Kidderminster Harriers vs Luton Town FC (14th Aug 2012)

Fleetwood brace earns first win

Two first half goals from Stuart Fleetwood gave the Hatters their first victory of the season at Kidderminster.

The striker scored two fine goals in the space of seven minutes to extend the Hatters fine record at Aggborough – this was their fifth win in the last six visits to this part of Worcestershire.

It was no more than the Town deserved with Fleetwood opening the scoring on 23 minutes finishing coolly following an intricate move involving JJ O’Donnell and Scott Rendell.

His second was even better – with nothing on he turned to hit a stunning low, curling shot from the edge of the area beyond the home goalkeeper Danny Lewis.

Harriers, who had rarely threatened in the first half, came out all guns blazing in the second half but failed to call Mark Tyler into a meaningful save.

O’Donnell, Jon Shaw, Alex Lawless and Fleetwood all came close to adding to the tally including an effort from the latter that skimmed the top of the crossbar.

But it mattered not – the Town were always comfortably in control despite Harriers’ efforts and held on to secure a deserved victory – and banish the disappointment of the first half on Saturday.

From that 2-2 draw with Gateshead on Saturday Paul Buckle made two changes. It was the two players who were introduced at half-time against the Heed – Lawless and Shaw – who came in to the starting XI. Andre Gray dropped to the bench whilst there was no Jake Howells, who was away with the Wales Under-21 squad.

Kidderminster, who made four changes to the side that lost to Lincoln, started the brighter. Jack Byrne ran from the centre of midfield to drag a shot wide of the target having squeezed past a posse of Town defenders on five minutes, before Anthony Malbon worried the Hatters back-line to force a corner moments later.

But slowly and surely the Town worked their way back into things and Buckle’s boys came mightily close to taking the lead on nine minutes. Ronnie Henry, playing at right-back, swung in a deep cross to the back post that Shaw touched across the face of goal and Rendell, six yards out, saw his header hit the top of the crossbar.

The Hatters continued to dominate and it was no surprise when they took the lead on 23 minutes with a move of real class. Rendell took a ball out of the sky superbly to pass to O’Donnell on the volley. That pass got the young midfielder in a position to eye a defence-splitting pass to Fleetwood who latched onto the throughball down the left, strode into the area unchallenged a coolly slotted the ball underneath Danny Lewis in the home goal.

Buoyed by that goal the Town sensed blood and, after a couple of flowing moves broke down on the edge of the box it, was 2-0 on the half-hour.

Confidence is the name of the game when it comes to Fleetwood and the striker demonstrated his eye for goal with a clinical, expertly-taken second goal. A move down the left saw Shaw feed the former Hereford man and – with seemingly nothing on – he turned and curled a low, beautiful strike beyond the reach of Lewis.

Shell-shocked, Harriers almost allowed the Town to make it 3-0 on 33 minutes when a super flat set-piece from Greg Taylor was met by a powerful header by Janos Kovacs. It seemed destined for the bottom corner but a fine, flying save from Lewis, to claw the ball out, prevented the Hatters from stretching their lead even further.

A third certainly wouldn’t have flattered the Hatters but on 37 minutes Harriers almost reduced arrears when Marvin Johnson – no, not that one – tested Mark Tyler with a close-range header from Keith Briggs’ right-wing cross.

But still the Town came back, Rendell, linking the play well by dropping deep, twice almost got Fleetwood away looking for his treble but at the break the Hatters settled for a two-goal cushion.

Harriers flew out of the traps at the start of the second period – akin to the Town against Gateshead on Saturday – but failed to turn their dominance and corner count into a goal.

The Hatters had a let off on 56 minutes when big centre back Ryan Austin fluffed a side-foot finish wide when left unmarked at the back stick.

Harriers were still searching for a way through the Town defence but O’Donnell almost made it 3-0 to the Hatters on 66 minutes. With everyone expecting the youngster to swing in a cross for Shaw, the midfielder blasted a well-hit shot goalwards that was heading home before Lewis flung himself at the effort to parry the ball to safety.

Errors were creeping into the hosts’ game as they pushed for a goal and a poor pass from defence was intercepted by Fleetwood a moment later which almost led to a chance for a third but the striker’s unselfish pass looking for Shaw was cleared.

