Luton Town FC vs Wycombe Wanderers (3rd Sep 2016)

PUBLISHED 17:58 3rd September 2016 Five-star Hylton hits hat-trick as Hatters run riot

LUTON TOWN 4 (Hylton 11, 56, 88pen, Cook 90)

WYCOMBE WANDERERS 1 (Bloomfield 63)

Att: 8.097 (530 away)

A Danny Hylton hat-trick – and an assist to set up Jordan Cook’s first goal in a Hatters shirt – took the Town to the top of Sky Bet League Two with a comprehensive dismantling of Wycombe this afternoon.

Hylton scored an early opener, then – after Cameron McGeehan had missed a first-half penalty – bagged a simple second and took responsibility himself for a penalty he won to claim the matchball, before teeing up Cook for an injury-time fourth.

It was a second successive league win for Nathan Jones’ men, scoring seven times in the process, to jump back above Morecambe at the summit on a wonderful afternoon for the club.

It started with the gaffer, along with head of recruitment and club legend Mick Harford, sharing his letter to Luton Borough Council in support of the planning applications for the new stadium at Power Court and Newlands Park with the 7,500 home fans inside the ground.

Town supporters’ groups spent the morning sticking a leaflet explaining how people can write with their own reasons for backing the plans – which is crucial – on every seat. They were encouraged to take any parts they wish from Jones' example.

When it came to writing his teamsheet, the Welshman made one change from the last league encounter at Cambridge, with captain Scott Cuthbert coming in for Glen Rea, who is away on international duty with the Republic of Ireland Under-21s.

New loan signing from Newcastle, Alex Gilliead, came onto the bench in place of Josh McQuoid with Akin Famewo also in the 18-man matchday squad after an impressive showing in the midweek Checkatrade Trophy win at Gillingham.

The Hatters bossed possession in the early exchanges and managed to work an opening for Stephen O’Donnell in the eighth minute that Chairboys keeper Jamal Blackman saved with his feet.

Jones’ men did not have to wait long for the breakthrough, however, and after a patient build-up saw the ball worked out to Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu on the right wing, the Hatters midfielder bamboozled left-back Sido Jombati with a brilliant turn and nutmeg, then crossed for Hylton to flick in at the near post.

It could have been two a couple of minutes later when Hylton played Cook through on goal, but the midfielder’s attempted chip was claimed comfortably by the onrushing Blackman.

The Town attackers were in the mood to enjoy themselves and Hylton was soon nutmegging Jombati in the box, but his chip was intercepted, before Mpanzu pulled off a third nutmeg in as many minutes in the middle of the park and sent Marriott scampering into the area, but Wycome managed to clear the striker’s low cross.

In the 24th minute, Marriott teed up Mpanzu on the left with a backheel, but Blackman parried the Town midfielder’s shot McGeehan couldn’t force the rebound home, protesting that he’d been fouled right by the post and picking up a yellow card from referee Graham Scott in the process.

Seconds later, Marriott fashioned an opportunity for himself on the edge of the box, but his low left-foot drive was pulled inches wide.

The Hatters had a glorious chance to double the lead on 27 minutes when Cook raced clear and was felled by McGinn, who had already been booked, just as he entered the box. Unfortunately McGeehan’s spot-kick was saved low to his right by Blackman.

Wanderers reminded the Hatters they had something to offer just after the half-hour when Christian Walton had to save low at his near post from Matt Bloomfield, before Anthony Stewart sent a towering header just wide from the resulting corner.

Quite how the score was only 1-0 at half-time was difficult to comprehend, but the Hatters came out of the blocks quickly again and Hylton skipped past his man in the penalty area and squared for strike partner Marriott, whose shot was blocked on the line, as was Potts’ follow-up.

It was one-way traffic again and Marriott soon flashed in a cross that Mpanzu flicked wide as he got across his man in the six-yard box.

