Luton Town FC vs Grimsby Town (10th Sep 2016)

PUBLISHED 17:58 10th September 2016 Town suffer first home defeat as Bogle bags a brace

LUTON TOWN 1 (Rea 60)

GRIMSBY TOWN 2 (Bogle 29, 82)

Att: 8,005 (539 away)

The Hatters suffered their first home defeat of the Sky Bet League Two season this afternoon when Omar Bogle’s double, either side of Glen Rea’s first goal in professional football, earned Grimsby all three points at Kenilworth Road.

Nathan Jones’ men slipped from top to third place in the table on a day when Plymouth’s home win over Cambridge took them to the summit, with Portsmouth’s 4-2 victory over Wycombe seeing the south coast club leapfrog the Town.

Jones made one change to the starting line-up that beat Wycombe 4-1 last week, with Alan Sheehan coming in for his first appearance of the campaign after battling back from the calf injury that forced him off the pitch just before kick-off on the opening day at Plymouth.

The Irish centre-half took over the captain’s armband from Scott Cuthbert, was joined on the bench by Rea on his return from international duty with Republic of Ireland U21s, in the only other change to last week’s teamsheet.

Grimsby had the first attempt on goal when Bogle – the division’s five-goal joint-top scorer alongside our own Danny Hylton at kick-off – found space in the box, but Johnny Mullins fought back to get a block on his shot.

Bogle then set Luke Summerfield up on the edge of the box in the tenth minute, but Sheehan threw himself in front of the midfielder’s shot to make another vital block.

Sheehan’s wand of a left foot produced a raking 50-yard pass out to Stephen O’Donnell on the right wing in the 20th minute, and after the full-back laid it back to Hylton, the striker kept his balance under a strong challenge to drive into the box, but his attempted cross was smuggled clear by the Mariners.

Grimsby came close to opening the scoring on 22 minutes when Dominic Vose’s deflected 20-yarder looked like dipping under the crossbar, but Christian Walton proved as alert as ever in the Town goal, arching his back to tip over as back-pedalled.

Summerfield headed just over from the resulting corner, then Vose went close again soon after, meeting a low cross from Ashley Chambers, but his effort was off target.

Grimsby had the lead in the 29th minute when a corner was only half-cleared to the edge of the box, where Summerfield fired in a shot that Walton saved low, but Bogle was on hand to tap in the rebound from close range.

The Hatters started to get their passing game together just after the half-hour, and after a good move between Sheehan, Cook and McGeehan, Hylton again drove towards the Grimsby byline, his attempted cross-shot deflected into the side-netting for the first of a succession of corners.

Sheehan was on his mettle at the other end, heading clear when Bogle was ready to pounce again on a left-wing cross from Vose, just before the ex-Solihull Moors striker sent a 40th-minute header looping over the bar.

Two minutes before the break, Sheehan went into referee Darren Deadman’s book for pulling Shaun Tuton back when the striker looked to latch onto a Bogle flick on 20 yards from goal. Bogle’s free-kick hit the wall, before Cook threw himself in the way of Summerfield’s follow-up.

Jones made two substitutions at the interval, with Isaac Vassell coming on for Hylton, who had gone down injured after a clash of heads with Shaun Pearson just before the break, and Rea on for Olly Lee in midfield.

Two minutes in, Walton was called into action again by Bogle, but the Hatters’ soon fashioned an opening in the 50th minute when Mpanzu broke into the box to set up Marriott, whose snap shot was turned away by McKeown.

Almost immediately, McGeehan met a deep cross at the far post, but couldn’t direct his header on target.

Marriott had another good opportunity in the 57th minute when a fine through ball from Cook sent the striker into a dangerous position, and his low shot was destined for the bottom corner before McKeown’s glove flicked it away.

It was turning into a real battle between Marriott and the Mariners keeper, who produced another terrific save on 59 minutes when Marriott – who celebrated his 22nd birthday on Friday – spun on a beautifully chipped pass over the defence by Mpanzu, but couldn’t find a way past

The equaliser did come on the hour, however, and this time McKeown could do nothing about it. With the pressure mounting, Rea let the ball run across him on the edge of the area before hammering a right-footed shot past the helpless keeper and into the bottom corner.

