Luton Town FC vs Notts County (22nd Apr 2017)

PUBLISHED 18:43 22nd April 2017 Hatters virtually assured of play-off spot after Notts win

LUTON TOWN 2 (Palmer 16, Mpanzu 45+2)

NOTTS COUNTY 1 (Hewitt 6)

Att: 7,719 (382 away)

First-half goals from Ollie Palmer and Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu gave Nathan Jones’ Hatters a 2-1 win over Notts County this afternoon – and virtually assured their place in the Sky Bet League Two play-offs.

They had to come from behind after conceding an early opener to Elliott Hewitt, but the Town made it five games unbeaten to stay fourth in the table, six points above Mansfield, Wycombe and Carlisle, who occupy the three positions immediately outside the top seven.

Crucially though, Jones’ boys’ goal difference of plus-22 means the chasing trio would have to win both their remaining games, with the Town losing theirs, while making up a minimum 17-goal swing – 18 for Wycombe and 23 for Carlisle – to take our place in the end-of-season shoot-out.

Jones made one change from the 1-1 Bank Holiday draw at Mansfield, with striker Palmer coming in for his second start in a Luton shirt up front alongside Danny Hylton, after the pair linked up well in the closing stages at Field Mill.

After a fairly even start, it was the visitors who took an early lead when Hewitt latched onto a loose ball on the edge of the penalty area and fired past Hatters keeper Stuart Moore.

The Town were almost on level terms by the ninth minute when Mpanzu surged into the County area, eventually feeding Dan Potts who drilled his left-footed effort into the side-netting by the foot of the near post.

We did have parity by the 16th minute when Palmer was quick to pounce on the bouncing ball after Hylton’s 20-yard curler had come back off the crossbar, the on-loan striker burying his header past grounded County keeper Adam Collin from 12 yards.

The Magpies were looking a threat going forward and Jorge Grant header another Campbell cross over the bar, before Olly Lee tried his luck from fully 25 yards, but his 24th-minute effort was narrowly off target.

Hylton was soon into referee David Webb’s notebook – his 14th yellow card of the campaign – after a mid-air collision with Collin. Within minutes, County winger Jorge Grant would join him for a trip on Potts.

Town were trying to prise the visiting defence open again and Hylton thought he’d done the trick by latching onto James Justin’s chipped pass down the right, but by the time the striker cut the ball back for Mpanzu to volley at goal, an offside flag had been raised.

The latter pair combined again as the Hatters launched a rapid counter-attack in the 39th minute, this time Mpanzu tricking his way to the right byline and standing an inviting cross up to the far post, but Hylton’s header was comfortably claimed by Collin.

Then, two minutes into injury-time at the end of the first hald, the Town had the lead.

Lawson D’Ath made his way across the edge of the area and rolled the ball to Mpanzu, whose first-time shot from inside the D made its way past Collin’s outstretched arm and into the bottom corner for his second goal of the season.

It wasn’t the cleanest of strikes, but it ended up in its intended destination and the midfielder performed a celebratory dance in front of G Block as the Hatters went in at the break 2-1 to the good.

They came out after the break in the same mode as they’d finished the first half, Hylton slipping a low effort just past the post within seconds of the restart before Palmer dug out a cross from the right that Potts headed goalwards, Collin saving well.

Then the County stopper presented a clearance straight to Palmer’s feet just to the left of the centre circle, but the big forward’s attempted chip over the stranded keeper flew well wide of its target.

Jake Gray was brought on for the injured D’Ath just after the hour, but it was Town keeper Stuart Moore who was the next to be called into action, the on-loan Reading man pulling off a terrific tip over the bar as Campbell arced a 20-yard shot towards the top corner, before the same County player had another go from range, this time a deflection taking it over.

Hylton could have given the Hatters a two-goal cushion in the 69th minute when Mpanzu set him up once again, but Collin was quickly off his line to half block the striker’s shot, relying on his defence to do the rest as Palmer prepared to pounce in the six-yard box.

