Luton Town FC vs Hyde (12th Oct 2013)

REPORT: TOWN 4-1 HYDE Town 4 Gray 16, 56, 78, Guttridge 51 Hyde 1McNulty (og) 45

A hat-trick from Andre Gray inspired the Hatters to victory over bottom-of-the-table Hyde.

The striker’s first goal arrived on 16 minutes before he struck twice in the second half either side of Luke Guttridge’s close range effort.

Hyde, winless and with just two points all season, shocked Kenilworth Road by equalising on the stroke of half-time when Steve McNulty headed past Mark Tyler.

But the Town responded well after the break and Gray supplied Guttridge with his sixth goal of the season to restore the lead six minutes after the restart.

Gray hit his second four minutes later to make it 3-1 before he completed the hat-trick with 12 minutes to take his tally to five goals in three games.

It all began with home supporters behind both goals, with the Oak Road end open completely open to Hatters supporters – and those fans were almost treated to a goal inside the first minute when Andy Parry’s low shot was blocked.

However, they didn’t have to wait long for the first goal when, on 16 minutes, Gray scored his first of the afternoon. Scott Griffiths did well down the left to curl in a cross which Gray took down brilliantly and slammed home a low shot past visiting goalkeeper David Carnell, despite being manhandled in the box by a posse of Hyde defenders.

Hyde, to their credit, responded well. Louis Almond, who scored an excellent goal in the corresponding fixture last season, saw a shot blocked well by Alex Lacey on 21 minutes before Tyler was called into action three minutes later when Tom Collins’ cross was parried away and Josh Brizell’s piledriver was pawed away by the Town keeper.

Back came the Town. McNulty headed over Guttridge’s set-piece on 27 minutes before the centre-half came to Parry’s rescue at the other end when the midfielder’s back-pass set Hyde through on goal.

Hyde were enjoying a good spell and ended the first half on top. And, just when it looked as though the Town would get to half-time in front, the Tigers levelled. Brizell’s high ball into the box caused uncertainty in the Hatters backline and, under pressure to make a clearance, McNulty sent a header back past Tyler leaving Kenilworth Road in stunned silence as Hyde and their 30 fans celebrated.

Frustrated at being pegged back so late in the first period, the Town came out with purpose after the restart and just needed six minutes to retake the lead. This time Gray was the provider, breaking through the Hyde defence to square for Guttridge to roll home from six yards for his sixth goal of the season.

Four minutes later it was 3-1 when Gray notched his second in thunderous fashion. Tyler’s long ball down-field was nodded on by Paul Benson and Gray took one touch before blasting a left-foot shot into the top corner leaving Carnell with no chance.

Now the Hatters sensed blood, and on 57 minutes it was almost 4-1 when Lacey’s header from a Guttridge corner was smothered by Carnell.

Benson and Gray continued to link-up well and the latter’s running in behind the visitors’ defence led to Hyde being reduced to 10 men with 22 minutes to play when centre-half Luke Ashworth was red-carded for hauling back Gray with just Carnell to beat.

By now the Hatters were playing keep-ball, looking to pick off Hyde at will, and Gray collected his matchball on 78 minutes. Lacey headed back across goal following a right-wing corner and Gray was on hand to powerfully shoot home from eight yards to take his tally to six for the season and five in three games to seal a comfortable victory.

Town: Tyler; Henry, Griffiths, McNulty, Lacey; Smith, Parry (sub Robinson 82), Lawless (sub Cullen 87), Guttridge (sub Whalley 74); Benson, Gray. Subs not used: Justham, Charles.

Attendance: 7,081 (including 30 from Hyde).

http://www.lutontown.co.uk/news/article/hyde-gallery-1210-1111179.aspx

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJqKn0IH1Sc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgexCq3Qykg

Hatters hand out a Hyde-ing in Jekyll and Hyde showing

Skrill Premier: Luton Town 4 (1) Hyde 1 (1)

Hat-trick hero Andre Gray helped inspire the Hatters to a 4-1 victory over rock-bottom Hyde at Kenilworth Road this afternoon, writes Mark Wood.

Ten-man Tigers proved to be no pushover, dominating the second period of the first half as they levelled through a catastrophic Steve McNulty own goal as Hyde registered their first goal in 11 hours of football.

But Luton richly deserved their victory as Luke Guttridge got his sixth of the season to restore Town’s lead in the middle of Gray’s first Town treble, while Tigers defender Luke Ashworth was sent off for a professional foul on the lively striker midway through the second half.

And Cambridge’s goalless draw at Chester saw Luton close the gap at the top to eight points as they rose to third place.

Town made just one change from the team that drew 3-3 at Aldershot during the week, Alex Lawless coming in for Jake Howells who dropped out of the squad entirely.

Luton were afforded a warm reception by the home faithful who were in all fours sides of the ground, with Hatters supporters packing out the Oak Road end as they were given sole use of the stand for the first time in 22 years.

