Luton Town FC vs Bradford City (27th Nov 2018)

LUTON TOWN 4 BRADFORD CITY 0

Two more for Elliot Lee makes it ten for the season as the Town go third

The Hatters were able to move up to third and within two points of an automatic spot with another exhilarating win at Kenilworth Road tonight against Bradford City.

The Bantams put up a bit of a fight in the second half, and had a goal ruled out for offside. But by that point they hadn't been able to deal with the Town’s attacking prowess, which has proved to be so successful at home this season.

Elliot Lee stretched his lead at the top of the goal scoring table with a brace taking him to double figures for the season in another commanding performance in the number ten role.

The man in form has now notched seven in seven, causing defenders all sorts of trouble in Sky Bet League One this season. James Justin was able to convert the Hatters’ first after Harry Cornick's initial shot was saved, and the former Bournemouth man then rubbed salt into the wounds late on with the fourth, as the Bantams’ three game unbeaten run came to an end.

An important win on Saturday away at Gillingham meant Nathan Jones retained the same starting XI for a fourth game in a row, with Danny Hylton back in the mix after his suspension, beginning the game on the bench in place of Alan McCormack.

The Hatters struggled to find their stride in the opening exchanges of the match, the Bantams not allowing the Town any space to play their slick football on a well-watered surface, thanks to the heavy downpour across Bedfordshire this afternoon.

Both sets of fans were in fine voice, warming Kenilworth Road on a chilly night. The Hatters grew into the game, portraying glimpses of their previous home match against Plymouth despite a resilient Bantams defence who stood firm at the start of the half.

It was that in the 13th minute that the Hatters had their first sniff at goal, Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu threading the ball across to Lee on the edge of the area, his shot always rising but proving that the Bantams had openings in their backline.

Another chance followed just after as the Bradford defence began to crumble, as their league form suggests, the ball headed over to Jack Stacey, whose drag back was met by Glen Rea. His shot didn't trouble Richard O’Donnell in the Bradford goal, but warning them that the Hatters were about to do what they do best at Kenilworth Road this season.

Another patient, passing move lead to the first goal of the evening, with the Hatters keeping the ball for a whole minute, except for one clearing touch from a Bradford defender as a low ball went into the six-yard box.

That clearance went straight back to an orange shirt, with the ball eventually being played out to Cornick, who cleverly cut inside to test the gloves of O’Donnell. When the shot wasn’t held, Justin was on hand to take the ball around and squeeze it in through the tightest of angles.

With Justin’s name booming around the Kenny, the Hatters began to put on a show, controlling the game and showing no mercy to the visitors, whose defensive game laid in tatters. Lee forced O’Donnell into an awkward save in the 29th minute, hinting at what he wanted from the game, which came soon after.

Shea even had time to drop the ball at Doyle’s feet in what could have been a turning point in the home side's momentum. An accidental slip of the glove was soon pounced on by a relieved Shea, who began the move for the Town’s second.

A manic minute maybe, but one the Hatters fans were happy to witness as the ball made its way up to Cornick who found Mpanzu. Another top pass from the number 17 was matched by an even better touch by Lee, who created space to slot it in for his ninth of the season. But he wasn’t done there.

Another move from the back meant Matty Pearson had time to play it over the top to Cornick. His touch was unplayable, delicately putting it on a plate for Lee at the first time of asking. The result was the same of course, as Lee stretched his goal tally to ten for the season.

Bradford came back however, with a chance of their own just before the break, attempting to fix what the Hatters had broken, a thumping header from Kai Brunker which crept just over Shea’s bar.

The beginning of the second half belonged to the visitors, but they were already dead and buried by this stage. They even had the ball in the net in the 54th minute, a well worked corner routine landed on the head of Eoin Doyle, whose clever flick found David Ball on the goal line to head home, although the forward was unaware of his offside position.

But their persistence didn’t stop there. The Bantams came back once more winning a number of corners, making the back four work hard to keep their clean sheet. Kelvin Mellor also hit a belter which Shea had to be alert to, getting a vital touch to tip it over the bar.

