Luton Town FC vs Blackpool (6th Apr 2019)

LUTON TOWN 2 BLACKPOOL 2

Cummings nets late leveller as Hatters make history with 28th game unbeaten

The ten-man Hatters came from behind to claim another crucial point against Blackpool this afternoon to become record-breakers once more by stretching their unbeaten run to 28 league matches – the best run in the club’s history and the best in one season in the third tier of English football!

Mick Harford's men began the game strongest and looked to be heading for another three points when James Collins opened the scoring after just six minutes.

However, the Seasiders were level with their first shot on target on the half-hour, a fine volley by Nya Kirby, to go in at half-time on terms.

The dismissal of Collins just after the hour, for a second yellow card in as many minutes, was made worse a minute later when Matty Virtue put the visitors ahead from a corner.

But sub Jason Cummings soon cancelled this out near the end to keep the home side unbeaten at Kenilworth Road all season with his first goal for the club.

The whole team battled to the very end, a lot of the playersfalling to the floor at the final whistle, exhausted after one of the toughest matches of the season so far.

Harford picked an unchanged from the side that won away at Bristol Rovers last weekend, and it didn’t take the Town long to assert their dominance on the match and show exactly why they’re top of the league.

Bursting forward, Kazenga LuaLua skipped past his man confidently and placed a well-timed pass into Collins who was never going to miss from six yards, calmly slotting the ball past Chris Mafoumbi to notch his 22nd of the campaign.

Matty Pearson went close moments later from a Town corner, instinctively heading the ball down, but his effort was blocked by Armand Gnanduillet and put out for another corner as the Hatters piled on the pressure, roared on by another sell-out home crowd.

The Seasiders struggled to get into the game with 15 minutes gone, trying their best to slow this free-flowing Luton side down. Both LuaLua and Luke Berry provided some early entertainment with some smart link-up play, involving a couple of little flicks and back heels to find space away from the defenders.

The Hatters were more than in control mid-way through the first period, Justin with some fantastic deliveries to inspire more danger for the visitors to deal with. Berry took advantage of one of these crosses; his half volley blocked by a sea of Blackpool shirts. The next chance falling to Andrew Shinnie, the Scot doing everything right, cutting inside and firing another shot at goal.

The Tangerines found an unlikely way back into the contest though, proving why they can be a real force on the road, only losing six away all season. Matty Virtue burst through on the receiving end of a through ball, beating James Shea for pace and taking it wide of the keeper to the by-line. His mis-hit cross eluded the home defence and found Kirby on the edge of the area, rifling his strike into the bottom right corner.

From here, the visitors played their way back into the match, frustrating the Hatters who were looking to push themselves in front again. Marc Bola used his pace to slice his way through the Hatters backline to win a corner, which was eventually claimed by Shea who had hardly made a save all match.

The keeper was forced into a brave catch just before the break though, rising highest to pluck the ball from the sky after a Blackpool free-kick. On the way down he was clipped but still clung tight to the ball.

The final chance of the first 45 went to the Hatters, Pearson clipping a cross-come shot that had Mafoumbi sprawling backwards, just about pushing the ball over the bar to keep the scores all square going into the dressing rooms.

The seasiders began the second period strong, Gnanduillet using his height well and nodding a decent header towards goal. Shea got down quickly to his left and made the ball his. The Tangerines were in the ascendency after the restart, Bola also going on another marauding run only to be stopped and his penalty appeal waved away.

Justin produced another Luton chance, courtesy of a free-kick on the far-left side of the pitch. Another delightful cross from the full-back was met by Shinnie’s boot but again his strike was blocked, this time bravely by Curtis Tilt. The resulting corner fell to Collins who swiped at it early to power a short against the roof of the Kenilworth Road end.

This was to be the striker’s last action of the match, as he soon picked up two yellows in as many minutes to leave the home side to see out the remaining half-an-hour a man light.

The visitors rubbed salt into the wounds within a minute, when they went ahead after winning a corner from pumping the free-kick into the box. A manic scramble followed, the Hatters’ defenders not dealing with the danger, allowing Virtue to slash a shot into the top of net and put the Hatters in the unfamiliar position of being behind.

