Luton Town FC vs Forest Green Rovers (21st Apr 2014)

http://www.lutontown.co.uk/news/article/we-are-the-champions-2104-1501756.aspx

http://www.lutontown.co.uk/news/article/youtube-champs-2104-1501843.aspx

http://www.bedfordshire-news.co.uk/Sport/Luton-Town-FC/PICTURE-GALLERY-Luton-Town-v-Forest-Green-Rovers-20140421190124.htm

http://www.bedfordshire-news.co.uk/Sport/Luton-Town-FC/PICTURE-GALLERY-Luton-Towns-title-party-20140421190124.htm

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Hatters crush Rovers to lift the title by Mike Simmonds

Skrill Premier: Luton Town 4 Forest Green Rovers 1

Andre Gray scored his 30th goal of the season as Skrill Premier champions Luton Town rounded off their home campaign in fine style by beating Forest Green Rovers.

After trailing Yan Klukowski’s early penalty, Gray levelled the scores with a spotkick of his own, before heading his side’s third after the break to reach the landmark.

Town boss John Still made just one change to the side that had won at Welling, as the longest serving player Jake Howells replaced Alex Wall to make his 275th appearance for the club.

Visitors Rovers had former Luton striker Jason Walker in their starting line-up and his every touch was booed, before being put out of misery in the second half, as he walked straight down the tunnel.

In front of a magnificent see of orange, Hatters were the first to threaten as Gray’s low blast was narrowly wide of Sam Russell’s goal.

Rovers’ vastly experienced striker Luke Rodgers sent an ambitious effort over the bar, while the former Shrewsbury and New York Red Bulls frontman impressed throughout.

He came close again, beating the offside trap to win a corner against Tyler and from the set-piece, glanced a header narrowly over.

Despite the capacity crowd, the atmosphere was surprisingly quiet, with the the game having the feel of a pre-season friendly at times as James Norwood sent a long ranger at Tyler.

A lovely sliderule pass by Matt Robinson sent Howells away on 22 minutes and his cross was just cleared away by Eddie Oshodi as Gray waited to pounce, Howells hammering the rebound miles wide.

The visitors were then awarded a penalty in highly contentious circumstances as a long range blast was blocked by Steve McNulty, but referee Dean Treleaven spotted a handball, whistling for a penalty.

Former Hatters target Klukowski then stepped up to just about beat Tyler from the spot, with the Town keeper almost making the save.

Town just couldn’t get themselves going at all, and won a corner after a calamity of errors from the visiting defence, but Fraser Franks nodded over.

Howells was just crowded out after a lung-busting run, while Cameron McGeehan’s fierce effort drew a fine block by the stretching beanpole centre-half Luke Oliver.

Tyler showed good hands to gather Rodgers low drive, before Hatters won a penalty moments before the break as Gray advanced into the box and was brought down by Russell.

With his eyes firmly on the golden boot prize, Gray took the honours despite regular taker Howells being on the pitch, and calmly found the top corner to make it 1-1.

The action improved almost immediately after the break as more bright play from Rodgers saw him almost tee up Walker, before Rogers again tested Tyler.

As he had on Saturday, Still then swapped McNulty, who received a standing ovation for Alex Lacey and Town almost had a second when Robinson’s shot was blocked for a corner.

Mark Cullen sent a fizzing effort wide, while Tyler was forced into a sprawling low stop from Barry’s deflected potshot and then Robinson rather selfishly tred his luck from 25 yards with players on either side.

Luton’s greater tempo was rewarded on 55 minute though when Cullen won the ball back and McGeehan drove forward.

His first shot was parried by Russell, but the on-loan Norwich man was first to the rebound and although Russell got a hand to it, there was just enough power to dribble over the line.

Two soon became three as Gray made it 30 for the season, although it owed to some great work by Cullen.

The striker did fantastically on the flank and stood up a looping cross that Gray saw hang in the air and angle a header into the corner.

Town’s leading marksman was then immediately replaced by Wall to an magnificent ovation from the home faithful as they set about enjoying the final 20 minutes.

Rodgers still posed a threat upfront, sending a header into Tyler’s gloves, while he had the ball in the net soon afterwards, only to see the goal ruled out for what was deemed a deliberate handball as he picked up an incredibly harsh booking.

Wall’s deflected low drive kicked up off the surface and produced a decent tip over by a grounded Russell.

The icing was then well and truly placed on the cake with virtually the last kick as Cullen skirted along the by-line unchallenged and fired low into the corner of the net.

A few 100 or so supporters invaded the pitch on the full time whistle, but they were quickly dispersed as Town came out to lift the Skrill Premier trophy in front of their adoring followers.

One by one the players were introduced to the baying public as Henry hoisted the silverware into the sky and finally end five years of hurt.

Hatters: Mark Tyler, Ronnie Henry, Scott Griffiths, Steve McNulty (Alex Lacey 48), Fraser Franks, Cameron McGeehan, Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu, Matt Robinson, Jake Howells (Jon Shaw 73), Mark Cullen, Andre Gray (Alex Wall 60).