The introduction of Jack Payne saw them who cause a few problems in the attacking third, but it wasn’t enough to breach the Hatters’ defence. One attempt by the number ten was cleverly hit low through a crowd of bodies that Shea was able to hold on to.

Doyle also had his moments, not being able to direct his effort goalward after a Bradford corner caused a small scramble that was just about dealt with, but ultimately this was to be Luton’s night who stretch their unbeaten run at fortress Kenny.

Lee could have had a hat-trick when a pinpoint corner from Justin fell beautifully on to the head of the number 10. The strong header couldn’t quite squeeze its way into the top corner, but there was still time for one more.

Cornick, who has had a fantastic few matches for the Town, finally scored the goal that was so cruelly taken from him against Gillingham on Saturday, a mistake from McGowan meant Cornick was through.

His pace was unplayable at times, and proved too much on this occasion again, passing it into the net at the second time of asking, after his initial effort was stopped by O’Donnell.

It's eight wins in their last ten league games now for the Town, including five in a row at home, where the Hatters haven't been defeated now for 17 matches dating back to early March.

Jones' side now face a stern test away at League Two Bury in the second round of the FA Cup on Saturday, but go into the encounter in fantastic form.

TOWN: Shea, Justin, Bradley, Pearson, Stacey, Lee (Potts 82), Shinnie, Cornick (Grant 90), Rea (C), Mpanzu, Collins (Jarvis 87). Subs not used: Stech, Hylton, Jones, Sheehan

Goals: Justin 27’, Lee 32’ 38’, Cornick 89

BANTAMS: O’Donnell, Chicksen, McGowan, Doyle (C) (Miller 76), Mellor, Brunker (J O’Brien 46), Wood (Payne 53), Caddis, L O’Brien, Ball, Henry. Subs: Wilson, Devine, Isherwood, Colville

Yellows: (EDIT: O’Donnell), Payne

REFEREE: Antony Coggins

ATT: 8,568 (298 away)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SO2nhQdXh8w

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

NATHAN JONES ON THE WIN OVER BRADFORD CITY

Town boss Nathan Jones sung his side's praises after they put four past Bradford City without reply at Kenilworth Road this evening in Sky Bet League One.

The Hatters controlled the first half, but took a while to unlock the Bantams defence, but after James Justin scored from close range the floodgates opened and Elliot Lee netted twice more before the half-time whistle.

The second half saw the visitors much improved and they tested the Town with a number of shots from range, before Harry Cornick grabbed a deserved goal late on to seal a brilliant win.

Jones said: "I am thoroughly delighted, I thought first half we were outstanding, I really did. Against a real difficult opposition, we keep saying it, but their league position is a little bit false. Some of the players they have got are fantastic for this level and we knew they'd be a dangerous side.

"We watched them and thought they would match us up with a diamond or sit back with a back five like they did against Peterborough and really deny space, but I thought the way we played first half was wonderful, it really was a wonderful performance – the way we moved it and we could have scored more and then affectively once you've got three goals the game is dead.

"Second half they came out and had a right go to be fair to them and we looked a little bit lacklustre, but we were always a real threat on the break and we finished strongly, so I am pleased, I am very pleased."

First half blast sees Hatters hammer Bantams

League One: Luton Town 4 Bradford City 0

A blistering 10 minute first half period saw the unstoppable train that is Luton's home form just keep on rolling against Bradford this evening.

James Justin and Elliot Lee's double did the damage, as Town put the game to bed in a scintillating spell that made it five League One wins in a row at Kenilworth Road, and eight from 10 this term, taking 26 points from a possible 30.

The hosts named an unchanged side for the fourth successive game, although Danny Hylton, free from suspension, was back on the bench.

A desperately quiet opening saw Town create the first noteworthy opportunity, as another now trademark intricate passing move saw Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu find Lee who shot over from the edge of the box on 11 minutes.

It took Luton a good quarter of an hour to fashion another chance worth mentioning, Glen Rea's effort from range easy for O'Donnell.

However, the keeper didn't cover himself in glory on 28 minutes, as Luton had the lead when Harry Cornick's curler should have been comfortably held.

