Luton Town FC vs Accrington Stanley (23rd Oct 2018)

LUTON TOWN 4 ACCRINGTON 1

Hylton hits a hat-trick as the Hatters move into the League One play-off places

The Hatters moved into the Sky Bet League One play-off places with a 4-1 win over high-flying Accrington Stanley at Kenilworth Road tonight, with striker Danny Hylton grabbing his third hat-trick for the club.

Hylton set the ball rolling in the fifth minute when he finished off a wonderful counter attack that started with a Stanley free-kick deep in Town territory, and involved a sweeping move between James Collins, Jorge Grant and James Justin.

After Offrande Zanzala had grabbed an equaliser before half-time, Andrew Shinnie restored the advantage seven minutes into the second half before Hylton completed his treble, taking his goal haul to 55 in 97 appearances since joining from Oxford in the summer of 2016.

The win made it 14 games unbeaten at home for the Hatters in all competitions, since Accrington themselves came to Kenilworth Road in early March and took all three points as the sides tussled at the top of League Two.

Jones made one change for the clash, with the switch from Saturday’s home victory over Walsall an enforced one, James Justin coming in from the kick-off after appearing as a substitute after Dan Potts suffered a groin injury just before half-time of the 2-0 win.

That meant James Shea was in goal behind a back four of Jack Stacey, Matty Pearson, Sonny Bradley and Justin. Captain Glen Rea was in the midfield holding role with Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu, Andrew Shinnie and Grant behind a front two of Collins and Hylton.

The Hatters made a dream start when Hylton volleyed them in front with just five minutes on the clock. Accrington had a free-kick 30 yards from goal, but the Town wall stood firm not once, but twice, blocking shots in quick succession and Collins collected the loose ball.

The striker spread it wide to Grant, who sliced the Stanley defence open with a beautiful angled pass for Justin to run on to, and without breaking stride, the left-back curled in a perfect cross for Hylton to volley past Jonny Maxted from six yards out.

Shea was called into action for the first time on 15 minutes when he flew across his line to push away a header from Offrande Zanzala, but the Town were playing well and dominating possession, without creating any other clear-cut chances.

Stanley grew into the game, however, and Zanzala headed in the equaliser from Callum Johnson’s right-wing cross in the 27th minute with a carbon copy effort from the one the Town keeper had just kept out, this one creeping through the keeper and over the line.

The Hatters responded well, Justin raiding down the left again to win a corner, which Stanley managed to clear, before he stung Maxted’s palms with a rasping 25-yard drive just after the half-hour.

A short corner routine on the left saw Grant and Justin combine to set Shinnie up for a thunderbolt of a shot that smacked Billy Kee full in the face, leaving the Stanley striker needing treatment.

Shinnie was next to have a go too, in the 38th minute, when he ghosted past his man on the edge of the box after a good period of possession, but his left-foot shot was a foot wide of the near post.

Collins was presented with a wonderful chance to restore the lead with 45 minutes on the clock when Stacey’s pass from just inside the Stanley half was dummied by Hylton, and the ball landed at his strike partner’s feet, but Maxted got down low to his left to keep his 18-yard shot out.

An ill-tempered end to the half resulted in bookings, did have the advantage again by the 52nd minute when Shinnie fashioned space for himself on the edge of the area and cracked in a low right-footed shot that beat Maxted’s outstretched right arm into the bottom corner of the net.

Two minutes later it was three, and again Shinnie was key, racing to the right byline and cut back for Hylton to lash into the net right-footed from eight yards out.

Shea had to be alert to keep out a curling Sean McConville effort, with Justin making a brave block to prevent Zanzala netting the follow-up, before the Town keeper dropped on another McConville shot in the 63rd minute.

Hylton had his hat-trick in the 70th minute when, after Mark Hughes had been booked for fouling him again, Grant curled in a free-kick that Bradley headed back across the box for the ex-Oxford man to nod in off the post.