Walton had to field a dipping volley from Chambers in the 66th minute, but seconds later the Hatters’ wave of attacks picked up again and after O’Donnell cut back from the right byline, Cook stood a lovely cross up to the far post that McGeehan rose to meet, but couldn’t generate enough power to direct his header on target.

Seconds after Ben Davies had gone down in the box appealing for a penalty, which Deadman waved away, Summerfield fired another warning shot just past Walton’s left post.

Back up the other end the Town were proving a real threat in the second period, and in the 71st minute Marriott crossed low to find Vassell, who swept his right-footed effort just over the stanchion.

The visitors regained the lead on 82 minutes when sub Kayden Jackson crossed for Bogle to head in his second of the game, and within two minutes Jackson teed Vose up for a shot that curled past the far post.

Vose then squared for Chambers to fire one across the face of Walton’s goal as the Mariners looked most likely to increase their advantage.

In the 90th minute the Hatters came close to levelling when first Marriott crossed for Rea, and then Vassell couldn’t connect to the loose ball as it dropped. McGeehan headed the resulting corner just wide, and Marriott fired an injury-time shot into McKeown’s arms with the aid of a deflection.

But the second equaliser just wouldn’t come and the Mariners returned north with all three points.

TOWN: Walton, O’Donnell, Mullins, Sheehan, Potts, Lee (Rea 46), Mpanzu (Gilliead 85), McGeehan, Cook, Hylton (Vassell 46), Marriott. Subs: Smith, Cuthbert, Gray, King (GK).

Yellows: Sheehan, Cook

GRIMSBY: McKeown, Davies, Andrew, Pearson, Gowling, Chambers, Bogle, Vose (Berrett 45+3), Summerfield, Comley, Tuton (Jackson 80). Subs: Disley, Berrett, Bolarinwa, Boyce, Vernon, Henderson (GK).

Yellows: Tuton, Comley, McKeown, Jackson

http://www.lutontown.co.uk/news/article/2016-17/luton-town-grimsby-town-3300307.aspx

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cWvMk_3wAig

League Two: Luton Town 1 Grimsby Town 2

Luton Town saw their unbeaten home record ended by an impressive Grimsby Town outfit at Kenilworth Road this afternoon, with striker Omar Bogle proving the difference.

The forward, who was on the radar of the Hatters earlier in his career, produced two clinical finishes in either half to beat a Luton side, who but for a flurry before and after Glen Rea levelled the score on the hour mark, never got anywhere reaching the heights on display against Wycombe last weekend.

Town boss Nathan Jones made just one change, with the fit-again Alan Sheehan in for his first start of the season, replacing Scott Cuthbert.

Luton’s defence almost came a cropper early though, as a misplaced pass out from the back, something that was to become at traight all afternoon, was pounced upon by Omar Bogle, but Johnny Mullins got back to apply the pressure and his effort flashed wide of the target.

Grimsby started much the better than the hosts, looking lively, particularly on the right with Ashley Chambers and Ben Davies to the fore, Luke Summerfield going close, his goalbound drive flying in, only for Sheehan to bravely throw himself in the way at the expense of a corner.

The visitors were to enjoy plenty of space and possession in the opening stages and Town were indebted to a wonderful stop from Christian Walton on 21 minutes, superbly readjusting to tip Dominic Vose’s deflected 20-yarder over the bar.

Summerfield had a free header off target from the corner, before there were further warning signs with Vose wide from another dangerous cross as Luton appeared stuck in neutral from the word go.

The visitors got the goal their play fully deserved though on 30 minutes, as a corner wasn’t properly cleared and Luke Summerfield’s shot pinged around the area, allowing top scorer Bogle to slot into the empty net.

Sheehan was fortunate to only see yellow after bringing down Davies, when he appeared to be the last man, with Bogle’s free kick blocked and Jordan Cook at full stretch to repel Vose’s follow up too.

Hatters made a double change at the break, with Olly Lee making way for Glen Rea once more, after failing to get to grips with the Mariners’ midfield, the second time in three games he has been taken off early,

While Hylton, who took a whack to the face moments before half time, was replaced by Isaac Vassell.

Still Grimsby continued to dominate though, Bogle set free on the left once more and his low shot turned behind by the impressive Walton.

