Hartlepool United vs Luton Town FC (27th Sep 2016)

PUBLISHED 23:44 27th September 2016 Skipper's free-kick earns Town a point

Hartlepool United 1 (Thomas 45+1)

Luton Town 1 (Sheehan 79)

Att: 3,533 (311 Hatters)

The Hatters moved back up to second place in the Sky Bet League Two table after a brilliant second-half free-kick from captain Alan Sheehan earned a deserved point at Hartlepool tonight.

On a night when manager Nathan Jones fielded what is believed to be the youngest starting XI in the Town’s League history at 21 years and seven months, the Hatters might have taken all three after seeing a host of chances go begging after the hosts had been reduced to ten men in the second half.

But Sheehan's 79th-minute strike, after Alex Gilliead had been fouled on the edge of the Hartlepool area, was ultimately all the Town could manage after Nathan Thomas had given Hartlepool the lead on the stroke of half-time.

Jones made four changes to the team that beat Doncaster Rovers on Saturday, with 17-year-old Akin Famewo coming in for his first Football League start alongside captain Sheehan, who started on the bench last time out.

As did Jake Gray, who came into the line-up for a start at the club where he enjoyed a loan spell last season from Crystal Palace, with Newcastle loanee Alex Gilliead making his full debut for the Town.

The Town’s first clear chance of the night came in the 14th minutes as Olly Lee put Jack Marriott clear with a ball over the top, but home defender Liam Donnelly raced back to tackle him on the edge of the box and Mpanzu’s follow-up was saved by Trevor Carson in the Monkey Hangers’ goal.

Within seconds the Hatters had created another good chance, as Marriott drove to the byline on right side of the area and cut the ball back for Pelly, but his first time effort was blocked.

Josh Laurent went close for Hartlepool on 20 minutes, but his effort meeting a Lewis Alessandra right-wing cross was too high and the Hatters could breathe a sigh of relief.

The Town were enjoying plenty of possession across the back four and into midfield, with Famewo and Justin looking extremely comfortable on the ball and fully settled into first-team action.

Goalmouth action was proving hard to come by, however, with an object thrown into Christian Walton’s six-yard box as the Town defended a long throw as lively as it got until the dying seconds of the half.

With one extra minute signalled, Hartlepool worked the ball in from the right flank and although Walton was equal to the initial shot from the edge of the box, Thomas was racing in to steer the follow-up home from close range to give the hosts the lead.

With no changes at the break, Hartlepool started in the ascendancy again and had an early chance as Sheehan headed a cross from the right clear, but Thomas fired in an effort from the edge of the box that was blocked and cleared.

Gilliead soon found space in midfield and fired in a shot that was blocked, but it landed at Marriott's feet, although the striker couldn’t direct his effort on target.

The Hatters were starting to make progress and Lee drove into the box and fired in low cross-shot that McGeehan tried to get on the end of inside the six-yard box, but couldn’t quite get his toe to it and Hartlepool smuggled the ball clear.

The hosts went straight up the other end and Walton produced a brilliant fingertip save to tip Amond’s effort onto the post and Thomas hit the rebound into the side-netting.

Within seconds, Hartlepool were down to ten men as their captain Nicky Featherstone was shown a straight red for a foul on Lee in midfield, and the Town started to pile on the pressure.

Just before the hour, Mpanzu skipped past his man into the box and chipped a lovely cross to Marriott, but his volley was just too high.

In the 61st minute the Town rattled the woodwork as Mpanzu gathered a pass from Lee, but Hartlepool centre-half Toto Nsiala managed to get his head on the former West Ham man’s shot and glanced it onto the post.

It was all the Town as Jones’ men probed for an equaliser, and the manager withdrew Gray on 65 minutes to throw Isaac Vassell into the attack.

Famewo was soon in ref Seb Stockbridge’s notebook for connecting with a Hartlepool defender's head as he attempted an overhead kick inside the home penalty area.

Then intricate play around the edge of the home penalty box with 20 minutes to go saw McGeehan tee up Mpanzu for a shot, but it proved easy for Carson to collect before Thomas reminded the Hatters that Pools still had a threat at the other end, although his long-range effort was off target.

McGeehan was next to try his luck from fully 30 yards, but the equaliser came in the 79th minute when Gilliead’s driving run was halted by a defender’s shove on the edge of the box, to the right hand side.

