Luton Town FC vs Wycombe Wanderers (3rd Oct 2020)

Match Report | Luton Town 2-0 Wycombe Wanderers

Goals from Mpanzu and Lee gives the Hatters a comfortable victory...

The Hatters made it three wins out of four in the Sky Bet Championship after beating Wycombe Wanderers 2-0 at Kenilworth Road this afternoon.

Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu’s superb strike and substitute Elliot Lee’s late goal gave Town a well-deserved three points and moved them up into 5th position heading into the international break.

Nathan Jones made two changes following defeat against Watford last weekend, with Glen Rea returning and Jordan Clark making his first league start.

Chances were few and far between for both sides until the game neared half-time. Captain Sonny Bradley tried his luck from distance but saw his effort fly over the bar.

Minutes later, Mpanzu crossed deep for Clark and his looping header beat goalkeeper Ryan Allsop but not Darius Charles, who made a vital clearance on the line.

Town’s forward pressure finally paid off in the 59th minute with a glorious strike from Mpanzu.

Cornick laid the ball to him on the edge of the box and Mpanzu curled a beauty into the top corner to give the Hatters the lead.

The home side were on the hunt for a second goal and came very close to doubling their advantage shortly after opening the scoring.

Cornick produced some great work down the left-hand-side and picked out Berry in space, but his first-time effort was saved by the legs of Allsop.

It wasn’t long before another fantastic chance presented itself to the Hatters as Berry chipped a free-kick into the box, Bradley stabbed at it and the ball dropped to Collins, who was denied at close range by Curtis Thompson on the line for Wycombe.

There was late drama as the Chairboys had the ball in the back of the net through substitute Scott Kashket but the goal was ruled out for offside.

Following that decision, Town went up the other end and added a second goal courtesy of Lee. Kazenga LuaLua did very well to beat his man and get to the by-line, then crossed for Lee who calmly found the bottom corner.

Victory leads the Hatters nicely into the two-week international break as they welcome Stoke City to the Kenny on Saturday 17th October with the hope of making it four wins from five in the league.

Town: Sluga, Cranie, Pearson, Bradley (C), Norrington-Davies; Rea, Berry, Mpanzu; Cornick (Lee 80), Clark (LuaLua 73), Collins (Hylton 88)

Subs not used: Shea, Tunnicliffe, Moncur, Kioso

Goals: Mpanzu (59), Lee (89)

Yellows: Cornick

Wycombe: Allsop, Grimmer, Stewart, Charles Jacobson (C); Wheeler (Onyedinma 61), Adeniran, Freeman, Horgan (Parker 69), Thompson, Samuel (Kashket 64)

Subs not used: Stockdale, Bloomfield, Phillips, McCarthy.

Referee: Graham Scott

https://issuu.com/lutontownfc/docs/luton_v_wycombe_e-programme_ab615976c887ed

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VRngRLkEY-o – Nathan Jones interview

Nathan Jones' reaction to victory against Wycombe Wanderers

Manager Nathan Jones was delighted his side could record a third Championship victory in their opening four matches with today’s 2-0 win against Wycombe Wanderers.

Goals from Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu and Elliot Lee earned Town a deserved three points as they head into the international break fifth in the table.

Speaking after the game at Kenilworth Road, Jones said: “It would have been a shame performance-wise if we had drawn that game. Without being disrespectful, you have to generate your own momentum and I thought we did that after about 30 minutes when the game started opening up a little bit, and then we came into and got into unbelievable positions.

"We should have capitalised, should have finished with a shot or something. Then second half we started really well, got the goal which was a wonderfully worked goal and then we’ve had two unbelievable opportunities.

“Berry should score from there after the cutback from Harry, then James Collins has an opportunity, Harry Cornick has an opportunity. Then Elliot Lee is through and can square it, so it could have been more, and with a little bit more composure and more quality, it is.

“We needed that second to rubber-stamp it, we had a little scare in terms of the offside goal. If it’s offside, it’s offside, but I thought we were the better side today without disrespecting anyone, so I’m pleased with that.

“You can never feel totally comfortable when you play against Wycombe because they’re direct, they run, they put you under pressure. The kitman is probably as involved in the game as anyone, the owner is involved in the game more than anyone, and it's more prominent with no fans here.

“It was tough but I thought the referee was excellent in terms of how he handled it because there was a lot of pressure on him.

“I’m delighted with the win, all I’m concerned about is us. We should have scored more but we go into the international break in a real good place.”

Mpanzu and Lee on target as Luton down Chairboys and climb to fifth

Championship: Luton Town 2 Wycombe Wanderers 0