Kidderminster Harriers vs Luton Town FC (31st Aug 2013)

Two Howells penalties seals fine away win

The Hatters made it six wins in seven games at Aggborough as two second half penalties from Jake Howells sealed the Town's first away win of the campaign.

The midfielder, making his first start since the opening day of the season, put the Town in front on 70 minutes when debutante Paul Benson was fouled in the box.

And the product of the Hatters' academy doubled his and the Town's tally 10 minutes later after Andre Gray was brought down.

In truth it was no more than the Town deserved following an accomplished away performance that saw the defence keep their third successive clean sheet and make it five games unbeaten.

Showing three changes to the side that drew with Cambridge last Monday, including new signing Benson making his debut in attack and a first start for Andy Parry, the Town began brightly.

However it was the Harriers who threatened the most in the early stages. A Kyle Storer free-kick hit the Town wall on five minutes before the Hatters got lucky a minute later when a mis-hit shot from Joe Lolley took a massive deflection off of Alex Lacey but rolled, thankfully, out for a corner with Mark Tyler flat-footed.

But gradually the Hatters began to dominate. Kidderminster were holding firm against a series of Town free-kicks pinged into the box by the right-foot Luke Guttridge. The Hatters' midfielder was enjoying a fine performance playing in an attacking role in front of Parry and Jonathan Smith, and his deep set-piece on 20 minutes almost reached a Alex Lacey at the back-post.

Guttridge then went for goal himself two minutes later with a low effort that was gathered at the second attempt by Danny Lewis in the home goal. Guttridge then slipped a lovely, clever pass into the path of Gray running into the penalty area. The ball was caught in the striker's feet but he still managed to get a shot away, poking an effort at goal that Lewis again couldn't hold first time.

As the Town continued to press Howells missed a good chance to put his side ahead on 36 minutes when he flicked the ball wide of the mark from close range after Gray had slalomed into the box tight along the right-hand touchline.

Tyler had barely had a save to make up until this point but in 39th minute he had to be alert to tip Lolley's firmly-struck shot from the edge of the box around the post for a corner.

Had that got in it would have been against the run of play and after that clearing that corner the Town should have taken the lead when Howells skewed a shot wide of the post from six yards after being found by Jonathan Smith's shot that diverted into this path.

Minutes after the break Tyler had his gloves warmed with a stinging drive from Kiddy right-back Lee Vaughan before the Town engineered a lovely move on 52 minutes when Howells raced through following a intricate move involving Benson, but neither those two or Guttridge could turn the ball home.

The Hatters continued to push forward and 10 minutes into the second half only a fine block from defender Chey Dunkley kept out Guttridge's drive from inside the box after the referee had deflected a Kidderminster pass out of defence into the midfielder's path.

Guttridge warmed the gloves of Lewis on 61 minutes with a firm shot on the turn inside the penalty area after good work between Benson and Gray before Howells then poked wide at the back-post on 66 minutes.

However the Town were rewarded for their pressure on 70 minutes when they took the lead. Dunkley's poor back-pass was mis-read by goalkeeper Lewis. Benson was first to read the situation and but was brought down the Harriers' stopper in the penalty area and Howells sent Lewis the wrong way to make it 1-0.

One, though, soon became two and it was Howells from the spot once more that doubled the lead. Gray raced into the box and upended by Josh Gowling. The referee didn't immediately give the decision, it was only when the linesman indicated the foul that the Hatters get their chance which Howells took, despite Lewis' best attempts to save it with a flailing leg.

With the game safe the Town had time to introduce Alex Wall as a late substitute and after five minutes of injury time the Hatters held onto secure all three points.

Harriers: Lewis, L. Vaughan, Gowling, Dunkley, Demetriou, Storer, Fowler, Gittings, Johnson, Lolley, Gash. Subs: N. Vaughan, Blissett, Malbon, Byrne, Jackman.

Town: Tyler; Henry, Griffiths (sub Martin 90), McNulty, Lacey; Parry, Guttridge, Smith; Howells, Gray, Benson (sub Wall 90). Subs not used: Cullen, Whalley, Justham.

Attendance: 2,866, including 821 from the Hatters.