Palmer left the pitch to a standing ovation in the 71st minute, Isaac Vassell coming on in his place – and the substitute was part of the next major talking point, County defender Haydn Hollis shown a yellow card for blocking the striker’s run as he looked to burst clear onto another fine pass from Mpanzu.

Alan Sheehan looked to get on the scoresheet against his old club from the free-kick, drilling his 30-yarder low through the wall, but Collin was comfortably behind it with just under a quarter-of-an-hour to go.

Moore was at his best again with six minutes left, flying to his right to push a shot from County sub Mark Yeates around the post, before a Town game changer – Gray – sprinted with the ball from his own penalty area to the opposition’s, but his cross drifted behind.

Then, on 85 minutes, Hylton bundled his way into the box but dragged his left-foot shot just wide of Collin’s far post, and then, a minute into time added on, the top scorer’s afternoon was ended early with a second yellow for a foul on Richard Duffy the signal for an early shower.

The Hatters managed to see the game through without their talisman, the outstanding Scott Cuthbert, Sheehan, Glen Rea and impressive wing-backs Justin and Potts standing strong.

And behind them, young keeper Moore produced several catches, punches – and a crucial save when Tahvon Campbell looked to get on the end of a knock-down in the six-yard box as Sheehan shepherded the ball through – to play a crucial role in relieving any pressure.

Now it’s onto Accrington and Morecambe, safe in the knowledge that, barring a miracle, the Hatters will be competing in the play-offs with their highest league finish for nine years virtually guaranteed.

TOWN: Moore, Justin, Rea, Cuthbert (c), Sheehan, Potts, Lee, Mpanzu, D'Ath (Gray 61), Hylton, Palmer (Vassell 72). Subs: O'Donnell, Smith, Marriott, Gambin, King (GK)

Yellows: Mpanzu

Reds: Hylton (two yellows)

NOTTS: Collin, Dickinson, Duffy (c), Hollis, Ameobi, Milsom (Yeates 81), Grant, Hewitt, Clackstone, A Campbell (T Campbell 90), Stead (Forte 72). Subs: Smith, Thompson, Searson-Smithard (GK), Howes

Yellows: Grant, Dickinson, Hollis, A Campbell

http://www.lutontown.co.uk/news/article/2016-17/gallery-luton-town-2-1-notts-county-3687633.aspx

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

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZYOd2BMeM0

PUBLISHED 17:58 22nd April 2017 Goals from Palmer and Mpanzu secured a 2-1 win

Town boss Nathan Jones was delighted with his side’s performance in their 2-1 win over Notts County as the Hatters all but secured their place in the play-offs providing there isn’t a huge swing in goal difference.

The visitors took an early lead, as Elliott Hewitt fired in from 16 yards, before Ollie Palmer headed in after Danny Hylton’s rocket of an effort cannoned back off the crossbar.

Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu then secured the three points as he shot home from the edge of the box to give the Hatters a 2-1 lead just before half-time – a scoreline that remained the same until the full-time whistle.

The victory means the Hatters are now six points clear of eighth-placed Mansfield with two games to go, but a superior goal difference means that it would take a huge swing for the Hatters to be pushed out of the top seven.

Jones said: “We knew a win today would kind of guarantee our place in the play-offs. We are in good form, that’s five unbeaten now.

“We would have liked to have done it a bit sooner, but we have cemented it now, so barring a real big turnaround we should be in there, now it’s about placings.

“I am delighted with the performance today. They are a very, very direct side. They smash it up there and they have got two huge giants up there who are experienced, outstanding centre-forwards and we had to cope with that. I thought our back three were immense.

“It could have been far more, we had some wonderful, wonderful chances to put the game out of sight and we should have done that. I am happy with 2-1 and it’s a good day.

“We needed that. We needed a big performance and they showed a lot of character after going behind so early from a second ball, it was a great finish from the lad and we had to show a lot of character.

