Luton Town FC vs Bristol City (11th Aug 2015)

PUBLISHED 23:03 11th August 2015 Hatters see off Championship visitors to advance in League Cup

LUTON TOWN 3-1 BRISTOL CITY

The Hatters booked their place in the second round of the Capital One Cup for the first time since 2007 with an impressive victory over Championship Bristol City.

Jack Marriott scored two well-taken goals on his full debut for the Hatters either side of half-time, while fellow striker Paul Benson coolly finished in between both Marriott goals as the Town raced into a three-goal advantage.

City, League 1 champions last season, were dangerous in the first half before Marriott’s goal and they reduced areas late on through Callum Robinson – but it was too little too late and the Hatters were left to toast a fine victory come full-time.

The Town began showing eight changes to the side that drew at Accrington on Saturday with John Still tinkering with the formation, going 3-5-2 with wing-backs – both of which, Stephen O’Donnell and Dan Potts, were making their debuts along with fellow new signing Mark O’Brien.

Fresh from a 2-0 defeat on the opening day of the season at Sheffield Wednesday, the visitors dominated the first half-hour as the Town goal lived a charmed life.

Robinson nodded wide of the target on 11 minutes in City’s first real chance, and the Hatters’ goal was almost breached twice in quick succession on 24 minutes. Firstly Jonathan Kodija’s close-range poke was cleared off the line by Potts before Mark Tyler, one of those eight chances from the weekend, claimed a well-hit drive from Korey Smith.

Three minutes later as City continued to press, the Town were indebted to a fine, flying stop from Tyler when the lively Robinson drilled a shot from inside the box.

But the Town were slowly but surely finding their feet, and Marriott spurned a wonderful chance to put the Hatters in front on the half-hour when found by Benson’s deft touch only to shoot straight at City keeper Ben Hamer from eight yards.

However, as the Hatters continued to probe as half-time approached, the miss clearly did not affect Marriott as he broke the deadlock to score his first goal in Luton colours. Taking Cameron McGeehan’s pass two minutes before the break, the former Ipswich striker weaved past two City defenders before slotting home a cool, low finish which kissed the post before rolling over the line.

A goal to the good at the interval, the visitors came out intent on finding an equaliser early in the second period and Tyler needed to be at his best on 49 minutes when diving low to his left to keep out Kodjia’s thunderous low drive from distance.

Four minutes later, as an exciting start to the second period swung from end to end, O’Donnell’s deep free-kick came back off the crossbar for the Town before Kodija dragged a shot wide of the target on 54 minutes.

However, four minutes later the Town were celebrating their second goal when Benson opened his account for the season. Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu was the architect, finding room in midfield to then push through a delightful throughball to the unmarked Benson in the penalty area. The experienced frontman did the rest, finishing smartly past Hamer and it was 2-0.

As the Robins searched for a way back into the match, Kodija fluffed his lines once more on the hour when presented with a chance in the six-yard box – and that missed proved costly as three minutes later Marriott struck again when seizing on a slip in the visiting defence to run through and finish once more.

The three-goal lead was, however, reduced with 19 minutes left to play when Robinson made it 3-1 when hammering a shot past Tyler from inside the penalty area.

But the Town remained in control, and three substitutes were introduced in the closing stages. O’Donnell wasn’t far away from making it 4-1 with a low cross that almost sneaked home at the near post and after five additional minutes the Hatters held to book their place in the second round and a potential meeting with a Premier League side.

Next up…Oxford at Kenilworth Road on Saturday! BE THERE!

Town: Tyler; O’Donnell (sub Griffiths 78), Potts, McNulty, Cuthbert, Wilkinson, Ruddock, McGeehan, O’Brien (sub Doyle 76), Benson, Marriott (sub McQuoid 80).

Subs not used: Lawless, Hall, Guttridge, Justham.

Attendance: 3,948, including 427 from Bristol City.

http://www.lutontown.co.uk/news/article/luton-3-1-bristol-photo-gallery-2611667.aspx

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

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WVXi3d8puw4

Hatters striker Jack Marriott enjoyed a full debut to remember – bagging a double as Luton claimed a notable Capital One Cup scalp by beating Championship side Bristol City this evening.

The forward scored once in each half, producing two clinical finishes and giving his manager John Still real food for thought over the striking berths for Saturday’s visit of Oxford United.

Luton’s boss had made a hefty eight changes to the side that started against Accrington Stanley on Saturday as Dan Potts, Stephen O’Donnell and Mark O’Brien all came in for their debuts, while Mark Tyler was recalled in goal.

The visitors picked a strong team and had easily the best of the first half, with Derrick Williams rifling over, Callum Robinson nodding wide and Korey Smith shooting straight at Tyler.

Hatters’ keeper was worked harder on the half hour mark, though, sticking out a left glove to turn Robinson’s effort over after his defence, who stuck to their task tremendously, momentarily switched off.

Luton, who had taken their time to adapt to the 3-5-2 formation selected, finally produced an effort of note, with Potts finding Marriott, who scuffed at Hamer.

After long spells on the back foot, the hosts then finally gained a foothold and were ahead moments before half-time, Marriott twisting and turning before beating Hamer low down for his first goal in Luton colours.

The second period saw City come out strongly, with Jonathan Kodjia finally showing some of the reasons as to why Robins shelled out over £2m for his services, forcing Tyler into a wonderful low save from his daisycutter.

However, back came Town as O’Donnell’s searching free-kick cannoned off the post, while Kodija should have done much, much better than skew wide from the edge of the box.

With Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu starting to show signs of his old self and becoming a driving force through the centre, Luton moved 2-0 in front.

The fit-again midfielder looked up and sent a glorious through ball through to Paul Benson who tucked his shot past Hamer.