O'Donnell spilled it though and Justin of all people was on hand to pick up the rebound, finding the roof of the net.

Lee then almost had an immediate second, a lovely move slicing the visitors open, and from Mpanzu's pass inside, this time O'Donnell did cling on.

The game then exploded into life for 10 minutes, as City almost found a leveller, when Matty Pearson produced a superb sliding challenge on Eoin Doyle and James Collins cleared off his own line.

Town keeper James Shea was almost left red faced when the ball slipped out of his grasp, but Doyle didn't quite notice in time and Luton's number one escaped any further embarrassment.

Fresh from the let off, Luton went straight up the other end and had a second on 33 minutes, as Mpanzu found the onrushing Lee and he steadied himself before clinically finding the bottom corner.

As is their way, Hatters then put the game to bed just give minutes later, Cornick's simply outrageous outside of the boot flick finding Lee and he beat the wrongfooted O'Donnell for a 10th of the season.

After the break, the visitors had the ball in the net on 52 minutes when Doyle met a corner and David Ball turned home from on the line, only to be adjudged offside.

Shea flipped Kelvin Mellor's speculative effort over the top as City finally came into the game, especially when bringing on Jack Payne.

Lee almost had his treble, his flick cleared away from the line, while Shea then had to gather Payne's low effort.

Luton had a fourth with just two minutes to go, when Ryan McGowan made a hash of a throw, Cornick sped away and although O'Donnell half saved, Town's speedster was able to bundle the loose ball over the line.

Sub Aaron Jarvis almost bagged his first league goal, denied by O'Donnell, but Luton climbed up to third in the table ahead of their FA Cup trip to Bury this weekend.

Hatters: James Shea, Jack Stacey, James Justin, Matty Pearson, Sonny Bradley, Glen Rea (C), Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu, Andrew Shinnie, Elliot Lee (Dan Potts 83), James Collins (Aaron Jarvis 88), Harry Cornick (Jorge Grant 89).

Subs not used: Marek Stech, Alan Sheehan, Lloyd Jones, Danny Hylton.

City: Richard O'Donnell, Adam Chicksen, Ryan McGowan, Eoin Doyle (C George Miller 75), Kelvin Mellor, Kai Brunker (Jim O'Brien 46), Connor Wood (Jack Payne 53), Paul Caddis, Lewis O'Brien, David Ball, Karl Henry.

Subs not used: Ben Wilson, Daniel Devine, Thomas Isherwood, Luca Colville.

Booked: O'Donnell 33, Payne 90. Referee: Antony Coggins. Attendance: 8,568 (298 Bradford).

Jones left purring over 'wonderful' first half display by Luton

Luton boss Nathan Jones hailed his freescoring Hatters' 'wonderful' first half performance as they hammered Bradford City 4-0 at Kenilworth Road this evening.

After 25 minutes, the scores were goalless, while bar one Elliot Lee shot and a Glen Rea effort from range, visiting keeper Richard O'Donnell was largely untested.

However, fast forward to the 40th minute and the Bantams stopper had picked the ball out his net three times, James Justin getting the Town rolling and Lee notching a clinical brace.

Town then did a decent job of seeing the game out in the second period, even managing to add a fourth late on, Harry Cornick on target, as Jones said: "I'm thoroughly delighted, I thought first half we were excellent, I really did, against a really difficult side.

“Their league position, I keep saying, it's a little bit false and some of the players they've got are fantastic players for the level.

“We knew they'd be a dangerous side, we watched them and I thought they'd either match us up with the diamond, or do what they did against Peterborough and go with a back five and really deny us space.

“But I thought the way that we played first half was absolutely wonderful, it was a wonderful performance.

“The way we moved it and we could have scored more, and then effectively once you get three goals, the game's dead.

“Second half they came out and had a right go to be fair to them and we looked a little bit lacklustre.

"But we were always a threat on the break and we finished strongly, so I'm pleased, very pleased.”