“But Hylton was magnificent with his shot, Ollie Palmer following that up and it was great to see Pelly-Ruddock [scoring]. We have been encouraging him to get more goals and we need that from him, but it’s one of those things.”

Hylton sees red as Hatters virtually ensure a play-off place

League Two: Luton Town 2 Notts County 1

Barring a bizarre set of results, Luton Town secured themselves a League Two play-off place with a 2-1 victory over Notts County this afternoon.

The Hatters had to do it the hard way too, after conceding early on to Elliott Hewitt's smartly taken goal after just six minutes, Ollie Palmer restoring parity 10 minutes later, with Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu's striker in first half stoppage time proving to be the winner.

Luton missed further chances to extend their advantage in the second period, while they finished with 10 men as top scorer Danny Hylton saw red late on for his second booking,

Hatters remained in fourth place, with results elsewhere ensuring Town are now six points clear of Mansfield in eighth, with a goal difference of 17, meaning it would take a goal swing of vast proportions to dislodge Nathan Jones' side from a top seven place.

The visitors moved ahead on just six minutes when cross from the left in saw Jon Stead up for the aerial challenge, with the ball nodded out as far as Hewitt, who clinically sent his first time effort beyond Stuart Moore.

Where the marking was, was anyone's guess though, as just as they had at Mansfield last week, Town's midfield didn't pick up the runners again, as although the finish was superbly executed, the County midfielder was in splendid isolation in which to do so.

Luton almost hit back instantly, Mpanzu's heavy touch falling perfectly for Dan Potts, but he could only find the side-netting.

Town weren't behind for long though as Hylton took aim from 25 yards out, curling a stunning effort that took Adam Collin by surprise, crashing against the underside of the bar, with Palmer reacting quickest to power his header beyond the despairing dive of the Magpies keeper.

County had an opportunity to regain the lead on 22 minutes, Glen Rea committing himself too easily allowing Stead to dig out a cross for Jorge Grant to flick over.

Olly Lee went it alone from distance, before Hylton picked up a booking that was yet another to be filed in the category of totally needless, jumping into Collin after the keeper had caught a high ball.

Luton's leading scorer then almost turned provider, cutting back for Mpanzu, but eight yards out, he skied disappointingly over, before the pair almost combined again, Mpanzu's dinked cross met by Hylton, who couldn't get the power to beat Collin.

Town completed the turnaround on the stroke of half time as D'Ath found Mpanzu on the edge of the box, whose first time shot had just enough on it to beat Collins' scrambling dive and nestle in the bottom corner.

Clearly wanting to banish the memories of their start to the second half against Leyton Orient on Good Friday when they saw a 1-0 lead become a 2-1 deficit, Luton began strongly, and should have added to the advantage immediately, Hylton bearing down on Collin, only to somehow flick wide.

Potts was the next to go close, his downward header at the far post cleared by a covering defender, while a slip from Collin in clearing gifted Palmer a difficult chance from distance, as he couldn't lob into the empty net.

Town were forced into a change with D'Ath, who had impressed once more in the midfield battle, hobbling off and Jake Gray on after the hour mark, while on-loan Reading keeper Moore continued to show signs of his clear improvement since getting a run of games, flicking a glove out to tip over Adam Campbell's curling effort on 65 minutes.

Hylton wasted another wonderful chance to make the result safe, as played through by Mpanzu, he was one-on-one with Collin, the keeper saving with his legs and stretching out a hand to push the loose ball behind.

The keeper's next work was far easier, fielding Alan Sheehan's free kick from range, with sub Gray scuffing a volley wide after Vassell's break.

Moore was called into action on 83 minutes, making a good parry from sub Mark Yeates' blast, while it clearly wasn't Hylton's day as he took on half the defence, somehow fashioning a shooting opportunity, only to whistle wide.

The Town keeper then commanded his area superbly late on as County slung their crosses in, one punch through a crowd of players showing just how high his confidence levels have become in recent weeks.

