Hartlepool United vs Luton Town FC (3rd Oct 2015)

PUBLISHED 17:50 3rd October 2015 Hatters victorious on the road again to keep up winning run

HARTLEPOOL 1-4 LUTON TOWN

Two goals from substitute Jack Marriott and a string of fine saves from goalkeeper Mark Tyler helped the Hatters to their fourth straight League 2 victory.

The Town led thanks to Jonathan Smith’s fourth goal of the season in the 17th minute but the hosts levelled through Billy Paynter’s header a minute before half-time.

Marriott, who came on as first-half substitute for Craig Mackail-Smith restored the Hatters’ lead on 53 minutes but a number of superb saves from Tyler preserved the Town’s advantage – keeping out home striker Rakish Bingham three times in the second period.

Striker Marriott scored his second four minutes after his first to make it 3-1, before Olly Lee crowned a fine week for the Hatters on the road with a stunning first goal for the club in the final minute.

It all began with the Hatters showing one change to the side that beat Morecambe on Tuesday night with Luke Guttridge replacing Paddy McCourt in midfield.

But it was the hosts, who lost 3-0 at home to Bristol Rovers in their last match, that began on top.

In fact the Pools could have been a couple of goals to the good inside a helter-skelter first five minutes. Bingham found space behind the Town defence to drive a shot just wide on three minutes before the same player tested Tyler with a shot from just outside the penalty area a minute later.

As the home pressure continued, Rhys Oates sent a low shot wide of the target on 10 minutes before the hosts’ winger came close to two minutes later only to be denied by a superb tackle by Smith.

But it was Smith that had the Hatters in front on 17 minutes. Against the run of play the Town constructed a tidy move down the right that led to Scott Cuthbert’s cross spilled by home keeper Adam Bartlett. Smith was alive to the loose ball to smash home his fourth goal of the season – all of which have come away from Kenilworth Road.

Back came the home side, with Cuthbert doing well to block a Bingham shot on 22 minutes as Pools sensed a quick-fire reply.

It was end-to-end stuff and the Town almost doubled their lead two minutes later when another eye-catching passing move led to Lee testing Bartlett with a low left-foot shot.

There was concern for the Hatters on 28 minutes, however, when Craig Mackail-Smith went down injured, and the former Brighton frontman was replaced by Marriott.

Immediately after that change the Town were indebted to Tyler once more for a fabulous reaction save to somehow tip away another goal-bound effort from Bingham.

As the home support began to voice their frustration with their side’s endeavour, the Town went in search of a second goal but saw Luke Wilkinson’s header from a Guttridge corner flash wide before Marriott couldn’t quite get purchase on a shot on 39 minutes.

However the hosts were much happier a minute before the break when they levelled. Oates was the architect with a deep curling left-wing cross and Paynter was on the end of it to nod past Tyler at the back post.

Pools ended the first half with a flourish but the Town held firm and seven minutes after the restart the Hatters were back in front again. Wilkinson’s booming header upfield was misjudged by the Hartlepool defence and seized on by Marriott who raced through and poked a neat low finish home with a deft touch.

Back came the hosts, and two minutes after the goal the Hatters had Tyler to thank for a brilliant stop to prevent Bingham from finding an equaliser.

And that save proved crucial as on 57 minutes when Marriott scored again to make it 3-1. Josh McQuoid and Guttridge were the creators, the latter passing across goal for the alert Marriott to tuck home a side-foot finish inside the six yard box for his second inside four minutes and the Town’s third.

That goal gave the Hatters some breathing space but the hosts were still looking dangerous when putting the Town under pressure. Indeed, Tyler pulled off yet another fine save to keep it 3-1 on 66 minutes when blocking another effort from the luckless Bingham.

As Pools continued to dominate, Tyler produced another excellent block from the frustrated Bingham who had raced beyond the Town defence on 76 minutes.

With the Hatters under the cosh, John Still introduced Nathan Doyle for McQuoid to shore things up with 10 minutes to go.