Kodija again missed a presentable chance, as Marriott put the game beyond doubt, pouncing on an error to drill past Hamer.

A shell-shocked City did manage to find a way back into the game as Luton dropped their concentration and Robinson was left in acres of space to find the net.

However, any hopes of forcing extra-time were gone as Tyler saved Bobby Reid’s header, while Kieran Agard was off target when left unmarked, meaning it was Hatters who reached the second round for the first time since 2007.

Next up though is the visit of a buoyant Oxford, who themselves picked up a cup upset, hammering Brentford 4-0.

Hatters: Mark Tyler, Scott Cuthbert, Steve McNulty, Luke Wilkinson, Stephen O’Donnell (Scott Griffiths 77), Dan Potts, Mark O’Brien (Nathan Doyle 75), Cameron McGeehan, Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu, Jack Marriott (Josh McQuoid 79), Paul Benson.

Subs not used: Alex Lawless, Ryan Hall, Elliot Justham, Luke Guttridge.

Robins: Ben Hamer, Derrick Williams, Aden Flint, Luke Ayling, Korey Smith, Callum Robinson, Ryan Fredericks (Wes Burns 58), Luke Freeman, Aaron Wilbraham (C), Marlon Pack (Bobby Reid 74), Jonathan Kodjia (Kieran Agard 67).

Subs not used: Mark Little, Adam El-Abd, Max O’Leary Scott Wagstaff.

Referee: James Linington.

Attendance: 3,948 (427 City).

Hatters MOM: Jack Marriott. Lovely finishing as he has given Still a real selection headache.

LUTON TOWN 3 BRISTOL CITY 1

Craig Mackail-who? Jack Marriott scored a stunning double as Luton provided a major Capital One Cup upset to knock out Championship Bristol City and book a spot in the second round for the first time since 2007.

The 20-year-old striker was the Hatters' first summer signing of 11 but his potential had flown somewhat under the radar as the transfer saga surrounding Mackail-Smith – the last of the new recruits – took all the attention. Not anymore.

The signs of Marriott's goalscoring prowess had been evident in pre-season. He scored on his debut against Coventry and then eight days ago he bagged four against Barton Rovers in the Beds Premier Cup Final.

But, as introductions go, this was the real thing. Not only did he fire two solo goals in his first competitive start for the club, he further endeared himself to the Kenilworth Road faithful with a never-say-die commitment to harrying the Robins' defence. When he was replaced, in the 80th minute by Josh McQuoid, it was to a thoroughly deserved ovation.

More importantly, from a group perspective, with Paul Benson grabbing an equally impressive second, Luton provided a full demonstration of the firepower that they had lacked at Accrington in Saturday's League Two opener and, no disrespect to Stanley, against better opposition.

And, to that end, they were also very impressive defensively, coping with a first half where they were completely under the cosh from the pace and width of City's attack.

Squad strength was also highlighted as Town lined up with eight changes from the side that scraped a late point in Lancashire on Saturday.

At Kenilworth Road there was no hint that they'd have it any easier as Bristol commanded possession, saw an early defensive header from captain Steve McNulty hit the top of the bar and took regular pot-shots at the home goal.

Yet the first half still had the feel of a pre-season cobweb clear-out and, at the midway point, the only thing magical about this cup tie was a rainbow that arched over the Kenilworth Road end. The pot of gold was lying in wait.

But first, goalkeeper Mark Tyler, making his first competitive start for six months, showed that the knee which robbed him of an unbroken 79-game league appearance run had taken nothing away from him as he acrobatically pushed away Callum Robinson's rocket.

His opposite number was eventually called into action with 30 minutes gone when Marriott sent a scuffed snap-shot into Ben Hamer's grasp.

The on-loan Leicester stopper soon knew all about the forward as he took it upon himself to swing the tie in Town's favour two minutes before the break. Marriott twisted, turned and accelerated in the box before slamming in off the base of the post.

City threatened quickly after the restart but Tyler produced a stunning fingertip save to push Jonathan Kodjia's long ranger around the post.

Luton's riposte saw Stephen O'Donnell – making a strong competitive debut – rattle the woodwork with a free-kick, while Cameron McGeehan skied high into the stands after bursting into the box.

But Town quickly doubled their lead when Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu – so wayward with his first half passes – opened up the Robins' backline with an inch-perfect through-ball that Benson coolly slid past Hamer.

Kodjia squandered a golden chance to quickly halve the deficit when he blasted wide at the back post with the goal at his mercy and Marriott quickly made him and Bristol pay. Collecting O'Donnell's flick forward, the diminutive forward had lots to do but he did it in style, ghosting past two defenders, rounding Hamer and slotting into an empty net.

City did respond with 20 minutes remaining when Robinson found himself with plenty of space on the edge of Town's area to pick his spot and fire past Tyler for a debut goal. It was the only indiscretion of a good defensive display.

Late Bobby Reid and Kieran Agard chances were wasted as Bristol failed to build on their faintest of hopes.

It was an evening that belonged to the mercurial finishing from that man Marriott. The Hatters may just have found a new hero.

Luton: Tyler, O'Donnell (Griffiths, 79), Potts, McNulty, Cuthbert, McGeehan, Benson, Marriott (McQuoid, 80), Ruddock Mpanzu, O'Brien (Doyle, 76), Wilkinson

Unused subs: Lawless, Hall, Justham, Guttridge,

Bristol City: Hamer, Williams, Flint, Ayling, Smith, Robinson, Fredericks (Burns, 58), Freeman, Wilbraham, Pack (Reid, 74), Kodija (Agard, 66)

Unused subs: Little, El-Abd, Wagstaff, O'Leary

Referee: James Linington

Attendance: 3,948 (427)