In stoppage time, Hylton picked up a controversial second yellow, as he didn't retreat in time from a free kick to earn a warning from referee David Webb, while he then tangled with Carl Dickinson from a ball forward to earn his second caution and early bath.

It means he will be suspended for the final two matches of the season against Accrington and Morecambe, starting the play-off campaign back on 13 bookings once more.

Hatters: Stuart Moore, Scott Cuthbert (C), Glen Rea, Alan Sheehan, James Justin, Olly Lee, Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu, Lawson D'Ath (Jake Gray 60), Dan Potts, Ollie Palmer (Isaac Vassell 72), Danny Hylton.

Subs not used: Craig King, Jonathan Smith, Luke Gambin, Jack Marriott.

Mapgies: Adam Collin, Carl Dickinson, Richard Duffy (C), Haydn Hollis, Shola Ameobi, Robert Milsom (Mark Yeates 81), Jorge Grant, Elliott Hewitt, Josh Clackstone, Adam Campbell (Tahvon Campbell 89), Jon Stead (Jonathan Forte 72).

Subs not used: Alan Smith, Curtis Thompson, Joe Searson-Smithard, Alex Howes.

Booked: Hylton 26, Grant 31, Dickinson 49, Hollis 76, A Campbell 89, Mpanzu 90.

Attendance: 7,719 (382 County).

Referee: David Webb.

Hatters MOM: Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu. Midfielder was back with a bang.

Hatters** chief hails Town's bravery in Magpies victory**

Hatters boss Nathan Jones praised his side’s bravery as they came from a goal down to defeat Notts County 2-1 at Kenilworth Road yesterday afternoon.

Elliot Hewitt’s clinical finish saw the visitors ahead on just six minutes, before Town hit back through Ollie Palmer’s third goal of his loan spell 10 minutes later, plus Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu’s effort on the stroke of half time that proved to be the winner.

Luton could and should have added to their tally during an entertaining second period, with Danny Hylton unusually wasteful in front of goal, missing two one-on-ones, as Jones said: “It’s a great result. I thought first half we were excellent, apart from their goal, our structure, how we moved the ball, opportunities we got into, I thought we were excellent, I really was pleased.

“We we were brave. When they tried to press us, we played through the press and it was wonderful. I was pleased with my team because they showed a real bravery to show the character to come back and what a great time to score the second one.

"Then we saw the game out with ultimate professionalism as second half we had a real cutting edge about us, as we should have been out of sight.

"When you have two one-on-one's, and then Danny had a chance late on, it could have been a lot more comfortable.

"I'm just pleased to get the result as the result means everything today.”

Although disappointed with the manner in which his side conceded, with Hewitt left completely unmarked to rifle past Stuart Moore, Jones knows it might be something he has to accept with Town in the fourth tier of English football.

He added: "We know that they put the put the ball in the box and they rely on seconds. It’s probably 40 per cent of the goals they score they do that from, so we knew that.

"But sometimes it happens, that's the trouble. With League Two there are a lot of sporadic events you can’t control, you can’t fathom for.

"It’s not movement, it’s just a long ball that people compete for, it drops somewhere and people have a strike, things happen. That was their main threat all afternoon and I thought we handled that superbly, superbly well.

"We stood up to everything they threw at us, they're a very, very, very direct side.

“They hit their front two who are very experienced and on their day were very, very good players and still are at this level. But we handled that and I thought we were immense at times.

"I’m proud of my team and that’s how I want Luton to play and to be remembered, as I thought we were excellent."

Jones didn't think Hylton got himself sent off on purpose

Hatters boss Nathan Jones didn’t think that star striker Danny Hylton got himself sent off on purpose against Notts County this afternoon.

Town’s leading scorer had already earned his 14th caution of the campaign for a needless challenge on keeper Adam Collin in the first half, which would have left him one yellow card away from a three match ban.

