Luton Town FC vs Southport (26th Nov 2013)

Hatters win at home once more

Town 3 McNulty 30, Smith 66, Gray 75 Southport 0

The Town made it six home wins on the spin with a comfortable victory over Southport to extend their unbeaten run in the Skrill Premier to 13 games.

A stunning volley from Steve McNulty had the Hatters ahead on the half-hour before a fine low strike from Jonathan Smith doubled the lead midway through the second half.

And the Town secured yet another victory to jump into second place in the table when Andre Gray rocketed home a left-foot finish with 15 minutes left.

Showing two changes to the side that beat Welling on Saturday, with Smith and Luke Guttridge returning to the side, the Town began on the front foot and should have taken the lead in the 10th minute when Gray strode through onto Paul Benson’s throughball but couldn’t poke home with just the goalkeeper to beat.

As the Town continued to push for an early opener, Benson came even closer to breaking the deadlock on the quarter-hour mark, turning to hit a low shot that seemed for all the world would hit the back of the net, but in the end the effort bounced back off of the post.

Southport survived that scare but on the half-hour mark they should do nothing as the Town took the lead in astonishing fashion. There seemed little on after the visitors had headed clear Alex Lawless’ free-kick, but McNulty lined up a first-time volley which flew over gawping heads of those players in the penalty area and up and over goalkeeper Danny Hurst. It was a superb goal, the centre-half’s first of the season and the 13th different scorer of a Town goal so far this season.

Sensing a quickfire double, it was almost 2-0 a minute later when Scott Griffths sprinted up from left-back and into the box but his effort was sliced into the side-netting.

Clearly shell-shocked by McNulty’s pearler, the visitors were all of a sudden at sixes and sevens at the back and Guttridge almost made them pay for some hesitant defending on 36 minutes when he reacted first to Benson’s knock-down only for Southport to clear as the ball bounces goalwards.

Southport had by no means sat back throughout the opening first 45 minutes but it did take Alan Wright’s side 45 minutes to test Mark Tyler, the keeper equal to the sprightly Joel Logan’s fizzer from 20 yards.

A goal to the good at the break the Town pressed for a second straight from the restart. Gray should have done better three minutes into the second period when heading Guttridge’s left-wing cross over before Richard Brodie almost snuck in an equaliser a moment later with his shot from the edge of the box that deflected inches wide.

While the Hatters were dominating, clear-cut chances were at a real premium and it took until the 66th minute before the hosts doubled their lead. Guttridge’s cross-field pass found Gray and he in turn fed Smith and the midfielder, back in the team having missed Saturday’s game through suspension, rifled an accurate shot into the corner of the net. It was his second goal from outside the box this season.

2-0 up it was time for the Hatters to really flex their muscles. Guttridge’s shot was deflected behind on 73 minutes before Benson saw his goal-bound, back-post header denied by a clearance off of the line a minute later.

But the Town made it 3-0 with 15 minutes left on the clock. Guttridge and Lawless carried the ball into the box, the ball breaking kindly for Gray to belt home an unstoppable finish with his left foot. It was the striker’s 10th goal in his last 10 starts.

Guttridge angled a shot against the underside of the bar as the Town came close to a fourth on 78 minutes before Hurst pulled off an admirable save to keep substitute, and ex-Sandgrounder, Shaun Whalley’s stinging effort on 85 minutes.

Tyler, who was a virtual spectator throughout, showed his concentration levels remained in stoppage time with a brave stop with his body, denying former Hatter Jamie Hand a consolation for his latest employers.

The Hatters almost had the very last word in the second minute of added time when Guttridge curled a shot high and wide but it mattered little and the Town saw out a comfortable victory.

Town: Tyler; Henry, Griffiths, McNulty, Lacey (sub Robinson 38); Parry, Smith, Guttridge, Lawless (sub Whalley 77); Benson, Gray (sub Cullen 86).

Subs not used: Howells, Justham.

Attendance: 6,057, including 16 from Southport.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8SH7ywWe1k8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YBvWs_8ElxM

http://www.lutontown.co.uk/news/article/southport-gallery-1198660.aspx

McNulty’s stunner downs the Port

Skrill Premier: Luton Town 3 (1) Southport 0 (0)

A wonder volley from crowd favourite Steve McNulty and second half strikes from Jonathan Smith and Andre Gray saw Luton ease to a 3-0 victory over clueless Southport tonight, writes Mark Wood.

