Luton Town FC vs Burton Albion (22nd Dec 2018)

TOWN 2 BURTON ALBION 0

Stacey and Collins on the scoresheet as Town make it six league wins in a row

The Hatters recorded their ninth win in ten league matches in another win at fortress Kenilworth Road to stretch the gap in second spot to four points.

This time is was Burton who fell victim to the home side’s ruthless home form, making it 16 unbeaten in the league since Accrington last season and the squad’s suxth straight win.

Jack Stacey’s goal in the first half and James Collins’ penalty towards the end means the Hatters will sit in an automatic promotion spot on Christmas Day, something the team achieved last season in Sky Bet League Two.

It was an unchanged starting XI for the eighth game running for Nathan Jones’ men, understandably due to the phenomenal run of form his side have been on so far this term, consisting of James Shea behind a back four of James Justin, Sonny Bradley, Matty Pearson and Jack Stacey.

Glen Rea, whose afternoon was unfortunately cut short due to injury, sat just in front of the defence with Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu, Andrew Shinnie and Elliot Lee completing the diamond, followed by Harry Cornick and James Collins who made up the eleven on a relatively pleasant afternoon in Bedfordshire.

Burton made one change to the side that knocked Middlesbrough out of the Carabao Cup midweek, with Devante Cole coming in for the injured Buxton.

Both teams spent the opening exchanges of the first half sussing each other out with Burton holding the ball well, not threatening the goal as such but keeping possession in the Hatters’ half and making the back four work.

It was in the tenth minute that Rea sustained a clash of knees with Scott Fraser. He spent a small amount of time off the field but trudged back onto the pitch in the hope of running it off. It was not meant to be for the holding midfielder though, helped straight down the tunnel a little while later.

Jorge Grant replaced the skipper, who was able to see Stacey’s 18th minute goal before his game came to an end. A sensational pass from Shinnie (maybe even assist of the season) fell perfectly to Stacey who took one touch and slotted it under Bradley Collins.

The Hatters were on the attack two minutes later, with a well-timed challenge from John Brayford on Cornick. As he turned, Collins was there to nick it off him. Cornick managed to get to his feet in time to receive the ball, although his tame effort bobbled harmlessly along the floor into the keeper’s hands.

Stacey was electric down the right-hand side of the pitch, receiving passes from Grant and Bradley in similar positions to that of Shinnies’ which lead to the goal. On one occasion, Stacey fizzed the ball across the six-yard box that the shot-stopper had to be ready for, claiming well just off his goal line.

Marcus Harness looked lively for the visitors, winning the ball off Lee and twisting cleverly past Grant too. His cross was not enough to trouble the defence though as Shea collected without hassle from the Burton attackers.

Cole possibly had the best chance of the half for his side, unleashing his pace after a fortunate ricochet off Bradley allowed him to stretch his legs. His progress was halted by Pearson and the ball was bundled on by Shea, that meant the home side went in at half-time one goal to the good.

The Brewers had the first chance of the second 45, just three minutes after the restart. Lucas Akins managing to win a corner for the team in white. Jamie Allen lofted a lovely ball in at the near post that Cole couldn’t keep under the bar.

Cornick exploited the Burton defence with his acceleration, getting the better of Ben Turner who pulled the number 14 down outside the left-hand side of the box. Justin stood over the ball and curled an effort towards the top corner of the near post that the keeper could only claw out to Lee. Unfortunatley the number 10’s header was not strong enough to find its way into the net.

Burton were not finished though in what was a hotly contested encounter at Kenilworth Road. Pearson had to be ready to head away in a crowded six-yard box and Reece Hutchinson was able to go on a mazy run, past a couple of orange shirts before sending a low effort into the arms of a grateful Shea.

Two minutes later, Cole was in action once more as he turned and forced an important block from Pearson. The resulting corner was whipped in, but Turner couldn’t get his header towards goal. There was some promising football on display from the Brewers who were on a high from reaching the Carabao Cup semi-finals.

As we reached the last 20 minutes of the match, niggly fouls here and there from both sides slowed the speed of the game. The Brewers picking up all of the yellows on this ocassion.