A great atmosphere ensued as a result with fans in the Oak Road end and Main Stand singing at each other as they made their own entertainment.

Town made a bright start as Andre Gray had his second minute strike ruled out for offside.

It was all Luton in the early stages with the Tigers looking every inch a side who hadn’t won this season.

And Town should have take the lead on nine minutes when Guttridge’s brilliant crossfield pass released Andre Gray, who cut inside and stepped inside his man, only for David Carnell to get down quickly and save well at his feet,

Andre Gray got in behind again moments later but found no takers for his chipped cross to the back post.

But the Tigers still looked a danger going forward and almost snatched the lead out of the blue on 14 minutes when Reece Gray was allowed time and space as his 25-yard effort forced a fine flying stop out of Mark Tyler.

However, it was Town who took the lead two minutes later when Andre Gray did brilliantly to control Scott Griffiths’ cross and, despite being held as he drove into the box, the powerful striker wriggled free to find the bottom corner.

Deep-lying Hyde were finding plenty of space when they did get forward and a long ball released Louis Almond on 21 minutes. He managed to cut back across Griffiths but his drive rebounded off Alex Lacey and away to safety.

But if Luton thought the job was already done they were wrong indeed as the Tigers fought back. Lacey allowed himself to be caught in possession on halfway as Hyde broke in numbers. McNulty did well to get the faintest of headers to take the ball away from Tim Collins and push him wide.

And his cross caused all kinds of problems as it beat Tyler and almost caused Griffiths to turn into his own net before clearing the danger.

Josh Brizell’s effort from the edge of the area then caused Tyler to parry behind as Hyde grew in confidence against sloppy Luton despite being a goal down.

Ashworth flashed a powerful header just wide from a corner on 25 minutes, before Reece Gray was booked for a late challenge Guttridge.

And Town should have extended their lead from the subsequent free-kick when McNulty sent a powerful header just over from Guttidge’s delivery.

Remarkably Hyde proceeded to dominate and Town almost gifted them an equaliser on the half hour when Andy Parry’s terrible backpass went straight to Almond and left Luton three-against-three at the back. His ball released Collins who was unable to get a shot away and Reece Gray was then just unable to get a telling touch to Brizzell’s driven cross-cum-shot.

The bumper home crowd grew increasingly restless, but Luton almost made it 2-0 against the run of play when Paul Benson’s low cross found Guttridge and his first-time effort flashed just wide.

A downward Benson header then ran just past the far post as Town finally started to come back into the game.

But the Tigers got a deserved equaliser on the stroke of half time when Brizell’s raking cross from the halfway line swerved wickedly and under pressure McNulty could only divert his header past Tyler and into the bottom corner as Hyde netted their first goal in 660 minutes.

Guttridge ended the half by curling wide as Town walked off to a slight murmur of boos.

Luton showed more intent at the start of the second half as an Andre Gray cross was almost spilled by the keeper before he poked just wide from Ronnie Henry’s cross.

The hosts continued to press and reclaimed the lead on 51 minutes. Benson headed down for Guttridge to release Andre Gray and the striker’s cross was perfect for Guttridge to turn home from only a couple of yards for his sixth goal of the season.

And it was 3-1 four minutes later when Benson flicked on a long ball from the back for Gray to run on to and the in-form striker unleashed a thunderous left-foot drive into the right-hand top corner, which left Carnell no chance.

Suddenly it was all Luton as Lacey’s header from Guttridge’s corner was easy for Carnell.

The action lulled and Reece Gray almost got away as McNulty failed to deal with a ball through, but Henry got back to help his team-mate out as Luton cleared.

And Town’s victory was all but assured as Hyde were reduced to 10 men on 68 minutes. Hyde’s defence misjudged Parry’s long ball forward and, as Andre Gray looked to race clean through, he was pulled down by last man Ashworth who was shown a straight red card by referee D Treleaven.

Shaun Whalley was introduced for Guttridge with 18 minutes to go and Town were denied a fourth when Carnell cut out Andre Gray’s dangerous cross with birthday boy Benson lurking.

But the fourth did arrive on 78 minutes when Whalley’s header picked out the unmarked Lacey at the far post and his deflected header fell perfectly for Andre Gray to ram home his first Hatters hat-trick as he volleyed home through a crowded six-yard box.

The hosts proceeded to play keep-ball late on as Matt Robinson and Mark Cullen were introduced for Parry and Lawless.

Five minutes of injury time were added, but Town couldn’t add to their tally as they eased to a straightforward victory.

Hatters (4-3-3): Mark Tyler, Jonathan Smith, Steve McNulty, Alex Lawless (Mark Cullen 87), Scott Griffiths, Andy Parry (Matt Robinson 82), Luke Guttridge (Shaun Whalley 72), Ronnie Henry (C), Paul Benson, Andre Gray, Alex Lacey. Substitutes not used: Anthony Charles, Elliot Justham.

