Luton Town FC vs Ipswich Town (8th Aug 2017)

MATCH REPORT: HATTERS 0 IPSWICH TOWN 2

Hatters do boss proud, but crash out to Championship opposition

There was spirit and craft but no goals and no Carabao Cup shock against Championship Ipswich Town as Luton succumbed to two David McGoldrick strikes.

The Hatters, having smashed an opening day record eight goals against Yeovil on Saturday, were brought back down to earth, though the bump is not one that should overly trouble them based on a performance where they caused plenty of problems for their higher division opposition.

Despite an undeserved last-gasp sucker punch the tie was effectively won in the 35th minute through the Tractor Boys' only moment of real quality - Manchester City loan ace Bersant Celina picking out the goalscorer with surgeon-like precision.

Sadly, Luton weren't quite as cutting or clinical and Elliot Lee may wonder how he missed a sitter at the death before the break.

Despite carving out the better chances in the second half and going for broke late on by throwing captain Scott Cuthbert up front, they have bigger priorities this term in League Two.

This competition did give boss Nathan Jones - who'd signed Bournemouth forward Harry Cornick before kick-off - the opportunity to make three changes to the side that set their campaign off with a bang. Elliot Lee, Glen Rea and Jordan Cook came in for Alan McCormack (rested), Dan Potts (dead leg) and Isaac Vassell (ill).

After the rip-roaring brilliance of the weekend, this was an expectedly more even affair, the only trepidation coming when Marek Stech skewed a passed clearance straight to Dominic Iorfa who was thankfully thwarted by a timely Rea interception.

But the goalie equipped himself better when he raced off his line to toe away from Celina.

Luton had to be patient at the other end and it was 21 minutes before Saturday's hat-trick hero James Collins shrugged off the attentions of his marker, but could not get enough purchase with a shot on the turn.

In contrast, Ipswich's McGoldrick had two sighters before he finally found his mark with the relatively simple task to steering home Celina's inch-perfect teaser.

Elliot Lee came close to levelling for Luton after he cut across the 18-yard line and curled low but agonisingly the wrong side of the upright. Heads were in hands at that miss and then even more so just before half-time when goalie Dean Gerken found a Cook shot too hot to handle, pushing it into the path of the striker who stabbed over with the goal gaping.

Early in the second half Stech was well-positioned to deny Jonas Knudsen from a corner, but the hosts rallied and Elliot Lee's teasing cross almost found Cuthbert before Cook struck the side netting after a one-two with Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu.

Collins must have thought he'd scored with a dipping volley that left Gerken rooted to the spot, just missing the target, but the stopper moved rather more quickly to deny Cuthbert at close quarters.

Jack Stacey and Alan Sheehan were alert to cut short a worrying counter from the Tractor Boys but Mpanzu quickly maintained the Hatters' attacking intent, though his blast thundered over.

Cuthbert mopped up after Rea's misjudgment almost gave McGoldrick the freedom of Luton's six-yard box. Though they continued to play on the break it signalled more threat from the visitors as Stech dived to guide out a Martyn Waghorn curler, saw Flynn Downes crack wide and then acrobatically tipped over a McGoldrick shot that deflected wickedly off Rea.

But the Czech had no chance as the clocked ticked into the third minute of time added on and the Ipswich front man found enough space to drill into the corner.

TOWN: Stech, Cuthbert, Stacey, O.Lee, Cook (Mullins, 86), Shinnie, Rea, Mpanzu, Collins, E.Lee (Gambin, 74), Sheehan. Unused subs: Senior, McQuoid, Bakinson, Shea, Musonda

IPSWICH: Gerken, Iorfa, Knudsen (Woolfenden, 45), Chambers, Webster, Skuse (McDonnell, 73), McGoldrick, Celina, Downes, Nydam (Waghorn 63), Kenlock. Unused subs: Rowe, Bialkowski, Webber

Yellows: Chambers, Downes, McGoldrick, Waghorn

Referee: Andy Haines

Attendance: 4,610 (796)

(Report by JAMES CUNLIFFE)

THE GAFFER'S VIEW ON IPSWICH DEFEAT

Two bits of McGoldrick quality "were the difference", says Nathan

Hatters boss Nathan Jones said he was proud of how his team performed against Ipswich Town tonight, despite going out of the Carabao Cup at the first round stage to a David McGoldrick double.