Football: We're taking little steps forward says Luton Town boss Still Written byTOM SHARP

Luton Town manager John Still believes his side are not yet the “finished article” but was still thrilled with the Hatters’ first away win of the Skrill Premier season.

Two coolly struck penalties from Jake Howells in the final 21 minutes sealed a 2-0 win over Kidderminster Harriers yesterday and with it gave Town a much-needed three points and a fourth clean sheet of the campaign so far.

Luton could not find a winner in their previous two games against Forest Green and Cambridge but Still thinks Town were good value for this comfortable triumph.

“We have come off the back of three big games and we have played really well in each of them,” said the Hatters boss.

“The first two we could not grind out the win but today we got the foundation right and managed to win it and I was very pleased with how we played.

“These are all little steps though. Sometimes it takes time for things to gel and we know we are not the finished article but today it all came together.”

Town bossed the game for large parts and could have ensured the win long before Howells twice delivered from the penalty spot but they wasted several golden opportunities and Still knows they will have to be more clinical.

“No disrespect to Kidderminster but I thought we were in charge of the game,” said Still.

“I think Mark (Tyler) only had one save to make in the first half and again only one in the second half so that was encouraging.

“We had the game by the scruff of the neck. Jakey (Howells) should have scored either side of half time before he slotted away those penalties so we were in command of our own fate. We did enough though and it was well-deserved.”

Two-goal hero Howells was as critical as his manager in the examination of his open-play shooting during the win but feels he repaid his teammates by showing no fear from twelve yards.

“The boys wanted me to take it and I think I paid them back for missing a couple of chances earlier on,” said Howells.

“That miss in the first half was in my mind after that so I am over the moon I was able to make amends.

“Overall we were the better team and would have been disappointed if we had not won the game but luckily we have and I am happy it was me that scored the decisive goals.”

Super cool Howells nets penalty brace as Hatters hammer Harriers

Skrill Premier Division: Kidderminster Harriers 0 (0) Luton Town 2 (0)

Luton produced by far their best performance of the season as they eased to a 2-0 victory at promotion rivals Kidderminster Harriers this afternoon, writes Mark Wood.

Jake Howells twice kept his cool from the spot to convert two second half penalties as the Hatters maintained their incredible record at Aggborough, making it six wins and one draw from their seven visits to the West Midlands.

It was a superb all-round performance from the Hatters, who looked solid defensively and dangerous in attack as they ended a run of 4.10hrs without a goal but also made it three games in a row without conceding a goal.

Town made three changes from the team that drew 0-0 at home with Cambridge United last weekend. Striker Paul Benson came in for his debut as Howells and Andy Parry also started, with Mark Cullen and Shaun Whalley dropping to the bench and Jon Shaw missing out entirely.

Kidderminster were given an early sight of goal when Jonathan Smith was penalised for a foul on Joe Lolley, but Kyle Storer’s free-kick was straight into the Luton wall.

A low drive by the lively Lolley then deflected off Alex Lacey and just behind, while Mark Tyler did just enough to get a hand to the subsequent inswinging corner.

Only some really good defending stopped Luke Guttridge from setting Andre Gray free in the box on 12 minutes though as Town started to come more into the game.

A series of Kidderminster fouls led to Lee Fowler being booked for a reckless tackle on Howells, before Guttridge’s long-ranger was straight at Danny Lewis on 22 minutes.

Luton looked to turn the screw as they enjoyed plenty of possession, but Parry could only drive wildly over from distance.

And Guttridge unlocked the Kidderminster defence moments later when Gray burst on to his clever through ball but could only poke at the keeper who gathered at the second attempt.

Questionable decisions for both sides drew the ire from both sets of supporters and Town almost broke the deadlock on 36 minutes when Gray powered to the byline and pulled the ball back but Howells’ touch squirmed just wide.

The Hatters then needed Tyler to come to their rescue three minutes later when Lolley was teed up on the edge of the area as he skipped past his man before forcing a flying stop out of Tyler who tipped the ball past the post.

From the subsequent corner Luton broke quickly and when Smith dragged his shot across the face of goal Howells could only fire wildly over with the goal begging.