As ticked down the Town punished Pools in the final minute with a stunning effort from Lee in injury time. The midfielder let fly with a swerving shot from 22 yards that bent into the top corner to seal a victory – their fourth win on the spin and their fifth in six League 2 matches.

Not a bad week, eh? See you at Gillingham.

Town: Tyler; Cuthbert, Griffiths, McNulty, Wilkinson; Smith, Lee, Guttridge; McGeehan, McQuoid (sub Doyle 80), Mackail-Smith (sub Marriott 28).

Subs not used: Potts, Lawless, Hall, Green, Justham.

Attendance: 3,876, including 406 backing the Hatters.

http://www.lutontown.co.uk/news/article/gallery-hartlepool-1-4-town-2726054.aspx

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-7IYK9F54s

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League Two: Hartlepool 1 Luton Town 4

Luton Town’s charge up the League Two table continued in some style this afternoon with a clinical 4-1 win against Hartlepool thanks to yet another brace from striker Jack Marriott.

The forward got his chance due to the early withdrawal of Craig Mackail-Smith to injury as his two quick-fire goals in the second period ultimately proved too much for the hosts.

However, Luton were indebted to a superlative goalkeeping performance from Mark Tyler as he made four stunning stops from Pools striker Rakesh Bingham, who must have been sick of the sight of the visiting stopper by the end.

Making one change to the side that triumphed 3-1 at Morecambe in midweek, with Luke Guttridge replacing Paddy McCourt, Luton started slowly, with Pools looking to bounce back from a 3-0 hammering by Bristol Rovers last time out.

Jake Carroll’s free kick was well handled by Tyler, but Hartlepool should have been ahead on four minutes as a long boot forward by keeper Adam Bartlett was allowed to reach Bingham, who dagged wide.

The striker did manage to test Tyler moments later from range, with the visiting stopper gathering well, while he was then able to watch Rhys Oates effort fly behind as Pools continued their sprightly start.

Out of nothing though, Luton were ahead with their first real attacking move on 17 minutes. Cameron McGeehan fed the ball into Guttridge whose cross-shot was parried out by Bartlett straight into the path of Jonathan Smith who fired home his fourth of the campaign.

The goal was followed by Hatters putting together some of their best moments as a wonderful passing move saw Cuthbert in acres of space on the right. His blocked cross fell to Lee, who could only sidefoot timidly at Bartlett.

The visitors were then dealt a huge blow as Mackail-Smith, who along with McGeehan and Guttridge were causing all sorts of problems on the break, suddenly pulled up.

He could take no further part as Marriott entered the fray, while Luton were thankful to Tyler for a superb reflex save from Bingham’s fierce volley after he beat the offside trap, a feature that was going to become a regular occurrence.

Still, Luton prodded for a second, as Cuthbert once again found space on the right and his deflected cross was spilled under pressure by Bartlett, although the keeper redeemed himself, charging down Guttridge’s follow up.

With Pools fans starting to get on the back of their players, particularly skipper Billy Paynter, it was something of an irritant that Hatters let their hosts back on level terms moments before half time.

A cross from the impressive Oates on the left flank reached Paynter who held off his man and plant a downward header beyond Tyler and into the net, celebrating in front of the supporters who had barracked him.

Despite conceding the late leveller, Luton didn’t retreat into their shells at the start of the second period, enjoying the lions share of territory, and had the lead once more on 53 minutes with a move that was simplicity itself.

A long ball down the centre was repelled from where it came by Wilkinson allowing Marriott to race through, outpace his man, and slip the ball under the advancing Bartlett.

Once again though, Hatters were indebted to the heroics of Tyler to preserve the lead almost immediately as he showed superb reflexes to stick a hand out and turn Bingham’s close range lash behind.

The importance of that save was highlighted moments later as Luton attacked with clinical efficiency again.

