Luton Town FC vs Coventry City (28th Oct 2017)

MATCH REPORT: LUTON TOWN 0 COVENTRY CITY 3

Town's unbeaten run ends at nine matches in Nathan's 100th game in charge

The Hatters’ nine-match unbeaten run came to a halt in Nathan Jones’ 100th game in charge this afternoon as Coventry City won 3-0 at Kenilworth Road.

Town went into the match top of the Sky Bet League Two table after a superb month in which they'd taken 16 points from a possible 18.

But their eighth-placed opponents hung onto an early lead given to them by Marc McNulty, and then added two more in injury-time after Glen Rea had been sent off.

The Town had pushed captain Scott Cuthbert forward in search of an equaliser, and after seeing several good chances go begging, Coventry broke away against the run of play and last-man Rea made a sliding last-ditch challenge that brought McNulty down on the edge of the box.

Referee Robert Jones showed the Town man a straight red card, and Coventry substitute Jordan Shipley curled the resulting free-kick into the top corner before fellow sub Duckens Nazon added a third in the 96th minute to put an unfair gloss on the scoreline.

Bringing up his century of games at the Hatters’ helm, Jones made one change to the starting line-up, an enforced one with Alan Sheehan picking up his fifth yellow card of the season in the goalless draw at Crawley last week.

Johnny Mullins came into the back four to replace the Irishman, as he did a fortnight ago for the 7-1 win over Stevenage.

The first half-chance arrived in the fourth minute when Olly Lee floated a clever free-kick to the far post where James Collins had spun, but the striker couldn’t make a clean connection with his attempted volley and it flew over.

Coventry came closest to opening the scoring in the 13th minute, when Marek Stech dwelt on a clearance that only went as far as midfielder Liam Kelly 40 yards from goal. The Sky Blues midfielder sent the ball immediately back over Stech’s head, but thankfully it came back off the angle of post and bar.

The Town had started quite positively, however, and a low cross from Collins flashed across the six-yard box just before McNulty put the visitors in front, meeting Jodi Jones’ left-wing cross with a thumping header in the 17th minute.

The Hatters went in search of an immediate equaliser and Potts got his head on two crosses from the left, first rising to meet another Lee free-kick, but he couldn’t keep his header down.

Then, in the 23rd minute, the left-back met a left-wing corner with another header that was blocked by a defender, before Collins was thwarted in his attempts to steer in the rebound and Hylton headed another Lee centre over from inside the six-yard box.

Coventry scorer McNulty was soon trying his luck from inside the centre-circle, after robbing Lee, and the Hatters’ attempts at putting their usual intricate moves were too often coming unstuck with passes going astray.

The visitors – with the best defensive record in the division – were well drilled and carried a threat on the break and with a goal to hang onto, they had plenty of opportunity to slow the game down, referee Jones warning goalkeeper Lee Burge for taking his time over goal-kicks.

With time almost up in the first half, Stacey and Lee combined to get Cornick in on the right side of the penalty area, but the Town forward’s low cross was turned behind by City defender Rod McDonald and the resulting corner came to nothing as the visitors went in a goal to the good.

Two minutes into the second half the Sky Blues fashioned another opening, Jones’ low cross from the left turned behind his own goal by a sliding Rea, who put in a couple of crunching challenges either side of half-time to try to get his side going.

Jones fired another effort from distance, this one straight at Stech, before Lee floated another dangerous 52nd-minute free-kick that passed right through the Coventry six-yard box to Cuthbert, whose volley was deflected behind.

Cornick hammered a half-volley over the bar from the resulting corner, and Jones was quick to make a change, bringing Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu on for Mullins, to play in midfield with Rea dropping into the heart of defence.

The former Republic of Ireland Under-21 international was soon making a crucial block as Haynes cut the ball back for Jordan Ponticelli, just seconds before the Hatters’ best chance of the game arrived.

The Town broke at lightning speed with Mpanzu slipping Hylton into the box, and the striker took his time before attempting to slip the ball past Burge, who saved well before Mpanzu’s follow-up was blocked by some last-ditch defending.