Stanley reminded the Town they were still a threat when Zanzala headed against the crossbar in the 74th minute, but with Cornick on for Grant and Kazenga LuaLua for Hylton – who received his trademark standing ovation after leaving the pitch in the 81st minute – the Hatters remained a threat as they looked to see the game out comfortably.

Three minutes into injury-time it could, and should, even have been five as Cornick, Stacey and Bradley – of all people – led a lightning quick counter-attack from a Stanley corner, after Rea had headed over his own bar at full sretch.

Cornick fed Stacey to his left, with centre-half Bradley racing through the middle, and the ball finally made its way to Collins’ feet again, but Maxted was equal to his shot and the Town had to settle for 4-1 and a fourth win in the last five league matches, heading into Saturday’s trip to AFC Wimbledon.

TOWN: Shea, Stacey, Pearson, Bradley, Justin, Rea ©, Mpanzu, Shinnie (Sheehan 85), Grant (Cornick 76), Hylton (LuaLua 81), Collins. Subs: McCormack, Lee, Jarvis, Isted.

Goals: Hylton 5, 54, 70, Shinnie 52

Yellows: McCormack, Grant (EDIT and Bradley)

STANLEY: Maxted, Johnson (Hall 74), Hughes, Ihiekwe, Clark, Zanzala (Mangan 87), McConville ©, Finley (Brown 59), Anderton, Barlaser, Kee. Subs: Sykes, Mingoia, Platt, Warner (GK)

Goal: Zanzala 27

Yellows: Bell (assistant-manager), Clark, Brown, Hughes

REFEREE: Chris Sarginson

ATT: 8,454 (64 away)

NATHAN JONES ON THE 4-1 WIN OVER ACCRINGTON STANLEY

Town boss Nathan Jones was delighted as his side put in a brilliant performance in their 4-1 win over Accrington Stanley this evening.

Danny Hylton netted a hat-trick on his second start since returning from injury, whilst Andrew Shinnie also got on the scoresheet with his second goal of the campaign.

Jones said: "I thought we were excellent, apart from the first half where they put two crosses in and we came unstuck, I thought we were brilliant, I really did.

"I thought we started really well, I was just a little bit disappointed that we didn't go on from there, having started so well and scoring so well - a great counter attacking goal - and then we just seemed to take our foot off the gas.

"That's my only disappointment, but it was an outstanding performance and they came out and had a right go to be fair. It should have been more and we should have killed them off on the counter attack, but 4-1, I am delighted."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eY7e5TxGuaA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-MAGbl0Xqzk

League One: Luton Town 4 Accrington Stanley 1 - Hat-trick for Hylton** as Hatters batter Accrington**

Striker Danny Hylton scored a hat-trick as Luton Town brushed aside Accrington Stanley in a fiesty clash at Kenilworth Road last night.

There was a sense that the Hatters were up for this from the word go, determined to defeat the side who had beaten them to the League Two title last term, and the last opposing team to win in Bedfordshire since March. But Luton, with Hylton to the fore, were just too good on the night, as they climbed to sixth in the process, showing they are a real force to be reckoned with on home soil.

Luton made just one change, with James Justin in for the injured Dan Potts, the full back to have a major hand in Town taking the lead on five minutes with a goal that was counter-attacking football at its most sublime.

Billy Kee's effort was charged down well inside Luton's half, as James Collins sprung Jorge Grant, who in turn found Justin, hurtling forward on the left. He had the presence of mind to look up and dink over the perfect cross for Hylton to volley home from close range for his first goal since returning after injury.

Stanley came close to a leveller on 15 minutes when Offrande Zanzala was left unmarked to send a free header goalwards from Sam Finley's cross, James Shea pulling off a fine save at full stretch.

Town didn't heed their warning though as just before the half hour, the visitors did equalise, Callum Johnson's delivery met again by Zanzala, his header going through Shea and trickling over the line.

Justin tried to restore the lead, cutting in on his right foot, Jonny Maxted holding on to his 20-yarder, while the keeper watched Andrew Shinnie's attempt fly wide.