However, in injury time, Hylton then went in late on defender Carl Dickinson to see red, which will see him now suspended for Luton’s last two games of the season, but crucially, staying on 13 bookings for the play-off campaign.

When asked afterwards if he felt the summer signing from Oxford orchestrated the decision, Jones said: “I don’t think he’s bright enough to have added it up and to have got it.

“The way he got it, I don’t think that was one on purpose as I thought it was was such a stupid challenge.

“I don’t want to say there’s any weird positivity (about staying on 13 bookings) because he’s shown a lack of discipline and for something we’ve spoken about and we speak about to him constantly.

“The first one is just stupidity, he doesn’t need to get involved in that. Then he goes and stands on the keeper in terms of making the keeper kick it.

“There’s only one slip up you need there, he’s got another one, so he makes me pull my hair out.

“I love the kid, I really do, as he’s done unbelievably for me, but some days he makes you wonder what goes on his barnet.

“But I’d prefer not to comment about it, and I don't want to cane him too much as he's been magnificent for me today apart from two acts of Dannny Hylton-ness.

I don’t know what to do with him at times, he’s just like a wild horse. You try to give him something and he listens to a lot, but something’s, it’s difficult. You have a chat with him and let me know how I can handle him.”

On whether he felt Hylton’s first booking was on the soft side, Jones continued: “If that’s a yellow card then we should have had about 150 today.

“Because it’s a little bump and it’s just so silly, but he puts himself in that position to then do something stupid again, because we wanted him to press to stop forward play.

“All we said to him late was you’ve got to stop forward play, because all they were doing was going to put that back in our box. I’d prefer not to comment on it too much as I get frustrated with him day in and day out. I try not to as he's so important to me, but some days he just makes me want to punch him."

The timing of Hylton’s sending off gave Town a few minutes to hold on to at the end, with Jones not happy his side were put in such a precarious position, by their talismanic frontman.

He said: “It just kills you really because he’s so honest in terms of what he does.

“We said stop forward play, you cannot just let centre halves put it into our box as that’s the only threat they had late on. So he’s tried to do that, and was so tired at the end, and you think something’s going to happen, you think he’s going to miscontrol and dive in as he’s always on edge.

“But he’s so important to us, so important on set plays as you can’t bring him off, so it’s a frustration. But we got the win, praise the lord, because if we’d have conceded late on I’d have been absolutely fuming with him.”

Hylton had been unusually wasteful in front of goal, missing two one-on-ones, while sending another harder chance wide late on, as he couldn't add to his 26 goals for the campaign, with Jones adding: “Yes, but that’s not the frustration for me today with Danny, but he could have put it to bed a little bit earlier in terms of the chances he’s had.

“Normally he tucks them away, no problem, that’s why he had the haul of 26 so far this season and that’s the only disappointment really in terms of our play.

“Whenever he plays, if he plays well, if he plays brilliantly, if he’s just a little bit out of sorts, he always affects the game in some way or another, that’s Danny Hylton.

"At times today he was immense and as I keep saying he’s the best dullest player in the league.”

Luton 2 Notts County 1: Hylton off but Hatters clinch play-off place

Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu's winner in first half injury time all but secured Luton Town's League Two play-off place yesterday – but the big talking point was Danny Hylton's red card.

Going into the game two bookings away from a three-game ban, Hylton picked up two soft yellows and will miss the final two dead rubber league games, but be back in time for the play-offs.

Whether his second yellow was a tactical one or not only Hylton could say, but Hatters fans won't mind him having a two-game rest before returning for the big ones.

The only change for Luton was up front, with Ollie Palmer, who has been told he has until the end of the season to prove he is worth making his loan move permanent, replacing Isaac Vassell.

This was to be Palmer's big chance – handed only his second start since arriving in loan from Leyton Orient in January – and boy did he take it, but only after Luton had fallen behind with barely six minutes on the clock.

