Luton Town FC vs Crawley Town (13th Feb 2018)

REPORT: LUTON TOWN 4 CRAWLEY TOWN 1

Collo at the double to help sink his old club with another four-midable show!

James Collins scored twice against former club Crawley tonight Nathan Jones’ side produced another scintillating performance at Kenilworth Road to maintain their position at the top of the Sky Bet League Two table with a 4-1 win.

After Olly Lee had given the Town a 29th-minute lead, Collins netted his 15th goal of the season on the stroke of half-time to double the advantage before adding number 16 from the penalty spot after Luke Berry had netted a third soon after the break.

The four-goal haul took the Town to 72 league goals for the campaign, surpassing the 70 they managed in the whole of last term, on a night when they served up some sumptuous football, knitted together brilliantly once again by on-loan Ipswich teenager Flynn Downes at the base of the midfield diamond.

Crawley – who arrived at Kenilworth Road as the division’s form team with four straight wins and seven in their last eight matches – managed a late consolation through a loanee of their own, Charlton’s Karlan Ahearne-Grant, with three minutes to go.

But in truth, they were lucky to escape without the kind of defeat the likes of Yeovil, Stevenage and Cambridge United have suffered at the Kenny this season, as the Hatters bossed the game from start to finish.

In his team selection Jones made two changes, one enforced with James Justin returning to the starting XI at left-back in place of the suspended Dan Potts, while the other switch from the 1-1 draw at Stevenage came in midfield, where Andrew Shinnie returned as a replacement for Jake Jervis, who dropped to the bench.

The Town had a great chance to open the scoring in the seventh minute when Lee spread the play to the right to Jack Stacey, who slid into a challenge to send the ball down the right flank to Harry Cornick.

The ex-Bournemouth man turned Crawley centre-half Mark Connolly with ease, then raced into the box and unleashed a low right-footed drive that visiting keeper Glenn Morris did well to palm away with a big right hand, the ball just eluding the onrushing Collins inside the six-yard area.

To be fair to them, Crawley had come to play and set up with what looked like a front four at times in the opening exchanges, but that left oceans of space for the likes of Cornick and Collins to exploit.

Collins came within a lick of paint of giving the Town the lead on 17 minutes when he pounced on a loose clearing header by Connolly to hit a peach of a first time volley, which arced back towards the goal, but not enough to avoid hitting the post full on.

Lee was next to have a go, after Shinnie and Collins combined to set him up for a 25-yarder that was curling towards the top corner when Morris flew across his line to turn it behind in the 23rd minute.

There was some intricate play on the edge of the box, having started with Shinnie and Stacey out on the right, between Downes, Lee, Downes again, Berry and Collins to put Justin in on the left, but the England Under-20 international’s cross was turned behind.

The Town were playing some wonderful football and took a deserved lead just before the half-hour mark. Berry started it off, nutmegging Enzio Boldewijn inside his own half, helped by an excellent decision by referee Craig Hicks to play the advantage as Collins gathered possession.

The summer signing from Crawley carried the ball and played Lee in to his right, with the midfielder pulling the trigger from just inside the area, his effort flying in off the underside of the bar with the aid of a deflection as Cedric Evina slid in to challenge him.

It was almost two straightaway as Lee won the ball on halfway and it broke to Cornick who drove at the back-pedalling Connolly once more, before letting fly with another angled drive that Morris did well to repel.

The chances were coming thick and fast, Rea seeing a 34th-minute header cleared off the line by Connolly, then Collins having a downward header – from Stacey’s wonderful right-wing cross – tipped over by Morris two minutes later.

In the 38th minute Cornick latched onto Collins’ flick-on and looked to have gone round Morris but Lelan made a terrific sliding block to keep the score at one, then Lee has another crack from 25 yards that Cornick couldn’t turn in from inside the six-yard box.

Crawley asked their first real question of the Town defence in the 42nd minute when Roberts cut inside from the right, sending a left-footed curling effort thudding against the foot of the post, but the Town weren’t on the back foot for long.

The second goal finally arrived on the stroke of half-time when Collins met Lee’s right-wing corner with a thumping header that nestled in the bottom corner of his former employers’ net for his 15th of the campaign.

Visiting manager Harry Kewell made a double substitution at the break and for a few minutes, the Red Devils managed to stem the tide of the Hatters’ attacks.

Indeed, the Town survived a 54th minute scare when Justin somehow managed to clear a dangerous low cross from the left by Evina from almost on his own goal-line, then Stech reacted well to keep out Boldewijn’s follow-up.