On the stroke of half time, Luton had a wonderful chance to retake the lead, as Jack Stacey's pass was dummied by Hyllton for James Collins, who opted to shoot first time, Maxted getting down well.

The whistle led to an almighty scuffle between players and backroom staff as the players went down the tunnel at half time, which clearly only acted to pep up Town's effort after the break.

With their gander rising, they raced out of the blocks, Shinnie taking aim from 20 yards, skidding an effort into the bottom corner eight minutes in.

Before the home fans could take their seats, they were up again, as Grant picked out the overlapping Shinnie, whose low ball was swept intop the empty net by Hylton for his second just 60 seconds later.

Accrington weren't lying down though, as McConville's curler drew a fine save from Shea, Justin hurling himsel in the way of Zanzala's rebound, while McConville tested the Town keeper once more.

Hylton put the result to be on 71 minutes though, nodding home from close range after Sonny Bradley's towering header across from Grant's deep free kick.

Luton had to withstand some late pressure, but withstand it they did, while James Collins was denied a fifth by a tremendous Maxted save, as Luton head to AFC Wimbleon on the back of two excellent wins in four days.

Hatters: James Shea, Jack Stacey, James Justin, Matty Pearson, Sonny Bradley, Glen Rea (C), Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu, Andrew Shinnie (Alan Sheehan 85), Jorge Grant (Harry Cornick 76), James Collins, Danny Hylton (Kazenga LuaLua 81).

Subs not used: Harry Isted, Alan McCormack, Elliot Lee, Aaron Jarvis.

Stanley: Jonathan Maxted, Callum Johnson (Connor Hall 74), Michael Ihiekwe, Mark Hughes, Ben Richards-Anderton, Jordan Clark, Sam Finley (Scott Brown 59), Daniel Barlaser, Sean McConville (C), Offrande Zanzala (Andy Mangan 87), Billy Kee.

Subs not used: Tony Warner, Ross Sykes, Piero Mingoia, Matthew Platt

Booked: McCormack 45, Clark 47, Grant 61, Brown 68, Hughes 69, Bradley 90.

Referee: Chris Sarginson.

Attendance: 8,454 (64 Stanley).

Hatters boss ecstatic with 'outstanding' performance in Stanley thrashing

Luton chief Nathan Jones labelled his team as outstanding as they moved into the play-off places by dismantling Accrington Stanley 4-1 last night.

With the scores locked at 1-1 going into the break, Luton then came out with a real impetus in the second period, scoring a quickfire brace through Andrew Shinnie and Danny Hylton.

It was Hylton who went on to complete his hat-trick later in the game to kill off the visitors, as a thrilled Jones said: “I thought they were excellent. Apart from the first half where they put two crosses in and that's where we came unstuck, I thought we were brilliant, I really did.

“I thought we started really, really well, I was just a bit disappointed that we didn't go on from there as having started so well and scoring so early, a great counter attacking goal, then we just seemed to take our foot off the gas.

“That's my only disappointment, but it was an outstanding performance. It should have been more, they came out, they had a right go, we should have killed them off on the counter, but 4-1, I'm delighted.”

Hylton opened the scoring with what was a truly sublime counter-attacking goal as the Hatters charged down a free kick in their own half, before scoring four passes later, James Justin crossing perfectly for the returning striker to volley past Jonny Maxted.

Jones continued: “It’s a perfect counter attack really, two, three passes, real cutting edge, scintillating movement, pace, touch, great ball, finish, wonderful.

“Then second half we had three or four of those that we should have killed them off, Collo’s had a wonderful chance at the end that’s gilt edged, that’s the only disappointment.

“But to win 4-1 here, Accrington are a really, really good side.

"People say about Accrington, and I know they play on certain things about them being a small side, they’re a good side, they’ve got good players.

"The same team plays week in week out, they’ve got a good team spirit, they’ve got good coaching staff, they’ve got a system they all believe in, so these are a good side, let’s not make any bones about it."

The visitors had only conceded six goals on their travels this season in seven games prior to the match, keeping a clean sheet at Peterborough on Saturday, but they couldn't keep out a rampant Luton side, who have now netted 18 times in their last seven matches.

