Luton Town FC vs Gillingham (16th Mar 2019)

LUTON TOWN 2 GILLINGHAM 2

Hylton and Stacey on target, but Hatters pegged back twice

The Hatters led twice and extended their club record unbeaten run in Sky Bet League One to 25 matches, but had to settle for a point against Gillingham at Kenilworth Road this afternoon.

Danny Hylton and Jack Stacey had given the Town the advantage either side of a Tom Eaves equaliser, before a stunning Luke O’Neill free kick dragged the Kent side back on terms with just over ten minutes to go.

A good second-half display from the visitors meant the points were shared in a well contested encounter at Kenilworth Road, where the Town have now gone over a year without being beaten in the league, when Accrington Stanley won 2-1 on 10th March 2018.

The draw means the Hatters remain five points clear at the top of Sky Bet League One after Barnsley picked up a point in a 0-0 draw with Doncaster last night, and seven points above third-placed Sunderland, who beat Walsall at home.

Mick Harford was forced to make the one change to this afternoon’s starting XI with Luke Berry replacing Alan McCormack, who picked up a hamstring injury in Tuesday night’s victory over Bradford.

A historic week in the club’s history meant 2020 and the directors were greeted with a rousing reception in the 20th minute following the decision to grant planning permission to Newlands Park on Monday. Their hard work behind the scenes means the Hatters can finally envision the future of the club in a brand-new stadium.

It only took nine seconds for the first Luton chance. From the kick-off, Sonny Bradley clipped a neat ball onto the chest of Hylton, who found Collins just outside the penalty box. Visiting keeper Tomas Holy had to be alert in the Gillingham goal to parry the striker’s effort past the post in a swift attack which could have the seen the quickest goal of the season.

The Hatters looked the better of the two sides early on, searching for their second win of the week. Hylton was on hand to play some good passes, carving open the Gillingham defence with small half chances on a few occasions. James Justin was also allowed to cut inside on his right foot and curl his effort over.

Stacey was then tripped in the area, or so he thought, only for the ref to pull it back for a free-kick just outside the box on the far side of the pitch for an earlier tug on his shirt. Justin fizzed the ball in but Holy palmed the shot out, just about dealing with it as Bradley commanded his way forward towards the loose ball.

The Gills stood firm as the Hatters laboured for a breakthrough. The visitors pressed the Hatters, making it difficult at times.

Right-back O’Neill was a real threat for the away side. The defender whipping some dangerous crosses passes into the Hatters box, linking up with Brandon Hanlan on more than one occasion, the first a slight miskick that luckily rolled through to Shea.

The second presented a real chance for the Gills, when Hanlan made space and nodded wide of the far post, pulling away from both Bradley and Matty Pearson.

Soon Collins was able to win the ball on the halfway line, spinning away from his man and cleverly back heeling into the path of Berry, who brought the ball forward and whipped his shot in, but couldn’t keep it down.

Graham Burke had a shot of his own from 25 yards, falling well wide of the upright, and then Hanlan – who seemed lively for the Gills – got the wrong side of Bradley and skipped his way into the box, firing a low drive into the arms of Shea who held on to it well.

Back came the Hatters though, Shinnie again dominating the middle of the park like he has done all season, winning the ball from an advantage played by the referee. The Scot did everything right, bending a firm shot towards the top right corner, only to fly just over the top.

The goal finally came on the stroke of half-time, a slice of luck perhaps, but Hylton didn’t mind taking advantage of a Callum Reilly mistake. After good work by Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu down the left-hand side to win the Hatters a fourth corner of the half, Justin’s cross was soon volleyed back into the box by Reilly, and Hylton was waiting to side foot past Holy and claim his seventh goal of the season.

After the break a darting run from Shinnie meant Hylton found space on the wing, and the goalscorer belted a cross-come-shot into the path of Collins, who tapped in from close range. The flag was soon raised though and cut the celebrations short.

Out of nowhere the visitors found their way back into the contest. Reilly, the man who gifted the Hatters their opener, found Eaves in the area with a delightful chip and the Gills’ top scorer nodded in from close range to notch his 18th of the campaign.

The Hatters then found themselves on the back foot for the next ten minutes, defending well to keep a well-drilled Gillingham side at bay – looking far from a side battling to stay clear of relegation.

The second period became a nervy encounter at times, these nerves were somewhat quashed for a while when Stacey netted his second of the week.

The goal was almost a re-creation of Tuesday night with Shinnie releasing the full-back down the right side. As Stacey darted into the area, he waited for Holy to commit and smashed his shot the other way to the keeper’s near-post.

But the tie became a battle as the clock ticked into its final third, Shea with a vital stop in the 72nd minute when O’Neill got a small touch on a shot from Eaves, the keeper already diving to his right just about scooped the shot away from goal with his legs. Eaves tested Shea moments later with a powerful half volley from 30 yards, although it was struck towards the centre of the goal.