Josh McQuoid found the advancing Guttridge, whose cut back was deftly diverted by Marriott past Bartlett for his second with 57 minutes on the clock.

Although the hosts were poor for long periods, with Bingham at the point of the attack, they remained a threat, with the striker once again prevented from notching by the legs of Tyler.

With the points almost certainly in the bag, Hatters looked to see the game out, restricting their opponents to shooting from range, as Michael Woods fired well over.

Bingham strode clear once more in the closing stages, but by now the outcome was already a formality, Tyler standing tall to complete his outstanding afternoon.

Sub Nicky Featherstone shot into the side-netting, before Luton’s travelling supporters were off their feet again, with Town saving the best of the bunch until last.

This time it was Olly Lee who picked up a loose ball and from 25 yards out, powered into the top corner to net his first goal for the club in some style.

The result saw Luton up one place to 10th in the table, now a mere two points off the play-offs, and more importantly, just four adrift of the top three.

Pools: Adam Bartlett, Brad Halliday, Scott Harrison, Andrew Boyce, Jake Carroll, Connor Smith, Michael Woods (Nicky Featherstone 84), Carl Magnay, Rhys Oates, Billy Paynter (C Scott Fenwick 72), Rakish Bingham.

Subs not used: Trevor Carson, Matthew Bates, Brad Walker, Kudus Oyenuga, Dan Jones.

Hatters: Mark Tyler, Scott Cuthbert, Scott Griffiths, Steve McNulty (C), Luke Wilkinson, Olly Lee, Jonathan Smith, Luke Guttridge, Josh McQuoid (Nathan Doyle 80), Cameron McGeehan, Craig Mackail-Smith (Jack Marriott 28).

Subs not used: Elliot Justham, Dan Potts, Alex Lawless, Luke Guttridge, Danny Green.

Referee: Richard Clark.

Attendance: 3,876 (406 Hatters).

Hatters MOM: Mark Tyler, breath-taking performance from Luton’s number one. Without him, it would have been a completely different outcome.

Hatters assistant boss Terry Harris couldn’t hide his delight after Hatters romped to their biggest away win of the season by beating Hartlepool 4-1 yesterday.

A brace from Jack Marriott, on as a first-half sub for the injured Craig Mackail-Smith, plus another goal for Jonathan Smith and Olly Lee’s late stunner was enough for Luton to back up the 3-1 triumph at Morecambe on Tuesday night in some style.

Town have now recorded four wins in a row to climb to 10th as Harris said: “I’m delighted with the result. It’s well documented we’ve travelled a few miles this week, going to Morecambe on Tuesday then going back home and coming up yesterday, so to score seven goals away from home in two games and pick up six points is fantastic.

“It was a little bit too open for me the game at times, but everyone’s worked their socks off at Morecambe and now here as well.

“It was a great day all round. We had some tired legs out there and we knew Hartlepool had a bad time Tuesday and would come out all guns blazing and they did.

“They missed some chances, but we’ve got to be really delighted with outcome of the two games.”

Although Town’s attacking play will grab the headlines once more, as they are now the division’s leading scorers, Harris was quick to praise keeper Mark Tyler, who made a host of stand out saves.

He continued: “The ball retention in our attacking final third wasn’t the best, we kept giving the ball away and Hartlepool kept attacking us on the back of it and to be totally honest, Mark Tyler’s pulled off some good saves.

“He stood up quite a few times and didn’t go down too early so didn’t make the forward’s mind up. I thought he was excellent and has been excellent for a period of time now, so we’re fortunate to have two top class goalkeepers at the moment.”

Meanwhile, after taking 295 fans to Morecambe on Tuesday night, another 406 followed Hatters to Victoria Park, as Harris added: “They’ve been absolutely fantastic, I admire each and every one of them.

“They were noisy on Tuesday at Morecambe and they were noisy again here, so hopefully they’ve gone home happy.”

Hartlepool United 1 Luton Town 4

On most occasions the loss of your star striker to an early injury would be a cause for concern. For Luton the answer is Jack Marriott.

