Luton Town FC vs Leyton Orient (1st Sep 2015)

PUBLISHED 21:05 1st September 2015 Last-gasp Hatters through to round two

LUTON TOWN 2-1 LEYTON ORIENT

Defender Stephen O’Donnell’s deflected last-minute winner gave the Hatters victory to send them through to the second round of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy.

The Scottish right-back shouldered home Ryan Hall’s shot from the edge of the penalty past Orient goalkeeper Charlie Grainger in the 90th minute to prevent the tie from going to a penalty shootout.

It was no more than the Town deserved for an enterprising display against Orient. The Hatters led at the break thanks to a stunning goal from winger Danny Green but the visitors levelled on the hour when Lloyd James converted a penalty after Scott Cuthbert had fouled Scott Kashket.

But just when the game seemed destined to go to penalties after Jack Marriott was sent-off 10 minutes from time, O’Donnell had the last word when he dived to divert a goal-bound shot from Hall in the top corner to send the Town into Saturday’s second round draw.

Showing seven changes to the side that lost to Portsmouth on Saturday, including a first appearance of the season for Luke Guttridge, the Town began on the front foot and on 10 minutes former Orient defender Scott Cuthbert volleyed a dangerous Green corner just wide.

Green was seeing a lot of the ball as the Hatters penned the visitors back, and on 22 minutes the winger tried his luck with a shot from the edge of the box that deflected into the side-netting. From the resultant corner, Green’s dangerous delivery was headed over by Scott Griffiths.

However, Green didn’t have to wait long to break the deadlock when on 29 minutes he fired the Hatters ahead in fine fashion. Receiving the ball on the right-hand edge of the penalty area the midfielder looked up and blasted a blistering shot into the top corner of the net for his first goal for the club.

As the Town’s accurate passing continued to put Orient under pressure, Green came mighty close to doubling his and the Hatters’ tally moments before the break when his volley – after great work from Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu from the left – was cleared off the line by Frazer Shaw.

Mark Tyler kept the Hatters in front with a smart stop following Ollie Palmer’s low shot on the stroke of half-time but the Town came close to going 2-0 ahead four minutes after the restart when Ruddock flashed a shot wide of the target.

Green came close once more on 52 minutes with a firm effort after his initial corner was half-cleared by the Orient defence.

After that near miss the O’s upped it and, after Blair Turgott saw a shot saved by Tyler, the visitors levelled from the spot. Cuthbert tripped Turgott and James rolled home the resultant spot-kick to make it one apiece.

In the incident that led to the Orient equaliser, Cuthbert was replaced by Magnus Okuonghae for his Town debut and the big defender made an immediate impression by booming clear a header with his first touch.

Okuonghae and the Town defence came under pressure as the O’s, buoyed by their leveller, went in search of a second goal. On 67 minutes the Hatters had a fantastic acrobatic clearance from Stephen McNulty to thank for denying the lively Kashket, and a minute Tyler did well to pounce on a low shot from Palmer inside the penalty box.

As time ticked towards the final 10 minutes Marriott headed over when well-placed to meet Guttridge’s left-wing cross, before the young striker was given his marching orders for an off-the-ball incident spotted by the assistant referee.

Despite their numerical disadvantage the Town went in search of a winner and it almost came when Guttridge blasted over following a mazy run from Griffiths.

But, as has been the case in so many of the Hatters’ game this season, particularly at Kenilworth Road, there was a late goal – and this time it favoured the Town. Substitute Hall’s free-kick was blocked by the Orient wall but his follow-up strike flew goalwards, hit the diving O’Donnell on the shoulder and nestled into the top corner.

There was no need for penalties and the Hatters could celebrate a last-gasp victory for themselves.

Town: Tyler; O’Donnell, Griffiths, McNulty, Cuthbert (sub Okuonghae 59); Lee, Smith, Ruddock (sub Hall 72), Green (sub McQuoid 85), Guttridge, Marriott.

Subs not used: Mackail-Smith, Justham.

Attendance: 1,953, including 300 from Orient.

http://www.lutontown.co.uk/news/article/luton-2-1-leyton-orient-gallery-2663931.aspx

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N13x_hHWVtQ

Johnstone’s Paint Trophy first round: Luton Town 2 Leyton Orient 1

A customary late goal at Kenilworth Road, this time at the right end, saw Luton Town progress to the second round of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy with a 2-1 win over League Two pacesetters Leyton Orient last night.

It had looked like Hatters’ fans would be put through the wringer of a penalty shootout for the second successive Tuesday, until a fifth last-gasp goal in six home matches, Stephen O’Donnell somehow deflecting Ryan Hall’s powerful drive into the top corner.

Hatters had been forced to play the final 10 minutes a man light as well, when striker Jack Marriott was dismissed for what appeared to be a gesture made to the travelling fans.

A morale-boosting victory was deserved for the home side though as manager John Still made seven changes, Luke Guttridge in for his first action of the season, with Mark Tyler, Steve McNulty, Danny Green, Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu, Olly Lee and Marriott all starting.