After failing to test the visiting keeper in the opening 50 minutes, James McKeown was finally called into action when Marriott’s instinctive half volley drew a good block, while O’Donnell hung up a cross and Cameron McGeehan glanced wide.

Luton began to look a different outfit, as they started snapping into challenges, winning the ball back high up the pitch and employing their forward press which boss Jones craves.

All that was lacking was the final pass, as Grimsby’s defence was alive to snuff out the threat, although Jordan Cook did finally send Marriott clear and he went wide, before shooting low, McKeown getting down well to turn behind for a corner.

After being virtually unemployed in the first period, McKeown was then called upon once more, superbly turning Marriott’s effort over after the striker broke the offside trap.

He was eventually beaten on 59 minutes though, powerless to even more when the ball was played across to Rea who arrowed a swerving drive into the bottom corner from 25 yards.

Kenilworth Road was no rocking once again, full of belief that Town could come back to triumph, and they almost took the lead when O’Donnell found Cook whose fine cross was met by McGeehan, the ball then bouncing off his head and dropping inches wide of the target.

The Mariners weren’t out of it by any stretch though, as Summerfield’s volley was just past the post, as while Luton then should have been in front, Vassell diverting Marriott’s fine cross over the top from eight yards.

It was Grimsby who won it though with seven minutes to go as Town were caught out on a foray forward and Rea couldn’t do enough to prevent sub Kayden Jackson sending over a pinpoint cross for Bogle to get in between Mullins and Sheehan to head beyond Walton.

The margin of victory could have been even greater late on, as Vose side-footed wide and then Chambers should definitely have sealed it as he was clean through, but rushed his effort with just Walton to beat.

Hatters threw bodies forward in the closing stages, Vassell and Rea both missing their kicks, while Newcastle loanee Alex Gilliead showed some inventive touches in his brief cameo, dancing into the area, only for Vassell to prod behind.

Results elsewhere saw Town drop to third in the table, with Plymouth going top after their fifth straight league win and Portsmouth now into second.

Hatters: Christian Walton, Stephen O’Donnell, Dan Potts, Alan Sheehan (C), Olly Lee (Glen Rea 46), Jordan Cook, Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu (Alex Gilliead 85), Cameron McGeehan, Danny Hylton (Isaac Vassell 46), Jack Marriott.

Subs not used: Craig King, Jake Gray, Jonathan Smith, Scott Cuthbert.

Mariners: James McKeown, Ben Davies (C), Danny Andrew, Shaun Pearson, Josh Gowling, Ashley Chambers, Omar Bogle, Dominic Vose, Luke Summerfield, Brandon Comley, Shaun Tuton (Kayden Jackson 80).

Subs not used: Craig Disley, James Berrett, Tom Bolarinwa, Andrew Boyce, Scott Vernon, Dean Henderson.

Bookings: Sheehan 43, Potts 62, Cook 75, Vose 78, Comley 88, McKeown 90, Jackson 90.

Attendance: 8,005 (539 Mariners).

Hatters boss Nathan Jones was left bitterly disappointed with Town’s performance as they went down to a 2-1 defeat against Grimsby Town this afternoon.

The Luton chief saw his team turn in an insipid first half performance in which the visiting Mariners were by far the better side, moving ahead through Omar Bogle.

Town did improve in the second period, levelling thanks to Glen Rea’s first professional goal, before Bogle pounced to nod home the winner with eight minutes to go.

Jones said: “We just weren’t good enough if I’m honest, that wasn’t us.

“We took so long to come out of the blocks, we weren’t sharp, we didn’t press, didn’t win any battles, we just looked a little bit lacklustre today.

“They’ve done brilliantly, fantastically well for me, but that was not great today.

“We didn’t have our usual intensity, didn’t have our usual press, and maybe that’s because they got carried away or maybe last weeks euphoria and they start thinking they’re better than they are.

“But we strayed from the fundamentals we do well and we didn’t do those today, and that’s why we got the result we did.”

On just why Hatters’ display was so far away from their last outing at Kenilworth Road, in which they sparkled during a 4-1 hammered of Wycombe Wanderers 4-1, Jones continued: “I really, really don’t know.