It was Sheehan’s territory and the Irish defender stepped up to curl a brilliant left-footed free-kick over the wall and inside the near post.

With ten minutes to go it was game on, and Jordan Cook came on for Gilliead in the immediate aftermath of the goal, but Hartlepool were soon on the break again with Thomas, as ever, the threat. Walton saved comfortably though.

Cook soon cut in from the left and bent in a brilliant right-footed effort that Carson pushed away for a corner, then – with six minutes time added on announced – the Hatters continued to search for a winner.

Four minutes into that period, Mpanzu drove into the box, laid back to Lee who found Marriott - but the striker’s 20-yard shot on the turn was held by Carson.

Then, a minute later, Lee’s deflected shot from 20 yards was saved by Carson with his feet, and Marriott couldn’t divert the rebound on target – and a share of the spoils was all the Town could take on the 228-mile journey home.

TOWN: Walton, Justin, Sheehan, Famewo, Potts, Lee, Gray (Vassell 65), McGeehan, Gilliead (Cook 80), Mpanzu, Marriott.

Subs: O'Donnell, Smith, McQuoid, King (GK), Musonda

Yellows: Gilliead, Famewo

HARTLEPOOL: Carson, Richards, Nsiala, Donnelly, Carroll, Featherstone, Laurent, Hawkins, Alessandra (Deverdics 73), Amond (Heardman 84), Thomas (Fewster 87).

Subs: Bartlett (GK), Paynter, Pollock, Martin.

Yellows: Reds: Featherstone

http://www.lutontown.co.uk/news/article/2016-17/luton-town-hartlepool-united-1-1-alan-sheehan-3332574.aspx

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J1LJNzJ0JRA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_aH8UOHt_8

League Two: Hartlepool United 1 Luton Town 1

Luton Town were held to a 1-1 draw by 10-man Hartlepool United yesterday evening, although they could and probably should have taken all three points away from Victoria Park.

After falling behind before the break, Luton then completely dominated proceedings once home skipper Nicky Featherstone had been sent off, drawing level through Alan Sheehan’s wonderful free kick.

Then, in stoppage time, Jack Marriott spurned a glorious chance, volleying over an open goal from a matter of yards as Luton had to make do with a point, although that was enough to see them climb above Portsmouth and into second place.

Hatters boss Nathan Jones sprung a number of surprises in his starting line-up, none more so than first year pro Akin Famewo in at centre half making his full league debut in place of the injured Johnny Mullins, in what was one of the youngest ever sides to take the field for Luton.

With Danny Hylton suspended, Scott Cuthbert injured and Jordan Cook on the bench, Town gave starts to Jake Gray, plus loanee Alex Gilliead, while Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu was moved into an unaccustomed striking role alongside Marriott.

Pools had the first opening as Nathan Thomas fired over, while Luton naturally took their time to grow into the game, eventually finding their passes during a neat period of play.

The visitors created a fine chance on 13 minutes when Marriott’s pace sent him scampering away, as he was just about caught up by the home defence, teeing up Mpanzu, whose shot was saved by Trevor Carson.

Marriott himself was then denied by a fine saving tackle from Liam Donnelly, while Pools were a threat too, Josh Laurent side-footing wastefully over from a good position.

Town were doing a good job of keeping their opponents at arm length in the opening half hour, Famewo looking particularly assured, as Lewis Alessandra was reduced to shooting from range.

However, the hosts were then in front on the very stroke of half time as Olly Lee carelessly gave the ball away in a dangerous position.

Pools broke forward and although Walton made a stunning stop from the hosts’ deflected shot, it fell invitingly for Nathan Thomas to crash home from close range.

If the first half lacked any real meaningful action, then the incident-packed second more than made up for it, with Marriott over the top and then Cameron McGeehan just unable to turn in Lee’s low cross.

Walton made a crucial save to turn Padraig Amond’s angled drive on to the post, with Thomas skewing the follow up wide, before Pools were reduced to 10 men on 55 minutes when Featherstone saw red for his sliding challenge on Lee.

That decision certainly livened up the contest as Mpanzu raced away on the right and crossed for Marriott, who got in a tangle and acrobatically volleyed over the bar from five yards out.

Mpanzu then went for goal himself, cutting in on his left before curling against the outside of the post as Pools’ lead somehow regained intact.