The lead was eventually doubled in the 56th minute when Hylton got his second, tapping in from close range after Marriott’s initial shot had been blocked and Cook had squared for McGeehan to side-foot one goalwards, Blackman saving low but only shovelling the ball into Hylton’s grateful path.

The visitors dragged themselves back into things with a rare attack just after the hour, when veteran midfielder Bloomfield raced through the middle and held off the challenge of Scott Cuthbert to fire low into the bottom corner.

Wycombe were enjoying their best spell of the game and Jones introduced Jonathan Smith, captain and scorer in midweek at Gillingham, in the 68th minute for Mpanzu. The 29-year-old midfielder was soon into the referee’s notepad, within 30 seconds, for a foul on Danny Rowe.

Wycombe introduced a new strike duo with just under 20 minutes left, with Adebayo Akinfenwa and Garry Thompson coming on. It was the latter who was first to call Walton into action on 76 minutes, forcing the Town stopper into a smart save at his near post.

With a shade over ten minutes to go, the Hatters went on the attack again with O’Donnell clipping a delightful ball into the area that McGeehan took in his stride and forced Blackman into another fine save.

Another of the midweek stars, Isaac Vassell, came on in the 82nd minute for Marriott, who left the pitch to rousing applause. Within seconds the summer singing from Truro City was proving how accustomed he is becoming with being a professional footballer once again, skipping past Will De Havilland on the right and reaching the byline, only for his cross to be cut out for a corner.

With two minutes left of normal time, Hylton – who else? – put the game to bed. A terrific all-round performance was capped by the Hatters hitman winning the penalty, being brought down the De Havilland, and taking responsibility himself to complete his treble from 12 yards.

And the ex-Oxford man wasn’t finished there, scampering away from the edge of his own box – three on one with McGeehan and Cook to each side of him – and timing his pass to perfection to put the latter in the clear.

This time Cook kept a cool head to slide his shot low past the onrushing Blackman to make it four and complete a great day for the Hatters.

TOWN: Walton, O'Donnell, Mullins, Cuthbert (c), Potts, Lee, McGeehan, Mpanzu (Smith 68), Cook, Hylton (Famewo 90+2), Marriott (Vassell 82). Subs: Gray, Gilliead, King (GK), Justin

Yellows: McGeehan, Cook

WYCOMBE: Blackman, Jombati, McGinn (Gape 54), Stewart, Hayes (c), Bloomfield, Southwell (Akinfenwa 72), Harriman, Rowe, Freeman (Thompson 72), De Havilland. Subs: Richardson, Pierre, Wood, Kashket.

Yellows: Bloomfield, McGinn, Hayes

http://www.lutontown.co.uk/news/article/2016-17/gallery-wycombe-victory-4-1-3289352.aspx

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hst_GKMC6_A

League Two: Luton Town 4 Wycombe Wanderers 1

Striker Danny Hylton netted his first hat-trick for the Hatters as Luton produced a magnificent display to convincingly dispatch Wycombe Wanderers at Kenilworth Road this afternoon.

It had looked like Town were in for a comfortable afternoon when Hylton opened the scoring on 11 minutes and then added his second early after the break.

However, Matt Bloomfield pulled one back on 63 minutes, as Luton were forced on to the back foot for a while, but stand firm they didn, before giving the scoreline a far, far fairer reflection in the closing stages, thanks to Hylton completing his treble from the spot, plus Jordan Cook’s first goal for the club.

Boss Nathan Jones had made one change from the side who beat Cambridge last weekend, Scott Cuthbert in for Glen Rea who was away on international duty with the Ireland U21s.

The hosts started superbly too, producing easily one of the best first halves of football in recent times against a Wycombe side who had enjoyed the better of previous meetings in Bedfordshire.

Town went close early on when Cook played in Stephen O’Donnell who with Hylton well placed, went for goal, as Jamal Blackman saved low down.

