Luton Town FC vs Portsmouth (4th Nov 2017)

EMIRATES FA CUP REPORT: HATTERS 1 PORTSMOUTH 0

Collins cracker seals the Town's Bonfire weekend passage to Round 2

James Collins produced a Bonfire weekend special to settle a cracker of an Emirates FA Cup first round tie at Kenilworth Road this afternoon as the Hatters claimed yet another higher-level scalp in Nathan Jones’ near two-year tenure at the club.

Reigning League Two champions Portsmouth, currently 14th in the third tier, played their part in an end-to-end affair after Collins had struck a beauty, his ninth goal of the season, on the stroke of half-time to put the Town in front.

But the Hatters saw the game out – and could have added to the winning margin several times – to make Pompey the seventh victim in a list of cup conquests that already numbers Aston Villa, Gillingham, West Brom, Swindon, Chesterfield and AFC Wimbledon since the beginning of last season.

Jones made three changes to the team that started the Sky Bet League Two game against Coventry last week as the Town set off on the road to Wembley.

Coming into the side were Alan Sheehan, who returned after serving a one-match suspension last Saturday, and midfielders Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu and Andrew Shinnie, who netted twice in the midweek Checkatrade Trophy win at Wimbledon.

Glen Rea misses out as he serves a one-game ban following his late red card against Coventry, defender Johnny Mullins is sidelined by the ankle injury suffered in that defeat while Harry Cornick drops to the bench.

Portsmouth had the afternoon’s first shot on goal, Brett Pitman’s fifth-minute effort comfortably saved by Marek Stech – but it was four minutes later that the game really burst into life tempers flared in front of the Main Stand.

Pompey’s Nathan Thompson flew in late on Alan Sheehan, picking up a yellow card from ref Seb Stockbridge while James Collins received the same punishment for getting involved in the aftermath.

The Hatters were moving the ball well, but the first opportunity for the men in orange arrived courtesy of a Sheehan free-kick, whipped in from the left with its usual precision, that found Collins unmarked in the six-yard box. Sadly, the striker’s glancing header drifted well wide of the far post.

Portsmouth’s top scorer Pitman was looking their biggest threat, as you’d expect of a striker with his higher-level experience, and the ex-Bournemouth and Ipswich man called Stech into action again in the 20th minute, the Czech keeper spectacularly tipping Pitman’s angled drive over.

Some superb defending by Mpanzu helped keep the scoreline blank on the half-hour when Pompey midfielder Ben Close tricked his way into the Hatters’ box, only to find the Hatters’ holding midfielder blocking his path with a perfectly timed tackle as Close prepared to shoot.

Mpanzu was soon up at the other end registering the Town’s first shot on target, as Hylton laid Berry’s low cross into his path to strike, but Portsmouth keeper Luke McGee was right behind the side-footed shot that travelled 25 yards along the ground.

The Hatters’ best chance of the half arrived in the 43rd minute when Shinnie dug a delightful cross out from the right that just cleared Matt Clarke’s head to find Hylton, perhaps taken by surprise that the centre-half missing it, who couldn’t generate enough power with his header to beat McGee.

The breakthrough came on the stroke of half-time, and it was Shinnie – found bby a terrific ball from Cuthbert – who again crossed from the right for Hylton, who laid an inviting volley back into striker partner Collins’ path to fire left-footed into the bottom corner.

The visitors’ winger Jamal Lowe was the next to go into ref Stockbridge’s book, closely followed by Christian Burgess

Town had the ball in the back of the net again in the 54th minute through Hylton tapped in Stacey’s low cross after a flowing move down the right, but the right-back was flagged offside as he raced onto Berry’s defence-splitting pass.

A minute later another pinpoint passing move brought a chance for Berry, Olly Lee playing a one-two with Collins on the edge of the box before spreading the play left to the former Cambridge man, whose shot was tipper onto the bar by McGee.

Portsmouth responded as a real end-to-end cup tie developed, Stech brilliantly tipping Clarke’s 59th-minute header onto the bar and a Pitman volley around the post either side of Sheehan clearing Lowe’s shot off the line.

Shinnie had a great chance to add to his midweek double at Wimbledon when he pounced on a long clearance down the right by Mpanzu – and some hesitant defending by Pompey left-back Brandon Haunstrup – but couldn’t steer his right-footed shot on target as McGee raced out to close the angle.

Stech was at his best again to beat Close’s 70th-minute drive away, sub Conor Chaplin firing the rebound high into the Oak Road End before midfielder Stuart O’Keefe became the fourth Pompey player to be shown a yellow card when he brought Olly Lee down after the Town man beat him with an outrageous piece of skill on the touchline in front of the Enclosure.

The mounting yellows proved costly in the 84th minute when Thompson picked up his second of the game, and subsequent red, for a foul on Collins, but the Hatters couldn’t profit immediately when Pompey only half-cleared Sheehan’s free-kick, Olly Lee’s shot flying high into the Kenny End.

Two minutes later Berry did exactly the same as Hylton broke from halfway, only to find his path to goal blocked as he prepared to shoot. The ball broke to Berry, whose right-footed shot from 15 yards was always rising.