It was certainly not the start the Hatters were looking for as poor defending allowed Elliott Hewitt to arrive completely unchecked on the edge of the area to volley home a cross from the left.

The hosts almost had an instant response when Mpanzu made a charge across the edge of the area but delayed his pass to the unmarked Dan Potts, who could only find the side netting by the time the ball found him.

But the Hatters didn't have to wait much longer for their reply. When Hylton picked the ball up about 25 yards out, most watching on expected him to play it out to a team-mate in space on the right rather than try his luck.

But try his luck he did, and a superb effort cannoned back off the crossbar. Palmer was the quickest to react, however, and before any defender could get to the loose ball, the striker launched himself at it and headed past helpless County keeper Adam Collin.

Luton then completed the turnaround in first half injury time when Mpanzu picked up the ball on the edge of the area and seemed to mis-hit a shot which skidded towards the County goal, but it was good enough to beat Collin and creep in at his far post for only his second strike of the season.

Barely a minute into the second half and it should have been 3-1, but the normally clinical Hylton put the ball just inches wide of the far post after finding himself baring down on Collin on the left hand corner of the box.

Next to test Collin was Potts, whose far post header from Palmer's cross was well saved by the County keeper, who then slipped as he kicked out and presented Hylton with an open net, but the distance proved much for the Luton man and he fired over.

There was a blow for the Hatters on the hour mark when Lawson D'Ath, who was having an excellent game in the middle, hobbled off with what looked like a pulled hamstring, to be replacd by Jake Gray.

Stuart Moore made two superb stops to preserve his side's lead, pulling off a brilliant fingertip save to nudge Adam Campbell's belter from outside the area over his crossbar and getting down well to keep out sub Mark Yeates' effort.

Hylton should have made it safe with 20 to go but almost had too much time when put in one on one by Mpanzu, and although Collin saved, the ball was still dribbling in until a defender got back and hacked it off the line.

With the clock running down, Hylton again came close to wrapping it up after riding a number of challenges in a determined run but fired just wide, before getting his marching orders late on.

HATTERS: Moore, Sheehan, Rea, Cuthbert, Potts, Justin, Mpanzu, Lee, D'Ath (Gray 61), Hylton, Palmer (Vassell 71). Subs (not used): King, Smith, O'Donnell, Marriott, Gambin.

ATTENDANCE: 7,719 (382 away fans)

Danny Hylton a 'wild horse' says Luton boss

Manager Nathan Jones labelled Danny Hylton a 'wild horse' following the Luton Town striker's red card against Notts County this afternoon.

Hylton, who went into the game two bookings away from a three match ban, is actually in a better position at the end of it – his two yellows wiping out the first one and earning him a two-match ban for the red instead.

All of which means he can put his feet up for the final two league fixtures and come back fresh for the play-offs, but Jones dismissed any suggestions that Hylton deliberately picked up a second soft booking late on.

He said: "I don't think he's bright enough to have done that (got booked deliberately). The way he got it, I don't think that was on purpose. If there's any positivity out of it then fine, but we got the win, and if we hadn't I would have been absolutely raging with him.

"I don't want to say there's any positivity from it as he's shown a lack of discipline, and it's something I speak to him about constantly. The first one is just stupidity as didn't need to get himself involved and then goes and stands on the keeper.

"I love the kid, I really do, but he makes me pull my hair out sometimes. He's been unbelievable for me, but some days he makes you wonder what goes on in his bonnet. I don't know what to do with him at times, he's like a wild horse.

"But it's not all about Danny Hylton, it was a great team performance, especially in the first half, when our structure was wonderful. We had a real cutting edge to us and we should have been out of sight, it could have been a lot more comfortable.

"It was a big win, and we showed massive courage and commitment to the cause after going behind as well. We're in fourth place and we want to stay there, we don't want to stutter into the play-offs.

"We want to go in there in good form and finish as high we can. We don't want to sneak in, we want to be in control of our own destiny and be in good form."