Lincoln City vs Luton Town FC (2nd Sep 2017)

MATCH REPORT: LINCOLN CITY 0 LUTON TOWN 0

Hatters take hard-earned point away from newly-promoted Lincoln

The Hatters had to settle for another hard-earned point on the road this afternoon as they emerged from a bruising battle at Lincoln with a clean sheet and another draw to follow last week’s comeback at Mansfield.

Boss Nathan Jones made two changes from that 2-2 draw along the A46 at the One Call Stadium, as the Hatters travelled in hope of becoming the first away team to take a maximum haul away from Sincil Bank for almost a year.

Luke Berry came into midfield for his first start having made his debut as a second-half substitute at Mansfield.

Another of previous week’s game changers, Glen Rea, also came into the line-up for his second league start of the season, with the Town boss switching to three centre-halves – captain Scott Cuthbert and Alan Sheehan the others – with Jack Stacey and Dan Potts as wing-backs.

A midfield three of Alan McCormack, Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu and Berry were operating behind the front two of Danny Hylton and in-form James Collins, who was looking to build on his tally of five goals in four matches so far in a Luton shirt.

The Town started positively, Mpanzu sending a lovely ball down the left for Hylton to race on to, and the Hatters striker twisted and turned his way into the box on a 30-yard run that ended with a cross-shot Imps keeper Paul Farman did well to gather as Berry waited to pounce.

After weathering a couple of early corners and crosses into the box, the Hatters were soon on the attack again and in the sixth minute, Potts met an McCormack corner with a firm header, but Collins was penalised for a foot up in the six-yard box as Berry headed the loose ball over.

Three minutes later Stacey and Berry combined to switch the ball from right to left, where Potts delivered a low cross that Hylton steered just over the bar – just before the raiding left-back swung in another delicious centre for the centre-forward to chest and volley straight at Farman.

The Town had controlled much of the game to that point, but Collins – who had already received treatment – had to be replaced in the 27th minute after suffering a knock to his hip, with Harry Cornick coming on in his place.

Almost immediately Lincoln had their first attempt on goal, Billy Knott cutting in from the left and firing just wide of Marek Stech’s far post, the Hatters keeper only having had to punch crosses clear up to that point.

Cornick’s first involvement came on the half-hour when Michael Bostwick tripped him just outside the box, but Sheehan’s free-kick went straight into the wall before Lincoln threatened again at the other end, although Alex Woodyard’s shot from a half-cleared corner only troubled the corner flag.

Jones could be pleased with how his defence had handled the hosts’ aerial threat in the opening half, which almost finished with a real shot in the arm as Berry and Cornick engineered a chance on the left for Mpanzu, who unleashed a rocket of a shot that flew inches wide into the travelling 1,268 Town fans in the Stacey West Stand behind the goal.

Cornick was popping up all over the front line, and after sending in a terrific cross that Hylton couldn’t quite get his head on, the recent signing from Bournemouth had the final effort of the half, but he dragged his 20-yarder just wide of the post.

Lincoln came out brightly after the interval, captain Luke Waterfall heading wide from a corner and another causing concern in the Town six-yard box as Stech came under pressure.

But there was more worry for the health of captain Cuthbert as the Scot stayed down after a clash of heads with Rhead, but thankfully the centre-half did not need the stretcher that had been called and got to his feet to warm applause from the home fans, fit and able to continue.

With 55 minutes on the clock, Stech had to stoop low to his right to prevent a Nathan Arnold cut-back from the right byline finding its intended target.

The Town were presented with an unexpected opening in the 59th minute as Cornick closed down Sean Raggett as the centre-half attempted to clear on the edge of the Lincoln box.

The loose ball rolled left to Hylton, and although the striker bided his time to round Farman, Berry nor Cornick could capitalise on his cut-back and Lincoln survived.

The same duo combined moments later, with Cornick’s pass setting Hylton clear to the left of the area once again, but Waterfall came across to produce a timely block as the Town striker pulled the trigger.

Jordan Cook came on for McCormack in the 67th minute, and after a lull in terms of attacking intent, Lincoln had the game’s next batch of chances – Knott firing just wide from 25 yards on 73 minutes, then Arnold being denied firstly by a great challenge by Potts, then a Stech tip onto the outside of the post.

From the resulting corner, the Czech keeper produced another fine save to push a Waterfall header around the far post – and the Town continued to defend stubbornly to keep the Imps out.

As the Hatters went in search of a goal at the other end, a flowing move from left to right ended with Hylton pushing the ball just too far ahead of Stacey as he looked to get him in on the right.

Then, with three minutes of normal time to go, Berry caught hold of a right-footed volley as a right-wing corner was cleared to the edge of the box, but his effort was blocked and the Town had to settle for another point from what boss Jones described as a “very ugly game”.

TOWN: Stech, Stacey, Cuthbert ©, Sheehan, Potts, Rea, McCormack (Cook 67), Mpanzu, Berry, Hylton, Collins (Cornick 27). Subs: Mullins, O Lee, Shinnie, E Lee, Shea (CK)

Yellows: Cook

LINCOLN: Farman, Long, Waterfall ©, Raggett, Eardley, Arnold, Woodyard, Bostwick, Knott (Whitehouse 87), Rhead (Anderson 69), Green (Palmer 79). Subs: Habergham, Maguire-Drew, Dickie, Vickers.

