Luton Town FC vs Dagenham & Redbridge (12th Apr 2016)

PUBLISHED 23:52 12th April 2016 Pelly strike earns The Hatters all three points.

LUTON TOWN 1-0 DAGENHAM & REDBRIDGE

The Hatters ended their 3 matching losing streak with a 1 – 0 victory against Dagenham and Redbridge at Kenilworth Road this evening, thanks to a super strike from Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu.

Following on from a positive first half display against Accrington Stanley, Nathan Jones named a largely unchanged XI, with only Cameron McGeehan making way for Danny Green.

The result leaves The Daggers routed to the bottom of League Two, while the Hatters move up a place to 14th in the table on 56 points.

With the return of John Still to Kenilworth Road, there felt like there was a little extra to play for this evening as things got underway with the Hatters shooting towards the Kenilworth Road end.

Luton started brightly enough, and on two minutes Stephen O’ Donnell was brought down on the edge of the box with Widdowson at fault, for dragging him back. Danny Green stepped up to take the resulting free kick which was then penalised in turn for an offside.

The bright start continued as the Hatters enjoying the better of the first ten minutes, with Smith looking determined in midfield and Marriott making one or two dangerous looking runs into the box.

On nine minutes Luton show some more invention, with Sheehan spraying the ball out wide to O’Donnell who heads down to Smith. His return header goes back to Green and his cross over the top and down the line narrowly eluded O’Donnell on the wing. Some neat play from the Town.

Soon after, Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu picked up a deflected cross from Dagenham, and his pass over the top found out O’Donnell. The Hatters number 2 then put a cross in, but it was too long and too close to the Dagger’s keeper who collected at the far post.

The first half continued along the same lines, with lots of neat passing play from the Town. Despite this, they were still finding it hard to break through and penetrate the Daggers defence.

The Daggers themselves showed little in the way of invention or threat. One minor moment of danger for the Town came as a speculative shot from Labadie was blocked comfortably by Lee. Subsequent shots by Hemmings were also blocked comfortably by Rea, and Justham respectively.

Throughout the first half, the Town exploited the good link up play between Pelly, Stephen O’Donnell and Danny Green with Smith cleaning up any spills.

John Still standing in the away dugout cast a familiar shadow, barking his orders from the corner of the technical area.

Then finally, a breakthrough. Olly Lee picked up the ball just outside the Luton box defending a Dagenham attack. Taking the ball on the run Pelly picked up the ball and blasted the ball against the bar, ricocheting back into the top left hand corner of Cousin’s goal. 1-0 to Luton.

The Hatters dominating large periods of this match so far, and were deservedly a goal to the good with a cracking strike from Pelly. As the visiting management team left the pitch, John Still received a warm round of applause from the Luton supporters, which he reciprocated.

At the beginning of the second half, John Still made his first substitution of the match, with Muldoon coming off, replaced by Cureton. Right from the outset, the Daggers looked to have the bit between their teeth, and they almost manufactured an early reply just two minutes in as a cross from Cash found its way to Cureton. Fortunately, his shot was cleared off the line by Justham. Very close.

Moments later, Danny Green was penalised for a tackle from behind. The free kick, 30 yards out, was taken by Labadie who hit it first time but sent his shot wide to the left of Justham.

On 50 minutes, it was time for Nathan Jones’ first substitution with Jack Marriott making way for Joe Pigott up front.

Throughout the second period, Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu showed what an asset he can be to the Luton side. It seemed as though each time the ball came to Pelly an opportunity was not far off. Dagenham seemed to be unable to close him down, and on 54 minutes Labadie resorted to a foul to get the better of the Hatters midfielder resulting in a yellow card.

On 66 minutes Jones made another substitution as Smith makes way for Alex Lawless. Making his 199th appearance in a Luton shirt, he was greeted with a huge cheer by the Hatters faithful.

Joe Pigott also had his fair share of opportunities during the second half, but unfortunately opportunity after opportunity went by without a shot on target.

As the clock ticket down, the Daggers had a double substitution. With Richards coming on for Chambers and Hawkins on for Doidge. Luton also made their last change, with Zane Banton welcomed warmly once again, this time replacing Danny Green.

The Daggers’ best chance of the match came on 82 minutes as Labadie whipped in a free kick and Hawkins smashed a shot off the Luton crossbar, from close range.