Town had the early strike they craved though on 11 minutes when Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu did wonderfully well on the right, nutmegging Matt Bloomfield and firing a cross in that Hylton bravely flicked beyond Blackman and into the net for his first goal on home soil.

Wanderers were denied what looked like a legitimate leveller moments later as Christian Walton dropped a high ball into the area under the slightest pressure from Paul Hayes and Dayle Southwell converted, only for referee Graham Scott to blow for an infringement on the keeper which was decidedly iffy at best.

Luton continued to attack though, with the game refreshingly a great deal more open than any recent contests at Kenilworth Road, as Hylton turned provider, sending Cook clean through but trying to chip Blackman, saw the keeper stand his ground and easily collect the effort.

Still Luton pressed for a second, with some wonderful attacking play down both sides, as Mpanzu particularly to the fore and Cook always inventive too, with Hylton this time putting the ball through the legs of a visiting defender, but Blackman readjusted to claw his deflected cross away.

Jack Marriott came close moments later, shooting narrowly wide, before Wycombe threatened, Danny Rowe bursting away from Cuthbert only to blast well wide.

Further eye-catching attacking play saw Marriott’s backheel find the overlapping Mpanzu fashion whose shot was fumbled by Blackman fumbled as Cameron McGeehan was denied a tap in by ex-Hatter Michael Harriman’s sliding tackle, with the midfielder screaming for a penalty, only to earn a booked for his outburst at the official.

However, Town did have a spotkick on 27 minutes as Cook went racing away and was brought down by Stephen McGinn just inside the box according to the linesman, with the Wycombe man fortunately escaping a second yellow after earlier being cautioned for bringing down Mpanzu.

Despite never missing from the spot, McGeehan failed to add to his side’s tally, seeing a low effort easily saved by Blackman.

Walton made sure Luton remained in front at the break though, with a fine low stop from Bloomfield’s daisycutter that was arrowing into the bottom corner, with Anthony Stewart nodding the resulting set-piece inches wide.

After the break, Town came out strongly once more, a factor that had been a constant bugbear from last term, as Marriott saw Sido Jombati clear his effort off the line after Hylton’s run into the box, with the latter also denied by a covering defender too.

Chances were coming but most frustratingly going for Hatters, with Mpanzu off target from close in, until on while on 56 minutes, they finally had the second they fully deserved when Cook laid in McGeehan, with his low shot blocked by Blackman only for Hylton to tap into the empty net.

After looking dead and buried, from nothing, the Chairboys were back in the game though moments after the hour as Hayes found Bloomfield whose touch took him clear of the defence and with no cover, easily slotted into the bottom corner.

Wycombe were now somehow a force to be reckoned with, as veteran strike duo Adebayo Akinfenwa and Gary Thompson came on, the latter forcing Walton into an uncomfortable sprawling stop from range and another parry behind from the angle.

In seasons gone by, Town might well have folded, with games against Oxford and Carlisle springing to mind, but this time, they held firm, and almost had some much-needed breathing space when O’Donnell dinked through for McGeehan, with Blackman flipping his volley over the top.

With time running out, Luton did have the buffer they required, as Hylton was tugged back in the area by Will De Havilland and with the match ball on his mind, assumed penalty taking duties from McGeehan to send Blackman the wrong way.

There was still time for a fourth too as from a Wycombe corner, Town broke at devastating speed with Hylton sending Cook away, and this time, he went low, coolly slotting beyond Blackman.

McGeehan could have had a fifth, only to see Blackman come out on top of their mini battle again with an excellent stop at the death, but Luton had by now done more than enough to reclaim their position at the top of the table.

Hatters: Christian Walton, Stephen O’Donnell, Dan Potts, Scott Cuthbert (C), Olly Lee, Jordan Cook, Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu (Jonathan Smith 68), Cameron McGeehan, Danny Hylton (Akin Famewo 90), Jack Marriott (Isaac Vassell 82).

Subs not used: Craig King, James Justin, Jake Gray, Alex Gilliead.