“We made one change in bringing Alan Sheehan in because he’s quite important to do what we do, but we didn’t defend with enough aggression we didn’t have enough about us, our press wasn’t there.

“We didn’t win the ball enough and then being on the front foot, we weren’t good enough and ironically we probably have enough chances to have got something from the game.

“I think I’d be harsh on Grimsby if I said we had enough chance to win the game, we probably did, but they had a few on the break late on when we were going for it as well, it’s just disappointing really.”

When asked about his choice to bring back Sheehan in place of Scott Cuthbert, despite Town’s club captain making an impressive start to the season, Jones added: “It’s a big decision and one of the most difficult ones I’ve had to make, but I felt it was right in terms of the balance and until I watch the video I won’t know if it was a good decision or a bad one.

“But we weren’t at it today, we didn’t defend well enough, didn’t have an intensity about us, because they weren’t great goals from our point of view.

“A scruffy one the first one, a tap in and the other a counter attack that we’ve worked on as we know they’re a counter attacking side as well.

“To allow him a free header, not even a clean header, they’re bad goals to give away from us. But all credit to them, they came, they did a job and I can’t not say that they deserved to win.”

Hatters boss Nathan Jones declared he was ‘fed up’ with making early substitutions after replacing Olly Lee for the second time in three games against Grimsby Town yesterday.

After the 25-year-old was hauled off inside the opening 30 minutes at Cambridge United a fortnight ago, Lee didn’t reappear for the second half of the 2-1 defeat to the Mariners, with Glen Rea on in his place.

Jones had previously been critical of the midfielder’s defensive duties and when asked why he made the switch, he said: “That was tactical and I’m fed up of making early tactical decisions in that position, so something has to change.

“I’ll probably beat myself up about that because Glen’s been away for two games (on international duty) but when he plays, he gives us that aggression and that real defending nous in there.

“That’s what you need from that position, isn’t just a free playing midfield player, it’s a real important role, so that’s my fault there.”

Rea also got Town back into the game, notching his first ever professional goal with a fine 25-yard strike into the bottom corner.

Jones continued: “He’s not in there to score goals, he’s in there to shore things up, but we looked better when he came on, looked more secure, had a bit more aggression because to be fair to him, he is a bit more aggressive and had a right go.

“It’s just the others weren’t really at it today and lets not be too down, we’ve been in excellent form, it’s just disappointing.”

Rea himself is hoping to reclaim his place in the team after missing last weeks 4-1 win over Wycombe due to time away with the Ireland U21s as he said: “I want to play every game, no matter where I play, I want to give it my best, so I want to do everything I can to stay in the team.

“Olly’s a great player and it’s good competition, it’s healthy competition through the whole team. That’s why it’s such a good squad and we’re doing well, bar today obviously.”

Jones also took off striker Danny Hylton moments before the break after he was involved in a heavy aerial challenge, adding: “Danny Hylton picked up a knock on his face, we don’t know whether it was an elbow or something, but we just felt it was best as he wasn’t right, so we brought on Isaac (Vassell).”

Sky Bet League Two: Luton Town 1 - Grimsby Town 2

FORMER Luton target Omar Bogle showed what the Hatters missed out on as his double propelled Grimsby to a deserved 2-1 victory at Kenilworth Road on Saturday.

The Mariners bossed the first half and led at the break thanks to former Solihull Moors striker Bogle's first and, although Town were much better second half and levelled through sub Glen Rea's first professional goal, the visitors caught them on the counter as Bogle headed home his second goal as former leaders Luton fell to third.

To make matters worse, leading Luton scorer Danny Hylton was taken to hospital with a facial injury.

Town made one change from last week's 4-1 home demolition of Wycombe, fit-again skipper Alan Sheehan making a somewhat surprise start as Scott Cuthbert dropped to the bench.

An awful defensive error saw the Mariners threaten after just four minutes as former Bogle was slipped through, but he could only scuff wide when he should have at least hit the target.

Pelly Ruddock-Mpanzu's misplaced header then fell to Bogle who raced forward before rolling the ball across for Luke Summerfield to run on to, but his stinging 20-yard shot was bravely blocked by Sheehan.

Luton were struggling to get into the game and had Christian Walton to thank midway through the half when Dominic Vose's long-range effort took a wicked deflection off Johnny Mullins and the stopper did brilliant to tip it over the bar.