The introduction of Danny Hylton proved to be the game changing moment once more, winning a penalty just three minutes after his arrival. Another top pass from Grant found Collins out on the left-hand side, allowing him to thread the ball into Hylton who was blatantly tripped by Stephen Quinn.

Collins coolly stepped up, lifting the ball into the top left corner, also sending the shot-stopper sharing his surname the wrong way, putting a killer blow to the plans of Burton who were looking to grab something from the match late on.

The Burton keeper also found his way into the referee’s book when Collins tried to lob the ball over his head. Flying through the air, he was able to stop the ball from going over but in turn, gifted the ball to Hylton who he had to trip to stop a third going in.

It was almost three from the free-kick though, as Elliot Lee’s shot deflected off Hylton into the net but the number nine behind the defence on that occasion, resulting in the linesman raising his flag for offside.

But the game was won by this point as the Hatters now look to their Boxing Day clash away at Scunthorpe United. The only thing to spoil another wonderful win is that Rea was unable to finish the match on the pitch due to his injury. All at the club are hoping it is nothing serious and wish him all the best and a speedy recovery.

TOWN: Shea, Justin, Bradley, Pearson, Stacey, Lee, Shinnie, Cornick, Rea (C), Mpanzu, Collins Subs: Stech, Potts, Berry, Hylton, Grant, LuaLua, Sheehan

Goals: Stacey 17’, Collins (PEN) 73’

BURTON: Collins, Brayford, Allen, Turner, Fraser, Hesketh, Akins (C), Harness, Hutchinson, Quinn, Cole. Subs: Bywater, Buxton, Sbarra, Fox, McCrory, Miller, Wallace

Yellows: Turner, Hesketh, Quinn, Collins

REFEREE: Craig Hicks ATT: 9,538 (173 away)

NATHAN JONES ON THE 2-0 WIN OVER BURTON ALBION

Town boss Nathan Jones was delighted to see his side extend their unbeaten run at Kenilworth Road to 12 in Sky Bet League One as they defeated Burton Albion 2-0 this afternoon.

Jack Stacey tucked home in excellent fashion from Andrew Shinnie's inch-perfect ball, before James Collins converted from the penalty spot after Danny Hylton had been tripped.

Jones said: "I am delighted. I thought we controlled the game well. It was important to get the goal which we did. These are a good side, they beat Middlesbrough in midweek. They've got a Championship squad, they haven't lost many – maybe one or two. So it's a real good result for us, especially how we managed the game, how we controlled the game and we nullified them to very little. I thought we weren't at our most fluent, but I thought we were excellent and it's another fantastic win.

"We're in good form, we're in a good place. We keep saying it – the first three games we took one point from nine. Our form since has been phenomenal, on any other season, you'd be well out in front. We've probably got more points than we had last year at this stage. But to have 47 points from 23 games is an outstanding haul and we're very pleased. We're in good form, it was a tough introduction to the league as we've repeated on about ten occasions now. But we have really sort of adjusted to the level and we're in very, very good form, we're in a good place and that's excellent."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4JyaGIKfdQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDX8J2y6Xaw

Hatters make it six in a row by beating Burton

League One: Luton Town 2 Burton Albion 0

Luton made it six league wins in a row after a comfortable 2-0 victory against Burton Albion this afternoon.

The hosts always looked in control of the clash, and so it proved, with goals from Jack Stacey and James Collins' second half penalty enough to make it 18 points from 18.

An eighth clean sheet from 12 matches was never seriously in doubt either, as the Hatters moved four points clear of Sunderland in third, after they went down 3-1 at leaders Portsmouth.

Town boss Nathan Jones named an unchanged side once more, the eighth league and FA Cup game has done so, as Luton found their opponents obdurate in the opening stages, Albion sitting in to try and prevent their opponents from netting early on.

It didn't last that long though, as on 17 minutes, Town led with their first attack of note, and a cracking one it was.

Picking the ball up on the halfway line, Andrew Shinnie spotted the run of Jack Stacey and lofted a superb pass over the top for his team-mate.

There was still plenty for the full back to do, but he did it with aplomb, chesting the ball down and without breaking stride, finished with his left foot into the bottom corner.

Harry Cornick's tame effort was easy for keeper Bradley Collins as Luton looked to step up a gear.