Tigers (4-4-2): David Carnell, Josh Brizell, Will Haining (C), Luke Ashworth, Liam Tomsett, David Poole, Tom Collins (Scott Spencer 66), Matty Mainwaring, Louis Almond, Adam Blakeman, Reece Gray (Martin Devaney 67). Substitutes not used: Connor Hughes, David McNiven, Emmanuel Dieseruvwe.

Booked: R Gray 26. Sent Off: Ashworth 68.

Referee: D Treleaven. Assistant Referees: M Potkins and P Burnham. Fourth Official: N Evans.

Attendance: 7,081 (Hyde 30).

Star Hatter: Andre Gray. You can’t look past Hatters’ hat-trick hero.

Football: Luton Town 4 Hyde 1: giant's performance from Andre as basement boys are beaten

Written byTOM SHARP

LUTON TOWN 4 HYDE 1

It was not the Hyde-ing most expected but no-one at Kenilworth Road will care.

A virtuoso Andre Gray performance saw him bag a hat-trick and provide Luke Guttridge with the other as the Hatters handed Hyde their eleventh consecutive Skrill Premier defeat.

Steve McNulty’s unfortunate own-goal seconds before half time had given the Tigers a glimmer of hope but the Hatters’ second-half assault was enough to see them climb to third.

Another three points for Town but in truth a victory that should be dedicated to the excellent Gray.

As expected, in the build-up to this clash Still stressed he would take this encounter with the league’s bottom side as seriously as any other.

He underlined his desire to avoid a potential banana skin by making just one alteration from the side that stood toe-to-toe with Aldershot on Tuesday as Jake Howells made way for Alex Lawless.

This did not prove totally decisive at first though as despite Gray’s best efforts, they found it hard to break down the Manchester side in the early going.

A second-minute goal rightly disallowed for offside, despite wild celebrations from the Oak Road End, opened to Hatters fans for the first time in 22 years, was soon followed up by a well-saved left-foot curler almost identical to his Aldershot goal in midweek.

Hyde momentarily showed flashes of why they may not be a lost cause quite yet as Andre’s namesake Reece hit a stinging long-range effort straight at Tyler.

Their brave resistance was soon unlocked though as Gray grabbed the first of his treble in the 16th minute.

After setting himself with an exquisite first touch, the pacey frontman shrugged off captain Will Haining’s challenge and smashed the ball past David Carnell.

It was by no means a foregone conclusion from there though.

Moments later, full-back Josh Brizell’s dipping shot needed another Tyler palm around the post and from the resulting corner, Luke Ashworth tantalisingly headed inches wide.

The Hatters failed to read the warning signs and to the delight of Hyde’s defiant 25 followers they carved out their first goal in six matches. Albeit scored by a Town man.

Brizell’s swerving delivery evaded Ronnie Henry and McNulty and as Collins charged in to get the vital touch, it was McNulty who guided the ball cruelly past his unassuming keeper.

As comical as Montenegro’s calamitous effort for England’s second goal on Friday but no laughing matter for the home fans with scattered voices of discontent raining down at the referee’s half-time whistle.

Still’s soothing team-talk had now potentially turned into a more scathing surmise of first half proceedings.

Half-time perhaps came at a bad time for the Tigers though as they failed to gain a foothold from the restart and just moments after Gray almost doubled his afternoon’s tally he supplied the ball for Luton to retake the lead in the 51st minute.

The former Hinckley United striker squared unselfishly for Luke Guttridge to side-foot home from five yards to calm the nerves.

Four minutes later and after looking in danger of a potentially embarrassing draw at the break, the Hatters looked all but out of sight.

Paul Benson rose highest to flick on to Gray who lashed in with aplomb from 15 yards.

After a creditable display the wheels soon began to fall off for Hyde as they numerically fell behind as well.

Gray’s blistering pace again wreaked havoc and this time it was too much for last man Ashworth who cynically brought him down and promptly saw red.

Things got messy in Hyde’s opening game of the season against Forest Green as they conceded eight after Brizell’s dismissal and from now on it was a case of damage limitation.

A pulled hamstring for keeper Carnell did not help though and with no sub keeper on the bench he soldiered on much to the delight of Gray who completed his hat-trick past the injured goal-stopper.

Job done and banana skin negotiated as Town cruised home in first gear. Hardly a first-rate performance but as Still knows, points and not necessarily performances, make prizes come the season’s end.

Luton – Tyler; Henry (capt), McNulty, Lacey, Griffiths; Parry (Robinson, 82), Smith, Guttridge (Whalley, 72), Lawless (Cullen, 87); A Gray, Benson. Subs not used – Charles, Cullen, Justham, Whalley, Robinson.

Hyde – Carnell; Brizell, Haining, Ashworth, Mainwaring; Poole, Tomsett, Blakeman; R Gray; Collins, Almond.

Attendance – 7081 (30)