The Town had upped the ante and Cornick’s 64th-minute blast was deflected over the bar, then – on 67 minutes – a sweeping Hatters’ move involving the front three ended with Hylton controlling Cornick’s cross from the right on his chest, only for his left-foot shot from the edge of the area to fly just over.

Jones brought Andrew Shinnie on for Cornick in the 74th minute and the Scottish midfielder almost had an immediate impact, whipping in a dangerous cross from the right that Coventry could only clear as far as Mpanzu, who rifled in a left-footed effort that just whistled past the post.

Then came the clearest opportunities yet – the first falling to Shinnie after a lengthy delay as visiting centre-half Jordan Willis had his head bandaged on the pitch. Lee clipped the free-kick into the box, Potts won the header again and Shinnie volleyed goalwards, only to see Burge save with his feet.

The danger wasn’t over however, as Stacey sent another ball into the Coventry area from halfway and Hylton found himself with the freedom of the Coventry penalty area, but couldn’t steer the ball past Burge as he turned to face goal.

Jones made his third and final substitution in throwing Elliot Lee into the attack, replacing Collins, and he was soon joined in the forward line by captain Cuthbert, as the Hatters looked for an alternative way back into things.

Shinnie was looking to make things happen, and he had another crack at goal in the 89th minute afer cutting in from the right onto his left foot, but Burge got his body behind the effort to save well.

The Town were reduced to ten men just as eight added minutes were announced as Rea, the last man, slid in and brought down McNulty on the edge of area as Coventry broke.

Sub Shipley curled home the resulting free-kick, then Nazon added the third five minutes later after an Olly Lee shot from Shinnie’s set up was inadvertently blocked by Jack Stacey.

It summed up the Hatters’ day – one they finish in third place, with Notts County and Accrington both winning, as we head into a break from league action with the Checkatrade Trophy trip to AFC Wimbledon on Tuesday followed an FA Cup first round tie at home to Portsmouth next week.

TOWN: Stech, Stacey, Cuthbert ©, Mullins (Mpanzu 58), Potts, Rea, O Lee, Berry, Cornick (Shinnie 74), Collins (E Lee 80), Hylton. Subs: Justin, Gambin, D’Ath, Shea (GK)

Yellows: Hylton, O Lee, Cuthbert

Red: Rea

COVENTRY: Burge, Grimmer, Willis, McDonald, Kelly, Vincenti (Biamou 81), Doyle (c), McNulty, Jones (Shipley 90), Haynes, Ponticelli (Nazon 81). Subs: Stokes, Davies, O'Brien (GK), Maycock

Yellows: McNulty

GOALS: McNulty 17, Shipley 90+2, Nazon 90+6

REFEREE: Robert Jones

ATTENDANCE: 9,670 (1,067 away)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nYQ_oP7oYes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_8LVDaa5lQM

NATHAN JONES ON THE 3-0 DEFEAT TO COVENTRY CITY

Town boss Nathan Jones said he was disappointed to see his side slip to a 3-0 home defeat against Coventry City this afternoon in what was his 100th game in charge at the club.

The result sees the Hatters slip to third in Sky Bet League Two as Notts County and Accrington Stanley move above them.

Jones said: "I am disappointed. Credit to Coventry, they defended, they had a game plan. The game lacked a real flow to it, we were trying to create that, but we couldn't.

"They got a goal early on out of nothing, but they defended resiliently. We know they have got the best defensive record and we tested it. Their keeper has made some good saves, we have missed chances and I am disappointed.

"We have been on a good run so far this season and this month, it's just disappointing to finish the month with just one point from the last two games.

"We knew the first goal would be vital. They came here, they defended well, hit us on the counter attack in the second half. First half we have given them that goal, we have switched off a little bit from the cross and that set the tone really.

"We didn't look sharp enough in the first half, we gave the ball away every time we got it into our front three. It didn't stick, we didn't have that platform we normally have, so that's the disappointing thing for us.