The equaliser the Gills perhaps deserved for their patient build-up play eventually came from O’Neill when Lee was judged to have pushed a Gills attacker. The full back produced a moment of class, lifting the ball over the wall and sweetly into the top corner from 25 yards, giving Shea no chance.

The home side dusted themselves down though and pressed their way forward in search of the winner, the substitute LuaLua making an instant impact, twisting and turning his way into the box. Stacey continued with some marauding runs and Collins even headed just wide in the final stages of the match, but unfortunately the ball wouldn’t find its way in.

A last-minute corner had Shea scrambling for the ball in the dying embers of the match but in the end, the points were shared.

James Collins will now head to the Republic of Ireland training camp in his first call-up for the side while the rest of the squad turn their attention to another important home match against Doncaster next week.

TOWN: Shea, Stacey, Pearson, Bradley ©, Justin, Mpanzu, Shinnie, Berry (Potts 66), Lee (LuaLua 80), Collins, Hylton (Cornick 90+2). Subs: Moncur, Baptiste, Thorne, Isted (GK)

Goals: Hylton 45, Stacey 67

GILLS: Holy, O’Neill, Ehmer ©, Hanlan, Eaves, Burke, Fuller, Reilly, Da Silva Lopes (Rees 87), Byrne, Ogilvie. Subs: Garmston, Charles-Cook, Campbell, List, King, Hadler (GK)

Goals: Eaves 53, O’Neill 79

Yellows: Hanlan

REFEREE: Andy Haines

ATT: 9,963 (601 away)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gxOauyxdwT0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_22BrkD6-QE

MICK HARFORD ON THE DRAW WITH GILLINGHAM

Hatters boss Mick Harford felt his side 'gave everything' in their search of three points this afternoon, but couldn't get the vital goal that would have seen them beat Gillingham at Kenilworth Road.

Danny Hylton broke the deadlock just before half-time, however Tom Eaves equalised shortly after the restart.

Jack Stacey got his second goal in as many games as he beat Tomas Holy at his near post, but Luke O'Neill bent in a wonderful free-kick to ensure the spoils were shared.

The result sees the Town maintain their five-point lead at the top of the third tier, with Doncaster Rovers their next opponents.

Harford said: "The boys gave everything, it was a real tough encounter. I think you've got to give credit to Gillingham – the way they played, the way they set-up. A really dangerous outfit, they played two strikers up front who were quite lively. I thought Eaves was a big handful today.

"Chances, we created lots and lots of chances, we got into some really, really good positions, maybe final ball again, not so clinical in the final third. We need to be that little bit more clinical in and around the penalty area and tuck those chances away.

"But it's been a tough week, a real tough week. Lots of mileage, three games, so overall we have taken five points from three games. We obviously want to be better, we want to win every game, but you can't win every game, so you've got to give credit to the opposition a little bit today I think.

"There's no excuses. We're not blaming travelling, we're not blaming fatigue. We just had one of those days where we worked our socks off. I thought they gave everything, they tried everything.

"We made substitutions to try and change the game and it never dropped for us. We got in some great positions, Kaz when he came on, I don't know how that one stayed out the net. Jack Stacey got in some great positions second half, balls flying across the box and it never went in for us.

"But credit to Gillingham, they came here and they were very expansive, they matched us up and in stages of the game they were excellent."

Town let the lead slip twice during Gills draw

League One: Luton Town 2 Gillingham 2

Luton led the lead slip from their grasp twice as they were held to a 2-2 draw by Gillingham this afternoon.

The hosts looked to be picking up yet another three points towards their quest for promotion, leading 2-1 with just 11 minutes to go.

However, Elliot Lee then gave away a needless free kick some 25 yards from goal and Luke O'Neill's wonderful set-piece beat James Shea, flying into the net to earn the Gills a point.

Home boss Mick Harford made just one change to the starting 11, Alan McCormack missing out as expected, Luke Berry in, with Alex Baptiste and George Thorne back on the bench too.

Town threatened inside 20 seconds, Sonny Bradley's ball forward chested down by Danny Hylton, with James Collins unleashing an effort that was batted behind by keeper Tomas Holy.

James Justin then sized up the top corner, but couldn't keep his attempt from the edge of the box down, his next shot much closer, forcing Holy into a save at his near post.

Gills then started to get into the game, O'Neill's crosses from the right flank causing a host of problems, Brandon Hanlan unable to get enough on one of his deliveries.

Berry thundered over on the angle, while with 35 minutes gone, Gillingham should have been ahead, O'Neill once again the creator, Hanlan sending his free header wide.

Graham Burke's rasping drive didn't test Shea, before Hanlan did, escaping Bradley on the left and cutting into the area, firing straight at Luton's keeper.

