Luton Town FC vs Stevenage (14th Oct 2017)

MATCH REPORT: LUTON TOWN 7 STEVENAGE 1

Hatters fizz like a can of 7-Up as Berry hits a perfect hat-trick!

Nathan Jones’ Hatters fizzed like a can of 7-Up at Kenilworth Road this afternoon – beating Stevenage 7-1 to make it seven matches unbeaten in their seventh home game of the season!

The stunning result, in which Luke Berry scored a perfect head-left foot-right-foot hat-trick, also saw Danny Hylton net twice to join James Collins at the top of the club’s scoring charts on seven goals.

And to complete a landmark day for Luton Town Football Club, the victory – capped off by a first goal at the Kenny for homegrown defender James Justin and an injury-time strike by substitute Luke Gambin – was the 1,000th home win since the Hatters were formed in 1885.

Jones was forced into making two changes to his team, both to the back four with Johnny Mullins and Justin coming into the side for their first league starts of the season in place of Alan Sheehan, who was absent after his pregnant partner started having contractions in the morning, and the Dan Potts, who was suspended following his fifth booking of the season at Accrington last week.

The alterations made not a jot of difference, such is the depth of both quality and experience in the Welshman’s squad this season, and the Town made a dream start.

They were one-up in the third minute, Berry meeting Jack Stacey’s brilliant delivery from the right wing with a third-minute header that nestled in the bottom corner of the Boro net in front of a packed Kenilworth Road End.

Stevenage, who had already seen a Matt Godden volley fly high into the Oak Road stand, tried to find an immediate response with Danny Newton directing a header from Joe Martin’s cross inches wide of Marek Stech’s post.

By the seventh minute – inevitably today! – the lead was doubled, and it was that man Hylton who grabbed it.

As Stevenage looked to clear an attack, captain Scott Cuthbert sent a header forward, Martin miscontrolled a straightforward ball and Hylton – gambling in behind – pounced, bided his time to cut back from the right byline and finished left-footed inside Fryer’s near post for his fifth goal in as many games.

Stevenage went in seek of a reply, Tom Pett firing over from 20 yards, but Mullins and Cuthbert were comfortably dealing with any aerial threat the Boro attack posed, and the Town were looking lethal going forward.

That was never more evident than in the 21st minute when Justin won a header in his own six-yard box, Cornick picked the ball up on the edge of the area and sprinted forward, surviving Dale Gorman’s cynical attempt to trip him inside his own half, and played Olly Lee in.

The midfielder turned twice in an attempt to shake off his man, and the ball broke to Berry, who fired in left-footed from just inside the 18-yard box for his second of the game.

Again, Stevenage threatened to reduce the arrears when Newton met Pett’s cross with a glancing header that went just wide, but by the half-hour mark it was the Hatters who were looking to increase their advantage, Justin feeding Hylton, whose powerful drive from the left edge of the area was beaten away by Fryer, before Collins’ follow-up was blocked.

Five minutes later Justin was heavily involved again, sending in a left-wing cross that found Olly Lee’s head, but Fryer was equal to this one – although he was relieved seconds later to see Stacey’s low cross fizz just past his far post after being dummied by Collins.

Olly Lee was having a terrific game and with the half-time whistle approaching, the midfielder waltzed into the Boro area and unleashed a left-foot drive that flew inches over the bar, just before Ben Kennedy pulled a goal back for Boro, squeezing his low shot past Stech into the bottom corner.

If any Hatters nerves required calming after conceding so close to the break, a combination of Collins and Hylton came up with the solution soon into the second half.

Collins raced onto a fine through ball from Berry, but was running away from goal to the left of the penalty area when former Hatter Luke Wilkinson fouled him from behind in the 52nd minute.

Referee Brett Huxtable pointed to the spot and Hylton did the rest, once more abandoning his cheeky chip policy to send Fryer the wrong way with a side-footed finish into the bottom right corner to make it six goals in his last five matches, including three penalties in his last three games.

The Hatters were playing with a swagger, and when Olly Lee dug the ball out with his quick feet just outside his own area, he triggered a great move that had Berry at its heart, the midfielder trading passes with Collins, who produced a lovely flick by the touchline back to the rampant Berry to drive towards goal.

The majority of the 9,208 crowd – the biggest at Kenilworth Road so far this season – were loving the scintillating football Jones’ team were serving up, and they were in raptures in the 62nd minute when the former Cambridge man completed his treble.