The Welshman rued a missed chance by Elliot Lee just before half-time that would have levelled the tie at 1-1, and he said: “There are still elements of naivety because they’ve got real Championship quality and David McGoldrick has been one hell of a player for a good while.

“That was the difference really – two bits of quality from him won them the game. I don’t think we deserved to concede the second goal, but we have to eradicate that.

“As far as performance wise and how we went about our work, I’m very proud of them – they worked tirelessly, moved the ball really well and to be honest, we had the best chances in the first half.

“Elliot Lee’s missed an absolute glorious opportunity to send us in level and we were making all the running and they were just trying to pick us off on the counter attack. I was very pleased.

“We acquitted ourselves really well and it was a really evenly contested game, so I’m very proud of them today.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6WYrUuf2vU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sk9fT2H9jb4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-Uxi-Hhl_U

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BwcMnG3vmZc

Carabao Cup, first round: Luton Town 0 Ipswich Town 2

Luton Town's impressive recent record in the Carling Cup, Capital One Cup, EFL Cup, Carabao Cup, whatever you want to call it, was ended at the first hurdle by Ipswich Town this evening.

The Hatters held their own for long periods of the tie, but the Tractor Boys always had that bit extra, in particular from two goal striker David McGoldrick, who looked a class above, producing two confident finishes to send his side through.

The big news ahead of kick-off was the absence of Isaac Vassell from Luton's squad after increasing rumours about the striker's future, with Birmingham City boss Harry Redknapp confirming an interest in the in-demand forward, although Town chief Nathan Jones revealed later it was down to illness.

His place went to Elliot Lee, while Glen Rea and Jordan Cook came in for Alan McCormack and Dan Potts, Alan Sheehan moving to left back, Rea slotting in alongside skipper Scott Cuthbert.

After the fun and games on Saturday, it was always going to be that much tougher against the Championship outfit, and so it proved in the first half.

Town had the odd moment, Cook and Olly Lee combining for Andrew Shinnie to thump over and some classic centre forward play from James Collins saw him shrug off his marker and might have done better than tamely fire at Dean Gerken.

After weathering the spell of pressure, Ipswich moved ahead on 34 minutes with a lovely goal as Man City loanee Bersant Celina showed all his class to slice Town's defence apart, with the impressive David McGoldrick confidently beating Stech.

Luton were almost level instantly as Elliot Lee's curler went just the wrong side of the post, while Celina twinkled his toes again to find Myles Kenlock, as he drilled narrowly off target.

Town then fluffed a glorious chance to level on the stroke if half time as Cook did excellently to outmuscle Dominic Iorfa and when his shot was too hot for Gerken to handle, Elliot Lee could only fire the rebound over the gaping goal from close range.

After the interval, Stech made a smart save to deny Jonas Knudsen's glancing header, before Luton really start to get to grips with their task, playing with a greater tempo and intensity.

First Elliot Lee's cross was just deflected away from Cuthbert of all people at the back post and Cook found the side-netting after a neat one-two with Mpanzu.

It became a proper cup tie from there, with Cuthbert almost putting through his own net only to come close at the right end, Gerken was out to smother, Mpanzu slamming over too.

The visitors found a second wind to push Town back, McGoldrick just having his pocket picked by Cuthbert, while new signing Martyn Waghorn curled off target from outside the box and Flynn Downes whistled inches wide.

Stech touched a deflected attempt from McGoldrick over with 10 minute to go, but the striker settled the tie in stoppage time, confidently slotting into the bottom corner to send Luton out.

However, not having the distraction of a cup run may just play into Town's favour this season, as they clearly have bigger fish to fry.

Hatters: Marek Stech, Jack Stacey, Alan Sheehan, Scott Cuthbert ©, Glen Rea, Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu, Olly Lee, Jordan Cook (Johnny Mullins 86), Andrew Shinnie, James Collins, Elliot Lee (Luke Gambin 74).

Subs not used: James Shea, Jack Senior, Josh McQuoid, Tyreeq Bakinson, Frankie Musonda.