However, they were forced into a change on 28 minutes though when skipper Glen Rea had to go off, as after being injured earlier on, he couldn't shake the knock off and on being caught again, had to trudge off.

Jorge Grant came on in his place as Town dominated possession in the first half, often having the ball for large chunks of the game, going from side to side and back to front as they looked for an opening, with Stacey always a willing outlet on the right.

Grant and Sonny Bradley both found the full back's raids, as he sent one low ball into the gloves of Collins and won a corner with another.

The visitors barely threatened, Devante Cole getting the better of Bradley, before James Shea was out bravely to smother just about their best chance.

After the break, Albion made a bright start, Lucas Akins' effort deflecting behind for a corner and from the set-piece, Cole headed over the bar.

Cornick then sped away on the left, outpacing Ben Turner, who had no option but to pull him back and receive a yellow.

From the set-piece, James Justin went for goal, with Collins needing to make a desperate parry at his near post, the follow up headed straight at him by Elliot Lee.

After Matty Pearson made two vital headed clearances, Shea was called upon to gather Reece Hutchinson's low effort as the visitors started to pose more of a threat, Bradley doing well to block Cole's shot behind, Turner heading the set-piece off target.

With the game drifting somewhat, home boss Nathan Jones brought on Danny Hylton with 20 to go and the sub made an instant impact just three minutes in, taking Collins' pass in the area where he was clipped by Jamie Allen.

Collins took responsibility from the spot and fairly hammered it past his namesake for a ninth goal of the campaign.

Hylton almost had his name on the scoresheet, as he deflected Elliot Lee's free kick into the net, but the linesman's flag for offside cut short his celebrations.

It mattered little though as the Hatters held on more than easily to get their busy Christmas period, with four games in 11 days, off to the perfect start.

Hatters: James Shea, Jack Stacey, James Justin, Matty Pearson, Sonny Bradley, Glen Rea (C Jorge Grant 28), Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu, Andrew Shinnie, Elliot Lee (Luke Berry 87), James Collins, Harry Cornick (Danny Hylton 70).

Subs not used: Marek Stech, Alan Sheehan, Kazenga LuaLua, Dan Potts.

Brewers: Bradley Collins, John Brayford, Jamie Allen, Ben Turner, Scott Fraser, Jake Hesketh (Ben Fox 46), Lucas Akins (C), Marcus Harness, Reece Hutchinson, Stephen Quinn, Devante Cole (Will Miller 82).

Subs not used: Stephen Bywater, Jake Buxton, Joe Sbarra, Damien McCrory.

Referee: Craig Hicks.

Booked: Hesekth 32, Turner 53, Quinn 54, B Collins 83.

Attendance: 9,538 (173 Burton).

Jones thrilled by Town's measure of control against Brewers

Luton boss Nathan Jones was thrilled by the manner in which his side controlled the game as they beat Burton Albion 2-0 in League One this afternoon.

The Hatters limited their opponents, who were in the Championship last season and have reached the Carabao Cup semi-final this term, to just five attempts at goal on all game, with only one testing keeper James Shea, as they moved four points clear of third place Sunderland.

Jones said: "I'm delighted, I thought the performance was superb.

"I thought we controlled the game well, it was important to get the goal which we did and then without being disrespectful, these are a good side, they beat Middlesbrough in midweek, they've got a Championship squad as they haven't lost many players, one or two.

“So it's a real good result for us and especially how we managed the game, how we controlled the game, we nullified them to very little.

“We weren't at our most fluent, but I thought we were excellent and another fantastic result.

"They dominate games against people, fourth highest in the league in terms of possession, so we knew that they'd come here, they'd be brave, they hadn't changed for us, probably one of the only teams that have come here and not changed.

"So they showed bravery as they believe in what they do, they've got an excellent manager and got real good players, especially for this level.

"They started quite well, we weren't quite at it, the tempo was a little bit flat, but we worked on al ot of things and it was really, really pleasing that the gameplan came off.

"Although they started well, I don't think Sheasy had too much to do, slightly more to do in terms of half efforts in the second half, but I thought we limited them and another clean sheet at home and to score two goals, we're delighted."