Luton Town FC vs Lincoln City (1st Jan 2018)

MATCH REPORT: LUTON TOWN 4 LINCOLN CITY 2

Ten-man Town come from behind twice to beat third-placed Imps

The Hatters kicked off 2018 with what manager Nathan Jones described as the biggest win of his two years in charge, twice coming from behind to beat in-form Lincoln 4-2 – despite playing with ten men for 86 minutes on a seismic afternoon at Kenilworth Road.

Captain Alan Sheehan was sent off in the fourth minute, and the Town immediately went a goal down to Michael Bostwick’s free-kick as their bid to bounce back from a 4-0 defeat at Port Vale 48 hours earlier got off to the worst possible start.

But in a show of pure football, allied with dogged determination, the Town Ten completely bossed possession and drew level through James Collins’ 12th goal of the season, before going behind again in a first-half that also saw Lincoln reduced to ten men by the 36th minute.

James Justin netted a superb second equaliser just before half-time, then Danny Hylton – with his 16th goal of the campaign – and game changer Harry Cornick added the third and fourth afterwards to seal a wonderful win over the Imps, who were third at kick-off, and maintain a four-point advantage over Notts County while restoring an 11-point gap over fourth.

Jones has made five changes to his starting line-up, with Jack Stacey returning after serving a three-match suspension and Justin moving to left-back in place of Dan Potts, who was missing through illness, while Olly Lee, Luke Berry, Andrew Shinnie and Collins came back in after sitting out completely, or starting on the bench, at Vale Park on Saturday.

The Hatters were reduced to ten men just four minutes in when Sheehan was shown a straight red by referee Nick Kinseley following a clash with Lincoln striker Matt Rhead on the edge of the Town box.

It was double punishment for the Town when the visitors took the lead from the resulting free-kick, Bostwick smashing his effort in low through the wall and past Marek Stech.

Jones responded by moving Glen Rea back to centre-half alongside Johnny Mullins, who took the armband, with Olly Lee, Berry and Shinnie forming a three-man midfield.

Town took control of possession with their patient passing game, and it almost brought reward in the 12th minute when City keeper Vickers blocked Collins’ header, then Olly Lee fired a 25-yarder inches wide of his left post four minutes later.

Despite being a man down, the Hatters were dominating and after a shot from Shinnie drifted just wide in the 28th minute, a piece of great football down the left between the Scot, Berry and Collins – with a clever flick – almost got Justin in.

The equaliser soon arrived, and it owed much to Hylton’s determination to hold off City right-back Sean Long as he fought to get on the end of Olly Lee’s through ball. The top scorer did exactly that, then bought time in the box and unselfishly rolled it to Collins to slot home for his third in his last three starts.

Parity in scoreline didn’t last long as Green restored the Imps’ lead in the 34th minute after latching onto a knock-down from Rhead to volley into the corner of the net on the turn, despite Stech getting a hand to it.

Parity in terms of the number of players on the pitch was restored two minutes later, however, when the visitors went a man down too, Anderson picking up a second yellow card for a foul on Shinnie halfway inside the Lincoln half.

And by the 43rd minute the Hatters had deservedly drawn level again, and what a strike it was from Justin, who picked up a loose ball on the edge of the box as Lincoln headed Olly Lee’s left-wing corner clear, and bent a beauty into the bottom corner to send the home crowd into raptures.

Four minutes into time added on, the Town had a great chance to take the lead for the first time when Olly Lee played Collins in with an inch-perfect throughball, but the striker’s left-footed effort from just inside the area flew wide of Vickers’ post.

Lincoln took Rhead off at the break, most likely to prevent another sending off with the ex-Mansfield forward already on a yellow for over-celebrating the first goal, and the Hatters came out as they had spent most of the first half – playing on the front foot.

Shinnie sent a 20-yard shot whistling just past the post after a good 48th-minute move down the left involving Justin and Berry, who were covering every blade of the Kenny pitch, while Hylton dropped back to help Mullins and Rea defend set-pieces as if their lives depended on it.

