Luton Town FC vs West Bromwich Albion (4th Oct 2016)

PUBLISHED 22:22 4th October 2016 Gilliead and Gray get the goals on another glory night

Luton Town 2 (Gilliead 60, Gray 62)

West Brom 0

Att: 1,441 (89 away)

The Luton Town youngsters proved yet again what a bright future lies in ahead at Kenilworth Road – and hopefully Power Court – as a team containing several members of last year’s double-winning youth team racked up another impressive Checkatrade Trophy win.

Alex Gilliead and Jake Gray scored the goals on a memorable night as a West Brom side containing four senior players who have been transferred for millions, two of them internationals, were dominated by the next generation of Hatters stars.

The victory guaranteed progress to the next round of the competition along with final group stage opponents Millwall, who also recorded their second maximum points haul with a win over Gillingham.

Manager Nathan Jones made three changes to the team that won 2-1 at Gillingham in the opening game of Southern Group H last month, with Stephen O’Donnell, Jack Senior and Gilliead coming in for Kavan Cotter, James Justin and Isaac Vassell.

Jonathan Smith, who came on as a second-half substitute for his 150th appearance in Town colours in Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Whaddon Road, was named captain of the youthful side.

Craig King was in goal behind a back four of O’Donnell, Frankie Musonda, Akin Famewo and Senior, the transfer deadline day signing from Huddersfield who was making his Town debut, with Smith, Tyreeq Bakinson, Gray and Gilliead in midfield and Josh McQuoid partnering Zane Banton up front.

McQuoid had the Town’s first attempt on goal in the third minute with a free-kick from just outside the area, after Banton had been fouled by Shaun Donnellan. The striker’s curling effort was just wide of Welsh international keeper Boaz Myhill’s right post, however.

Three minutes later McQuoid proved a nuisance on the right wing, and his cross found its way out to Senior on the opposite side of the box. The debutant left-back delivered another inviting cross that Banton got his head on, but Myhill gathered comfortably under his crossbar.

It was a real positive start for the Town, but another of four senior players on show for Albion, midfielder Craig Gardner, had the next attempt on goal but the man who has been transferred for fees totalling £6m in his career dragged his volley wide.

At the other end Musonda had the next chance, hooking Gray’s right-wing free-kick straight at Myhill.

Then, on the quarter-of-an-hour mark, the visitors were handed the perfect opportunity to take the lead when referee Andy Davies penalised Musonda for what seemed to be the perfect challenge in the box on Rekeem Harper, but King dived to his left to push Callum McManaman’s penalty around the post.

From the resulting corner found the head of Jonas Olsson, but the Swedish international centre-half’s effort skimmed the top of the bar.

Just after the half-hour, Town’s next chance came at the end of a flowing move that started in the left-back position with Famewo and Senior. Smith dummied the latter’s infield pass and Gilliead collected the ball on the turn inside the centre-circle, drove at the Baggies’ defence and unleashed a right-footed 25-yarder that Myhill pushed away.

Senior picked out McQuoid with another inviting cross on 36 minutes, but his header was straight at Myhill, then Gilliead arrowed another shot at goal from outside the area, this time proving just too high.

The Town came close to scoring in the final minute of the first half when the best move of the game to that point saw McQuoid spread the ball out wide to O’Donnell, who in turn played Smith into the right side of the area. Smith’s low cross found Banton, who fed Gilliead on the edge of the box once more, but the Newcastle loanee’s shot was deflected inches wide of the post.

The Hatters started the second half as they had the first, right on the front foot, and on 52 minutes Smith met a cross from O’Donnell on the volley, but couldn’t direct his effort on target.

Then, after a delightful passing move, Banton got to the right byline and cut back for McQuoid who shot straight at Myhill, who had time to gather himself before fielding a follow-up shot from Gilliead.

Smith sent an effort wide from distance and, as the Town pressure mounted, Banton spurned the best chance of the night to that point as O’Donnell’s pass put him clear of the last defender, but bearing down on Myhill, the 20-year-old side-footed against the post.