The Mariners continued to press with Vose stabbing a dangerous cross just wide before they deservedly took the lead on 29 minutes,

A half-cleared corner resulted in some pinball in the box with the ball eventually falling to Bogle to stroke into the gaping net.

This finally stirred the Hatters into life as good work from Cameron McGeehan saw him release Hylton and his burst into the box and cross was deflected into the side netting.

Luton were lucky though to finish an awful half with 11 men on the pitch when Shaun Tuton got free and was brought down by seemingly last man Sheehan, but he was shown just a yellow card.

In need of new ideas a double change at the break saw Glen Rea and Isaac Vassell come on for Olly Lee and Hylton.

But it was Grimsby who threatened first as Tuton was just unable to get on the end of a cross that skipped across the box. Bogle then burst clear again and forced a good low stop from Walton before Vose lashed wide.

Finally, Luton started to roar into life, as good work by Mpanzu resulted in James McKeown producing a brilliant stop from Jack Marriott's snapshot before McGeehan headed just wide from a cross.

With the game opening up Jordan Cook slipped Marriott through, but his first touch took him wide and his low shot was well saved by McKeown.

The keeper was at his best again as Mpanzu's clever chip set Marriott away once more and McKeown stood up well to turn his shot away.

However, the Hatters did level on the hour when Mullins teed Rea up on the edge of the box and he drilled home into the bottom right-hand corner through a crowded box.

Ashley Chambers' ambitious volley was easy for Walton while McGeehan just couldn't force the ball home from Cook's teasing cross.

With the chances flowing at both ends, Summerfield's effort from the edge of the box dipped just wide while Vassell steered a gilt-edged opportunity over the bar from Marriott's cross with 19 minutes to go.

For all their pressure Luton got hit with a sucker punch with eight minutes to go when everyone let sub Kayden Jackson's cross go and Bogle stole in to head home.

Jackson threatened again as he teed up Vose whose shot fizzed inches wide before Vose turned provide only to see the unmarked Chambers flash wastefully wide.

McGeehan and Vassell couldn't force home Marriott's cross at the death, while McGeehan flashed a header from a corner just wide as four minutes were added.

Marriott's deflected shot was easily saved and Vassell couldn't direct late sub Alex Gilliead's cross goalwards as Town's three game winning run came to a soggy end.

By Mark Wood

UNHAPPY Hatters boss Nathan Jones was left to lament his decision of not selecting Glen Rea to anchor his midfield from the start of the game as his side slipped to a disappointing 2-1 home defeat to Grimsby.

For the second time in three games he felt the need to replace Olly Lee with Rea in that role, while leading scorer Danny Hylton was also forced off at the break with a worrying facial injury.

Jones said: "Danny Hylton picked up a knock on his face, so whether it was an elbow or something we don't know and we just felt it was better because he wasn't right, just in case he got another knock. And then we brought on Isaac (Vassell) – the other one was tactical – and I'm fed up of making early tactical decision in that position so something has to change.

"I'll probably beat myself up about that because Glen Rea's been away, he's had two games, but when he plays he gives us that aggression, he gives us that real defending nous in there which is what you need from that position, it isn't just a free-playing midfield player, it's a real important role, so that's my fault there."

Jones handed skipper Alan Sheehan a surprising start at centre-half for his first appearance of the season after suffering a calf injury in the warm-up of the opening game of the season at Plymouth.

And Jones admitted replacing the in-form Scott Cuthbert with summer signing Sheehan had been a tough call, saying: "It was a big decision and one of the most difficult ones I've had to make, but I felt it was right in terms of the balance and so on. Until I watch the video I won't know if it was a good decision, or a bad one."

However, he had no real qualms with the end result on the day as he admitted his side hadn't been 'good enough'.

He added: "We weren't at it today. We didn't defend well enough, we didn't play well enough, we didn't have enough intensity about us because they weren't great goals from our point of view. It's a scruffy one the first one and a tap in and then that one is from a counter attack, which we've worked on because we know they're a counter-attacking side as well and then to allow him the free header…

"They're bad goals to give away from us but all credit to them they came, they did a job and, as I say, I can't not say that they deserved the victory."