Lee had a glorious chance to seal the tie in the 89th minute when he raced clear onto another ball down the right by Mpanzu, Hylton using his body to assist in allowing the ball to pass him on halfway, but McGee got a hand on Lee’s attempted 30-yard chip to turn it away for a corner.

Stech was at his brilliant best a minute into stoppage time, and just after he’d been announced as the sponsors’ man of the match, when he flew across his goal-line to push Close’s 25-yard piledriver around the post to ensure it would be the Hatters who deservedly progressed into the second round

They will find out just after 7pm on Monday night who awaits on the first weekend of December. The Hatters will be ball number 11 in the draw live on BT Sport 1, BT Sport 4K UHD and BBC2.

TOWN: Stech, Stacey, Cuthbert ©, Sheehan, Potts, Mpanzu, O Lee, Berry, Shinnie (Cornick 83), Collins, Hylton. Subs: Justin, Gambin, D’Ath, E Lee, Famewo, Shea (GK)

Yellows: Collins, O Lee

Goal: Collins 45+1

POMPEY: McGee, Clarke, Burgess, O'Keefe, Pitman (c) (Chaplin 62), Hawkins, Kennedy (Bennett 62), Lowe, Thompson, Close, Haunstrup. Subs: Rose, Lalkovic, Donohue, Evans, Bass

Yellows: Thompson, Lowe, Burgess, O’Keefe

Reds: Thompson

REFEREE: Seb Stockbridge

Att: 5,333 (1,143 away)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dIW2N_0cdM8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q871yljT2g0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_PqbAV0u-CQ

NATHAN JONES ON THE 1-0 WIN OVER PORTSMOUTH

Gaffer happy to be in the hat...and delighted with the performance

Town boss Nathan Jones was glad to see his side make it into the second round of the Emirates FA Cup as they defeated Portsmouth 1-0 at Kenilworth Road this afternoon.

James Collins’ volley from Danny Hylton’s pass just before the break was the only goal of the game, but both sides had chances aplenty in what was a thoroughly entertaining game at the Kenny.

Jones said: “Obviously being in the hat for the next round is the main thing but we are delighted with the performance as well. The goal was fitting to win any game and I thought it was a terrific cup tie – especially second half. We controlled the second half we really did.

“Bar a little bit of cutting edge we could have gone even further ahead, but it was a great goal to break the deadlock, a great time to score and then I thought it was a terrific cup tie.”

The gaffer hailed the goal which gave the Hatters the win, but he was even more pleased it came against the side that won the Sky Bet League Two title last term.

“It’s a wonderful move in terms of the penetration, the ball in the box, the set and finish,” he continued. “It was fitting to win any game.

“But to win a game of this quality – it’s great going up against higher league. We love going up against higher league ones and testing ourselves. I thought we were excellent and we acquitted ourselves very well.”

Collins strikes to down Portsmouth and send Hatters through to round two

FA Cup, first round: Luton Town 1 Portsmouth 0

Luton Town finally ended their long-running hoodoo against Portsmouth as they knocked the League One side out of the FA Cup courtesy of a 1-0 victory at Kenilworth Road this afternoon.

James Collins' wonderful strike in first half injury time settled this pulsating tie that ebbed and flowed throughout, with the Hatters also indebted to some superb saves from keeper Marek Stech ensuring it was they who are the hat for Monday's second round draw.

Hatters went into the game on the back of seven matches without a win against their south coast rivals, having not beaten them since 1995, with Pompey doing the double over Town last season on their way to the League Two title as well.

Those defeats had clearly hurt boss Nathan Jones, who wanted his side to prove they should be playing at Portsmouth's level next season, and they certainly did that, with an excellent display throughout the 90 minutes.

Jones lined up with three changes from the 3-0 league defeat at Coventry City last weekend, Alan Sheehan back from suspension for the injured Johnny Mullins, while Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu and Andrew Shinnie returned for the banned Glen Rea and Harry Cornick, who dropped to the bench.

That meant Luton reverted to the diamond formation, with Shinnie at the tip, and the change in tactics worked well, as Town prodded and pushed for an opening against two imposing centre halves in Matt Clarke and Christian Burgess.

Visitors striker Brett Pitman, in a Danny Hylton-esque facial mask, sent an early shot straight at Stech, before visiting defender Nathan Thompson could count himself fortunate to stay on the pitch on nine minutes, jumping into a challenge on a furious Sheehan.

In the aftermath, the Pompey defender was pushed to the ground by an irate Collins, both players seeing yellow cards from referee Seb Stockbridge.

The Luton duo then almost combined for the opener on 13 minutes, Sheehan's wonderful free kick from the left glanced wide by Collins.

Pitman, who looked the most likely source of a goal for Portsmouth, saw his fierce drive tipped over by Stech, while Mpanzu made a superb sliding intervention to prevent Ben Close making it 1-0 on the half hour mark.

Luton took 33 minutes to get their first shot on target, as Mpanzu's instinctive sidefoot easy for Luke McGee, but they should have been ahead two minutes before half time, Shinnie's cross missed by Clarke and a rather startled Hylton could only head straight at McGee.