The match closed out with other half-chances for McQuoid after a strong run into the box as well as another chance for Pigott.

After the final whistle, John Still made his way to the tunnel and paused to applaud the home crowd, who sent him off enthusiastically, but Nathan Jones and his team will be feeling pleased with their 3 points this evening.

Hatters: Justham, O'Donnell, Sheehan (C), Potts, Rea, Smith, Green, Ruddock Mpanzu, Lee, McQuoid, Marriott

Subs: Lawless, McGeehan, Benson, King, Banton, Musonda, Pigott

Attendance : 6995 with 67 backing Dagenham (correction 6997 and 65)

http://www.lutontown.co.uk/news/article/gallery-town-1-0-dagenham-redbridge-3056834.aspx

http://www.lutontown.co.uk/news/article/watch-jones-post-daggers-victory-3056880.aspx

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e91e3q61kog https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dh9_VETlwmY

League Two: Luton Town 1 Dagenham & Redbridge 0

A wonderful strike from Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu saw Luton Town not only score in the first half at home, but put an end to their three game losing run at Kenilworth Road this evening.

With 38 minutes on the clock, the midfielder, who starred once again in a more advanced role than recently, collected the ball in the area and rifled an unstoppable shot past Daggers keeper Mark Cousins, with the ball crashing off the underside of the bar and spinning over the line.

It meant that former Town boss John Still, who had wonderful reception, both before, during and after the match, endured a losing return to Kenilworth Road, with his side all bit mathematically relegated back to the Conference now.

Hatters made just the one change for the game as Danny Green returned in place of Cameron McGeehan who dropped to the bench.

The hosts started clearly the brighter against their struggling opponents, Jack Marriott nipping away from Dominic Hyam, but as he pulled the trigger, Clevid Dikamona was there to produce a superb sliding block.

Josh McQuoid then tried to go it alone after bursting into the box, but he side-footed straight at Mark Cousins, with the keeper also alert to deny Stephen O’Donnell’s low left-footer as McQuoid appeared to be fouled trying to turn the rebound in.

It took Daggers a good 20 minutes to remotely test Elliot Justham, easily holding Ashley Hemming’s effort.

However, Luton finally had the first half goal that the majority of the 6,997 inside Kenilworth Road craved as O’Donnell’s break saw Green find Ruddock Mpanzu who did the rest in spectacular style.

The strike ended a hefty run of 478 minutes since Luton had last scored a first half goal, that from the boot of Paul Benson against Northampton Town on December 12.

Daggers brought on leading scorer Jamie Cureton at the break and he should have levelled immediately, as when Justham fumbled Christian Doidge’s back post header, the experienced striker fired goalwards, only denied by Glen Rea’s crucial block.

Hatters almost doubled their lead too as Jonathan Smith’s glancing header from Green’s corner was repelled by a combination of Cousins and his covering defenders.

As the game more on, the visitors started to finally to offer more of a goal threat, Matty Cash putting a free header over the top.

On-loan striker Joe Pigott then came off the bench after an hour and had two chances to open his account, over the top on both occasions, while he did the same with a third much to the frustration of the home supporters.

Daggers were then inches away from leaving with a scarcely deserved point as sub Oliver Hawkins’ first touch saw him beat Justham, but hit the underside of the bar, with the ball staying out this time, Sheehan making a courageous block from Cash’s follow up.

Hatters wasted a fine chance to kill the game off once and for all, with Zane Banton, who had another lively cameo, releasing Ruddock Mpanzu to cut back for Pigott, but once again, he was off target.

McQuoid and Joss Labadie flashed wide in the closing seconds, but Luton had done enough to go into two tough away games at Oxford and Carlisle United with some renewed optimism.

Hatters: Elliot Justham, Stephen O’Donnell, Dan Potts, Alan Sheehan, Glen Rea, Jonathan Smith (Alex Lawless 68), Olly Lee, Danny Green (Zane Banton 82) Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu, Josh McQuoid, Jack Marriott (Joe Pigott 51).

Subs not used: Craig King, Cameron McGeehan, Frankie Musonda, Paul Benson.