It was three in the 56th minute, and it came at the end of another incisive move that saw Stacey and Shinnie link up brilliantly on the right touchline, the former bursting onto the Scot’s ball inside and shovelling it left to Berry, who bided his time to pick his spot inside Morris’ near post.

Lee went looking for number four in the 59th minute, but shot straight at Morris from 18 yards.

Then, on the hour, the Town managed to emerge unscathed from an almighty goalmouth scramble after a right-wing corner, and before long Lee was teeing up Collins for another shot at goal, only this time his effort flew over the bar and into the Oak Road end.

The flow of goalscoring chances stopped for a while, but the Hatters were completely in control of the game, keeping possession and piecing moves together with unerring authority.

Lee, along with Berry, was revelling in the license given to him to go on the attack by the presence of the immaculate Downes in the midfield holding role, and in the 72nd minute he picked up a loose clearance by Morris to his a first-time effort from 35 yards that went just wide.

The former Birmingham City midfielder played a key role in the winning of the penalty that led to Collins’ second in the 76th minute, Lee tricking his way past a defender and pushing the ball to Collins, who was brought down by Lelan.

Collins picked himself up to net number 16 for the season, before Lee tried his luck again two minutes later, bursting onto Justin’s lay-off but his curling effort was way too high.

Crawley reduced the arrears in the 87th minute when Ahearne-Grant side-stepped his way past a challenge in the box and shot low into the back of the net.

Then the visitors’ half-time sub, Thomas Verheydt, warmed Stech’s palms with 90 minutes almost up, before Jervis went close to his first goal in a Hatters shirt, firing over from the edge of the box.

TOWN: Stech, Stacey, Rea, Sheehan ©, Justin, Downes, O Lee, Berry, Shinnie (Jervis 84), Cornick (Gambin 90+3), Collins. Subs: Mullins, Cook, Mpanzu, D’Ath, Shea (GK)

Yellows: Downes, Berry

Goals: O Lee 29, Collins 45, 76 (pen), Berry 56

CRAWLEY: Morris, Young, Grant, Lelan, Roberts (Doherty 46), Randall (Verheydt 46), Connolly, Evina, Payne, Smith ©, Boldewijn. Subs: McNerney, Mersin (GK), Tajbakhsh, Bulman

Yellows: Payne

Goal: Ahearne-Grant 87

REFEREE: Craig Hicks

NATHAN JONES ON THE 4-1 WIN OVER CRAWLEY TOWN

Town boss Nathan Jones was over the moon with his side's performance as they put four past Crawley Town in a convincing victory at Kenilworth Road this evening.

Olly Lee opened the scoring as his deflected effort beat Glenn Morris just before the half hour mark, with James Collins heading in on the stroke of half-time to double the lead.

Luke Berry hammered in after the break from Jack Stacey's pass before Collins rounded off the scoring from the penalty spot after he had been brought down by Josh Lelan 76 minutes in.

Jones said: "That was absolutely outstanding and, to be honest, it should have been a lot more. We were better than when we won by eight and seven, some of the football we played was...I haven't got adjectives to say, but I am so proud of them.

"They've won seven out of eight and they have come here and looked to play, they have got a structure about how they want to play. But we got at them, we suppressed them.

"We stopped them playing and some of the stuff we played was different gear. I mean I wouldn't like to see the stats, but the possession stats, the chances, that was as convincing a performance I have ever seen.

"I thought we were outstanding from start to finish. I am disappointed with the goal, I am disappointed to get a hell of a lot more goals, a hell of a lot more goals.

"If we look back, some of the football was breathtaking at times. We needed the goal and we got a bit of luck. We hit the post, they hit the post to be fair with probably their only chance. I thought we were excellent.

"I am not being arrogant or boasting or anything, I am proud of that and I am going wax lyrical about that because it was a wonderful performance that, it really, really was. They have come into the game the form team in the league. Seven out of eight they have won. They've beaten Accrington, Mansfield, they beat Notts County.

"So to come here and for us to do what we did to them – their manager said they ripped us a part at their place, I have no idea where that came from. But I won't quite use those words tonight, but wow, that was outstanding."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7hnSsunmJEI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VPW5kr5MAkg

Collins at the double against his former side in brilliant Hatters display

League Two: Luton Town 4 Crawley Town 1

Striker James Collins scored twice against his former side as Luton enjoyed a thumping victory over Crawley Town this evening.