If he was disappointed, Banton didn’t show it and within a couple of minutes he was spreading a lovely ball wide to O’Donnell, whose cross-shot flashed across Myhill’s six-yard box and wide of the far post.

The lead finally came on the hour when Banton, who was involved in everything, pounced on a loose ball in the centre-circle, turned and ran at the visitors’ defence with pace as Gilliead broke to the right of him. Banton slipped the ball into the England U20 international’s path and his low shot from 18 yards arrowed into the bottom corner of Myhill’s net.

Two minutes later the lead was doubled when, in a well-rehearsed set-piece routine, Smith dummied Gilliead’s low right-wing corner and Gray fired it low into the bottom corner, again giving Myhill no chance.

Albion finally mustered an attack, but Gardner’s shot from 25 yards cleared the crossbar and the roof of the Oak Road End, then McManaman fired just wide moments after the impressive Senior had made good progress down the Hatters’ left flank to tee up Smith, who shot wide.

Jones threw Vassell into the action on 73 minutes and the summer signing from Truro was next to chance his arm, curling an effort at goal, but Myhill, on this occasion, was comfortable with the save.

Youth team striker Freddie Hinds came on for his senior debut in the last five minutes of normal time, replacing man-of-the-match Banton, and the 17-year-old was straight into the action, threading a ball into the area from the left side, but Gray couldn’t quite take it in his path.

Vassell went on a mazy run across the 18-yard line before testing Myhill again in the closing stages, then Gray fired narrowly wide with 90 minutes up before Jack Snelus was brought on to give yet another youth teamer an introduction to senior football.

As footballing educations go, these boys are getting a first class opportunity in this competition…and judging by the ovation they received at the final whistle, the 1,352 Hatters fans in the ground gave them top marks for their work!

TOWN: King, O’Donnell, Musonda, Famewo, Senior, Bakinson, Gray, Smith, Gilliead (Snelus 90+2), McQuoid (Vassell 73), Banton (Hinds 86). Subs: Cotter, Read, Atkinson, Gooch (GK).

WEST BROM: Myhill, Olsson, Gardner, McManaman, Harper, Smith (Walker 67), Sweeney (Barbir 63), McCourt (Morrison 75), Donnellan, Fitzwater, Tulloch. Subs: Pritchatt, Palmer, Dool, Bradley.

Yellow cards: McManaman

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zvVJ6V2tdgs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9IyoGS2vo0

http://www.lutontown.co.uk/news/article/2016-17/luton-v-west-brom-gallery-3347175.aspx

EFL Checkatrade Trophy: Luton Town 2 West Bromwich Albion 0

A quickfire second half double saw Luton Town produce another hugely impressive victory in the EFL Checkatrade Trophy, defeating West Bromwich Albion at Kenilworth Road this evening.

Alex Gilliead bagged his first goal in a Luton shirt on the hour mark, while Jake Gray quickly made it 2-0, as the Hatters deservedly saw off a Baggies side, containing Boaz Myhill, Jonas Olsson, Craig Gardner and Callum McManaman, the latter two accumulating transfer fees of over £10million in their career.

Once again, Luton boss Nathan Jones rung the changes for the tie, making 11 in total as he had done in the previous game at Gillingham, a decision that might still incur the wrath of the FA at a later date, which in itself is baffling considering Town now top the group and along with Millwall, are through to the next stage.

Town started brightly as Josh McQuoid's low free kick was only narrowly wide, while debutant Jack Senior crossed for Zane Banton, whose header was caught by the back-pedalling Boaz Myhill.

The visitors had a great chance on nine minutes when Gardner scuffed his volley wide and the Baggies had a massively debatable penalty on 16 minutes when Frankie Musonda went sliding in on Rekeem Harper and despite appearing to have executed the perfect challenge, with the ball going away from goal, referee Andy Davies baffllingly pointing to the spot.

McManaman stepped up only to see Craig King save his weak spot kick, blocking with his legs, with Olsson's header from the corner clipping the top of the bar.

On the half hour, Smith's delightful dummy set Gilliead away and he tried his luck from 25 yards, forcing Myhill to palm clear.