"We still had enough chances to get something out of the game, but it wasn't to be. We have got a bit ragged after Glen has got sent off, then we have lost the game."

Hatters' unbeaten run is ended by Sky Blues

Luton Town 0 Coventry City 3

Luton Town boss Nathan Jones failed to mark his 100th game in charge of the club with a victory as they saw their nine game unbeaten run ended by a well drilled Coventry City side this afternoon.

The final scoreline does flatter the visitors, who scored their second and third goals in stoppage time with Hatters down to 10 men, Glen Rea shown a straight red for bringing down Marc McNulty.

However, the Sky Blues, who have by far the best defensive record in the league, now conceding a miserly eight times in 16 matches, showed just why, producing some marvellous last ditch blocks, while also taking every opportunity possible to slow the contest down and frustrate Luton throughout.

That they did too as Luton, after netting seven times against Stevenage in their last outing at Kenilworth Road, only seriously tested visiting stopper Lee Burge once, finding it hard to break down a resolute City back-line, who knew their jobs to a tee..

Hatters chief Jones made one change ahead of the game, with as expected, Johnny Mullins replacing the suspended Alan Sheehan.

Town went close early on too, a well worked free kick routine saw Olly Lee dink the ball to the far post, where James Collins volleyed over the top.

Luton had a huge let off on 14 minutes as Marek Stech, who had been unusually iffy in possession, sent another weak clearance to Liam Kelly, 45 yards from goal.

The City midfielder took a touch and hit a speculative long range attempt which beat the back-pedalling Stech only to bounce off the frame of the goal, saving the keeper's blushes.

However, the Sky Blues were celebrating on 17 minutes with a lovely goal, Jodi Jones's pinpoint cross from the left wing met by a thumping Marc McNulty header, ending a four game drought without scoring for the visitors.

Now with their noses in front, it gave Mark Robins' side ample chance to play the game at their pace, and they did so, Burge warned for taking his time over every goal kick.

Town's best moments came from dead ball situations, Dan Potts glancing over another decent Lee delivery, with the midfielder's corner also causing havoc, Collins denied at full stretch by Michael Doyle, and Hylton heading Lee's follow up cross over.

After the break, Jones's shot was easy for Stech, while Lee unleashed a lovely free kick that was somehow missed by everyone and went behind, as from the corner, an unusually quiet Harry Cornick blasted off target.

Mullins' afternoon was ended by another injury, as he was forced off clutching his ankle, with Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu on, Rea dropping back to central defence, where he made a vital goal-saving block on the line from Jordan Ponticelli, which could have signalled game over.

Town sprung forward at the other end, Hylton denied by Burge, as Luton just couldn't turn the loose ball in, crowded out by a host of defenders.

The Hatters kept pressing, Hylton doing superbly to bring Stacey's crossfield ball down on his chest, but then rifling a left footer narrowly over the top.

Mpanzu tried his luck too, slamming off target, before with 12 minutes to go, came the moments Town had been waiting for.

First Potts rose well to meet Lee's free kick, finding Andrew Shinnie, whose volley was repelled by Burge's legs.

The ball was then pumped back finding Hylton all alone, and with an exemplary first touch, the highest crowd of the season expected to celebrate a leveller, only for Town's joint leading scorer to fluff his lines, unable to get anything on his toepoke.

That seemed to suck the life out of Town's efforts to restore parity as they threw captain Scott Cuthbert up for the final five minutes, but unlike at Wycombe, it didn't pay off this time, as they couldn't really create anything other than Shinnie's attempt, routinely saved by Burge.

With eight minutes of stoppage time signalled, Luton's race was run as Mpanzu needlessly slid in to give the ball away in midfield, City breaking and Rea bringing down McNulty at full stretch on the edge of the box to see red from official Rob Jones.

Jordan Shipley took aim and hammered the set-piece beyond Stech to ensure there was no way back for Luton.

It got even worse before the end too, as Duckens Nazons sped away and with Potts trying to cover, could only deflect the sub's effort to wrongfoot Stech and make it 3-0.