Orient had the the first effort of note, Lloyd James’ shot saved by Tyler, before Luton started to take over, with Green’s corner volleyed wide by Scott Cuthbert.

Green then began orchestrating affairs from his right flank, with some delightful deliveries that would have been perfect had Town possessed a target man in their ranks.

The summer signing saw one wonderful cross inches above Marriott, while he then went for goal himself, with his effort deflected into the side-netting and from the corner, Scott Griffiths headed over the top.

It then came as no surprise when the man of the moment Green put Hatters in front with an absolutely wonderful strike on 29 minutes.

A low ball into Guttridge saw the midfielder excellently spin away from his man and feed Green who, on the angle, fairly hammered his shot beyond Grainger.

Town then started knocking the ball about with real panache, with most of it starting through the highly impressive Lee, although they required a good stop from Tyler to keep it 1-0.

Green, who else, came closest to doubling Luton’s lead after wonderful work by Ruddock Mpanzu saw him denied by the outstretched flailing leg of an O’s defender.

In the second period, Hatters kept their tempo, with Lee continuing to dictate proceedings, as he sent Marriott away, the forward’s fierce shot deflected over and from another Green cross, Smith couldn’t divert it beyond Grainger.

Orient started to improve immeasurably too as Blair Turgott shot straight at Tyler, while they won a penalty on 57 minutes as Cuthbert clipped Kashket with the Town defender immediately limping off for Magnus Okuonahe, who tasted his first competitive action since November 2014.

Lloyd James made no mistake, sending Tyler the wrong way, but Hatters upped their game once more, Guttridge and the resurgent Griffiths going close, Lee shooting wide too.

Back came the O’s though, Tyler making a superb low save from Ollie Palmer and when he was beaten by Kashket,McNulty pirouetted superbly on the line to hooked clear.

Marriott missed a free header on 80 minutes, and in the aftermath was shown a straight red by referee Nicholas Kinseley for his apparent gesture.

Chances then came and went in an open final stanza, before O’Donnell managed to divert Hall’s shot past Grainger.

Still, Orient could have forced penalties, as a long ball found Turgott in space, only for the striker to shanked over, meaning Luton, previous winners of the competition, went through.

Hatters now head to the familiar surroundings of Cambridge United this weekend in an improved mood, with boss Still facing some serious selection issues as he searches for an opening league win.

Hatters: Mark Tyler, Stephen O’Donnell, Scott Griffiths, Scott Cuthbert (Magnus Okuonghae 56), Steve McNulty (C), Danny Green (Josh McQuoid 85), Olly Lee, Jonathan Smith, Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu (Ryan Hall 72), Luke Guttridge, Jack Marriott.

Subs not used: Elliot Justham, Craig Mackail-Smith.

O’s: Charlie Grainger, Sean Clohessy (C, Freddy Moncur 46), Frazer Shaw, Connor Essam, Lloyd James (Myles Judd 83), Ollie Palmer (Sandro Semedo 88), Sammy Moore, Blair Turgott, Bradley Pritchard, Scott Kashet, Joe Maguire.

Subs not used: Victor Adaboyejo, Gary Wood.

Referee: Nicholas Kinseley.

Booked: James 36, McNulty 36, Shaw 89.

Sent off: Marriott 81.

Attendance: 1,953 (300 O’s)

Hatters MOM: Olly Lee. Once he got a handle on the midfield, proved to be a real driving force.

Luck finally shone on Luton in yet more 90th minute drama as Stephen O'Donnell fluked a first goal for the club to dump Leyton Orient out of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy.

After a winless start to the league, they'll take that and a change in fortunes anyway they can get it.

The maligned Football League Trophy might interest 40,000 Hatters fans if their team can replicate their 2009 success and get to the Wembley final, but on a Tuesday night at Kenilworth Road in the first round a modest 1,653 of them saw Jack Marriott see red but their team still triumph.

That it went down to the wire is Town's term all over. Six of eight games have so far seen a goal at the death but this was the first time it resulted in a winner for them.

Overall, it was Town's most promising performance of the season, albeit against a much-changed O's side, yet no coincidence that they looked an altogether more fearsome attacking threat with forgotten man Luke Guttridge pulling the strings.

There were other players that caught the eye – take a bow Scott Griffiths, Olly Lee and Danny Green, who opened the scoring with a 29th minute stunner – but it was the experienced playmaker that made the most of his first appearance of the campaign. If he'd had any hair Guttridge would surely have been pulling it out at the failing fortunes of a Luton side that could still find no place for his ingenuity in the first seven games. He must start at Cambridge on Saturday.

Luton too made changes – seven of them – with the star man joined by club captain Steve McNulty – who returned to the side after two games on the bench – Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu, Lee, Green, Marriott and Mark Tyler.

Marriott aside, who will miss the weekend's game after seeing red for giving the finger to the Orient fans, all of them made a case to start at the Abbey Stadium.

Scott Cuthbert and Griffiths both came close to opening the scoring in an end-to-end start but when it came it was a worldie. Guttridge showed what the Hatters had been missing with some trickery and a through-ball to Green who thundered spectacularly into the top corner from a wide angle.