Senior was impressing with his adventurous bursts forward, sending over another cross that McQuoid's headed at Myhill.

The on-loan man almost broke the deadlock in the closing moments of the first half after a sweeping move led to Banton teeing him up for an effort that deflected behind.

In the second period, Luton were quickly on to the front foot, as Stephen O'Donnell's lovely cross was volleyed wide by Smith, with McQuoid and Gilliead both shooting straight at Welsh international Myhill.

Banton then had the best chance he will ever have to open his Luton account, as from O'Donnell's through ball, he advanced on the stay at home Myhill, but with virtually the whole goal to aim at, could only sidefoot against the post.

Rather than let the miss affect him though, to his credit, Banton seemed determined to make amends, setting up O'Donnell for a low effort that flew wide.

He did then provide the telling pass on the hour mark, with Town winning the ball back high up, and the young attacker weighted his pass perfectly for Gilliead confidently slot into the bottom corner.

The lead was doubled within two minutes, courtesy of a lovely corner routine, as Gilliead's low delivery was dummied by Smith, and Gray netted with a first time finish straight off the training ground.

Banton kept searching his opening goal, his shot deflected wide, while on 74 minutes, Senior was close, crashing over from another good Banton pass.

Jones brought on Isaac Vassell for McQuoid as repeatedly tested the visiting keeper in the closing stages, which saw U18s Freddie Hinds and Jack Snelus on for their Hatters debuts.

Luton almost crowned the victory with a wonderful team goal, as O'Donnell's volley was charged down, but boss Jones was left to reflect on another fine evening's work in the competition.

Hatters: Craig King, Stephen O'Donnell, Jack Senior, Akin Famewo, Frankie Musonda, Tyreeq Bakinson, Jonathan Smith, Jake Gray, Alex Gilliead (Jack Snelus 90), Josh McQuoid (Isaac Vassell 74), Zane Banton (Freddie Hinds 87).

Subs not used: Kavan Cotter, Arthur Read, Alex Atkinson, Liam Gooch.

Baggies: Boaz Myhill, Jonas Olsson, Craig Gardner, Callum McMananam, Rekeem Harper, James Smith (Cameron Walker 67), Brad Sweeney (Daniel Barbier 63), Robbie McCourt (Taylor Morrison 75), Shaun Donnellan, Jack Fitzwater (C), Rayhaan Tulloch.

Subs not used: Callum Pritchatt, Alex Palmer, Sameron Dool, Alex Bradley.

Bookings: Bakinson 90. Corrected to McManaman 90

Referee: Andy Davies.

Attendance: 1,441, (89 Baggies).

Hatters MOM: Zane Banton.

Jones lost for superlatives on a ‘beautiful night’ for Luton

Hatters boss Nathan Jones almost ran out of superlatives when describing his side’s performance during their 2-0 win over West Bromwich Albion in the EFL Checkatrade Trophy last night.

Goals from Alex Gilliead and Jake Gray saw the hosts deservedly progress from the group stages, still with a game to go, as they made a Baggies side, containing the likes of Jonas Olsson, Craig Gardner, Callum McManaman and Boaz Myhill look ordinary from virtually the first minute.

A delighted Jones said: “I thought we were wonderful, I really did think we were wonderful from start to finish.

“We pressed, how we moved it, how we went about our work, I thought we were absolutely wonderful, I really did.

“I’m really proud of them, they’re a group of young players, but nothing surprises me about them and I thought we were excellent, absolutely excellent.

“Without being too arrogant or too over stating things, I thought they were just wonderful, really wonderful, and they had top pros out there.

“Because I know Craig Gardner, I know his brother (Gary), and he’s a top pro, Callum McManaman’s a top pro, Jonas Olsson’s a top pro, Boaz Myhill’s an international.

“So they added to the sternness of the test, and at times it was wonderful, just great to see, because they’re our group of youngsters.

“Over the 90 minutes, we were by far the better side, I mean by far the better side.

“The way we went about our work, way they pressed, this group of young players, come up against a Premier League group of young players, and we’re a League Two group of young players? Absolutely no chance are they a League Two group of young players.