Daggers: Mark Cousins, Joss Labadie (C), Clevid Dikamona, Christian Doidge (Oliver Hawkins 81), Matt Richards (Ashley Chambers 81), Oliver Muldoon (Jamie Cureton 46), Ashley Hemmings, Matty Cash, Dominic Hyam, Justin Hoyte, Joe Widdowson.

Subs not used: Andre Boucaud, Matt McClure, Luke Pennell, Lewis Moore.

Attendance: 6,997 (65 Daggers)

Booked: Labadie 63, Lee 68.

Referee: Charles Breakspear.

Hatters MOM: Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu. Scored a cracker and his enthusiasm all evening was infectious.

Hatters boss Nathan Jones was happy to take some of the credit for Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu’s match-winner in the 1-0 victory over Dagenham & Redbridge last night.

After the midfielder had been employed in a deeper role against Accrington Stanley at the weekend, Jones opted to push him further forward this time and he delivered with spanking strike for his second of the season.

Speaking afterwards, Jones said: “That’s brilliant management from me to play him in that position if I’m honest, that’s absolute brilliant management from me.

“He came here as centre half, defensive kind of player and I played him as a number 10 because I believe he has something, so I’ve got to be honest, I’m patting myself on the back to play him there.

“I find him a great lad, he wants to learn, wants to do so much, he just needs a bit of guidance.

“He’s a young player, as all young players do, they need guidance, they need belief, need someone to sometimes put an arm round them, sometimes give them a rocket.

“But he’s a great lad and we love having him here.”

Town defender Stephen O’Donnell was also left enthusing over Ruddock Mpanzu’s strike and believes that if he can stay fully fit, Luton have a serious talent within their armoury.

He added: “It wasn’t bad at all, and he’s got that ability and got that quality in his game.

“It’s just about getting the game time, staying fit and he’s got that quality that will scare any defenders.

“He’s got every attribute under the sun, if we can get him flying and fit think it will be a big asset.

“He was probably man of the match again and we just need to get a consistency in the team now.

“The manager picks the team every week to put his philosophy, stamp his authority on the game and Pelly at times hasn’t been in but he has the quality to affect any team.”

Luton Town 1 Dagenham & Redbridge 0

A Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu pile-driver lit up a dreary dead rubber for Luton which showed that if you want a first half Hatters home goal then you need John Still in the stadium.

The last time Town had managed the feat was December 12, in the 66-year-old's final game in charge of the Hatters before the axe swung.

Here he returned as boss of Dagenham to witness the lowest Kenilworth Road league attendance this term, though, quite rightly, he received a standing ovation from fans before kick-off, at half time and after the final whistle. That was for his efforts in rescuing their club from the non-league wilderness two years ago.

He's unlikely to save Daggers this term and prolong their nine-year stay in the Football League as two more defeats could see them relegated. It won't be Still's fault as they've spent all season trying unsuccessfully to bale water out of a sinking ship. They looked down before he returned to manage the club for a third time.

Even if he deservedly walked the plank, after setting Luton on their current rudderless course to No Man's Land, his reception was a fitting gesture for a man who gave this parish so much.

It was always going to be a lot to ask Nathan Jones to succeed him in the hotseat and turn around Town's fortunes, though for a while back in February and March they dared to dream.

Here the only flight of fancy – against a Dagenham side oozing with the status of relegation fodder – was how they spared themselves the nightmare of an tenth barren first half in a row at home.

Even then, to end that 478-minute run, it took a stunning 38th minute strike – from easily the man-of-the-match for the second game running – rather than the incisive, lock-picking football Jones aspires to.

That, unfortunately, looks beyond this group at the moment – even a first home win in four can't mask that.

Again they dominated possession but couldn't strike the killer blows. Indeed, they were so unthreatened that the Londoners' first chance came early in the second half from an Elliot Justham mistake when the goalie fumbled a routine catch and needed Glen Rea to spare his blushed and block Jamie Cureton's shot.

The Hatters fared little better in front of goal after Jack Marriott was denied early on by a superb recovering tackle from Clevid Dikomona, while Stephen O'Donnell could only hit keeper Mark Cousins after the hosts' one truly flowing first half attack.

But, just as a tenth goalless first half at home loomed, Ruddock Mpanzu stunned everyone with just his second of the season. It was a blockbuster, too good for this contest.

It rattled the underside of the bar then seemed to take an age to bounce off the goal-line and back into the roof of the net, which wrapped around the ball and held it suspended in the air.