Berry won the ball from former Hatter Jonathan Smith midway inside his own half, fed Collins in the left channel and then raced forward to pick up the return pass.

He still had plenty to do – not to mention Hylton screaming for the ball to his right – but the midfielder chose to bend a beauty around Fryer with his right foot, just inside the post from 25 yards, for perfect way to complete a perfect hat-trick.

Stevenage fired a couple of warning shots through substitute Kyle Wootton and Ben Kennedy, but the Town were toying as Jones elected to bring Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu and Luke Gambin on following their return from suspension and international duty respectively, for Rea and Cornick.

Both men being replaced received standing ovations, as did Hylton when the two-goal hitman made way for Elliot Lee with just under ten minutes to go.

Gambin was looking lively, and the Malta international combined with Stacey on the right, producing a terrific disguised pass, to play the full-back to the byline, but his cross was turned away by Fryer’s outstretched arm to prevent the Town adding to the lead.

They did, however, make it six – and when it came in the 90th minute, it brought the biggest cheer of the afternoon as Elliot Lee played Justin into the area and the England Under-20 international side-stepped Wilkinson before slamming a right-footed shot past Fryer from 15 yards.

Collins soon fired a shot that Fryer saved, then came as close as he ever will to scoring without actually doing so, as former Town captain Ronnie Henry somehow managed to clear the striker’s cross-shot off the line.

Elliot Lee had been full of tricks since coming on, and after twisting and turning his way into the box, the summer signing from Barnsley shot low through Wilkinson’s legs, only to find Fryer equal to it.

Then, three minutes into time added on, the 22-year-old smashed a fine 20-yard effort against the inside of the post, with Gambin there to slot in the rebound for goal number seven.

The Hatters’ poor recent record against the Hertfordshire side had been well and truly buried, and their place in the top three cemented, even if results elsewhere meant Jones’ side did not move up from third spot, two points behind both Tuesday’s opponents Exeter and leaders Notts County.

TOWN: Stech, Stacey, Cuthbert ©, Mullins, Justin, Rea (Mpanzu 65), O Lee, Berry, Cornick (Gambin 75), Hylton (E Lee 82), Collins. Subs: Cook, D’Ath, E Lee, Famewo, Shea (GK)

Goals: Berry 3, 21, 62, Hylton 7, 52 (pen), Justin 90, Gambin 90+3

STEVENAGE: Fryer, Henry ©, Franks, Wilkinson, Martin, Smith, Kennedy, Pett, Gorman (McKee 63), Newton (Wootton 63), Godden (Samuel 84). Subs: Whelpdale, Day (GK), Vancooten, Toner

Yellows: Smith, Gorman

Goals: Kennedy 45+2

ATT: 9,208 (595 away)

NATHAN JONES ON THE 7-1 WIN OVER STEVENAGE

Hatters boss Nathan Jones said he was pleased to put his poor record against Stevenage to bed as his side ran out 7-1 winners against Boro at Kenilworth Road this afternoon.

Summer signing Luke Berry netted a hat-trick, whilst Danny Hylton bagged a brace before James Justin and Luke Gambin added to the haul late on.

The result leaves the Town in third, with a goal difference of plus 19, eight better than any other side in Sky Bet League Two.

Jones felt his side are a completely different outfit to what they were last season, as he said: "I said in my press conference on Thursday we are a different team now [to last year].

"We are a different group – we are stronger in all areas. It could have been more. Their keeper made some good saves and we missed a few good chances in the second half. I am not going to be too presumptuous in terms of that, but I thought we were excellent.

"Stevenage were only three points behind, so to put in that kind of performance and to win by that margin is wonderful and it was very emphatic.

"We've had a couple [of fantastic performances]. We had the 8-2 against Yeovil and that one was as good if not better in terms of the all-round performance.

"Apart from a lapse of concentration just before half-time that could have been really tricky, because it would have changed their team talk and it certainly changed mine a little bit.

"But it was important we came out and got the next goal, because I said I would be happy for that to finish 5-1. But to score two late goals obviously adds to the goal difference, but it was good to see people getting on the score sheet."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ShzU-k0dvSA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCFMo2kOwxY

Berry scores the perfect hat-trick as Hatters hit seven!

Luke Berry scored the perfect hat-trick as the Hatters produced an absolutely breathtaking display of relentless attacking football to completely and utterly destroy bogey side Stevenage this afternoon.