“I’m very proud and I can enthuse all night about how they went about their work, but they were brilliant, some of the goals were top end, absolutely top end.

“Some of the movement and some of the moves we put in and could have scored from were top, top end, (it was a) beautiful night, beautiful night.”

Town’s first goal saw Gilliead race on to a wonderful pass from Zane Banton to find the corner of the net on the hour mark, with the second moments later, from a corner routine straight off the training ground.

Jones continued: “We’ve got a few of them that we do, sometimes they don’t come off, sometimes they do, but now there’s real invention in what we do and it was just wonderfully executed, it really was.

“That’s what happens when a group of players listen and want to do well, take things on board, but we had chances to have made it even more comfortable than that.

“Zane was clean through, hit the post, other chances, but some of the movement, a move first half that was just scintillating, a move second half that was just outstanding that culminated in a volley that was blocked.

“If these go in, these are like, just top end goals and I can stand here and enthuse all night, as that was a wonderful performance.

“I’m a proud Luton manager and I don’t get surprised by them anymore, they are not young players, they are top young players.”

The only slight down side for Jones was the attendance of 1,441 inside Kenilworth Road for the game, as he added: “Listen, anyway who turned up tonight will be talking about this performance for a while, anyone who didn’t turn up tonight has just missed an absolute treat.

“So they may think it’s the EFL trophy, but let me tell you now, there was a performance on here that was rolling back the years, wonderful.

“All I can say is that if you want to see performances like that then turn up, the ones who did turn up have had a treat and the one that didn’t missed out big time.”

Luton Town 2 West Bromwich Albion 0

If the EFL want to hand England's brightest young talent the chance to develop their skills in first team football, then Luton might just have a better blueprint than an experimental Trophy competition which has turned fans away in their droves.

If said youngsters are good enough then the only solution is to play them. The Hatters have and the benefits are clear. It's just a shame that only 1,441 fans were at Kenilworth Road to see a wonderful performance.

Stay-away supporters' motives are understandable where this much-maligned competition is concerned, but a young, hungry crop of Town starlets outplayed and comfortably beat a West Bromwich Albion Premier League Category One Academy side – one that also contained £6million man Craig Gardner, £4.75million winger Callum McManaman, Wales keeper Boaz Myhill and Swedish international Jonas Olsson.

Town had five of last season's youth side on the pitch – that's a Category Three Academy side to you and me.

That's from a club that continued to fund their youth section despite being thrown to the wolves seven years ago, dumped out of the Football League and academy funding stripped.

That's from a club that saw, in the intervening years before returning to League Two, the three DaSilva brothers depart for Chelsea, Cauley Woodrow leave for Fulham and, this season, Cameron McJannett exit for Stoke.

That's a club, who despite all that, saw their development side win a league and cup last term and prove their worth by mixing it with the so-called big boys in the quarter finals of the FA Youth Club.

That's a club that did it all without competition jiggery-pokery, effectively acting as governing body favouritism for clubs at the top echelon of English football that are practically swimming in money.

Even before this deserved, dominant victory over the Baggies – courtesy of two second half goals in as many minutes from Alex Gilliead and Jake Gray – Luton Town was a youth football success story.

The very worst thing the EFL could do is punish the Hatters for fielding young players and, for the second time in this tournament, making a full 11 changes.

With Jack Snelus and Freddie Hinds coming on as late substitutes, boss Nathan Jones took his tally to 11 homegrown players now given their first team debuts. Isn't that the point of this ill-conceived Trophy format? Or is it one rule for the Premier League and Championship invitees and another rule for everyone else?

It's likely to be the former as the EFL has asked the Hatters for their observations on their team selection and will 'consider the matter after the group stage has been completed'.

Observations? Read the bloody team sheets. Look at the results. Luton have put their faith in youth and they are already through the group stage with a game to spare.

If there's still a sting in the tail and a potential fine, or even worse from the EFL, then the game has gone.