Town made two changes from the team that beat Welling on Saturday, as Smith came back into the team along with Luke Guttridge, meaning Shaun Whalley dropped to the bench against his former club and Jim Stevenson missed out entirely.

Southport named ex-Luton loan man Jamie Hand, freshly signed before the game, in their starting XI along with Hatters hate figure Richard Brodie, on loan at Haig Avenue from Gateshead.

Gray’s early sighter went well wide, but Town could have taken the lead on 10 minutes when Scott Griffiths worked the ball to Paul Benson whose brilliant first-time pass set Gray clean through.

The in-form striker never looked entirely comfortable as Danny Hurst narrowed the angle and could eventually only prod wide.

Hand was lucky to just be booked when he went flying in with a reckless tackle on Henry on 14 minutes and from the resulting free-kick Town should have taken the lead.

Alex Lacey competed for Alex Lawless’ delivery and the ball dropped kindly for Benson but he could only mishit his shot against a post when he should have scored.

Brodie was then booked for a nasty late challenge on Lacey before Town took the lead out of the blue with a wonder goal after half an hour.

Lawless’ free-kick was cleared as far as McNulty 25 yards out and he looped his ferocious volley over the hapless Hurst.

It was almost two seconds late when a lovely passing move released Griffiths but he skewed just wide.

Town threatened again on 36 minutes when Benson headed down Henry’s cross but the onrushing Guttridge couldn’t get enough purchase as he toed the ball into Hurst and Matty Flynn was able to clear with Gray lurking.

Lacey’s earlier knock forced him off on 38 minutes as he was replaced by Matt Robinson and Andy Parry dropped into defence.

The sub was straight into the action as his long-ranger was easy enough for the keeper, before Southport registered their first shot on target on the stroke of half time but Joel Logan’s effort was comfortable for Tyler.

Guttridge then had the ball in the net, but it was ruled out for offside as he picked up his fifth booking of the season and will miss the FA Trophy tie at Staines Town at the weekend.

Town continued in the same vein in the second half as Gray glanced over Guttridge’s cross, before Brodie’s effort seven minutes in deflected off a defender and just wide.

Good work by Smith and Gray ended in Benson firing just wide, before Gray did superbly to cut in from the wing and bring another save from Hurst.

With Luton in control Logan was booked as he felled Griffiths breaking forward, while a dangerous low Gray effort was blocked on 65 minutes.

Great build up play then saw Town all but seal victory a minute later as Gray teed Smith up on the edge of the area and he side-footed home into the bottom corner.

Guttridge saw his effort deflected wide on 73 minutes before Benson’s looping header was cleared off the line by Flynn.

But it was 3-0 to Luton with 15 minutes to play when Guttridge flicked Lawless’ pass into the path of Gray and he thundered home left-footed from the edge of the area.

Whalley replaced Lawless and made an instant impact as he crossed for Guttridge, but his close range effort rebounded back off the bar.

The former Sandgrounder then brought a stunning flying stop out of Hurst from a short corner with five minutes to go.

Gray got the ovation he deserved as he was replaced by Mark Cullen and Town proceeded to play some champagne football with Guttridge warming Hurst’s midriff.

Southport should have grabbed a consolation in the last minute when Hand burst through but Tyler spread himself to superbly save with his body and complete a fantastic night for the Hatters as they closed the gap on leaders Cambridge United to just four points.

Hatters (4-4-2): Mark Tyler, Jonathan Smith, Steve McNulty, Alex Lawless (Shaun Whalley 77), Scott Griffiths, Andy Parry, Luke Guttridge, Ronnie Henry (C), Paul Benson, Andre Gray (Mark Cullen 86), Alex Lacey (Matt Robinson 38). Substitutes not used: Jake Howells, Elliot Justham.

Sandgrounders (4-5-1): Danny Hurst, James Smith, Steve Akrigg, Matty Flynn, Jamie Hand, Jamie Milligan (C), David Fitzpatrick, Richard Brodie, Brice Irie-Bi, Godwin Abadaki (Danny Hattersley 63), Joel Logan (Osayamen Osawe 63). Substitutes not used: Liam Willis, Paul Rutherford, Cameron Mason.