Hatters brought on Isaac Vassell for Gray, allowing Mpanzu to drop deeper, with the midfielder’s crossfield ball picking out Gilliead, his low cross turned tamely into Carson’s arms by Marriott.

With 12 minutes to go, Luton were deservedly level though in truly wonderful fashion as after winning free kick 20 yards from goal, Sheehan stepped up to magnificently curl his effort over the wall and into the top corner.

The goal appeared to breathe some life back into the hosts, although Hatters threw on Jordan Cook, and he almost made it 2-1, his effort bending into the far corner, until Carson spectacularly turned it behind.

Thomas also had a go, narrowly over, while somehow Marriott was prevented from winning it once more, his close range shot drawing a fine block from Toto Nsiala.

The striker then had the chance of the night in the final moments of injury time, after Lee set off on a York-like run from deep, his shot taking a deflection for Carson to kick away, with Marriott unable to apply the finishing touch.

Pools: Trevor Carson, Jordan Richards, Toto Nsiala, Liam Donnelly, Jake Carroll, Nicky Featherstone (C), Josh Laurent, Lewis Hawkins, Lewis Alessandra (Nicky Deverdics 73), Padraig Amond (Tom Heardman 84), Nathan Thomas (Bradley Fewster 87).

Subs not used: Adam Bartlett, Billy Paynter, Ben Pollock, James Martin.

Hatters: Christian Walton, James Justin, Dan Potts, Akin Famewo, Alan Sheehan, Olly Lee, Jake Gray (Isaac Vassell 65), Alex Gilliead, Cameron McGeehan, Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu, Jack Marriott.

Subs not used: Craig King, Jonathan Smith, Stephen O’Donnell, Jordan Cook, Josh McQuoid, Frankie Musonda.

Bookings: Gilliead 59, Famewo 67.

Sent off: Featherstone 55.

Attendance: 3,533 (311 Luton).

Hatters boss Nathan Jones felt his side created enough chances to win at least two games during their 1-1 draw against Hartlepool United last night, although was ultimately pleased with the point which lifted his side to second in the table.

After the hosts were reduced to 10 men after 55 minutes when skipper Nicky Featherstone saw red for a high foot on Olly Lee, Luton went on to dominate, creating a number of chances, while Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu also hit the post.

Alan Sheehan eventually ensured a point with his glorious free kick with 12 minutes to go, before Jack Marriott should have won it, missing from close range in stoppage time.

Jones said: “I’m pleased overall because a point takes us up a place into second.

“I thought we went about our work excellently, we worked the ball, we grafted, I couldn’t fault the endeavour but we created enough chances to have won probably two games.

“We had great situations, we hit the post, Jack’s had a great chance at the end.

“We have that mentality about us where there’s a tinge of disappointment, coming away and getting a point, because we want to win every game.

“That’s a good mentality to have and we’re pleased that we’ve got that mentality. This isn’t a bad point, it’s a good point and, when you look at the people we had out there, we’re stronger tonight as a team, as a squad because of more game time for key young players.

“This is a cliché, but you say ‘what would it be like on a Tuesday night away at Hartlepool?’ I felt we were by far the better side. We should have won comfortably.

“They defended for their lives at the end. They put their bodies on the line and that’s what it took. There’s no god-given right (to win) but we’re looking to win games constantly.”

With results elsewhere going Town’s way, they ended up leapfrogging Portsmouth into second spot, after they were beaten 3-1 by Blackpool.

Two points now separate Hatters and Crawley in 12th though as Jones continued: “You’ve just got to keep winning and keep getting points and keep picking up results to keep you up there.

“I don’t envisage it being this tight for the rest of the season, so we’ve got to make sure it isn’t. We’re in the mix and we’re right there, so we’re in a good position ourselves.

“It’s still early days, but 10 games in, if they say the table looks as it should after about 10 games, we’d probably be happy with that.”

Jones was annoyed with the manner in which Luton conceded though, Olly Lee losing the ball in his own half and Nathan Thomas firing home the loose ball after Christian Walton had saved brilliantly.

That stretched Town’s search for a clean sheet in all competitions to six games as the boss continued: “I’m just disappointed with the goal because we’ve given them a goal before half time.

“Nathan Thomas is allowed to waltz through three players and no-one put a foot on him. And then, not clearing the line and giving them that opportunity, we gave them it.