A thoroughly entertaining affair at Kenilworth Road saw Olly Lee and Luke Berry on the scoresheet as well, with the only surprise being the Hatters not getting more than the four they did, such was their utter dominance and eye-catching football throughout.

Luton made two changes, James Justin replacing the suspended Dan Potts at left back, while Andrew Shinnie came in for Jake Jervis.

The hosts almost scored a calamitous own goal inside the opening 30 seconds when Josh Lelan's back header nearly caught out keeper Glenn Morris who had to react quickly.

On seven minutes, Harry Cornick had a glorious chance, sent away by Jack Stacey's pass and leaving Mark Connolly in his wake, only for Morris to make an excellent low stop.

Luton were inches away again, when a poor back header out was seized upon by Collins, returning a marvellous outside of the foot volley which unluckily cannoned against the base of the post.

Such was the open nature of the visitors approach, Hatters continued to threaten, cutting through their opponents at will, with Flynn Downes once more magnificent at the base of the diamond.

Lee's 25-yard curler drew a Superman-esque save from the flying Morris, but there was no stopping Town's midfielder on 28 minutes.

A wonderfully quick break from Collins, helped by an excellent advantage played by official Craig Hicks, saw the striker feed Lee, who blasted over Morris and in off the underside of the bar.

Jordan Roberts flashed an effort wide, but the remainder of the half was all Luton, as how it took them so long to add a second, remains a mystery.

First Cornick's shot was parried by Morris, then Glen Rea had a header cleared off the line, before Collins downward header was flipped over by Morris.

Cornick looked a certainty to have made it 2-0 after beating Morris, his low drive kept out by a wonderful block by Lelan at full stretch, while the Town attacker diverted Lee's effort wide.

Crawley delivered their warning shot, Roberts cutting in from the right and his low effort rebounded off the outside of the post.

However, Town did have their fully deserved second on the stroke of the interval, when one of Town numerous corners was met by Collins who scored against his former club via a big deflection.

Crawley brought on Thomas Verheydt for the second period and his height caused instant problems, almost making it 2-1 when his close range effort was kicked off the line, Stech saving from Enzio Boldewijn's follow up.

Luton did have a third though on 56 minutes when Stacey powered forward, picking his head up to find Berry, who took a touch and then fired past Morris.

Lee's first time effort was repelled by the increasingly overworked Morris, as Crawley weren't without their moments, Stech dropping a corner under pressure and Luton somehow clearing the danger away.

Collins then missed a glaring chance, skying over the top as Lee tried for another wonder goal, his long range first time effort from Morris's clearance flying narrowly wide.

It was cruise control with 14 minutes to go, Collins brought down in the area and planting his spotkick past Morris.

Late on, the visitors had a consolation though Karlan Ahearne-Grant, while Stech parried a late Verheydt effort, but that did little to take the gloss off a truly magnificent display from the Hatters.

Hatters: Marek Stech, Jack Stacey, James Justin, Glen Rea, Alan Sheehan (C), Flynn Downes, Olly Lee, Luke Berry, Andrew Shinnie (Jake Jervis 84), Harry Cornick (Luke Gambin 90), James Collins.

Subs not used: James Shea, Johnny Mullins, Jordan Cook, Lawson D'Ath, Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu.

Crawley: Glenn Morris, Lewis Young, Josh Payne, Mark Connolly, Enzio Boldewijn, Jimmy Smith (C), Karlan Ahearne-Grant, Jordan Roberts (Josh Doherty 46), Cedric Evina, Josh Lelan, Mark Randall (Thomas Verheydt 46).

Subs not used: Joe McNerney, Yusuf Mersin, Aryan Tajbakhsh, Dannie Bulman.

Referee: Craig Hicks.

Booked: Downes 15, Payne 58, Berry 80

Attendance: 8,020 (267 Crawley).

Hatters MOM: Flynn Downes. Bossed the game.

Jones eager to wax lyrical over his 'outstanding' Hatters

Hatters boss Nathan Jones was eager to wax lyrical about his side after they produced a magnificent performance to see off Crawley Town 4-1 at Kenilworth Road last night.

Going into the game, the visitors had been on a fine run of form, winning their last four matches, and picking up seven wins from eight matches.

However, they were simply blown away at times by a Luton side who maintained their six point lead at the summit in some style.

Jones said: “Some of the football was just breathtaking at times. We needed the goal and had a little bit of luck with the goal, we hit the post, they hit the post to be fair with their only chance and then I thought we were excellent.