ATT: 9,332 (1,268 Hatters)

Town boss Nathan Jones believes the Hatters have picked up a "good point" in their 0-0 away draw against Lincoln City this afternoon.

Chances were limited for both sides, but Danny Hylton went close to breaking the deadlock in the first half when he saw his volley from a Dan Potts cross spilled by keeper Paul Farman, with Luke Berry ready to pounce, but the stopper got there just before the ex-Cambridge United man was able to smash home the loose ball.

The Hatters went closest in the second half, when Hylton managed to round Farman after Harry Cornick had won possession deep in the Imps half, but the Town's top scorer last season couldn't pick out a team mate for them to fire home.

Jones said: "It's a good point, not many will come here and keep a clean sheet. I thought we battled. A clean sheet was vital today considering how they play, but it's a real difficult place to come because there's no flow in the game, there's constant free-kicks. They could win a free-kick in their corner and they'd put it into your box.

"There's no chance of any real flow or anything. We had to live on scraps, we had to make sure we competed and we got on seconds, then hit them on the counter-attack. It's not an open game or a building game when you can press and so on.

"I don't think there was half an hour of open play in that game. It's constant free-kicks, constant stoppages. They put the ball in your box, you have to compete. It's a different brand of football and I think we stood up to it.

"These will be there or thereabouts. I think the last two games we have played, away from home, against two sides that will be fancied, they put a certain pressure on you and if you don't concentrate you get punished. I am just pleased with the point today. It wasn't a vintage performance from us today."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HErkIw9oN4E

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eEO3WDVUKXY

Hatters battle their way to stalemate at Lincoln

League Two: Lincoln City 0 Luton Town 0.

Luton Town battled and scrapped their way to a hugely acceptable point in their goalless draw at Lincoln City this afternoon.

Heading to a side that were still clearly experiencing the feelgood factor from their promotion back to the Football League, with over 9,000 supporters creating a raucous atmosphere, Town stood their ground throughout, against an Imps outfit protecting a 25 match unbeaten record on home soil, stretching back to September 2016.

They had to as well, repelling an aerial bombardment for almost all of the 90 minutes, with home keeper Paul Farman's monster kick a serious weapon, forcing Town to defend their box at every single opportunity, no matter where the free kick was conceded.

But defend they did, the back three of Glen Rea, Scott Cuthbert and Alan Sheehan, keeping giant forward Matt Rhead under wraps, limiting keeper Marek Stech to very little serious work on the day.

Boss Nathan Jones opted to make two changes to his side from the 2-2 draw at Mansfield last weekend, Rea and Luke Berry coming in for Olly Lee and Andrew Shinnie.

Town made a promising start, looking to ensure there was no repeat from their first half showing at the Stags last week, Danny Hylton twisting inside and out in the area, his shot deflecting into the grasp of Paul Farman with Berry sniffing around.

Dan Potts then went close from Alan McCormack's floated corner, seeing a header cleared away from the line, while on 15 minutes, Berry put Potts away on the left and his cross was diverted narrowly wide by Hylton.

Luton kept up their attacking threat as Potts sprinted past his man on the left, delivering a cross that was chested down Hylton, the striker sending his half volley straight at the grateful Farman.

Town were dealt a blow on the half hour as James Collins, who had taken a knock to his hip, couldn't continue and was replaced by Harry Cornick.

The hosts then went seriously close to an opener, with Billy Knott advancing forward, before unleashing a left footer that whizzed inches wide.

Having weathered the early pressure, Lincoln began to enjoy the better territory and possession, although their main threats remained set-pieces.

One high, hanging free kick saw Stech come miles off his line, and after getting half a punch, Hylton had to be on hand to head the returned lob away from danger.

Town were a whisker away from taking the lead on the stroke of half time, as Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu powered into the area and after a handful of stepovers, thundered a blast that didn't miss by much.

After the break, Stech was almost caught from a high cross, dropping the ball in the danger area, but was helped out by his back-line, while the Town keeper was then alert to claw away Nathan Arnold's low delivery before the forwards could pounce.

Town were gifted a chance as Cornick charged down a clearance, the ball rebounding to Hylton, but after eventually rounding Farman, his cross was was just about booted to safety after some real panic stations.

Cornick then continued his impressive performance from the bench, spinning 360 degrees and sending Hylton away on the left, his shot charged down for a corner.

Knott tried his luck again from range, his effort flying behind, before on 73 minutes, Luton were indebted to Stech for keeping the scores goalless.

Firstly, he reacted well to save after Potts had made an excellent block challenge on Arnold, the keeper and post coming to Town's rescue.

Then from the resulting corner, he got two strong hands to Luke Waterfall's header to push behind, Arnold sending another effort waywardly off target.

Late on, sub Jordan Cook cynically chopped down Arnold as Lincoln had a three on one break, earning a yellow that could quite easily have been red, but Town battened down the hatches in stoppage time, to set themselves up nicely for back to back home games next week.