Lincoln right-back Long stepped forward to fire a 25-yarder high into the Oak Road end on 56 minutes, before Waterfall met a left-wing corner with a powerful header that the Hatters managed to smuggle away after a spell of pinball in the six-yard box.

The Hatters survived a scare on the hour when Rea slipped and allowed Josh Ginnelly, who had come on for Rhead, a clear run into the box. Thankfully Olly Lee and Stacey got back to block the winger’s shot, which launched a lightning Luton counter-attack as Shinnie fed Hylton to run at Raggett, but the striker’s eventual left-foot shot was dragged wide.

Justin led another break down the left in the 62nd minute, playing the ball wide to Hylton who teed up Olly Lee for a 25-yard piledriver that was flying towards goal before it hit a defender ten yards out.

Lincoln came within a lick of paint of retaking the lead in the 70th minute when Green wriggled free just outside the area and sent a right-footed shot thudding against the post.

It was the Town, however, who deservedly went in front just two minutes after Jones had brought Cornick on for Shinnie.

The former Bournemouth forward kept his composure on the ball in the middle of the Lincoln half and spread it wide to Berry, who whipped in a terrific cross that, with the aid of a deflection, found Hylton six yards out to head past Vickers for 3-2.

In the 75th minute the Hatters went close again as Cornick crossed from the right, Hylton controlled and laid off for Berry, overlapping to his left, to crack another effort at goal that Vickers did well to push away.

Cornick was having a real impact on the game and in the 82nd minute his moment came. The 22-year-old received the ball out by the left corner flag, kept hold of it and dribbled into the area before unleashing a rocket from a tight angle that gave Vickers no chance.

Hylton looked to add a fifth in time added on when he cut in from the left and fired a right-footed effort over, just as his name was read out as the sponsors’ man of the match. Then Collins’ did the same, only his effort rattled the crossbar and flew out.

The game that had everything still have something more to give, as Olly Lee produced a couple of outrageous bits of skill to bring more joy to the fans in the Kenilworth Road stand just before ref Kinseley blew his final whistle, and the New Year party could well and truly get started.

Just two defeats in 24 matches in all competitions. Now it’s onto Newcastle with well over 7,000 Hatters in tow!

TOWN: Stech, Stacey, Mullins, Sheehan ©, Justin, Rea, O Lee, Berry, Shinnie (Cornick 71), Collins, Hylton. Subs: Cook, Mpanzu, Gambin, E Lee, Famewo, Shea (GK)

Yellows: Berry

Reds: Sheehan

Goals: Collins 32, Justin 43, Hylton 73, Cornick 82

LINCOLN: Vickers, Long (Knott 80), Habergham, Whitehouse, Waterfall ©, Rhead (Ginnelly 46), Green (Dickie 85), Bostwick, Raggett, Anderson, Woodyard. Subs: Farman (GK), Palmer, Arnold, Stewart

Yellows: Rhead, Whitehouse, Anderson

Reds: Anderson

Goals: Bostwick 6, Green 34

REFEREE: Nick Kinseley

ATT: 9,659 (1,044 away)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xrN64u2dtE0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z9fQXGTjSPo

NATHAN JONES ON THE 4-2 WIN OVER LINCOLN CITY

Town boss Nathan Jones praised the 4-2 win over Lincoln City as his best result as Hatters manager as his team fought from a man and a goal down – twice – to win an epic encounter at Kenilworth Road.

Alan Sheehan was shown a straight red card in the fourth minute after a coming together with striker Matt Rhead, before the visitors netted from the resulting free-kick.

The Hatters responded in fantastic fashion, James Collins firing home just after the half-hour mark, but Lincoln restored their lead through Matt Green in the 34th minute. Harry Anderson was shown his second yellow card two minutes later, and the Hatters once again brought the score level as James Justin fired in a peach from 25 yards.

Danny Hylton completed the turnaround when he headed in from close range in the 72nd minute, before substitute Harry Cornick rounded it off with a powerful effort that beat keeper Josh Vickers eight minutes from full-time.