That's a matter for next month. Here, on the pitch, there were nothing but positives and they begun early on when keeper Craig King saved a dubiously won penalty. Other than Olsson clipping the bar with a first half header, the stopper was a virtual spectator.

What a sight for him to behold in the second half. His defence – containing debutant Jack Senior – were outstanding, the midfield, albeit with three senior pros, was marvellous and striker Zane Banton was exemplary.

He should have scored when Stephen O'Donnell put him through on goal, but he didn't let hitting the post from close range affect him as, soon after, he was instrumental in the opener on the hour.

The 20-year-old won the ball on the halfway line, broke at pace and fed in Gilliead who coolly picked his spot.

Luton doubled their lead In quick-fire fashion with a corner routine which saw Jonathan Smith dummy Gilliead's corner for Gray to stroke in.

From there it was one-way traffic as this young Hatters side continue to march on. So at least there's one good thing to come out of the EFL Trophy.

Luton Town: King, O'Donnell, Smith, Gray, Gilliead (Snelus, 90), Banton (Hinds, 86), Senior, McQuoid (Vassell, 73), Bakinson, Musonda, Famewo

Unused subs: Cotter, Read, Atkinson, Gooch

West Bromwich Albion: Myhill, Olsson, Gardner, McManaman, Harper, Smith (Walker, 67), Sweeney (Barbir, 63), McCourt (Morrison, 75), Donnellan, Fitzwater, Tulloch

Unused subs: Pritchatt, Palmer, Dool, Bradley

Referee: Andy Davies

Attendance: 1,441 (89)

Luton Town: Nathan Jones warns against EFL rap for his ‘wonderful’ kids

"Ridiculous" is what manager Nathan Jones last night called any potential fine heading Luton's way for EFL Trophy misdemeanours after his young Hatters side brushed aside West Bromwich Albion in a magnificent 2-0 win that left him purring.

The Hatters chief had already broken competition rules about team selection by making 11 changes in the first round victory at League One Gillingham last month.

Jones did the same at Kenilworth Road last night, but a second straight victory has called into question an experimental competition format which seeks to give youth players experience of first team football, but seemingly only for the 16 invited category one academy sides, of which the Baggies are one.

Before the game, the EFL had asked Town for their observations on their first round team selection, though they will only consider the matter after the group stage has been completed next month.

It remains to be see the outcome of any potential fine – which can be anything up to £5,000, while the prize pot for a group stage victory is £10,000 – but Jones has called on the authorities to first consider his team's 100 per cent Trophy record, which has already seen them qualify from the group stages with a game to spare.

"If anyone's watching this competition, that's as good a performance as they'll see, I don't care what results have gone on anywhere else, as a group of young players, that's as good as you'll see, so if you want to get fined, then lets call it a ridiculous fine," he said.

"We've treated the competition with the respect it deserves, there's talk that we've swapped and changed, but anyone from [sponsors] Checkatrade, or the EFL, or the FA, who want to see a group of top, young players play, they have a look at that and then decide if there's going to be any kind of fine."

Jones, however, preferred to focus on a triumph over West Brom – where he handed debuts to Jack Senior and teenagers Freddie Hinds and Jack Snelus – which was the very essence of why he is a football manager.

"That, for me, is why I do this job, why I have sleepless nights, why I do 14 hours a day, why I sit and my girlfriend's giving me grief every single night, when I see performances like that, brilliant," he said.

"I can stand here and enthuse all night, as that was a wonderful performance and I'm a proud Luton manager and I don't get surprised by them anymore, they are not young players, they are top young players."

The EFL Trophy has been much-maligned by football supporters up and down the land, many of whom have boycotted the games so far, some in protest at the inclusion of invited Premier League and Championship academy sides.

Only 1,441 people turned up at Kenilworth Road, and Jones said: "Anyone who turned up tonight will be talking about this performance for a while, anyone who didn't turn up tonight has just missed an absolute treat.

"They may think it's the EFL trophy, but let me tell you now, there was a performance on here tonight that was rolling back the years. Wonderful.

"All I can say [to fans] is that if you want to see performances like that then turn up, the ones who did turn up have had a treat and the one that didn't missed out big time."