Ipswich: Dean Gerken, Dominic Iorfa, Jonas Knudsen, Luke Chambers ©, Adam Webster (Luke Woolfenden 46), Cole Skuse (Adam McDonnell 73), David McGoldrick, Bersant Celina, Flynn Downes, Tristan Nydam (Martyn Waghorn 63), Myles Kenlock.

Subs not used: Danny Rowe, Freddie Sears, Bartosz Bialkowski, Pat Webber.

Booked: Chambers 42, Waghorn 81, McGoldrick 90.

Attendance: 4,610 (796 Ipswich).

Jones glad of no more distractions after Carabao Cup exit

Although disappointed to fall at the Carabao Cup first round stage to Ipswich Town last night, Hatters boss Nathan Jones knows his side have a bigger goal in mind this season.

Two goals from David McGoldrick proved the different on the night, but Town’s exit means that barring the Checkatrade Trophy, they are free from cup competitions until the FA Cup first round later in the year.

Jones said: “We’re disappointed in there to have lost, but Ipswich are a good Championship side, they had a good win against a big spending Birmingham on the weekend.

“We’re delighted with how we played, but it’s not our focus and I’m glad we went out admirably as the league’s our focus and we don’t want any distractions this year.

“I thought we were excellent at times, competing against a very, very good side who’ve got some real, real quality and they’ve come strong tonight so shows the respect they’ve paid us.”

The Luton boss felt that McGoldrick, who has six caps for the Republic of Ireland during his career, was the key player on the night, as he continued: “There’s still elements of naivety, but they’ve got real Championship quality and David McGoldrick’s been one hell of a player for a good while.

“That was the difference, two real bits of quality from him, has won them the game.

“I don’t think we deserved to concede the second, but we have to eradicate that.

“As far as performance wise and how we went about our work, I’m very proud of them. They worked tirelessly, we moved the ball really, really and to be honest with you, we had the best chances first half.”

Hatters created the more clear-cut opportunities at times, none more so than when Jordan Cook’s shot was parried by Dean Gerken only for Elliot Lee to fire over the gaping goal from close range.

Jones added: “Elliot Lee’s missed an absolutely glorious opportunity to send us in level, and apart from the counter attack, we were making all the running, they were just trying to pick us off.

“I was very pleased, I thought we acquitted ourselves and it was a real, real, even well contested game, so I’m very proud of them.

“We have to have an element of reality and coming up against a Championship side who are strong and looking to win the game, it wa a wonderful performance.

“I’m proud of how they went about their work and how we competed, and a lot of our structure, just for a little bit of quality in the final third, we could have done a little bit more.”

Nathan Jones proud of Luton Town for their display against Ipswich Town

Nathan Jones was disappointed to see his Luton Town side fall to Ipswich Town in the Carabao Cup and felt his side matched their Championship opponents.

The Hatters produced another strong display after their stunning opening day victory on Saturday and battled hard until the end, when David McGoldrick's second, in stoppage-time finally put paid to their efforts.

Jones was proud of his side, who continued to produce some attractive attacking football, but could not find the cutting-edge that had come so easily to them against Yeovil.

And the Town boss was quick to praise goalscorer McGoldrick too, whose quality and calmness in front of goal proved the difference and sent the Tractor Boys into round two.

He said: "I am [proud]. There are still elements of naivety too. But they've got real Championship quality. David McGoldrick's been one hell of good player for a long time and he was the difference tonight: two bits of real quality from him.

"I don't think we deserved to concede the second goal but we have to eradicate that. As far as performance wise and how they went about their work, I'm very proud of them.

"They worked tirelessly, moved the ball really well and we had the best chances first half.

"Elliot Lee's missed a glorious opportunity to send us in level and we've actually, apart from the counter-attack, we were making all the running. They were just trying to pick us off on the counter-attack.

"I was very pleased. We acquitted ourselves well and it was a real even and well-contested game. I'm proud of them today."

Although Jones was clearly disappointed to lose to Mick McCarthy's side, he was not too despondent to be out of the League Cup already.

The Hatters' focus is on winning promotion and Jones wants his side concentrated on that.

"We believe in ourselves and we're disappointed to have lost. Ipswich are a good championship side, they had a good win against big spending Birmingham on the weekend so we're delighted," he added.

"It's not our focus and I'm glad we went out admirably really because the league's our focus and we don't want any distractions this year."