“So I’m disappointed with that aspect of it, but everything else, I thought we were excellent. “

After throwing away points at Crawley, Stevenage and Grimsby to late winners, Jones was pleased his side made sure they left Victoria Park with something for their efforts this time though, adding: “One thing I’m pleased about is that we didn’t actually lose the game from trying to win it, because we did that at Stevenage and Grimsby at home.

“So that was really important we didn’t, because that point has taken us second.”

Town captain Alan Sheehan revealed had a vision he would score a free kick against Hartlepool United during last night’s 1-1 draw.

With 12 minutes remaining and Luton trailing 1-0, the 30-year-old stepped up to deliver a superb dead-ball effort over the wall, beyond keeper Trevor Carson and into the top corner for his first goal of the season.

After a number of successful rehearsals in training, Sheehan admitted afterwards he felt confident of delivering on the main stage, saying: “I haven’t really had many chances to have free-kicks, I had one on Saturday, which the keeper saved, this was really my second chance and I practiced them a lot yesterday.

“At home I actually said to my girlfriend, ‘do you know what? I used to be OK at free-kicks, I think I’ve found my old technique.’

“We started laughing and then I told the manager before the game, ‘I’m going to score a free-kick today’ and he was just like, ‘yeah, good one’ and that was it.”

Boss Jones, who made Sheehan his first loan signing when arriving at Kenilworth Road in January, knew it was something that the centre half had in his locker.

He continued: “It’s about time because we brought him here with that in mind, we know he has real quality and he’s done that to me before.

“He actually said to us before the game, ‘I’m going to score a free-kick tonight’, which was very prophetic, but he’s a leader and we’re glad to have him back.

“That’s why we need to take the gambles on him that we do because he’s excellent at that.

“The way that he brings the ball out (from defence), he’s comfortable, he’s not a standard League Two centre half and we’re proud we’ve got him.”

Meanwhile, youngster Akin Famewo was left revelling in his fellow centre half’s stunning effort, as he added: “It just shows that he has great technical ability.

“I was just so happy to see it go in, because I was thinking we’ll crack on from this point, we’re back in it, here we go. It was just a great finish.”

Hartlepool United 1 Luton Town 1

Skipper Alan Sheehan scored a stunning 79th minute free-kick to rescue something for Luton against ten-man Hartlepool. It could have been so much more but the point is still enough to move them up to second in League Two.

Jack Marriott may just have nightmares about a squandered last-gasp sitter as one of the youngster ever Town sides did everything right bar take their chances in an end-to-end second half.

The result came with added frustration because the in-control Hatters were hit with a sucker punch with the last kick of the first half after an Olly Lee mistake was punished by Nathan Thomas against the run of play.

But United's numbers were reduced with 35 minutes still to play when captain Nicky Featherstone was shown a straight red for a foul on Lee.

The Town onslaught had that frustrating feeling until Sheehan found the top corner from 20 yards and with time and men in their advantage the scene was set for a grandstand finish.

In between, Luton hit the woodwork, saw keeper Trevor Carson deny them and blocks aplenty, but it won't help ease the thought of what could have been.

Still, at least they claimed something from the evening and credit must go to Luton stopper Christian Walton who, having almost prevented the Pools' opener, produced one fine save when his side were still a goal down.

There were four Luton changes to the side that beat Doncaster with Akin Famewo handed his full Football League debut, Alex Gilliead his first start, while Sheehan and Jake Gray returned to the starting line-up, the latter having been on loan at Hartlepool last term.

Most curious was Danny Hylton's replacement – with the striker suspended – as midfielder Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu was preferred up top, alongside Marriott while Isaac Vassell and Josh McQuoid were left on the bench.

The former West Ham youth took the first half to get accustomed to the role but was heavily involved as Luton pressed for goals after the break.

He and Marriot combined twice in the early stages of a quiet but controlled first period, while United had only managed one Lewis Alessandra long range effort on target before taking the lead.

The contest turned in the space of one second half minute where the Hatters were handed a reprieve and then the impetus to take control. First Walton produced a stunning save to keep out Padraig Amond, deflecting his drive onto the post and then Featherstone was given his marching orders.