Harriers really should have made it 2-1 when Malbon stuck wide of the target, sweeping a shot the other side of Tyler’s right-hand post when he’d raced through onside.

Back came the Town with Fleetwood unlucky not to see a deft lob fall underneath the crossbar for what would have been his hat-trick before he was substituted for Andre Gray with 10 minutes left on the clock.

Still Harriers pushed though, that man Malbon trying his luck with a downward-header moments later.

There was plenty of space for the Town to exploit in behind the home defence with Shaw unlucky to hit a left-foot shot on the turn high and wide, before Rendell blazed a shot over the crossbar following Lawless’ cut-back moments later.

Lawless then chipped an effort over the bar with five minutes left and proved to be the last action of a final few minutes as Harriers tried in vain to find a last-gasp desperate consolation but came up with nothing.

2-0, a clean sheet and the Town are up and running. Fourth in table. Bring on Hyde. See you then.

http://www.youtube.com/embed/IwOSjd9lz-k http://www.youtube.com/embed/aSlTuG_4GFk http://www.youtube.com/embed/oxet2Z-1ZUE

Boss impressed by win at Kidderminster

Town boss Paul Buckle felt he got the response he was looking for from his side following the 2-0 victory at Kidderminster on Tuesday night. Buckle was unimpressed with the Hatters' 2-2 draw with Gateshead on Saturday but two goals from Stuart Fleetwood at Aggborough delighted the boss.

“I got a response for the whole 90 minutes,” he said afterwards. “We started well and we begun like we were in the mood not to be second best.

“We worked hard and got our reward and I thought we were magnificent. I told the players we need to be nasty and to grind out victories away from home and in the end we made it look easy because we were doing the right things well.

“We've set the benchmark and got a good three points against a good side, and the key is to continue that and build on it at Hyde on Friday.”

Buckle revealed that it was a hard decision to give goal hero Fleetwood the nod to start over Andre Gray.

“It was a tough call,” he said. “In the end I went with Stuart because he scored one and made one on Saturday - but he wasn't by any means on it at the weekend. Before the game I asked him if he still believed in himself and he said he did. After all his record in this division speaks for itself and the two goals he scored were excellent.”

FULL-TIME Kidderminster 0-2 Town

All over here, two Stuart Fleetwood goals give the Town all three points. Reaction, report and photographs to follow.

90 Time almost up. Four added minutes.

85 Last five. Another change. Matt Robinson on for his debut, in the place of Shaw.

81 Almost 3-0 again, Rendell blasting over bar following Lawless cut-back. Town change here also, Andre Gray coming on for Fleetwood.

75 Last 15 minutes here. Harriers still pushing but can't find a way through.

66 Almost 3-0. O'Donnell firm drive from edge of the box parried by Lewis in the Kidderminster goal.

60 Hour gone here, still 2-0 to the Hatters.

51 All Kiddy at the minute. They force two quick corners but can't do anything with them. Still 2-0 Town.

46 Off again for the second half. No changes for the Town.

HALF-TIME - Town two-up here and good value for the lead here. They've also hit the bar. So far, so good for the Hatters. See you in 15 minutes for the second half.

40 Still 2-0 here to the Hatters, completely dominating. Half a sniff for Kiddy, a header from Marvin Johnson (no, not that one) easy for Mark Tyler.

33 Almost 3-0, Kovacs thumping header stopped by Byrne in the home goal.

30 GOAL Kidderminster 0-2 Town (Fleetwood) - What a lovely goal this is. With nothing on, Fleetwood receives a pass from Shaw and caresses a lovely, low, curling effort beyond the keeper. Two for Town, two for Fleetwood.

23 GOAL Kidderminster 0-1 Town (Fleetwood) - Super stuff from the Town. Rendell controls a pass out of the air on the volley to free JJ O'Donnell. He then spots Fleetwood, slips him in on goal and from an acute angle beats Danny Lewis. 1-0 Town.

18 gone, still goalless here. Town bossing possession but that Rendell chance apart, neither goalkeeper have been troubled.

Nine gone, Hatters asserting now and a nice move resulted in Scott Rendell sending a header hitting the crossbar from close range after Jon Shaw had cut back Ronnie Henry's right-wing cross. Unlucky.