When Marriott limped off for the second game running there appeared little affection for his replacement, Joe Pigott, who blasted high, wide and handsome three times in quick-fire fashion, while also steering wide after a late Ruddock Mpanzu's break.

The Charlton loan striker wasn't the only player to draw the groans of Luton fans with numerous outbursts at passes played infuriatingly backwards or misplaced.

But the biggest cheer - to do with the actual game - was reserved for the introduction of Zane Banton for the second game in a row. The noise was also perhaps a well-orchestrated reminder for boss Jones that, in this most dead rubber of season finales, this crowd want to see some home-grown young guns given a chance ahead of loan rangers.

And, of course, despite their lead, Town could have thrown it away as they have done so often this term. Daggers substitute Oliver Hawkins saw a vicious thump rattle the bar and though the rebound fell to Matty Cash, Alan Sheehan got his particulars in the way.

Really though, if this game is to be remembered for anything unrelated to Ruddock Mpanzu, it was for a final chance to give Still the proper send-off he missed out on when he was sacked. Whether by luck or design he was the last man to leave the pitch and was duly serenaded with home chants of "John Still's barmy army".

Those were the days.

Luton Town: Justham, O'Donnell, Potts, Smith, (Lawless, 68), Rea, Green (Banton, 82), Marriott (Pigott, 52), Ruddock Mpanzu, Lee, McQuoid, Sheehan

Unused subs: McGeehan, Benson, King, Musonda

Dagenham & Redbridge: Cousins, Labadie, Dikomona, Doidge (Hawkins, 82), Richards (Chambers, 81), Muldoon (Cureton, 45), Hemmings, Cash, Hyam, Hoyte, Widdowson

Unused subs: Boucaud, McClure, Pennell, Moore

Referee: Charles Breakspear

Attendance: 6,997 (65)

Nathan Jones gave himself the plaudits for Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu's goalscoring man-of-the-match turn in Luton's 1-0 League Two win against Dagenham & Redbridge last night.

The midfielder started for the third game in a row and proved Town's driving force, capping off his display with a 38th minute blockbuster which rattled in off the bar and stuck in the net.

"That's brilliant management from me for playing him in that position, if I'm honest. That's absolute brilliant management," Jones said.

"He came here as a centre half, a defensive kind of player, and I played him as a number ten because I believe he has something so, I've got to be honest, I'm patting myself on the back."

It was just the 23-year-old's second goal of the campaign which highlighted the dynamic side, which has made him a fan favourite, though a lack of game time in the last two seasons, largely through injury, has been a source of frustration.

Jones said: "I find him a great lad. He wants to learn, wants to do so much, he just needs a bit of guidance. He's a young player. As all young players do, they need guidance, they need belief, they need someone to sometimes put an arm around them, sometimes give them a rocket, but he's a great lad and we love having him."

Defender Stephen O'Donnell said of his team-mate: "He's got that ability, he's got that quality in his game. It's just about him getting the game time, staying fit. He's the got the quality that will scare many defences. I think he's got every attribute under the sun so if we can get him flying and fit I think he'll be a big, big asset."

Ruddock Mpanzu's strike ended a nine-game first half barren spell at Kenilworth Road and Jones said: "I wouldn't say it's relief because if you keep doing the right stuff, you will score goals. You can't keep missing chances. We've had great chances, certainly here. [There's] a lot of doom and gloom and so on but we're trying to change the whole philosophy here.

"We're trying to play a certain way and I think we are achieving it. We had a brilliant run [in February and March], which got us in the hunt, and kind of gave us a bit of expectation of extending our season.

"That's when the euphoria got hold but we've plateaued a little bit and found where we are at the minute. I wouldn't say it's relief, it's just pleasing."

While the result moved Luton to within six points of the play-offs with five games remaining, realistically it looks just a step too far after three previous defeats derailed their promotion push.

Jones has instead been focused on returning to winning ways and gaining some end of season momentum to further cement his ideas with the players in preparation for next term.

"Rome wasn't built in a day but I'm pleased because we always try to do the right things," the Town chief said, adding: "We're trying build something and once we see the ones [players] we can go forward with and once we recruit the ones that we really, really know, ready-made ones, then hopefully we'll be a force to be reckoned with."