Luton Town FC vs Gateshead (21st Dec 2013)

Town 4 (Benson 16, Lawless 27, 60, Gray 30) Gateshead 2 (Oster 70, Hatch 84)

The Town moved to within a point of leaders Cambridge United after stretching their unbeaten league run to 15 games with a 4-2 win over Gateshead.

In-form Gateshead were torn apart by a rampant Hatters side who were three goals to the good at half-time following goals from Paul Benson, Alex Lawless and Andre Gray.

Lawless bagged his second on the hour and, although Gateshead scored twice to give the scoreline a closer look, the victory was never in doubt as the Town celebrated news that John Still has signed a contract extension until 2015 in style.

The manager made just one change to the side that dismantled Alfreton in the last league fixture, with Joe Davis preferred at centre-half over Alfie Mawson.

After an even open first quarter-of-an-hour – which had seen Davis have a header cleared off the line – the Town took control the minute Benson nodded home his eighth goal of the season. Lawless did the donkey work, winning the ball down the left to pick out Benson with a perfect cross and the striker just needed to guide the ball home with his head into the corner of the net for his eighth goal of the season.

In front, the Town were playing some lovely football and the same combination almost led to a second goal when Benson flew to attempt to meet another Lawless cross but the striker couldn’t quite reach it.

However, on 27 minutes it was 2-0. Gateshead failed to clear their lines in the six-yard box and Lawless took full advantage to coolly finish past visiting goalkeeper Adam Bartlett.

And two became three just three minutes later. Mark Tyler kept out a rasping drive from John Oster and, after clearing the subsequent corner the Town broke. Jonathan Smith found Gray and he did the rest: lashing home an unstoppable shot from just inside the penalty area for his 13th goal of the season.

Gateshead continued to be put under pressure in their own 18-yard box as the Town hunted a fourth goal before half-time. Benson and Gray almost combined on 40 minutes only for the visitors to clear before Luke Guttridge’s curling effort was blocked by the head of visiting defender.

After the break Smith sent a shot wide of the post on 49 minutes before Gray blasted a drive goalwards that was blocked three minutes later. Guttridge then almost notched an impressive volley following Bartlett’s wayward goal-kick only for the keeper to claim gratefully.

The Town did, though, find the net for the fourth time on the hour. Ronnie Henry did well down the right and as the Hatters swept up-field Benson’s shot was pawed away by Bartlett – but Lawless was on hand to hammer home the rebound with a fine first-time shot.

4-0 up the Hatters then switched off with John Oster and Liam Hatch halving the deficit for the visitors but, with time against them, the Town were still well in command.

Scott Griffiths was denied a fifth for the Town when his header was chalked off for a foul five minutes from time and in the end it stayed 4-2 as the Hatters recorded their ninth straight home win in all competitions.

Town: Tyler; Henry, Griffiths, McNulty, Davis; Smith, Ruddock, Lawless, Guttridge (sub Robinson 79); Benson, Gray.

Subs not used:Mawson, Cullen, Howells, Justham.

ATTENDANCE: 6,913 (including 23 from Gateshead).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iRpg5gvGOrY

http://www.lutontown.co.uk/news/article/gateshead-gallery-2113-1249142.aspx

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c6WmQiPfwH0

Hatters deliver ideal early Christmas present with Heed win as they close the gap on leaders Cambridge to one point

Skrill Premier: Luton Town 4 (3) Gateshead 2 (0)

A fantastic performance from the Hatters saw them deliver the ideal early Christmas present for their supporters as they beat Gateshead 4-2 at Kenilworth Road this afternoon to close the gap at the top of the Skrill Premier to just one point, writes Mark Wood.

Outstanding Town put the Heed to the sword as they surged into a 4-0 lead thanks to a brace from the classy Alex Lawless and goals from hotshot strikers Paul Benson and Andre Gray, while late strikes from ex-Premier League star John Oster and former Hatter Liam Hatch failed to take the gloss off the result.

Luton were cheered on by almost 6,900 home fans as the Oak Road end was again open to Town supporters and they duly performed for the bumper festive crowd.