Jones added: "To do that, as no-one does it to them, as they don’t concede much, they’ve got one of the best defensive records.

"They always score a goal because they’ve got the quality but tonight I thought we were absolutely excellent and second half, I thought we were scintillating.

"That shows what a performance it is, we can do that to you and if we had been more clinical, Portsmouth would have had that, so would have Doncaster, there’s a lot of teams would have had that done to them.

"We can’t score with everything, but then we’ve scored something like 12-14 goals this month.

"We’re a good attacking side and even right at the end, with Accrington throwing everything in the box, we put our head on the ball.

"Glen Rea was outstanding again, Sonny Bradley was outstanding, Matty Pearson apart from one misdemeanour was outstanding, and I was delighted from start to finish with a wonderful performance and a wonderful win."

Jones relieved Town put Accrington hurt behind them

Hatters boss Nathan Jones was relieved to put the hurt suffered at the hands of Accrington Stanley last season to bed in some style with a 4-1 victory last night.

The last time the two teams met at Kenilworth Road, it was the visitors who were celebrating, courtesy of Billy Kee’s last-gasp winner, as the visitors then went on to win the League Two title.

However, there was no chance of that repeating itself, with Danny Hylton netting a hat-trick and Andrew Shinnie on target too as Jones said: “Tonight’s a wonderful night as people talk about last year and that hurt us, when we lost here, that hurt us.

“Not just the feeling of the night, but also in the league as that gave them an impetus to go on and a real belief and credit to them, they hardly lost a game from then until the end of the season.

“It’s one we had to put to bed and I thought we put it to bed in emphatic fashion.

“The difference between this time last year when we played them here, was that we had a little bit more clinical edge today.

"Because they probably had more chances than they did last year, but we didn’t have that clinical edge last year and we let them off the hook.

“So credit to them, that spring-boarded them to the league title, but I thought we were excellent, I really did.”

Jones was also determined to keep Luton's lengthy unbeaten home run going, which they started after Stanley's victory and now stretches to 14 games, with 12 wins and two draws.

The Luton chief continued: “We’ve had some wonderful performances and last year we were a wonderful team.

"Accrington must be some side to have kept pace with what we did last year and to pip us to the title, and I give credit to them.

“I voted for John (Coleman) as manager of the year as he’s done a wonderful job and not because hes done a wonderful job on a shoestring budget, he’s done a wonderful job with a group of players and rightly they won the league.

"It shows what a wonderful record we have here, they were the last team to beat us here and then suddenly they do it again, there was all sorts of things tonight, but the most important thing was three points and we got that. We got into the play-off places, it’s early days, but it shows we’re in really good form.

“It’s a lovely place to play football, we love it, we love our home ground, we love the fans here, we think we play well here.

"I wouldn't quite call it a fortress, but it's a difficult place to come, it's a difficult place to play for us, because we have to keep our standards high as if we don't, we've got almost 10,000 who tell us."

The game had been marred slightly by some scenes at half time. with both sets of players and management staff involved in some jostling as they went down the tunnel.

When asked for his version of events, Jones said: "To be honest with you, I think the game was a really good game first half, a real tough, tense, tight game and a few things happened.

"I just think it probably marred what was a real good game, the referee (Chris Sarginson) sorted it out, the referee was excellent in terms of how he handled everything and that was it.

"A few got booked, a couple of players got booked, it was a big game for us, a big game for them, a big crowd here, so you expect things like that to happen.

"It didn't boil over, which was the main thing and everyone goes home happy, well from us anyway."

On whether the incident gave Luton's players any extra motivation to get the victory in the second period, Jones added: "I don't know, it could work in their favour.

"They might have wanted to upset us a little bit, but what we said was 'we've got to keep a cool head, we can't let anything happen and to veer us from our focus'.

"I thought we did that, we started, we got the goal early enough and then we went on and really, really were a potent team second half.

"We got three points which was the main thing, and we'll have to dust them down and we go again Saturday.”