The Town responded well though, Matty Pearson getting on the end of another Justin corner, just about glancing his header wide of the mark. The home side had a mountain to climb being a man and a goal down. Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu stepped up too, generating a tantalising performance in the middle of the park, mopping up any spillages that leaked their way past this resilient Luton side.

Pearson was robbed by Virtue, stealing the ball in the 70th minute, leaving the Hatters short at the back. Virtue brought it forward and played the ball wide to Nathan Delfouneso. The striker cleverly picked out Gnanduillet who had the whole goal to aim at. Shea made himself big and somehow kept the ball out to keep the visitors at bay, this ended up being a critical moment in the match.

The game changers worked hard when they arrived. George Moncur fizzed a shot wide and Harry Cornick battled his way past the defenders, who were now sitting back and inviting the home side forward in search of an equaliser. Shea continued to play as the sweeper, collecting every loose pass to force the Town up the pitch. Eventually their patience paid off.

Cummings, four minutes after coming on as an 82nd-minute substitute, battled his way into some space, receiving the ball from Mpanzu who had been outstanding. He quickly swivelled, taking a small touch and placed his effort into the bottom right corner, leaving Mafoumbi rooted to the spot.

The Town dug deep until the final whistle and could have won it, in what turned out to be the final action of the matchC; ornick and Moncur working together again to exploit a gap in the Seasiders' defence. The latter did well to beat his man and sting the palms of Mafoumbi but alas, the points were shared.

The Hatters moved eight points clear of second-placed Barnsley and Sunderland, who are now level with the Tykes in third with two games in hand, and will now look to return to winning ways when they take on Charlton in next weekend’s clash at the Valley, roared on by a 3,000-plus away contingent of Hatters.

TOWN: Shea, Stacey, Pearson, Bradley ©, Justin, Mpanzu, Shinnie, Berry (Cornick 74), Lee (Cummings 82), LuaLua (Moncur 59), Collins. Subs: Baptiste, Thorne, Sheehan, Isted

Goals: Collins 6, Cummings 86

Yellows: Collins

Red: Collins

BLACKPOOL: Mafoumbi, Heneghan, Delfouneso (Long 88), Spearing ©, Tilt, Virtue, Turton, Gnanduillet, Kirby (Thompson 68), Feeney (Pritchard 82), Bola. Subs: Daniels, Evans, Nottingham, Thompson, Shaw.

Goals: Kirby 30

Yellows: Delfouneso, Turton, Kirby, Long

REFEREE: Lee Collins

ATT: 10,028 (346 away)

MICK HARFORD ON THE 2-2 DRAW WITH BLACKPOOL

Hatters boss congratulates players on their "phenomenal record"

Mick Harford was delighted to see his side bounce back from 2-1 down – and a man light following James Collins’ red card – to draw 2-2 with Blackpool today and set a new club record of 28 league games without defeat.

Reaching that number also set a new best for the third tier of English football in one season, and Harford said: “It is very positive in terms of all those stats, and I’d like to pass all the congratulations on to the players who have got to that marker of 28 games.

“It’s a phenomenal record, and they just keep carrying on breaking records throughout the season. Hopefully it’ll continue.”

On the two yellow cards in as many second-half minutes for Collins, who had opened the scoring with his 22nd goal of the season, Harford said: “We didn’t really think it was a sending off. Collo’s just slightly late, and it was only a couple of minutes after he’d been booked, so we were disappointed with the referee in giving him that yellow card.

“I though he was a bit harsh. He could have got the captain in and maybe said just tell him to calm down, but he’s just given him a red and we were disappointed, then we were on the back-foot and they scored off a corner, which is very unfamiliar to us.

“It was a bit of a scramble and they got a goal, but the boys showed absolutely unbelievable character, the fight was there to the end, and deservedly in my opinion got a point and deserved more from what I saw out there today.”

The Town legend was more than happy with the start the Town made, with Collins netting on six minutes.

“We were scintillating in the first 25 minutes and moved the ball well,” he said. “I think the goal took the wind out of our sails a little bit, and they sat deeper and there was no spaces and no gaps.