Imps: Paul Farman, Sean Long, Luke Waterfall, Matt Rhead (Harry Anderson 69), Matt Green (Ollie Palmer 79), Billy Knott (Elliot Whitehouse 87), Michael Bostwick, Neal Eardley, Sean Raggett, Nathan Arnold, Alex Woodyard.

Subs not used: Sam Habergham, Jordan Maguire-Drew, Rob Dickie, Josh Vickers.

Hatters: Marek Stech, Scott Cuthbert, Alan Sheehan, Glen Rea, Jack Stacey, Dan Potts, Alan McCormack (Jordan Cook 67), Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu, Luke Berry, Danny Hylton, James Collins (Harry Cornick 27).

Subs: James Shea, Johnny Mullins, Olly Lee, Andrew Shinnie, Elliot Lee.

Booked: Cook 89.

Referee: Tom Nield.

Attendance: 9,332 (1,268 Luton).

Hatters MOM: Scott Cuthbert. Defended manfully throughout.

Jones delighted by clean sheet in 'ugly' Imps stalemate

Hatters boss Nathan Jones praised his side’s character as they battled to a goalless draw in what he felt was an ‘ugly’ game at Lincoln City this afternoon.

Town had to withstand an aerial onslaught from the hosts throughout the 90 minutes, which they managed to do so, keeping only a second clean sheet of the season in the process.

With Lincoln unbeaten on home soil in almost a year, after winning the National League last term, Jones, who saw his side make it three games without defeat themselves, said: “It’s a good point, not many will come here and keep a clean sheet.

“A clean sheet was vital considering how they play, but it’s a real difficult place to come because there’s no flow in the game.

“There’s constant free-kicks, they could win a free-kick in their corner flag and they’d put it into your box from the corner flag, how the keeper kicks.

“There’s no chance of any real flow or anything, so basically we just had to live on scraps.

“We had to make sure we competed and we got on seconds, then tried to hit them on the counter-attack. It’s not like an open game not like a building game when you can press and so on.

“I would think you struggle to think was half an hour of open play in that game, because it’s just constant, constant free-kicks, constant stoppages, ball in your box, you have to compete.

“It’s a different brand of football and I think we stood up to it and competed.

“These will be there or thereabouts. I think the last two games we have played, away from home, against two sides that will be fancied, they play a certain way, put pressure on you and if you don’t concentrate you get punished.

“We didn’t today, I am just pleased with the point today. It wasn’t a vintage performance from us.

"It was an excellent point and I’m proud of them as we stuck at it, we competed, we grafted, got on seconds in a very, very, very ugly game."

Jones left frustrated by Sincil Bank surface

Town boss Nathan Jones was hugely unimpressed with the playing surface that Luton were faced with at Lincoln City yesterday.

After battling to a goalless draw in the clash at Sincil Bank, played out in front of superb and noisy crowd of over 9,000, Jones felt the pitch hindered both side in their ability to create anything meaningful throughout.

He said: “We didn’t pass it well enough, but again the pitch was dry as it possibly could be. I didn’t see an ounce of water anywhere and think we’re going to have to get used to that.

“The first half we had our best chances and had a lot of counter attacks second half where needed a little bit more fluency, I don’t think the pitch helped that.

“It was very, very dry, bobbly. Any time anyone, including them, ran with the ball, it held up, it was sticky. It wasn’t conducive to a classic and it wasn’t.

“I didn’t envisage it being any kind of classic, unless we really were brave and got on it, we didn’t do it, especially second half.

“First half we did it on occasions, but it was just a containing game and just hoped that something doesn’t luckily drop to them.

“You have to concentrate, because I doubt I’ll be watching the game back. It's one of those games, it's not a good spectacle but we're pleased with a point as they will keep doing that all season and they will score against teams.

“They scored four against Carlisle, who have a far bigger, stronger, more robust team than us if you like, so we’re very pleased with that.”

Hatters altered their formation for the first time this season from the opening whistle, playing three at the back with Scott Cuthbert, Glen Rea and Alan Sheehan.

On why he opted for the change in shape, Jones denied it was purely to try and combat the likes of Matt Rhead and City’s direct tactics, as he added: “We never do that, I can honestly and categorically say we never do that.

“What we do is in terms of how we can affect those and how they press, but if I’m honest we played three centre halves not defensively, that’s how we felt we could get a little bit of control on the game.

“I don’t think it matters how many you put at the back you’re going to have to try and compete with Rhead and then get on the seconds.

“You could put 10 at the back, it wouldn’t make a difference, so we thought the best way for us to affect them with our build-up was to play a three.

“But that didn’t materialise. It did a bit first half as every time we did have a braveness to pass and get on it, we did and we got out.

“We created a few chances and on another day we would have nicked it.

“It was so difficult to get any kind of flow though, every time there was a challenge in the game, there was a free kick given, everyone retreated, walked into our box and then they just put it in our box.

“I could keep on, but I’m pleased with how we competed, as we’re not the biggest side, we don’t recruit giants, we recruit footballers.

“It wasn’t really a footballing game today, but they showed a different side to the game which I was pleased with.”