Hatters chief in 'dreamland' as ruthless Town dispatch City

Luton boss Nathan Jones admitted it felt like he was in ‘dreamland’ with the manner in which his side put Bradford City to the sword on Tuesday night.

The Hatters chief saw his side motor into a 3-0 lead at half time, before ensuring there were no scares after the break, even adding a fourth through Harry Cornick with two minutes to go.

It took Luton’s tally of goals to 13 in their previous three home games, after hitting Accrington for four and putting five past Plymouth, while they also leapfrogged Barnsley into third place too.

Jones said: “Some of the football we played first half, there was a move straight after the first goal where Elliot Lee has a shot, the keeper’s saved it, if that goes in, it’s different level.

“I’m just really pleased with the way we moved the ball and our cutting edge first half, because when they sit in with a back five and three midfield players and two that want to press, it’s difficult.

“But we showed patience, we showed a cutting edge, and we showed a real ruthless streak to win 4-0.

“We’ve scored five and four in the last two home games, it’s dreamland really.”

Although Town couldn’t keep up their attacking momentum in the second period, with the Bantams having slightly the better of the possession, Jones wasn’t overly surprised such was some of the class within the visitors’ squad.

He added: “We knew they’d change something or be a little bit more proactive second half, and they were.

“They’re bringing on some good players there, Jim O’Brien’s had a wonderful career, the young boy (Jack) Payne I think is a fantastic footballer, I really, really do.

“So the players they’re bringing on are good players, and we knew they’d come out and do something different.

“What we wanted to do was make sure one we didn’t concede, but get the next goal, the next goal is vital.

“We would have liked to get it a lot earlier, but we’ll take that all day long and it finishes a wonderful, wonderful month.”

Town's 'patient' and 'educated' home fans are hailed by boss Jones

Hatters boss Nathan Jones paid tribute to Town’s ‘patient’ and ‘educated’ crowd for the part they played in last night’s 4-0 win over Bradford City.

Although the scoreline makes it look emphatic, it took Luton a good 25 minutes to get into their stride, as the Bantams came with a point about the height of their expectations.

However, rather than any nerves or angst coming from the supporters, the atmosphere remained a positive one, which Town repaid to the full with three goals inside 10 first half minutes, while adding a fourth through Harry Cornick late on.

Jones said: “We’ve learned to grow now, as we don’t know what people are going to do when they come here.

“It’s not like you see a team play against everyone else and then that’s how they come here, people change for us.

“These played a diamond on the weekend and beat Oxford 2-0 and deservedly so, so we kind of prepared for that, but we did work on what they went to Peterborough with too.

“So we knew we’d have to be patient, but we worked on that and I thought they moved the ball fantastically well.

“I really have to say a big thing for the crowd as well, because if the crowd are not patient, there’s an edginess to it, but the crowd are fantastic.

“They know what we’re doing now, they’re educated, it’s a real educated crowd and once we got the first goal, then we know that it really was a big moment as they can’t afford to do that.

“Then we scored a couple in quick succession and showed a real clinical edge, and I’m really delighted with that first half performance and how we finished the game.”

Striker Elliot Lee, who bagged a double in quick succession during the first period, agreed with his manager, saying: ““I think sometimes maybe last season, they got a bit impatient, but it was a different league last year.

“Fair play to them, they’re patient as they can see the way we’re playing now. “We’re breaking teams down and teams are showing us respect when they come in.

“I think the crowd are seeing that they’re showing us this respect where they don’t want to come out as they know how good we are.

“Fair play to them, being really patient with us and it proves tonight, when they get behind us, we’ll get the first goal, get the second, get the third, it’s a great place to be.”

Meanwhile, goalscorer Cornick added: “It’s one of those games where teams are going to come and sit in against us.

“That’s the tactic which people are going to use, because we’re flying at home, so teams need to adapt and try and shut us down.

“The fans need to keep patient when teams do that as we’re not going to carve them apart just by playing long ball after long ball.

“We need to keep the ball and try and move it side to side and try and get an opening, which I think is what we’re the best at.

“When you’ve got Elliot and (Andrew) Shinnie in there, we can make the runs off them two, and patience is the key.”