And an entertaining and enjoyable clash, which also saw Luton have two goals ruled out, was capped by the news that leaders Cambridge United had fallen to a 1-0 defeat at lowly Hereford United, meaning they now lead the Hatters by just one point, but the U’s do have a game in hand.

Town made nine changes from the virtual development team that beat Wrexham 2-0 in the FA Trophy the week before as only Joe Davis and Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu retained their places.

Luton made a bright start as Gray fed Benson and his volley from an acute angle flew over the bar after just 16 seconds.

A mistake in the heart of the Heed defence then found Gray, but the Tynesiders recovered to clear as he looked to find Luke Guttridge.

The Tynesiders threatened for the first time on eight minutes when ex-Hatter Hatch’s looping header was cleared away from the line by Steve McNulty, before hesitancy in the Luton backline saw keeper Mark Tyler make an emergency clearance with Hatch bearing down on goal.

Gateshead enjoyed a better spell before Luton once again reasserted their dominance.

Mpanzu burst through but Gray was just unable to control his pass and, from the resulting corner, Adam Bartlett got down to save Davis’ header with Heed clearing just before Scott Griffiths could force the ball home.

But the Hatters did deservedly take the lead on 16 minutes when good work by Griffiths released Lawless, who showed real skill to create space on the byline and chip to the back post for Benson to direct home his header for his eighth goal of the season.

Town continued to press with Benson just unable to connect with Lawless’ cross with a diving header, while Jonathan Smith was crowded out as he tried to find space from Ronnie Henry’s intelligent pass.

The hosts doubled their lead on 27 minutes though when the Heed failed to clear the danger in their own six-yard box and the ball broke for Lawless to slide home.

In-form Tynesiders almost pulled a goal back on half an hour when a deep cross found Oster at the far post and his volley into the ground threatened to loop in as Tyler acrobatically tipped the ball over the bar.

However, it was 3-0 seconds later when a ball forward found Gray with just one man to beat and he powered to the edge of the area and unleashed an unstoppable blast past Bartlett.

With Luton now in complete control, Griffiths fired over, while Gray raced on to Lawless’ pass and skinned James Curtis but saw his dangerous cross was cut out with Benson lurking.

Phil Turnbull became the first man in the book on 36 minutes for a foul on Guttridge as the Hatters proceeded to turn on the style and play some champagne football.

The Heed rarely threatened as an ungainly headed effort from Hatch came off his shoulder and ran wide.

Luton continued to press as they finished strongly, Guttridge seeing a long-range curler blocked and close-range effort somehow repulsed after more good work by Gray.

And the Town faithful thought it was four in stoppage time when Smith played Benson through to toe-poke home only to see his effort ruled out by the linesman’s flag. Bedevilled Gateshead left-back Sirrell was then booked retrospectively for a foul on Gray in the build-up as Town were warmly cheered in at the break by their buoyant fans.

Town continued in the same vein after the break as Smith powered forward and dragged wide four minutes in before Bartlett cleared straight at Guttridge but his first-time effort was right at the keeper.

But the Hatters did get their fourth with a fine team goal on the hour that started right from the back. Skipper Henry beat his man and his pass released Gray who skipped past his man before feeding Benson and, although his shot from the edge of the area was saved by Bartlett’s outstretched paw, Lawless was on hand to fire into the unguarded net.

It was almost one-way traffic as a great break by Mpanzu saw him release Gray but his 65th-minute effort was well saved by Bartlett and, as the young striker headed back into the mix, the grounded Guttridge somehow scooped the ball over the bar.

Henry was somewhat harshly booked for a rare foul before the Tynesiders hit back with 20 minutes to go when some shabby defending allowed Oster to produce a good low finish at the far post back across goal. That effort though failed to fire the Heed as the energetic Smith again hared through the middle and found Benson whose shot from the edge of the area drew cries of handball that were waved away by the referee.

Gateshead used all their substitutions as they looked for a way back into the game, but it was Luton who continued to look the more likely to add to their score.

On a hat-trick Lawless saw his bouncing bomb on 77 minutes turned past the post by the keeper, before Matt Robinson replaced the industrious Guttridge. A soft free-kick then saw the Heed grab a potential lifeline with six minutes to go when a deep free-kick was headed past the helpless Tyler by ex-Hatter Hatch.