“I’m not being arrogant or boastful, but I’m proud of that and I’m going to wax lyrical about it because it’s a wonderful, wonderful performance, it really was.

“These come into it the form team, the best form in the league. Seven out of eight they’ve won and they’ve beaten Accrington, beaten Mansfield, beaten Notts County, so to come here and for us to do what we did to them...

“Their manager said that they ripped us apart at their place (in a 0-0 draw). I have no idea where that came from, I won’t quite use those words tonight, but wow, that was outstanding.”

Striker James Collins netted twice against his former club in each half, while Olly Lee and Luke Berry were also on target, although it could easily have been double figures on the night, such was Luton’s dominance.

Jones continued: “That was absolutely outstanding and to be honest with you, it should have been a lot, lot more.

“We were better tonight than when we won eight and seven, we were outstanding.

“Some of the football we played, I haven't got adjectives to say, but I’m so proud of them, so proud of them.

“They look to play, they have a structure and it’s difficult, how they want to play, but we went out, we got at them, we pressed them, we stopped them playing and some of the stuff we played was different gear.

“I wouldn't like to see the stats, but the possession stats, the chances, that was as convincing as I've ever seen.

"A lot has been said about us, a lot of things. That was as good as, I haven’t got adjectives to say it because I thought we were outstanding from start to finish.

“I’m disappointed with the goal, but I’m disappointed to not get a hell of a lot more goals, a hell of a lot more goals.”

Collins himself could have easily had a hat-trick, as he missed a hatful of opportunities, while Harry Cornick was denied by keeper Glenn Morris on a number of occasions, as was Lee.

Jones said: “The chances he’s (Collins) had, the header he’s had first half. I’m not even going to mention the fact it would flatter us as we should have been double that today with the clarity of chances we had and the way we went about our work.

“I’m just pleased, I wanted to win today, we needed a win, especially after the disappointment of Stevenage and conceding.

“They bounced back superbly well, but we did it with our structure and how they played, it was brilliant, I’m really proud.”

Jones made two changes for the clash bringing in Andrew Shinnie and reverting to the diamond formation, while James Justin replaced the suspended Dan Potts at left back, as the boss added: “It would wrong to single anyone out as I thought the back four defended superbly well.

“We had to make a change with James Justin coming in, but he was outstanding, we handled every threat they had.

“Flynn Downes once again showed a masterclass from a defensive midfield player in there and our front two were a constant threat in different ways.

“If we could just get Harry Cornick finishing, wow, some kid.

“They came here to win the game though, fair play to them, they were positive, they picked a front three who are out and out pace, so we knew that they were a threat.

“But we have threats, we have lots of threats and we showed that, I’m a very happy manager, I really am.”

Jones thrilled to give Town's fans another complete performance

Hatters boss Nathan Jones was elated to send the home fans away happy yet again after they witnessed a superb display during last night's 4-1 victory over Crawley.

James Collins scored twice, including a penalty, while Olly Lee and Luke Berry were on target as the Hatters supporters witnessed a 13th league win of the season at Kenilworth Road.

Jones himself clearly enjoyed it too, spending a good minute celebrating with the fans before heading down the tunnel after the full time whistle, as on the extended jubilant scenes, he said: “I won’t see them for 10 days, so I thought I’d milk it a little bit.

“They’ve been brilliant for us, they were brilliant at the weekend (at Stevenage), they’d have been disappointed, but we gave them a proper performance tonight.

“I’ve been here two years and that was as good performance as we’ve put on.

“I know we scored sevens and eights before, but that was pretty much complete.

“It would have been complete if we hadn’t have given the goal away, but some of the football, some of our attacking play was wonderful.

“I thought we were convincing tonight, and the way we went about it, I‘m so proud of them, I really, really am."

Town now have the weekend off, and although Jones didn’t feel that was a burden, with sides having games in hand on his team anyway, he knew it was important to go into their 10 day break with a victory and put the onus firmly on the chasing pack.

He added: “Tonight was one of those nights where because we’re not playing Saturday, we needed a win.

“There was no pressure on us because we still would have been top of the league on Saturday, but it just puts the pressure on others to get that win.

“We’re in good form as well, the trouble is we’re not in form where we’ve won seven out of eight, but consistently, we’ve got 67 points and we’re still in mid-February.

“That’s a good haul to get, so we must have been consistent throughout every month and we have been.“