The student is very rapidly becoming the master after he replaced marquee summer signing Craig Mackail-Smith in the first half and then blasted a four-minute second half brace – his third double of the season – to leave the Monkey Hangers of Hartlepool swinging.

Before that, the Hatters played some pretty stuff but rarely looked like taking this contest by the scruff of the neck against a side that had only won once in seven previous league games. That, though, is benefit of possessing an arch poacher like Marriott.

After just two starts, the hitman is now Town's top goalscorer with six – and the 406 travelling fans serenaded him with his very own song, chanting 'Swing low Jack Marriott…' to the tune of the England rugby anthem.

Hatters assistant Terry Harris said: "Jack came on and did exactly what Craig is there do to – stretch them and get behind them. I thought he did it ever so well."

But the 21-year-old's contribution was only made possible by a stunning display from goalkeeper Mark Tyler. Four times the veteran stopper denied Pools frontman Rakish Bingham. Three of them were stunning.

On any other day the Pools ace would have been the hero, so it is slight cause for concern that the former Mansfield man was gifted that many chances – but Tyler is no ordinary goalie and he proved his weight in gold yet again.

Success takes many forms and Luton are now starting to come up trumps in all the vital areas. They weren't as convincing as the scoreline suggests, but it's hard to argue against four goals on the road – with Jonathan Smith and an Olly Lee stunner adding to that tally – and four wins on the spin.

Last term, Town netted just 17 away goals. They have now blasted 15 in six and are starting to build a very definite head of steam.

The hope is that there is still more to come from this team. There has to be if they are to truly justify their promotion credentials, but the difference from the first month of the campaign is remarkable.

Bingham's nightmare began as early as the third minute when he evaded the Town defence only to smash low and wide but, for the first 15 minutes, they looked sharper, more committed and more direct, with pace to burn on the flanks.

So it came as some surprise that, with their first penetrative attack on 17 minutes, Town took the lead when Luke Guttridge's cross was spilled by goalkeeper Adam Bartlett and Smith thumped in for his second in a week and fourth of the campaign.

Lee squandered almost a carbon copy of the opener but he would more than make up for it in injury time. Then came the blow of losing Mackail-Smith to injury in the 28th minute. Harris said afterwards that his hamstring strain didn't look too serious. What a relief it is to have Marriott as back-up.

Before the forward even entered the fray, Tyler produced his first stunning block to keep Bingham out, but it was no surprise when Pools restored parity just before the break, even if Luton looked to have seen out the perfect first half. Oates whipped in a devilish cross that Billy Paynter headed in off the turf and beyond the reach of Tyler.

Town regained the lead through some good, old fashioned agricultural football in the 53rd minute. Luke Wilkinson's headed clearance turned into an enticing through-ball for which Marriott needed no second invitation. He raced clear and slid past Bartlett.

There was more to come from the young Hatter but first Tyler pulled off another top drawer save to deny Bingham.

Luton raced up the other end, Guttridge fizzed across the six-yard area and there was Marriott to stab in another, four minutes after his first.

Tyler stopped Bingham twice more before Lee showed the United man how it's done with a blockbuster half volley into the top corner from outside the box. It was his first for Luton but he'll do well to catch man of the moment Marriott. They all will at this rate.

Hartlepool: Bartlett, Halliday, Harrison, Boyce, Carroll, Oates, Magnay, Woods (Featherstone, 85), Smith, Paynter (Fenwick, 72), Bingham

Unused subs: Carson, Jones, Bates, Walker, Oyenuga,

Luton Town: Tyler, Smith, McNulty, Cuthbert, McGeehan, Griffiths, Lee, Guttridge, Mackail-Smith (Marriott, 28), McQuoid (Doyle, 81), Wilkinson

Unused subs: Potts, Lawless, Hall, Green, Justham

Referee: Richard Clark

Attendance: 3,876 (406)