However, Luton did have the lead on the stroke of the interval and it was in truly excellent fashion too.

Scott Cuthbert stepped out of defence to send a low pass into Shinnie, he spun and delivered a deep cross that Hylton cushioned nonchalantly into the path of Collins, the striker ramming his first time left foot effort beyond a statuesque McGee for a quite brilliant team goal.

After the break, Town started mightily impressively, not letting up as they chased a second.

Hylton's goal was ruled out due to Jack Stacey being flagged marginally offside in the build-up, while a glorious passing move which encompassed the length of the field saw Olly Lee feed Berry, his curler unconvincingly palmed on to the bar and behind by McGee.

Pompey then began to up their game though, Matt Kennedy's pot shot bouncing just in front of Stech who held on well.

Town's keeper next action was quite magnificent though, arching his back to tip Clarke's dipping header against the crossbar and away.

Still, Portsmouth pressed, Sheehan perfectly positioned to clear Jamal Lowe's goalbound shot off the line with Stech beaten, while the keeper then got just enough on Pitman's volley to scramble it behind.

With Portsmouth throwing men forward, gaps opened up at the back, Shinnie beating the dithering Brandon Haunstrup to Mpanzu's hefty clearance and bear down on McGee, only to miss the target.

Stech was called into action again as he stood up well to parry Close's drive, relieved to see Conor Chaplin shank the rebound into the away fans.

The visitors were then reduced to 10 men with six minutes remaining, as Thompson's afternoon was ended prematurely by tripping Collins, referee Stockbridge showing him a second yellow.

Town then should have made far more of a quickfire break as Hylton raced away from Stuart O'Keefe, but with sub Harry Cornick screaming for the ball, he ran into traffic, Berry eventually rifling over.

Luton continued to create chances, Lee, who showed a real determination all game, particularly second half, bursting clear and attempting to dink McGee, the keeper tipping behind.

However, Hatters were then saved by their own number one in stoppage time, as Close let fly from 20 yards, the big Czech getting down brilliantly to palm away, as Luton could celebrate not quite a giant-killing, but a hugely impressive cup victory.

Hatters: Marek Stech, Jack Stacey, Dan Potts, Scott Cuthbert (C), Alan Sheehan, Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu, Olly Lee, Luke Berry, Andrew Shinnie (Harry Cornick 83), Danny Hylton, James Collins.

Subs not used: James Justin, Luke Gambin, Lawson D'Ath, James Shea, Elliot Lee, Akin Famewo.

Pompey: Luke McGee, Matt Clarke, Christian Burgess, Stuart O'Keefe, Brett Pitman (C Conor Chaplin 62), Oliver Hawkins, Matt Kennedy (Kyle Bennett 62), Jamal Lowe, Nathan Thompson, Ben Close, Brandon Haunstrup.

Subs not used: Danny Rose, Milan Lalkovic, Dion Donohue, Gareth Evans, Alex Bass.

Booked: Collins 9, Thompson 9, Lee 24, Lowe 51, Burgess 53, O'Keefe 71.

Sent off: Thompson 84.

Referee: Seb Stockbridge. Attendance: 5,333 (1,143 Portsmouth).

Hatters MOM: Marek Stech. Vital saves sent Town through.

Jones believes cup victory shows Town could cope in League One

Hatters boss Nathan Jones believes this afternoon’s 1-0 FA Cup win over Portsmouth has proved his side would be able to cope in a higher division next season, should they achieve promotion this term.

The Luton chief has assembled a squad he feels is more than capable of playing in League One, and they have now proved that twice in a week, following up victory in the Checkatrade Trophy against AFC Wimbledon by defeating Pompey thanks to James Collins’ excellent first half strike.

Jones said: “I'm delighted. We've made a lot of this game, because Portsmouth were where we were last year and we want to emulate what Portsmouth did last year and get out of this league.

"They're a benchmark in terms of can we compete? We say stuff within our camp, so we have to back that up and I thought they did today, they were excellent.

“We controlled the game first half and if we had a little bit more cutting edge in the final third, we might have scored another.

"In terms of the goal that we did score, it was just pure quality, absolute quality, and then second half they had one or two late on shots from distance.

"But on the balance of chances we deserved it and we could have had a couple more second half."

Jones felt that if anything it was his side who looked like they were from the third tier of English football, particularly during the first half, as he continued: “I thought there was a difference in the sides and the quality of sides.

“I think we controlled the game. They have a threat in terms of Ollie Hawkins and (Brett) Pitman’s a good, good player, they’ve got (Matt) Kennedy who’s wide and a real threat.

“But I thought first half we controlled the game without really hurting them as much as we would have liked and it took a very, very good goal to break the deadlock and a good time to score.”

On Collins’ winner, which was an excellent team goal by the Hatters, Jones said: “The build up was wonderful, in terms of Scott Cuthbert’s ball into the 10 (Andrew Shinnie), and then the turn, the ball into Danny (Hylton) and Danny’s perfect cushion.

“But the finish was clinical, that’s quality and wonderful, worthy of winning the game.