Five gone, almost a sniff for the hosts, Jack Byrne runs forward from midfield, between the Hatters defence to drag a shot wide.

Team news: Two changes for the Town.

Kidderminster: Lewis, Storer, Geohaghon, Williams, Byrne, Vincent, Rowe, Malbon, Johnson, Austin, Briggs. Subs: Demetriou, Pilkington, Shakes, Dunkley, Vaughan.

Town: Tyler, Rowe-Turner, Kovacs, Henry, Taylor, Kasim, Lawless, O'Donnell, Rendell, Fleetwood, Shaw. Subs: Beckwith, Walker, Robinson, Gray, Brill.

Blue Square Bet Premier Kidderminster Harriers 0 (0) Luton Town 2 (2) www.lutontoday.co.uk

A brace of exquisite finishes from the in-form Stuart Fleetwood gave Luton Town a hard-earned 2-0 victory over Kidderminster Harriers at Aggborough this evening, writes Mark Wood.

It was a disciplined and determined performance from the Hatters who created plenty of chances on the way to their first victory of the Blue Square Bet Premier season in front of a large number of travelling supporters.

Town made two changes from the team that drew 2-2 at home with Gateshead on Saturday.

With Jake Howells away on Wales U21 duty, Alex Lawless came into the midfield, while Jon Shaw made his first start for the Hatters with Andre Gray dropping to the bench, where Adam Watkins was missing with an ankle injury.

The defence though switched around with Lathaniel Rowe-Turner moving to centre-half, skipper Ronnie Henry to right-back and Greg Taylor to his preferred left-back slot.

Jack Byrne burst through a mass of bodies on five minutes but slid his effort wide before the woodwork came to Kidderminster’s rescue four minutes later.

Henry’s deep cross was helped back into the box by Shaw and the unmarked Scott Rendell could only loop his header on to the bar and over.

Luton took the lead with a lovely passing move on 23 minutes when JJ O’Donnell slipped the ball through and Fleetwood beat the offside trap before finishing coolly past Danny Lewis.

Town proceeded to play some lovely stuff and doubled their lead on the half hour when a square ball found Fleetwood in space and he curled home a sumptuous effort from 25 yards into the bottom right corner.

Three minutes later it was almost three when Taylor’s excellent free-kick found Janos Kovacs at the far post and his stooping header was clawed away by Lewis.

Quiet Kiddy did open Luton up when Kyle Storer’s pass found Keith Briggs but his cross-shot was well blocked by Rowe-Turner.

Briggs looked Harriers’ most likely source of a way back in and his cross picked out Marvin Johnson but his flick was well saved by Mark Tyler.

Enjoying a rare spell of pressure Johnson then had shouts for a penalty turned down as a combination of Taylor and Rowe-Turner thwarted him in the box as Luton enjoyed a well-earned lead at the break.

With nothing to lose Harriers started the second half on the front foot, Exodus Geohaghon peppering the box with his long throws and Byrne and Johnson both having efforts from outside the box deflected behind.

A Lawless pass just caught Fleetwood flat-footed while Kovacs was harshly booked for one foul too many on 55 minutes.

From the resulting free-kick Harriers should have pulled one back when Storer’s delivery found Ryan Austin unmarked at the far post but the centre-half could only side-foot wide.

Kiddy upped the work-rate and bossed possession with the Hatters looking to take advantage of Fleetwood’s pace on the break.

A Henry thump deflected just wide off the static Shaw, before Rendell was booked for a late challenge on Geohaghon.

Town were forced to defend resolutely until O’Donnell stung Lewis’ gloves with a fierce drive on 66 minutes.

A tempting Fleetwood cross across the six-yard box found no takers before the striker won the ball on halfway and almost crafted something out of nothing.

Anthony Malbon hooked harmlessly wide before springing the offside trap and dragging a good effort right across the face of goal.

Nice feet from Jamie Vincent created room on the edge of the box as he looped over before some lovely football from Luton saw Fleetwood’s chip graze the bar before being substituted for Gray who was booked within a minute for kicking the ball away.

Lawless’ chip drifted over before young midfielder Matt Robinson was handed his debut as an 88th-minute sub.

Four minutes of injury time were added but Harriers were spent as Town claimed victory.