“So you have to give them a little bit of credit in terms of their defensive performance, they were solid and compact and basically stopped Jack Stacey getting down that right side, where we wanted to get down. They defended that side very well, but overall we are thrilled with a point, although we obviously wanted more.”

On game changers George Moncur and Jason Cummings’ impact, with the former netting the 86th-minute equaliser, Harford added: “I’m absolutely thrilled for George and Jason. They’ve been patient, they’ve waited their time. We said they would be needed, and the squad would be used to the end of the season, and it has been today with the sending off.

“We had to change shape a little bit when we came under pressure. George was lively, bright and sharp when he came on, and we just thought with a packed defence with bodies and nowhere to go, Jason, when I watch him in training, he’s quite cute and clever in those areas and I thought his finish was excellent.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CyvqMh9C17s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_8fsKUgvDhE

Cummings rescues a point as 10-man Luton set new club record

League One: Luton Town 2 Blackpool 2

Substitute Jason Cummings ensured 10-man Luton set a new club record of 28 league games unbeaten by salvaging a late and dramatic point against Blackpool this afternoon.

With just four minutes to go, it looked like the Hatters were about to lose for the first time since October 13, trailing their opponents 2-1.

But Cummings showed his predatory instincts in the box, taking Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu's pass before finding the bottom corner to score a crucial first goal for the club.

Town almost won it as well, fellow sub George Moncur going through in the last minute of stoppage time, only to see his shot smothered by keeper Christoffer Mafoumbi and defender Ben Heneghan.

That Luton were even in the position of contemplating defeat was mind-boggling when you consider the utter dominance they had in the opening 25 minutes.

But after drawing level, Blackpool then cleverly closed the gaps in their defence, and threatened to make the most of James Collins' red card on the hour, only for Cummings to strike.

An unchanged Town got off to the perfect start with just six minutes gone, Kazenga LuaLua spinning his man wonderfully on the left and delivering a low cross that saw an alive Collins sweep home.

There were question marks over keeper Mafoumbi, who surely could have done better, but Town's leading scorer didn't care a jot, celebrating his 22nd goal of the season.

LuaLua was rampant in the opening 15 minutes, producing nutmegs and wonderful turns away from danger, the home supporters lapping it up.

Matty Pearson almost had an instant second, his header from James Justin's corner deflecting away off a covering defender.

The game then became something of a training exercise in attack versus defence, Blackpool unable to get out of the own half, desperately holding on at times, as Luton appeared to have double the players out there.

Another glorious move saw Andrew Shinnie drive into this box, his shot charged down, but out of nowhere, the visitors drew level on the half hour.

Matty Virtue got away on the left and as James Shea came out, he turned away from goal, miss-hitting a cross that Nya Kirby superbly volleyed from 20 yards beyond the retreating keeper and into the corner.

Much improved now, the visitors started the second period well too, Shea making a superb save to keep Town level, getting down low to prevent Gnanduillet's glancing header from Liam Feeney's cross creeping in.

The visiting striker went close again moments later, rising above Pearson to head goalwards, Sonny Bradley back on the line to hack clear.

They could also consider themselves unlucky not to win a penalty too, Marc Bola chopped down in the area, but referee Lee Collins gave nothing.

Back came Luton, Shinnie's volley destined to hit the net but for Curtis Tilt's intervention, while Justin's low corner was half volleyed skywards by Collins.

A quiet and seemingly injured LuaLua was replaced by George Moncur, as Town were dealt a huge blow when they were reduced to 10 men with half an hour to go.

Collins, who had just seen yellow for kicking the ball away, made a lunging challenge on Virtue, giving his namesake very little choice but to reach for his top pocket.

Things went from bad to worse moments later, as the visitors moved in front, a corner not properly cleared and Virtue hammered home from close range, only the second set-piece that Luton have conceded from this season.

Now 10 v 11, Town could easily have levelled quickly, Justin escaping on the left and Elliot Lee, who had been moved up top, slicing well wide.

Shea made sure Luton were still in the hunt with a crucial save on 72 minutes, as Blackpool engineered a two-on-one situation, the keeper came out to save with his legs from Gnanduillet's close range attempt.

Sub Moncur was wide from the edge of the box, as Town boss Mick Harford threw on both Harry Cornick and then Cummings.