Guttridge then dragged a good chance disappointingly wide and Parry headed a Howells free-kick straight at the keeper as a promising half, just lacking a goal, drew to a close.

The second period continued in a similar vein to the first as Lee Vaughan fired straight at Tyler from outside the box early on.

Town had half shouts for a penalty on 51 minutes as Benson, Howells and Guttridge were all thwarted by some desperate defending in the box.

Storer spiralled an effort miles over the bar, but it was Luton who were continuing to create the better chances.

Smith poked Gray through on 55 minutes but his pull-back was behind everyone and when Kidderminster cleared the ball hit the referee and bounced into the path of Guttridge who rode a tackle before seeing his powerful blast from inside the area deflect off Chey Dunkley and over.

Aggborough completely overreacted when Steve McNulty muscled Callum Gittings into the hoardings, but play continued after the home fans had vented their fury.

More good play from the Hatters just past the hour saw Guttridge cleverly turn on to Gray’s pass in the box, but he could only fire straight into the keeper’s midriff.

Gray again did well as his cross was toed on to Howells at the back post by Smith, but the former Wales U21 international could only skew wide.

McNulty was then booked retrospectively for a cynical lunge on a Kidderminster man before Town took advantage of a defensive error to take the lead on 70 minutes.

Dunkley’s backpass went past onrushing keeper Lewis who deliberately brought down Benson as he looked to find the empty net.

Referee Kevin Johnson was quick to point to the spot and book the keeper as Howells confidently stepped to fire into the right-hand side of the net.

And Town doubled their lead from the spot again with 10 minutes to go. Guttridge’s pass released Gray in the box and, although he looked to have mad a hash of it, he regained possession and, as he looked to get to the byline he was caught by Josh Gowling. Appeals for a penalty were originally waved away by the referee, but his assistant signalled for the foul as the ref once again awarded a penalty.

Howells stepped up once more and drove low down the middle as, despite a boot from Lewis, the ball flew into the roof of the net as Town doubled their lead.

That completely deflated Kidderminster who failed to threaten for the rest of the game. And things got even worse for Harriers when a robust challenge from Parry on Gittings left the Kidderminster man in trouble as he had to be helped from the field. Parry was booked following the incident but, with Kidderminster having used all their substitutes, they were forced to finish the game with 10 men.

Smith fired well over and even Alex Wall was even given a late cameo as he came on for his first appearance of the season.

A stoppage-time injury forced Scott Griffiths off as he was replaced by David Martin but the contest was already over as Town cantered to a deserved victory.

Harriers (4-4-2): Danny Lewis, Lee Vaughan, Josh Gowling, Chey Dunkley, Mickey Demetriou, Kyle Storer (C Jack Byrne 71), Lee Fowler, Callum Gittings, Marvin Johnson (Danny Jackman 81), Joe Lolley (Anthony Malbon 71), Michael Gash. Substitutes not used: Nathan Vaughan, Nathan Blisset.

Hatters (4-3-3): Mark Tyler, Jonathan Smith, Steve McNulty, Jake Howells, Scott Griffiths (David Martin 90+5), Andy Parry, Luke Guttridge, Ronnie Henry, Paul Benson (Alex Wall 90+4), Andre Gray, Alex Lacey. Substitutes not used: Mark Cullen, Elliot Justham, Shaun Whalley.

Booked: Fowler 20; Smith 28; McNulty 67; Lewis 70; Benson 82; Parry 85.

Referee: Kevin Johnson (Somerset). Assistant Referees: David Ricketts and Matthew Jones. Fourth Official: Stuart England.

Attendance: 2,866 (Luton 821).

Star Hatter: Luke Guttridge. Simply outstanding in the Hatters midfield.

Football: Kidderminster Harriers 0 Luton Town 2 - Howells spot on twice as Hatters cap fine display with away win

Written by TOM SHARP

KIDDERMINSTER HARRIERS 0 LUTON TOWN 2

Kidderminster is often a happy hunting ground for Luton Town with six wins and a draw in their last seven visits and so it proved again as two second-half Jake Howells penalties ended the Hatters’ temporary goal drought and in the process registered their first away Skrill Premier win.