Harriers (4-3-3): Danny Lewis, Kyle Storer, Exodus Geohaghon (C), Mike Williams, Jack Byrne, James Vincent, Ryan Rowe (Ricky Shakes 73), Anthony Malbon, Marvin Johnson (Danny Pilkington 79), Ryan Austin, Keith Briggs.

Substitutes not used: Mickey Demetriou, Chey Dunkley, Nathan Vaughan.

Hatters (4-3-3): Mark Tyler, Lathaniel Rowe-Turner, Greg Taylor, Janos Kovacs, Alex Lawless, Jon Shaw (Matt Robinson 88), Scott Rendell, Stuart Fleetwood (Andre Gray 80), JJ O’Donnell, Yaser Kasim, Ronnie Henry (C).

Substitutes not used: Dean Beckwith, Dan Walker, Dean Brill.

Booked: Kovacs 55, Rendell 61, Gray 80, Vincent 81.

Referee: Kevin Johnson (Weston-Super-Mare).

Assistant Referees: Kevin Morris and Iain Parsons.

Fourth Official: Adam Ricketts.

Attendance: 2,275 (Luton 542).

Star Hatter: Stuart Fleetwood. Two class finishes were the difference on the night.

Fleetwood double helps Hatters see off Harriers

www.bedfordshire-news.co.uk

Luton Town picked up their first win of the season at Kidderminster with a 2-0 victory and performance every bit as professional as it was comfortable.

Opening their away account for the season, boss Paul Buckle made two changes to the side that came from behind to draw 2-2 with Gateshead at Kenilworth Road on the opening day.

Unsurprisingly there was a start for front-man Jon Shaw, fresh from his goal-scoring substitute role just days previous, Andre Gray making his way to the bench. With Jake Howells missing through International duty, Alex Lawless was also drafted into the starting eleven.

A bright beginning at Aggborough Stadium saw the home side threaten through Jack Byrne’s fifth-minute run and shot, but through an incisive Luton counter just three minutes later they were almost behind, goalkeeper Danny Lewis spilling Ronnie Henry’s cross, Greg Taylor knocking it back across goal where Scott Rendell nodded a header off the bar.

The lead was Luton’s, though, midway through the first half. It was a goal all of Stuart Fleetwood’s making, the marksman incisively cutting through the Kidderminster defence near the by-line before firing an angled effort into the bottom corner for his second in as many games.

Hungry for more, Fleetwood doubled his tally and that of his team on the half-hour mark; making it look all-so simple as he pounced on a quickly taken throw-in to bend a superb finish around his marker and the outstretched palm of Lewis from around 20 yards.

A Kovacs header from Taylor’s free-kick just moments later almost brought about a third as the hosts looked lost for an answer to Town’s play, a fine Lewis save the only thing keeping the score down.

The hosts came out a little more bullish at the start of the second period but the Hatters stayed firm with Tyler still left with precious little to do. With the hour mark approaching, 2-0 almost became three once again as the influential Henry drove at goal, his effort deflected off Jon Shaw and fizzing narrowly wide with Lewis scrambling.

On 65 minutes JJ O’Donnell stung the hands of Lewis with a rising drive as Luton soaked up spells of Kidderminster possession before looking consistently dangerous on the counter-attack, Anthony Malbon firing wide on the angle with a rare chance for Steve Burr’s reds with just over a quarter-hour to play.

Lewis was almost left alone to deal with the Hatters attack, on 76 minutes he palmed away a cross but could only watch on as Fleetwood moved on to it unchallenged into the area before lifting one on to the bar before being withdrawn in favour of Andre Gray with just over ten minutes to play to the applause of the 500plus Town fans.

Luton Town - Tyler, Rowe-Turner, Taylor, Kovacs, Lawless, Shaw (Robinson), Rendell, Fleetwood (Gray 79), O’Donnell, Kasim, Henry.

Unused subs - Beckwith, Walker, Brill

Kidderminster Harriers - Lewis, Storer, Geohaghon, Williams, Byrne, Vincent, Rowe (Shakes 71), Malbon, Johnson (Pilkington 78), Austin, Briggs.

Unused subs - Demetriou, Dunkley, Vaughan

Attendance - 2,275 (542 Luton fans)