An off balance Marriott hooked Mpanzu's dinked cross over the crossbar but things would get worse in front of goal for the striker, even if Hartlepool's goal was living a charmed life. A well-struck Mpanzu curler looked destined for the top corner before a home head glanced it onto the post.

But, just when things were getting frustrating, Gilliead set off on a run that could only be curtailed illegally and, with a free-kick 20 yards out, Sheehan buried a curler in the top bag. Not bad for a centre back.

Cook – on for Gilliead – must have thought his drive was heading for the same spot until Carson threw out a big glove and tipped to safety. The keeper then launched himself in the way of Marriott's shot after good work from Mpanzu and James Justin.

United were proving an occasional threat on the counter and Thomas saw a dipping drive just graze over.

Then with six minutes of injury time almost up, came that Marriott miss where he screwed wide after Lee deflected shot has been blocked by Carson.

Disappointing? Yes, but a hard-fought point on a reasonably cold Tuesday night in Hartlepool hasn't done them any harm in the league. They're often the points that prove valuable in the final reckoning of a title tilt.

Hartlepool United: Carson; Richards, Nsiala, Donnelly, Carroll, Featherstone, Laurent, Hawkins, Alessandra (Deverdics, 73), Amond (Heardman, 84), Thomas (Fewster, 87)

Unused subs: Bartlett, Paynter, Pollock, Martin

Luton Town: Walton; Justin, Sheehan, Famewo, Potts, Lee, Gray (Vassell, 65), McGeehan, Gilliead, Mpanzu, Marriott

Unused subs: McQuoid, O'Donnnell, Musonda, Smith, Cook, King

Referee: Seb Stockbridge

Attendance: 3,533 (311)

Manager Nathan Jones revealed that centre back Alan Sheehan prophesied he'd score a free-kick against Hartlepool and then did it spectacularly to earn a point which moved Luton up to second in League Two.

The captain missed the first month of the campaign with a calf injury but returned to the starting line-up last night in place of the injured Scott Cuthbert with a point to prove after losing in each of his two other starts this term.

Town fell behind against the run of play to a Pools goal with the last kick of the first half but Sheehan curled in a spectacular leveller with 11 minutes remaining, though the only disappointment was that they couldn't find a winner against the hosts who had captain Nicky Featherstone sent off in the early in the second half.

"It's about time because we brought him here with that in mind," Jones said of the Irishman's strike, adding: "We know he has real quality and he's done that to me before. He actually said to us before the game, 'I'm going to score a free-kick tonight', which was very prophetic, but he's a leader and we're glad to have him back.

"That's why we need to take the gambles on him that we do because he's excellent at that."

"The way that he brings the ball out [from defence] he's comfortable. He's not a standard League Two centre half and we're proud we've got him."

Sheehan said: "I haven't really had many chances to have free-kicks. I had one on Saturday, which the keeper saved. This was really my second chance and I practiced them a lot yesterday [Monday].

"At home I actually said to my girlfriend, 'do you know what? I used to be OK at free-kicks, I think I've found my old technique,' and we started laughing. Then I told the manger before the game, 'I'm going to score a free-kick today' and he was just like, 'yeah, good one' and that was it. I'm happy to score."

After the equaliser, Luton hit the woodwork, saw shots saved and blocked while Jack Marriott missed a glorious chance to snatch maximum points at the death.

Boss Jones, however, preferred to take the positives out of a performance where the Hatters did everything right convert their opportunities.

"I'm pleased overall because a point takes us up a place into second," said Jones.

"I thought we went about our work excellently. We worked the ball, we grafted but I couldn't fault the endeavour, but we created enough chances to have won probably two games.

"I'm just disappointed with the goal because we've given them a goal before half time. Nathan Thomas is allowed to waltz through three players and no-one put a foot on him. And then, not clearing the line and giving them that opportunity…we gave them it.

"Then you have to defend well and chase the game a little bit, so I'm disappointed with that aspect of it, but everything else, I thought we were excellent.

"This is the youngest team, I'm told, to play in Luton's history and I thought they were magnificent.

"Akin [Famewo], came in for his first league debut [start]. James Justin is maturing daily and even people like Jake Gray, who we've taken, and Alex Gilliead are young players, so it's an excellent performance.

"This is a cliché, but you say, 'what would it be like on a Tuesday night away at Hartlepool?' I felt we were by far the better side. We should have won comfortably."