It's crazy to think that the Town had issues against their near neighbours over recent seasons, Luton going into this contest having not won any of their recent four meetings with Boro, with three defeats on the spin.

However, there was absolutely no chance of that happening this time around, as the Hatters just ran riot, putting down yet another marker in the promotion race, making it three wins in a row for the second time already this season.

Boss Nathan Jones made two changes to the side who won 2-0 at Accrington, with James Justin in for the suspended Dan Potts, while Johnny Mullins replaced Alan Sheehan, whose girlfriend had gone into labour.

The visitors, containing four ex-Hatters in Jonathan Smith, Luke Wilkinson, Ronnie and Fraser Franks, actually threatened first, Matt Godden lashing over from an acute angle, in what turned into a breathless opening.

First, Luton led with their first attack on three minutes. Jack Stacey escaping on the right and his cross was headed into the bottom corner by Berry for his first goal for the club, with question marks surely over keeper Joe Fryer who looked slow to react.

Boro then really should have levelled. Joe Martin swinging over a superb delivery from the left flank and Danny Newton rising highest to direct his close range header wide with Marek Stech beaten.

The visitors were left to rue such a miss just moments later, with a header forward by Scott Cuthbert woefully missed by the home defence, picked up by Hylton who had beaten the offside trap.

He still had work to do, but he did it with the air of confidence from a man who had scored four in his last four, cutting in on his left foot and rifling beyond a motionless Fryer.

Stevenage pressed for a response though, Tom Pett hammering over the top, but Luton were at their clinical best once more on 21 minutes.

Harry Cornick picked the ball up from a Justin clearing header just outside the area and set off, evading the crude challenge from Dale Gorman.

He managed to pick out the onrushing Lee, who was just about stopped, but Berry was in support to find the bottom corner with his left foot.

The visitors definitely weren't without their opportunities though, as Newton wasted another decent chance, while Hylton went for a second, stinging the palms of Fryer from 20 yards.

Hatters almost had a fourth on 35 minutes too, Justin dinking over a lovely cross from the left and Lee's downward header drawing a fantastic save from Fryer.

James Collins's snapshot flew off target, while Lee then should have made it 4-0, slaloming his way into the area but lifting his drive into the crowd.

However, Boro had a way back into the game on the stroke of half time as Ben Kennedy went past a weak challenge from Mullins and slid the ball under Stech to make it 3-1.

Tom Pett fired over the top at the start of the second period, but there was no signs of nerves from Luton, who set about getting the fourth that would surely put the game out of side.

They didn't have to wait long as well, Wilkinson crazily barging over Collins who was running away from goal for a penalty, Hatters' third in three games.

Hylton took the honours again, and showcased his full variety from the spot, this time sidefooting to Fryer's left for his fifth goal in four games and seventh of the campaign.

There was no stopping the Hatters now, as they were in full flow, with Berry picking off Smith's pass in midfield, finding Collins and then taking the return pass to bending a truly magnificent strike around Fryer and complete the perfect hat-trick.

Sub Kyle Wootton blasted wide as Stevenage tried for some damage limitation, with Smith sending a 30-yarder off target too, with Kennedy's curler not missing by much either.

However, Town were always on top, with the hosts bringing on Luke Gambin, Elliot Lee and Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu as they went hunting more goals.

They were quicker to the ball, crafting some magnificent attacks which were lapped up by an appreciative home crowd who were hanging on Luton's move. Just when Boro though the misery was over, Town showed the full range of their firepower, as Elliot Lee twinkled his toes and found Justin, who took a touch and fired beyond an increasingly hapless Fryer.

Still that wasn't it though, with the keeper saving from Collins, the striker also denied a goal by Henry's wonderful block on the line.

Luton weren't finished though. Not at all. This time Elliot Lee went for goal himself, and although the post saved Boro, no-one was picking up Gambin, who slid his shot into the net as Town finally declared on seven, with Boro slinking off to lick their wounds.

Hatters: Marek Stech, Jack Stacey, James Justin, Scott Cuthbert (C), Johnny Mullins, Glen Rea (Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu 65), Olly Lee, Luke Berry, Harry Cornick (Luke Gambin 75), Danny Hylton (Elliot Lee 82), James Collins.

Subs not used: James Shea, Akin Famewo, Jordan Cook, Lawson D'Ath.