With Town's final ball uncharacteristically sloppy all afternoon, Andrew Shinnie took matters into his own hands, seeing a 20-yard curler flash inches wide.

With half time looming, Luton had the lead as a corner fell on the edge of the box, Callum Reilly's intended clearance going back towards his own goal, falling invitingly for Hylton to take a touch and prod past Holy for his seventh of the season.

After the break, Luton thought they had made it 2-0 only for Collins to see his effort ruled out for offside when sliding home Hylton's attempt after magnificent work once more by Shinnie.

Lee tested Holy from 25 yards, but Town were were left to rue that flag moments later, as Reilly made amends for his first half error, to beat Jack Stacey and dink a cross over that Tom Eaves buried on 53 minutes.

Town weren't behind for too long though with 67 on the clock, Shinnie burst forward, picking out the run of Stacey perfectly as he had done against Bradford on Tuesday night.

The end result was the same again, visiting stopper Holy expecting a cross, only to see Stacey just roll it inside his near post, making it two in two games.

Shea was then needed to make a fine reaction save as O'Neill went for goal this time, and from his low drive, Eaves got a touch, that the already committed keeper managed to stick out a leg and divert away.

The keeper had an easier task in saving Eaves' next strike, an ambitious volley from distance that he back-pedalled to claim.

However, he was powerless to prevent O'Neill making it 2-2, with 11 minutes to go.

Town quickly brought on Kazenga LuaLua, the winger causing some late problems, with Luton almost snatching it in stoppage time, Collins nodding Stacey's deep cross wide at the back post.

A draw was by no means the end of the world for Town after Barnsley were held by Doncaster yesterday evening, with Hatters back up to five points in front of the Tyke once more.

They did see their advantage over Sunderland cut to seven, the Black Cats, who still have a game in hand, beating Walsall 2-1 at the Stadium of Light.

Hatters: James Shea, Jack Stacey, James Justin, Matty Pearson, Sonny Bradley (C), Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu, Luke Berry (Dan Potts 66), Andrew Shinnie, Elliot Lee (Kazenga LuaLua 79), James Collins, Kazenga, Danny Hylton (Harry Cornick 90).

Subs not used: Harry Isted, Alex Baptiste, George Thorne, George Moncur.

Bantams: Tomas Holy, Luke O'Neill, Max Ehmer ©, Brandon Hanlan, Tom Eaves, Graham Burke, Barry Fuller, Callum Reilly, Leo Da Silva Lopes (Josh Rees 86), Mark Byrne, Connor Oglivie.

Subs not used: Bradley Garmston, Regan Charles-Cook, Tahvon Campbell, Elliot List, Billy King, Tom Hader.

Booked: Hanlan 90. Referee: Andy Haines. Attendance: 9,963 (601 Gills).

Frustration for Harford as Luton are held at home

Luton boss Mick Harford was left feeling ‘frustrated’ after his side were held to a 2-2 draw by Gillingham at Kenilworth Road this afternoon.

The Hatters had led twice through Danny Hylton and Jack Stacey’s second goal in two games, only for the visitors to escape with a point thanks to Tom Eaves' powerful header and a wonderful free kick by Luke O’Neill.

Harford said: “We are frustrated, but you’ve got to give the opposition a little bit of credit.

“We had a real go, we started off very well, it’s been a tough week for us in terms of travelling and games and overall, on chances created, positions we got ourselves into, I think we should have come out winners.

“But they matched us up in the diamond, went man for man all over the pitch and at times they looked a dangerous outfit.

“From the kick off we went into Danny, fortunately Danny chested it into Collo’s (James Collins) path, he hit a wonderful left footed drive and the keeper made a good save.

“We all thought ‘hello, what’s going to happen here?’ But we never underestimate anyone and we definitely didn’t underestimate Gillingham and the way they play, the way they go about their business.

“I thought they gave us a real good test today.”

Hylton had put the Hatters in front with his seventh of the season, the goal coming just when Gills had a decent spell with O'Neill sending over some fine crosses from the flank.

Harford continued: "They were quite dangerous down the right hand side and got a lot of crosses into our penalty area.

"We had a little chat at half time to try and stop that, then it was probably what we deserved in terms of possession and chances we had.

"A ball is lifted into the path of Danny and Danny's finished it off well. It was good to go in at 1-0 and just settled us down a little bit."

However, Luton's run of three successive clean sheets was ended as they went on to concede twice in the second period, Gills becoming only the fifth side to avoid defeat at Kenilworth Road this season.

Harford added: "We obviously do our homework and made our players aware of his (Eaves) strengths from crosses.

"He’s six foot four, you put balls in the box and he’s a threat, a big threat.

"I thought he played very well today Eaves, throughout the game and (Brandon) Hanlan, they were a dangerous pairing.

"At times they unsettled us a little bit, so they deserve some credit for the way they went about their business today."