Jones said: "What a game. First of all I want to give credit to Danny Cowley's team. They're a completely different outfit to us in terms of what they do and how they get results. But they're a real threat and the form team. I know how hard Danny works and how much graft he puts in, so I knew they'd be a good side.

"But I am super proud of my side today, more than I have ever been. This is my best result, this is our best result and it wasn't because we scored four goals or won 4-2, it was the spell after we went down to ten men.

"From the time we had the sending off, to the time they scored their second, I was so proud of my team. We got on the ball, we were the better side, they couldn't get near us. That time they gave everyone belief, everyone in the stadium belief that we were by far the better side with ten men.

"I didn't have a drink yesterday, down to a few things – my religious beliefs and because we have got a game today. But I am going to have a little celebration with my dog and my girlfriend and we are going to have a right good night tonight.

"It's not a bad place to celebrate your second anniversary, going to St James' Park and pitting your wits against Rafa [Benitez], but I want to say something.

"A year ago was one of my lowest times when we went to Portsmouth, we lost the game and I realised there was a few that I knew I couldn't go forward with because they couldn't handle the big games. Then Cameron McGeehan broke his leg, which was a big turning point for us. Then our fans showed their class. It was a big day for us.

"A year down the line we are in a much better place, I have got a group of players that can handle big occasions, can handle big games, that want to test themselves and we are in a wonderful place.

"Cam's back playing which is brilliant news, because if I'd have known Cameron was back playing in the Championship and we were going to be top of the league in a year, the transformation is wonderful."

League Two: Luton Town 4 Lincoln City 2

Luton Town bounced back from their defeat to Port Vale on Saturday in the perfect fashion by beating Lincoln City in a tumultuous clash at Kenilworth Road this afternoon.

With two controversial red cards, six goals and a whole host of other talking points, it was the kind of game you just didn't dare take your eyes off for a second, or even blink, in case you missed something.

Hatters not only fell behind twice, they had to play a good half an hour a man light, showing bags of character to not only draw level by the break, but then go on to pick up a brilliant three points in the second period thanks to strikes from Danny Hylton and sub Harry Cornick.

The Imps were no mugs either, going into the contest in even better form than their hosts too, with six wins from seven in all competition, climbing to third in the table, conceding just once in their last five games too.

As anticipated, boss Nathan Jones made wholesale changes from the side that were hammered 4-0 at Port Vale on Saturday, five no less, with Jack Stacey, Olly Lee, Andrew Shinnie, Luke Berry and James Collins all back in.

Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu, Elliot Lee and Cornick dropped to the bench, with Lawson D'Ath missing out and Dan Potts absent with illness too.

Town got off to the worst possible start, as skipper Alan Sheehan and Matt Rhead, who had already had one altercation when the defender beat his man to a clearance, clashed off the ball.

Both crazily swung for each other as blows were exchanged, with Sheehan looking like he connected with Rhead's midriff, the striker quickly taking the opportunity to dramatically collapse in a heap clutching his face.

Sheehan saw a straight red from referee Nicolas Kinseley for his part, with the Lincoln man escaping punishment for his antics, goading the Hatters fans after recovering by the touch-line too.

It soon turned into a double whammy too, Michael Bostwick taking aim from the free kick and shooting low from 25 yards, his effort flying under Marek Stech, who should have done much better.

Rhead saw yellow for his celebrations in the aftermath, but the damage had been done, as Luton faced 85 minutes now a goal and a man down, with official Kinseley having a tough afternoon on his hands.

It was vital that Town didn't go hell for leather too early and run the risk of being picked off as they had against Swindon a few months earlier when Scott Cuthbert saw red and with that in mind, they responded well.

In fact, well is an understatement, as Town were by far the better side, Collins's header beaten away by keeper Josh Vickers and Lee narrowly wide from 25 yards.