Subs not used: Elliot Justham, Andy Parry,

Rovers: Sam Russell, Jared Hodgkiss, James Norwood, Yan Klukowski, Matt Taylor, Eddie Oshodi, Jason Walker (Daniel Martin 66), Luke Oliver, Paul Green, Anthony Barry (C), Luke Rodgers (Danny Wright 85).

Subs not used: Paul White, Lee Hughes.

Booked: Sam Russell 44, Eddie Oshodi 71, Luke Rodgers 72, James Norwood 75.

Referee: Dean Treleaven.

Attendance: 10,044 (114 away).

MOM: Cameron McGeehan.

Football: Luton Town 4 Forest Green Rovers 1 - commanding win before title presentation

Written byTOM SHARP

LUTON TOWN 4 FOREST GREEN ROVERS 1

It was only meant to serve as the starter for the main course of the Championship trophy presentation and promotion party.

Nevertheless, it turned into quite a ride for the 10,044 in attendance as champions Luton Town edged closer to the 100-point mark in the Skrill Premier with a 4-1 win over Forest Green Rovers at Kenilworth Road.

Town looked to be ending their home campaign with a loss as Rovers’ Yan Klukowski coolly converted a 34th minute penalty following a Steve McNulty handball.

However, Andre Gray’s penalty after being felled by keeper Sam Russell on the stroke of half time turned the tide.

Cameron McGeehan’s 56th-minute effort saw Town grab the lead and four minutes later Gray headed his second and 30th goal of the season after a giant leap.

Luke Rodgers almost halved the deficit but his 72nd minute strike was disallowed for handball before Mark Cullen added the gloss with a solo effort as Luton hung on to secure their final home three points of a remarkable season to wrap up the victory and move to 98 points.

Saturday’s Welling trip may have been special for the Hatters but this was a whole new chapter for Town.

It was a day that all fans were truly going to remember and in the end the game was worthy of the day.

John Still made just one change to the side that outclassed the Wings at the weekend as Jake Howells came in for striker Alex Wall.

Forest Green began the season with the tag of pre-season favourites from several bookmakers but it was Town who had risen to the challenge to take the Skrill Premier by storm.

The hosts started the brighter as well.

Matt Robinson’s early corner had Rovers scrambling and Gray was unlucky with a second-minute 20-yard effort that whistled just wide.

The result may have not been that important to the home side but a defeat would have taken some gloss off the occasion.

Rovers striker Luke Rodgers was looking to spoil the party as he twice spurned good opportunities.

The former New York Red Bulls man slammed a shot over the bar then moments later, he curled a superb effort just over.

It was Luton’s turn to up the heat as the sun momentarily disappeared behind the clouds.

Robinson’s delicious through-ball found Howells on the run but his cross could not be turned home by Gray, in search of his 29th of the season.

Town had been probing but the steady Rovers outfit were soon to find their opening.

Norwood’s long-range shot caught McNulty on the arm and the referee had no hesitation of awarding a spot kick.

Up stepped Klukowski to coolly do the honours. Still’s 100-point target was sailing away in the late April breeze at that point.

Just as against Braintree nine days ago, Luton were slightly edgy on their big day.

They got the perfect tonic just before half time though as Gray scampered into the box.

Russell rushed out to meet the striker but mis-timed his challenge and decked Gray.

Just as Klukowski had, the 28-goal frontman made no mistake with his penalty. Unlike last season when the quicksilver hitman missed against Rovers in the same fixture.

Still substituted his main men early on at Welling and he opted to do the same here as Steve McNulty made way for Alex Lacey. A rousing applause for the veteran defender.

Still is a man of wise words and it seemed his half-time team talk had done the trick for the Hatters.

Nine minutes into the second period, McGeehan had an initial shot saved by Russell but he slid in the rebound to scramble the ball over the line.

Four minutes later and with Town in the ascendancy Town grabbed a third as Gray leaped highest to head home.

From there it was only going to be a Luton victory.

Rodgers almost grabbed one back but it was ruled out as Rovers tried to leave with a friendlier scoreline.

That was not in Cullen’s mind as he fired in a fine solo effort seconds before the full-time whistle. The gloss on the win and the championship-winning season.

A brave Forest Green fight but the hosts were just too strong on the day.

A fine way for Town to end their home campaign. That and manager Still being given the Man of the Match award. A Manager of the Year Skrill Premier award is surely not too far away either.

From the game to the after-match celebrations. A five-year wait finally over for the exiled Hatters. Championes, championes….

Luton – Tyler; Henry (capt), McNulty (Lacey, 48), Franks, Griffiths; Ruddock-Mpanzu, Robinson, McGeehan, Howells (Shaw, 73); Gray (Wall, 61), Cullen. Subs not used – Parry, Justham.

Forest Green Rovers – Russell; Russell, Hodgkiss, Oshodi, Oliver; Green, Klukowski, Taylor, Norwood; Walker (Martin, 76), Barry, Rodgers. Subs not used – Wright, White, Hughes.

Attendance – 10044 (114).