Luton's stopper made a decent save to prevent conceding an incredibly harsh fourth, but results elsewhere saw Hatters knocked off top spot, overtaken by Notts County and also Accrington Stanley, as they now sit third in the standings.

Hatters: Marek Stech, Jack Stacey, Dan Potts, Scott Cuthbert (C), Johnny Mullins (Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu 58), Glen Rea, Olly Lee, Luke Berry, Harry Cornick (Andrew Shinnie 74), Danny Hylton, James Collins (Elliot Lee 80).

Subs not used: James Justin, Luke Gambin, Lawson D'Ath, James Shea.

Coventry: Lee Burge, Jack Grimmer, Jordan Willis, Rod McDonald, Liam Kelly, Peter Vincenti (Max Biamou 81), Michael Doyle (C), Marc McNulty, Jodi Jones (Jordan Shipley 90), Ryan Haynes, Jordan Ponticelli (Duckens Nazon 81).

Subs not used: Chris Stokes, Tom Davies, Liam O'Brien, Callum Mayock.

Booked: Hylton 6, O Lee 40, McNulty 90, Cuthbert 90. Sent off: Rea 90.

Referee: Robert Jones.

Attendance: 9,670 (1,067 Coventry).

Jones left frustrated as Hatters fall to Sky Blues

Luton boss Nathan Jones was left to reflect on a hugely frustrating afternoon after his side tasted defeat for the first time in nine games, beaten 3-0 at Kenilworth Road by Coventry City yesterday.

The Hatters slipped off the League Two summit in the process as Marc McNulty’s first half goal left Town up against it, with stoppage time seeing Glen Rea sent off and further strikes from Jordan Shipley and Duckens Nazon giving the scoreline an harsh gloss in City’s favour.

Speaking afterwards, Jones said: “The game was a little bit flat in terms of one, our sharpness, and how we went about it, but also, they came here, they defended stoutly, sat back, slowed the game right down, especially when they got the goal, and it was a frustrating afternoon to be honest with you.

“But credit to Coventry though, they came here with a gameplan and executed it well.

"I can say that we weren't at it, but too many teams do that to us, when we go and play well, it’s always the team that plays badly.

“We weren't at it like we normally are today, but credit to Coventry, they came back, they defended stoutly and we couldn't really get the goal we needed.”

On McNulty’s first goal which came from a cross by Jodi Jones, who tormented the hosts defence for long periods, Jones said: “That’s the frustrating thing from us.

“We got out there, it was from a deeper cross, wasn’t from the byline or inside 18 yards, it's a soft goal to give away, but those things happen.

“After that we had chances, especially second half, we had a lot of good chances that in recent weeks we've been putting away.

"Today it wasn't to be and then they hit us on the counter attack as we were trying to push, but that's what happens."

The visitors came into the game having conceded just eight goals in the league all season, although Jones felt Luton, who hit seven against Stevenage in their last outing at home, created enough chances to breach their opponents back-line.

He added: “That’s what happens and something had to give today, whether it was our attacking record or their defensive record.

“As it was their defence stood firm and I couldn’t say limited us as I thought we did have enough chances to have got something from the game, we didn’t take those chances, but that’s how it goes.

“I’ll have to see the chances again, but we’ve had enough chances to have got something out of the game.

"In recent weeks we’ve taken them all and we scored eight against Yeovil, didn’t score the next game, and they dried up.

"Then we did seven against Stevenage, four against Exeter, then we haven’t scored in two, so it’s about getting back to what we are,

“I could moan and say we didn’t have this, didn’t have that, I could say there was eight minutes of injury time because there was no flow in the game, it was constantly slowed down, and it’s really frustrating as we couldn’t get going.

“I could moan about a million things, but give them credit, they came here, fantastic away performance.

"They’re a good side, they’ve got good players, they struggled to score goals and maybe in hindsight, if we’d have just shut up shop and taken a 0-0 it would have been a better day, but that’s not how we play, so we’re a little bit disappointed.

“There’s a long way to go though, 16 games on, we’re in a decent position, we’ve been in good form, it’s just taken its toll this month.”