Boro: Joe Fryer, Jonathan Smith, Joe Martin, Fraser Franks, Luke Wilkinson, Ben Kennedy, Tom Pett, Dale Gorman (Mark McKee 63), Danny Newton (Kyle Wootton 63), Matt Godden (Alex Samuel 85), Ronnie Henry (C).

Subs not used: Chris Whelpdale, Chris Day, Terence Vancooten, Kevin Toner.

Booked: Smith 11, Gorman 22.

Referee: Brett Huxtable

Attendance: 9,208 (595 Boro).

Hatters MOM: Luke Berry, the perfect treble.

Seven-up Hatters are the stuff of dreams for Jones

Luton’s 7-1 thumping of near neighbours Stevenage was the stuff of dreams according to Town chief Nathan Jones.

The Hatters boss saw his side pummel their opponents at Kenilworth Road yesterday, with Luke Berry bagging a hat-trick and Danny Hylton netting twice as the hosts ran riot in a truly wonderful display.

Jones felt that Boro could consider themselves lucky to escape with only conceding seven too, saying: “I don’t want to be disrespectful but it could have been more.

“We had chances second half where we were a real, real threat.

“Some of the football, especially on the counter attack, we really put them under pressure and I’m pleased.

“It’s a great performance and one that you couldn’t envisage. If someone had said you’re going to win 7-1 here against Stevenage, it’s dream stuff.

“We won’t gloat in it in any kind of way, we’re pleased, it’s three points, keeps us where we want to be and got another tough game on Tuesday.”

One thing that especially delighted Jones was the way his side kept going for the jugular throughout, with the hunger for goals shown as despite leading 5-1 going into the final minutes, Luton scored twice more through James Justin and Luke Gambin.

He continued: “We keep preaching about game changers and so on and credit to the squad we’ve got as there’s not many who can bring Luke Gambin, Elliot Lee and Pelly Ruddock on for their three changes.

“Arguably they made us stronger in a different way, but I thought we asked them to come on and be ready to go, ready to impact, ready to take the game away from people and I thought we did that.”

Jones overjoyed as he can finally celebrate victory over bogey side Boro

Hatters boss Nathan Jones was ecstatic he could finally enjoy that winning feeling against Stevenage after Town’s magnificent 7-1 victory this afternoon.

The Luton chief had come up against Boro three times previously, losing every single fixture, but there was little chance of history repeating itself with the visitors put to the sword in front of a baying Kenilworth Road crowd.

Luke Berry was the star of the show with a hat-trick, while Danny Hylton scored twice, with James Justin and Luke Gambin adding late goals as Jones said: “These have been a little bit of a bogey side, but as I said on Thursday in the press, we're a different group now and I thought from start to finish we were at it.

“I didn't think we played fluently first half if I’m honest. We actually played better against those at their place last year, we were far more fluent and if we’d been half as clinical then as were today then we’d have won the game.

“But these are a difficult side to come up against, especially with the individuals they’ve got and with the number of ex-Luton players that come back and raise their game.

“It was quite emphatic and I don't want to be disrespectful to anyone, but it could have been more.

"I thought at the right times we scored as last time we played them we conceded from our first corner, so we were pleased to get off the mark.

“I’m really pleased because I’ve had heartache against these I really have, as we spoke all week about where we are, what we wanted to achieve and these have been a real thorn in our side.

“The game last year, away, losing in the manner we did, in injury time was heartbreaking and then even here, the soft penalty to kill it off and that kind of stopped us having play-off hopes in my first season.

“So they've been a real thorn in my side and I didn't want any hiccups today and think the performance speaks for itself."

Even when Stevenage gave themselves a lifeline, scoring on the stroke of half time to make it 3-1, they never looked like mounting a unlikely comeback, Hylton netting penalty early on, Berry bagging the fifth and then Town adding some further gloss late on.

Jones added: “At the right times we scored, as when we played them at home last time, we came out of the blocks pretty quickly but conceded from their first corner, which was a theme last year.

“So we were pleased to get off the mark, then Danny with a great finish and to score three too (before half time).

“The only thing I could have a go at them for was before before half time, we’ve switched off, they’ve allowed Kennedy to come in, he has quality, I like the boy, he’s a good player and it kind of changes your half time team talk a little bit.

“They would have gone in with a little bit more vigour. They would have thought, ‘right we’ll go and get the next goal, we can do this.’

“But we wanted to come out and what we said was never mind them coming out and wanting to win, we come out and get the next goal and we did, from a counter attack and got the penalty.

“I don’t know how he scored it, but it was brilliant.”