Having failed to net in their previous two league contests, new signing Paul Benson drew a foul in the 69th minute from Harriers keeper Danny Lewis and Howells did the rest from the spot.

Ten minutes from time and with the hosts tiring Andre Gray was dubiously bundled over by Josh Gowling and Howells coolly did the honours again to hand Town the points and with it a convincing 2-0 win to lift them back towards the league summit.

It has been well documented that goals have been in short supply in recent times for the Hatters after they battled to two scoreless draws in the past week against promotion rivals Forest Green Rovers and Cambridge United.

With that in mind and Luton’s strike force duly mis-firing, the loan signing of Swindon Town striker Benson has come at a decent time and so it proved against Harriers as he looked a purposeful Hatters acquisition from start to finish.

The man once described by Paolo Di Canio as ‘the perfect pro’ was one of three changes for Town in place of the injured Jon Shaw, out for around six weeks after a hernia operation, as they looked to break their goal-scoring hoodoo.

Shaun Whalley and Mark Cullen also dropped to the bench as Still looked to adopt a more conservative 4-4-2 formation to try and secure a first league win on the road.

Harriers had made a perfect start at Aggborough having registered two 3-1 wins over Gateshead and newly-promoted Chester respectively and with Luton in such fluctuating form, the lively home faithful were optimistic of another win as the game kicked off.

However, but for an early home corner that was dealt with easily it was all Luton, minus the killer touch.

Gray’s 14th-minute cross was turned behind by Josh Gowling before a Town player could get a head to it while Andy Parry put the ball into orbit from 15 yards after another move in the 24th minute.

Kidderminster’s best chance of the half came as Joe Lolley, signed from Midlands Combination League side Littleton after scoring an astounding 88 goals in 83 games, smashed a 39th-minute shot from the edge of the box that required a tip wide from Mark Tyler.

Just seconds later with the continuing quick tempo, Howells should have done better when allowed space on the left-hand side of the hosts’ box but he skewed his shot high and wide.

own certainly would have been good value for a half-time lead but they plodded in at the break still on level terms.

With the game firmly in the balance and stretched from end-to-end as the match resumed, both sides pushed for the win.

Kidderminster right-back Lee Vaughan stung the palms of Tyler with a fierce drive from a corner while Town almost found an opening in the 54th minute but a last-ditch block from Chey Dunkley denied Luke Guttridge as he unleashed a venomous goal-bound shot.

Despite the fiery pace, the game had not shown many signs of needle although Steve McNulty’s thunderous 57th-minute challenge on Callum Gittings that hurtled the midfielder into the advertising boards certainly raised the blood pressure of the home crowd.

The Harriers’ fans were to be further incensed soon after as Town finally found their touch in front of goal – albeit via the penalty spot.

Dunkley’s poor back-pass evaded his goalkeeper and with Benson waiting ominously to notch what would have been a certain debut goal he was pulled down by Lewis.

Referee Kevin Johnson was in no doubt and Howells stepped up and struck the subsequent penalty hard and low to put Town ahead.

Harriers pressed for an equaliser but when referee Johnson was persuaded by his assistant into giving a second penalty for a slight trip on Gray in the 80th minute, the game was up.

Howells calmly struck the ball into the roof of the net to ensure Town would be leaving Worcestershire with all three points.

Kidderminster – Lewis; Vaughan, Gowling, Dunkley, Demetriou, Storer (Byrne, 70), Fowler, Gittings, Johnson (Jackman, 81), Lollley (Malbon, 70), Gash. Subs not used – Vaughan, Blissett.

Luton – Tyler; Henry, McNulty, Lacey, Griffiths (Martin, 90); Smith, Parry, Guttridge; Howells, Gray, Benson (Wall, 90). Subs not used – Wall, Cullen, Justham, Martin, Whalley.

Attendance – 2866 (821)

http://www.lutontown.co.uk/news/article/kidderminster-gallery-310813-1026537.aspx

http://www.flickr.com/photos/liam2010/sets/72157635321954034/

http://www.lutontoday.co.uk/sport/luton-town/in-pictures-kidderminster-0-luton-town-2-1-5447070

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eISTg4VRocs

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