Booked: Hand 15; Brodie 21; Guttridge 45+2; Logan 62.

Referee: A Backhouse. Assistant Referees: S Pawley and S Feerick. Fourth Official: L Rashid.

Attendance: 6,057 (Southport 16).

Star Hatter: Steve McNulty. Imperious defender completely dominated Brodie and broke the deadlock with a phenomenal volley.

Wary Town ease to victory against whimpering Southport

Wary Luton admitted they had to be cautious of wounded Southport as they eased to a comfortable win over the Sandgrounders at Kenilworth Road on Tuesday night, writes Mark Wood.

Goals from Steve McNulty, Jonathan Smith and Andre Gray sealed the three points against a Southport side that have struggled on their travels this season.

Before the game they had just one win and one draw from 10 games on the road this season and went into the game following a 5-1 hammering at Aldershot.

McNulty, who got the ball rolling with a fantastic 30-yard volley, said: “They’ve had a bad result on the road on Saturday and we were saying in the dressing room before the game we need to get a goal and their heads might go down a little bit. It didn’t come, we had plenty of chances, Dre (Andre Gray) and Benno (Paul Benson) had good chances, but the goals didn’t come.

“We just have to keep plugging away and the goals will come and I thought we were comfortable to be honest.”

Smith was also wary that the visitors might bite back and was pleased to see the game out.

He said: “I’m just really pleased that we managed to get a win. A team that’s lost 5-1 at the weekend is always going to be dangerous so it’s important that we started well and we did, so I’m very happy with the three points.

“I thought we started well, the tempo was high, but the first goal in games is really important, in any game you play, especially at home, because teams have to come out a little bit more then, so it’s really important to get that first goal.

“There were chances. I think the gaffer thought we could pick it up a little bit, thought we could do more, more tempo, but I think going in at half time winning is always important.”

Hatters boss John Still revealed that he never felt his side were in danger of losing after McNulty had given them the lead.

And despite a ‘sloppy’ start to the second half, tweaking the role of industrious midfielder Luke Guttridge proved key.

He said: “I thought we were OK first half without being great, I’ve got to honest. I didn’t think we were in danger, I felt that once we scored I couldn’t see us losing.

“We started the second half sloppy. They just played that man in front of the back four that kept taking Luke out of the game.

“So what we did second half, we stuck Luke wide left and gradually got him back inside to try and create a bit of space.

“It worked perfectly because once he came back inside he got on the ball and I thought for the last half hour... We scored three and I think we could have scored more, hit the bar and played some good stuff.

“I think the touch from Alex Lawless was absolutely sublime for that goal and we’ve won 3-0 in what was a potential banana skin.”

The clean sheet was also a massive plus for the Hatters, who shut Southport out despite losing young defender Alex Lacey to injury late in the first half.

Still continued: “I’ve got to be honest, he (Steve McNulty) controlled the back line. I think we’ve been really blessed just lately because Ronnie Henry’s been steady, Macca’s been terrific, Lacey, who’s a young one who’s learning it has been good, but all of sudden Scott Griffiths has been absolutely fantastic.

“He’s just come on to the player that I had previously and we look really, really good defensively. We really do, Smudger (Smith) came back in today and he’s an important player for us.

“We’ve had to change the team around with Lacey coming off and (Andy) Parry going at the back, but he done brilliant when he went back there.

“All in all we weren’t as cohesive for the first 15 minutes of the second half, but once we got Gutts back inside and on the ball I always felt whenever he got the ball there was a danger and I was really, really pleased with that.

“Six points in the two home games and we’ve got five goals I’m happy with that.”

Following the loss of Lacey, Parry dropped into defence to partner McNulty, who was full of praise for the Southport summer signing.

He said: “Paz has done really well this season and come here and he wasn’t in the team at the start of the season, but he’s a great pro, comes in every day, works hard, he doesn’t bother no-one, gets on with his job and he got a call-up to England C which is great for him and I thought he deserved it as well.

“I think he has been one of our most consistent players this season when he’s got in the team and he’s doing really well.”

Still echoed McNulty’s views, as he added: “He can play there, he can play right-back, can play centre-half. He’s 21.

“It’s been a good week for him because he’s been playing regularly for us, and playing very well in a few different positions.

“He’s just played for his country, does it get better for a young man? I’m really delighted for him.”