It was the latter who proved to be the hero, taking a pass from Mpanzu, who stepped up to the plate massively in the final half hour, driving his side forward time and time again, and beating Mafoumbi.

Luton somehow almost won it as well, Cornick releasing Moncur at the very death, but he couldn't quite bring the house down.

The result saw Luton move a further point clear of Barnsley, who lost for the first time since December 8, going down 3-1 at Burton Albion.

However, Sunderland are now also eight points behind, with two games in hand, stealing a late winner to triumph 2-1 at Rochdale, while Portsmouth are in with a shout as well, beating Wycombe to trail Luton by 10 points, also with a game in hand.

Hatters: James Shea,Jack Stacey, James Justin, Matty Pearson, Sonny Bradley (C), Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu, Andrew Shinnie, Luke Berry (Harry Cornick 74), Elliot Lee (Jason Cummings 82), Kazenga LuaLua (George Moncur 59), James Collins.

Subs not used: Harry Isted, Alan Sheehan, Alex Baptiste, George Thorne.

Tangerines: Christoffer Mafoumbi, Ben Heneghan, Nathan Delfouneso (Chris Long 88), Jay Spearing ©, Curtis Tilt, Matty Virtue, Ollie Turton, Armand Gnanduillet, Nya Kirby (Jordan Thompson 68), Liam Feeney (Harry Pritchard 82), Marc Bola.

Subs not used: Donervon Daniels, Antony Evans, Michael Nottingham, Nathan Shaw.

Booked: Delfouneso 50, Turton 64, Collins 59, Kirby 66, Long 90.

Sent off: Collins 61.

Referee: Lee Collins.

Attendance: 10,028 (346 Blackpool).

Harford** felt Town should have been 'out of sight' against Blackpool**

Luton boss Mick Harford expressed huge disappointment that his side weren't 'out of sight' in the first half of their 2-2 draw against Blackpool this afternoon.

The Hatters started superbly during the opening 25 minutes at Kenilworth Road, moving in front through James Collins' 22nd of the season early on.

It looked a definite case of how many Town would win by, before they were stung by Nya Kirby's equaliser on the half hour.

After the break, Luton were reduced to 10 men with Collins dismissed after 61 minutes, Matty Virtue making it 2-1 just 60 seconds later.

Sub Jason Cummings grabbed a late leveller for the Hatters who are now a club record 28 league games unbeaten, but when asked if he was satisfied with a point, Harford said: "I don't think so.

"They came, they set themselves out to defend, they defended deep.

"You've got to give them a little bit of credit in all fairness, the shape of their defensive unit was good, they got blocks in, the keeper made, not too many saves, but he looked adequate of the balls we put in the box.

"In the first 20-25 minutes, the game should have been out of sight with the positions we got ourselves in, and the opportunities that we had.

“We had numerous opportunities, shots were getting blocked, here, there and everywhere, and give them some credit, it was frustrating.

"I'm sure if we had got the second goal, it would have been more and we would have carved them open even more, but fair play to them.”

Luton chief thought Collins should have been given a warning

Luton boss Mick Harford felt that referee Lee Collins should have given striker James Collins a talking to rather than send off his top scorer in the 2-2 draw with Blackpool this afternoon.

With the scores 1-1 and an hour gone, Collins was booked twice in the space of two minutes, the first for kicking the ball away, the second for a lunging challenge when he had lost possession.

The Tangerines then scored immediately after the decision from a corner, sub Jason Cummings rescuing a point late on.

Harford had no issues with the first caution, but felt some leniency could have been shown for the second.

He said: "It was a stupid first booking, the second booking we were right near it and it was a tackle, he’s caught the lad on the bottom of his boot.

"There was nothing malicious in the challenge, the referee should have just called him in and had a chat with him, but they don’t do that these days.

"They’re happy to get cards out and send people off, it had a massive bearing on the game obviously, losing your top goalscorer.

“He’ll miss the Charlton game and he'll be more disappointed than anyone as he just wants to play football and play games for this football club.

"It was stupid what he did, but there was a bit of frustration and I can understand why he's frustrated as some of the refereeing decisions were a bit peculiar in my opinion."