sean Long, Dan Potts, Scott Cuthbert (C), Luke Wilkinson, Jonathan Smith,Nathan Doyle, Alex Lawless (Cameron McGeehan 87), Luke Guttridge, Josh McQuoid, Jack Marriott (Craig Mackail-Smith 68).

Subs not used: Elliot Justham, Paddy McCourt, Olly Lee, Dan Potts, Danny Green.

Attendance: 2,773 (1,083 Luton).

Booked: Lawless 34, Connors 34, Obileye 45, Labadie 57.

Referee: Keith Hill.

Hatters MOM: Luke Guttridge. Opening goal and an assist as he pulled the strings in the opponents half.

Dagenham & Redbridge 0 Luton Town 2

Luton's victory at Dagenham & Redbridge was brought to you by the numbers 2-0 and an unmistakable lesson in how to make the manager take notice, from Alex Lawless and Luke Guttridge.

Both largely the forgotten men, with just seven starts between them, they scored one apiece, but it was the latter that laid the blueprint for a first victory almost a month.

Guttridge's opener – his second of the season – may not have been as audacious as his long range lob at Cambridge but it was touched by the same level of class, lofting a half volley on the stretch beyond outstanding goalkeeper Liam O'Brien four minutes before half time.

It was the sort of chance were so many so many other players at this level would have snatched at the offering and confirmed that, despite 12 signings in the summer and the August snubbing of the midfield maestro, Luton still haven't found a player capable of Guttridge's mesmeric masterstrokes.

The second decisive one was to calmly tee up Lawless on his first League Two start of the season to kill off a brief Daggers fightback that, moments earlier, should have seen the scores levelled at 1-1.

By doubling their tally the Hatters have now netted 18 away goals before Bonfire Night, one more than they managed in the whole of last term, and the scoreline could have been greater but for Daggers' number one O'Brien winning a personal battle with Jack Marriott, denying Town's joint top scorer on four occasions.

But while it was a much-needed first victory in six games in many ways it confirmed what is already known – Luton are pretty decent on the road.

They now need to rediscover both craft and a mean streak at Kenilworth Road where they have won just twice this term in the fourth tier. Guttridge staked a strong claim to offer the former while the gritty stuff, at Victoria Road at least, was supplied by the return of the real Nathan Doyle, in just his fifth league outing of the season.

It was an effect which rubbed off on Jonathan Smith too as they both made their presence and power felt in the middle of the park to help claim a first clean sheet on the road this term.

For once, Luton goalie Mark Tyler wasn't called into action to secure that pleasing stat, with only a comfortable first half stop from Daggers' 40-year-old forward Jamie Cureton his only contribution.

After Marriott found O'Brien unwilling to yield and Smith had almost found the corner of the net from 25 yards, the hosts had a penalty shout waved away when Jodi Jones scorched past the returning Scott Griffiths only to hit the deck. It wouldn't be their last claim.

The, four minutes before the break Luton got the goal their first half performance deserved and it was a peach as Josh McQuoid flicked over his head into the path of Guttridge who had ice running through his veins as he clipped in unorthodox fashion beyond O'Brien.

Manager John Still did not emerge until the final moments of the match after suffering with a half time migraine, though it won't have been the performance of his side that caused it.

Early in the second period Guttridge almost doubled his tally after a fabulous Luton move with a rocket-blaster that O'Brien did superbly well to block.

Daggers were denied a second spot-kick – which looked even more indisputable than the first – when Marriott tripped Joss Labadie only for Mr Hill to flash a yellow card for simulation. First team coach Hakan Hayrettin was adamant afterwards that both penalty box calls were correct.

Yet Ashley Hemmings should have scored when he raced unchallenged from the halfway line through a gaping hole where a Town midfield and defence should have been, only to hit the post.

Further punishment for Dagenham was only moments away as the Hatters charged down the other end. Marriott was thwarted again by O'Brien but the ball sprang loose and Guttridge was calmness personified as he committed the keeper before sliding to Lawless who lashed into the net as defenders scrambled back.

The only thing Guttridge judged wrong was to head a hacking cross over the bar from ten yards out, but by then the three points were all but confirmed and his continued presence in the side should be nailed on.

Dagenham: O'Brien, Connors, Labadie, Cureton, Chambers (McClure, 76), Jones (Mulraney, 50), Hemmings, Pask, Dunne, Obileye, Hoyte Unused subs: Cousins, Nosworthy, Boucaud, Ferdinand, Passley

Luton: Tyler, Smith, Cuthbert, Lawless (McGeehan, 86), Griffiths, Marriott (Mackail-Smith, 68), Long, Guttridge, McQuoid, Doyle, Wilkinson Unused subs: Justham, Potts, Green, McCourt, Lee

Referee: Keith Hill

Attendance: 2,773 (1,083)

First team coach Hakan Hayrettin called Luke Guttridge an "exceptional player" after he steered Luton to their first League Two win in five games with a goal and an assist in the 2-0 triumph over basement boys Dagenham & Redbridge.

The 33-year-old playmaker opened the scoring in the 41st minute with a cool finish and he was just as calm in the second half to commit Daggers keeper Liam O'Brien and then unselfishly set up Alex Lawless, who sealed the three points on his first league start of the campaign.

Guttridge didn't get a look in at Luton for the first seven games of the season and he's still only made six league starts, but he staked a strong claim to stay in the side.

Hayrettin, who spoke to the press in place of boss John Still after he missed much of the second half with a migraine, said: "Luke, on his day, is an exceptional player. It's just important that we keep him ticking over. From my point of view, he worked ever so hard without the ball in the second half."

Lawless is another player that has had to make do with limited game time, only making five league appearances off the bench before yesterday's trip to Victoria Road.

Hayrettin said: "We don't believe that we have a squad of first team and a squad of reserves. We've got one squad and out of that squad he [Still] can pick anyone and if they're picked upon to play they have a job to do. If they do it to the best of their ability, we're more than happy."

Talking about Lawless, the coach said: "He's a tremendous professional who works hard and trains the way he plays. Nothing is different with him. He keeps his head down and when his time comes he's given the opportunity and he does what he needs to do.

"He's one of those players that you see but you don't hear at the training ground because he's always making sure he does everything the right way and I'm very pleased for him. The gaffer went with him and it worked out."

Lawless' strike came moments after Daggers ace Ashley Hemmings missed a glorious chance to level the scores, hitting the post after running unchallenged from the halfway line.

"Their misfortune is our luck," Hayrettin said, adding: "The gaffer talks about fine margins and that was one of them. If they take that goal it's 1-1 and the game changes. We go up the other end a minute later and score, so we'll take that."

The result also saw the Hatters register their first clean sheet on the road this term, and Hayrettin said: "It was a good, team performance where everybody worked industriously hard to do things when we didn't have the ball and to nullify what they had, apart from once where they nearly scored, but then we went up the other end.

"We are scoring and we want to keep that good run of form going. The gaffer has always said we can score, but we've just got to tighten up at the back. Maybe it's a starting point that we kept a clean sheet."