You could almost sense Kinseley was desperate to even things up as he booked both Elliot Whitehouse and Harry Anderson in quick succession, while Lincoln went long to Rhead at every opportunity, Sean Raggett's header flicked over by Stech.

Town then had the rewards their attacking play deserved on 32 minutes Hylton did wonderfully well to reach a long ball ahead of Sean Long and get on the wrong side of the former Hatters full back.

He stayed on his feet, driving into the area and as Vickers advanced, unselfishly teed up the unmarked Collins to slam into the net.

However, just as quickly as Town levelled, they were behind again when a deep cross saw two defenders try to challenge Rhead, who won the header, leaving Matt Green totally unmarked to volley goalwards, Stech only able to shovel his attempt into the net.

Kinseley finally got his opportunity to level up the numbers on 36 minutes though when Anderson went in for what looked like a perfectly fair block tackle on Andrew Shinnie, only for the official to deem it a caution-able offence, as the Imps midfielder saw red.

Now on a fairer playing field, and with Lincoln already displaying time-wasting tactics, it was crucial Luton got back on terms, and they did two minutes before half time.

A corner was headed out to Justin, who took a touch, transferred the ball on to his right foot and from 22 yards, found the bottom corner, with the aid of a slight deflection.

Luton could even have gone into the break 3-2 in front, but Collins sliced wide and got an earful from Lee who had bust a gut to join up in support.

Rhead was then replaced at the break, quite possibly before being sent off, as City's management team knew any slight blemish could have seen Imps down to nine men.

Town started brightly, Shinnie not missing by much after a lung-bursting run from Justin, but the hosts then appeared to drop their tempo slightly for the first time in the fixture.

Lincoln almost took advantage, Luke Waterfall's header from a corner leading to a scramble with Green deflecting a clearance just over.

Sub Josh Ginnelly then should have left Glen Rea red faced once more, as picking up a poor touch, his control was even worse, forcing himself to cut back as Town had men back in the nick of time.

Hylton dragged off target on his left foot and Lee's goalbound effort was charged down too, before they were thankful to the woodwork for keeping it 2-2, Green doing wonderfully to curl a shot out of the clutches of Stech, only to hit the frame of the goal.

Buoyed by their escape, Luton brought on Harry Cornick and promptly took the lead for the first time in the match, Berry's wicked cross glancing off the head of a defender, falling perfectly for a stooping Hylton to convert his 16th goal of the campaign from close range.

Cornick then gave Town the breathing space they desired with eight minutes to go, doing all the hard work himself before crashing past Vickers.

Lincoln were a beaten side by then, Collins hammering a wonderful curling effort against the bar and Lee bringing the house down with two Zinedine Zidane turns to bamboozle a couple of beleaguered defenders late on, leading to passionate celebrations by boss Jones at the full time whistle.

Although second placed Notts County scored yet another late winner to remain four points adrift of Town, Luton once again extended their advantage to 11 points over fourth, that hot potato of a position now belonging to Wycombe after a 2-1 win at Forest Green Rovers.

Hatters: Marek Stech, Jack Stacey, Jack Justin, Johnny Mullins, Alan Sheehan (C), Glen Rea, Luke Berry, Olly Lee, Andrew Shinnie (Harry Cornick 71), Danny Hylton, James Collins.

Subs not used: James Shea, Akin Famewo, Luke Gambin, Jordan Cook, Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu, Elliot Lee.

City: Josh Vickers, Sean Long (Billy Knott 79) Sam Habergham, Elliot Whitehouse, Luke Waterfall (C), Matt Rhead (Josh Ginnelly 46), Matt Green (Rob Dickie 85), Michael Bostwick, Sean Raggett, Harry Anderson, Alex Woodyard.

Subs not used: Paul Farman, Ollie Palmer, Nathan Arnold, Cameron Stewart.

Booked: Rhead 5, Whitehouse 15, Anderson 25, Berry 44.

Sent off: Sheehan 4, Anderson 36.

Referee: Nicholas Kinseley.

Attendance: 9,659 (1,044 Lincoln).

Hatters MOM: Danny Hylton.