Fearing a potential fightback Town’s fans got behind their team and the Hatters responded. Lawless had yet another effort saved with five minutes to go and from the subsequent corner Griffiths saw his header harshly chalked out for a foul in the box. Professional Town proceeded to sensibly see out victory as Benson had a good chance deflected behind before running the clock down when needed.

Gray was stupidly booked for putting the ball into the gaping net after the referee’s whistle had gone before old foes Hatch and McNulty clashed before the final whistle. Having been separated the Heed target man continued to mouth off at Town’s charismatic centre-half before finally being booked as the final whistle quickly followed where news of leaders Cambridge’s defeat was met with a giant roar from the home faithful.

Hatters (4-4-2): Mark Tyler, Jonathan Smith, Steve McNulty, Alex Lawless, Scott Griffiths, Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu, Joe Davis, Luke Guttridge (Matt Robinson 79), Ronnie Henry (C), Paul Benson, Andre Gray. Substitutes not used: Jake Howells, Mark Cullen, Elliot Justham, Alfie Mawson.

Heed (4-4-2): Adam Bartlett, Carl Magnay, James Curtis, Colin Larkin (Rob Ramshaw 76), Phil Turnbull (C), Liam Hatch, Adam Boyes (Marcus Maddison 66), Craig Baxter, Josh Walker (Michael Cummins 76), Lewis Sirrell, John Oster. Substitutes not used: Jamie Chandler, Alex Baird.

Booked: Turnbull 36; Sirrell 45+2; Henry 68; Gray 90+4; Hatch 90+5.

Referee: D Cook. Assistant Referees: D Spain and C Green. Fourth Official: L Forrester.

Attendance: 6,913 (Gateshead 23).

Star Hatter: Alex Lawless. Linchpin for most of Luton’s best moves and took both of his goals superbly.

Still delighted as Heed are put to the sword

Hatters boss John Still hailed another fantastic performance from his side as they eased to a impressive 4-2 victory over Gateshead at Kenilworth Road yesterday, writes Mike Simmonds.

First half goals from Paul Benson, Alex Lawless and Andre Gray saw Town 3-0 ahead by the break, and although they conceded twice in the second period, Lawless was on target once more to the delight of the home faithful.

Still said: “That was a really, really pleasing result against a team that’s going well themselves, particularly away from home.

“I’m under no illusions when we play these games, they’re all tough, but we put on a fantastic performance again.

“I was really, really pleased, not just individually, but the team. The team looked so compact, so tight.

“The two goals we conceded, I’m disappointed with one, not disappointed with the other, I thought it was a good goal.

“I know we’re not going to keep that pace up for 90 minutes, it’s not possible.

“To have one disappointment in 90 minutes is not too terrible.”

Town are now unbeaten in 15 Skrill Premier League matches, winning 11 of them, and are top of the division’s scoring charts too, scoring 47 times.

Still continued: “I think we’re showing every week and that’s even FA Trophy games that once we get the ball moving and our work-rate and our discipline in the middle of the park, winning the ball back, passing the ball quickly, is absolutely fantastic.

“Conditions were a factor, first half, we probably had them in our favour a little bit and second half in their favour.

“We’ve scored four, they’ve scored two, but I don’t think Tyles (Mark Tyler) has had a great deal to do.

“We’ve had some decent efforts at their end that another day might have gone to five or six, so I’m pretty comfortable with what we’re doing.”

Gray’s strike took him to 13 for the campaign, and he is now within one of leading scorer Macclesfield’s Connor Jennings, while Benson is on eight for Town too, with Lawless up to four too.

Still added: “It was a good goal from Andre, we’re moving the ball that well, we look so strong that we’re going to create chances.

“Benno’s a goalscorere, Andre’s a goalscorer, so we believe we’ve got goals in the team. We’ve certainly got pace in the team, Pelly (Ruddock Mpanzu) has come in and done fantastic, added a touch more pace to our game.

“The squad is looking really, really positive at the moment, there’s other people that can come in and fill a position and I don’t think it would weaken the team.”