Another rifle from the goalscorer was blocked on the line by Frazer Shaw as Luton ended the half in impressive fashion. And when Ollie Palmer did escape the attentions of the Town defence, Tyler was on hand to smother his shot.

But the hosts were good value for the lead and they continued in the same positive vein after the interval with debutant goalie Charlie Grainger keeping out Green and Guttridge.

There looked no danger of Orient finding a way back into the contest but, just before the hour mark, former O's ace Cuthbert clipped Scott Kashkett in the penalty area, injuring himself in the process and being replaced by Magnus Okuonghae for his debut. It left Lloyd James with a long wait but he kept a cool head to convert from the spot.

It was hard on the Hatters but rather than retreat into their shells – as had been the case when faced with adversity at times earlier in the season – it was as you were as they pressed forwards, Griffiths forcing a save from Grainger.

Far more spectacular was Tyler in keeping out a Palmer as Orient grew in also confidence, with McNulty needed acrobatically clear off the line from Kashkett.

Luton survived that short assault and should have taken the lead in the 79th minute when that man Guttridge bullied Bradley Pritchard to cross for Marriott, but the striker's frustration at heading over saw him react badly to the baiting of the visiting fans. Referee Nicholas Kinseley was alerted by his assistant to an obscene gesture and he was dismissed.

It could have sparked another hard luck story and the late demise of Luton's interest in the competition but their positivity propelled them forwards and a lung-busting run by Griffiths deserved a goal, though Guttridge could only blaze over.

Orient's Connor Essam did likewise from a corner with the goal at his mercy, but with a second Kenilworth Road penalty shoot-out in seven days beckoning, O'Donnell bagged a winner. The Scot knew little about it as he ducked to avoid Ryan Hall's shot but succeeded in deflecting in to the top corner off his back.

And though there was still time for a heart-in-the-mouth moment at the other end, Blair Turgott fluffed his lines deep into injury time and Town held on to book a place in the second round.

It may only have been the JPT but this was JTT from Town – Just The Ticket.

Final result: Luton Town 2 Leyton Orient 1

Luton: Tyler, O'Donnell, Smith, McNulty, Cuthbert (Okuonghae, 59), Green (McQuoid, 85), Griffiths, Marriott, Ruddock Mpanzu (Hall, 71), Lee, Guttridge

Unused subs: Justham, Mackail-Smith,

Orient: Grainger, Clohessy (Moncur, 45), Shaw, Essam, James (Judd, 82), Palmer (Semedo, 87), Moore, Turgott, Pritchard, Kashket, Maguire

Unused subs: Adeboyejo, Woods

Referee: Nicholas Kinseley

Attendance: 1,953 (300)

​​Luton Town: Thank heavens for late luck in Trophy, claims Terry Harris

Assistant manager Terry Harris claimed 'the gods were smiling on us' as Luton claimed a late 2-1 Johnstone's Paint Trophy first round win against Leyton Orient last night.

Three times already at home this season the Hatters had been on the wrong end of goals at the death, but Stephen O'Donnell's fluke 90th minute intervention saw off the unbeaten League two leaders.

It's a feature of Town's term so far that last-gasp strikes have featured in six of their eight outings, but this was the first time it had been to win a match and was a huge relief.

"The gods were smiling on us," Harris said, adding: "We got a break in the last minute that we haven't had in the last three home games in the league."

The game looked to be heading to a penalty shoot-out decider after Danny Green's stunning first goal for the club had been cancelled out by Lloyd James' penalty, but Ryan Hall had two bites at a free-kick with the second one striking O'Donnell in the back and looping into the top corner.

Harris said: "It will be interesting to see who claims it. I'm sure Ryan Hall will be the first up to claim it. At the moment I don't care how it goes in, but I was pleased with the all-round performance."

There was one downside however as 20-year-old striker Jack Marriott was shown a red card in the 81st minute for sticking the finger up at the 300 travelling Orient fans. He will now miss Saturday's League Two trip to Cambridge United.

"It was a gesture towards the away fans and, unfortunately, you can't get away with that," Harris said, adding: "In an ideal world, the linesman just pulls us and says, 'look, this is what's happening' and we can talk to him and advise him accordingly.

"Nowadays you can't incite the crowd and we've just got to take that one on the chin. We'll speak to him Thursday. He won't do it again, will he?

"It think it's only [a] one game [ban], but it's an important game [on Saturday] and we'll be without Jack.

"It's an unfortunate thing to happen but hopefully he'll learn from that."

The trick will also be for Luton to repeat their performance level in the weekend's game at Cambridge, where they will hope to pick up their first league win of the campaign.

Harris said: "Would I take this cup tie over three points? No. But it just keeps building our confidence and hopefully we'll move on to Saturday.

"We've done well against Bristol City, we've done well against Stoke [both the Capital One Cup] and again [against Orient], but the league is our bread and butter. We believe we should be three or four points better off than we actually are, but we're not."

"We know we're a good side and we've just got to get up and running. That's what we'll do now hopefully."