Wanderers: Jamal Blackman, Sido Jombati, Stephen McGinn (Dominic Gapoe 53), Anthony Stewart, Paul Hayes (C), Matt Bloomfield, Dayle Southwell (Adebayo Akinfena 73), Michael Harriman, Danny Rowe, Nick Freeman (Garry Thompson 73), Will De Havilland.

Subs not used: Aaron Pierre, Sam Wood, Barry Richardson, Scott Kashket.

Bookings: McGinn 20, McGeehan 24, Cook 31, Smith 69, Bloomfield 70, Hayes 90.

Attendance: 8,097 (530 Wycombe).

Hatters MOM: Danny Hylton. Hat-trick hero was unplayable at times.

Hatters boss Nathan Jones was warned League Two sides that Luton are no longer soft touches anymore.

The hosts climbed back to the top of the league on Saturday after demolishing Wycombe Wanderers 4-1 at Kenilworth Road in a seriously impressive display.

However, with Hatters leading 2-0 and looking more than comfortable, the Chairboys pulled a goal back out of the blue on 63 minutes though Matt Bloomfield, and had a spell of pressure where they looked capable of grabbing a leveller.

But Town showed a facet of their game that has been lacking over recent seasons, with instances against Carlisle and Oxford standing out, where they frittered away a two goal lead, this time standing firm and limit their opponents to efforts mainly from range.

Hatters didn’t just sit on their lead either, breaking away with pace and precision to put the result beyond any doubt with two late goals as Jones said: “They’re built of sterner stuff here now, we don’t fold.

“We’re a bit more resilient than we have been and we’re a side now with a desire to win games and do the ugly things.

“When Yeovil came here and we were comfortable and then they scored in the 78th minute, we didn’t look like we were going to concede and that’s a good thing.

“Sides come out, but the risk is then, when sides come out and try to win the game, we know we have the firepower to go down the other end and to hurt them, so sometimes it’s not a bad thing.

“We showed we’re a good side when we were under pressure and that’s key as you’re not going to go through a season where you’ve got a buffer of one or two or three goals cushion, that’s not going to happen.

“So what you’ve got to do is when you’re under pressure, come through that and then go again and that’s what we did.

“When sides come out to press us, we have the cutting edge, hopefully our fans see what we’re trying to do, they were magnificent and that was a performance for them. I think we gave it and they gave us loads back.”

Jones was once again highly complimentary of the 8,097 in attendance at Kenilworth Road, with the support for the side noticeably positive before kick-off.

They were treated to a real show too as Hatters were magnificent for large parts as on the feelgood atmospher, Jones added: “It really was and I think that’s a knock on effect of how we started, I think Tuesday helped in terms of how we did it too.

“But I think fans are getting it and they’re magnificent, they’re superb and there is no place like it when this place is rocking.

“It was outstanding, Wycombe fans joined in as well, credit to them, but our fans were outstanding, right round the ground, I’m a real, real proud manager to be part of this club.”

Danny Hylton bagged only the second hat-trick of his career and provided the other for Jordan Cook as the Hatters rolled over Wycombe Wanderers to shoot back to the top of League Two.

It was four, but it could have been seven or eight. Take your pick. They even missed a penalty. The mind boggles at what they could achieve.

This Luton side have swashbuckling swagger and already a goal difference (nine) more than double any other team in the division.

Manager Nathan Jones said: "Let's have no bones about it, that's the team's best performance since I've been here."

Hylton struck in the 11th minute but had to wait until the 57th for his second as Town created a hatful of chances – including that missed Cameron McGeean spot-kick – but couldn't cement their dominance.

But what was impressive about this performance was arguably not even the scoreline – though that was the very least they deserved – but how they still found the gunpowder for some late fireworks, having weathered 15 minutes of Wanderers pressure, after Matt Bloomfield made it 2-1 just after the hour. Previous incarnations of Luton would perhaps have crumbled. Not now. They go for the jugular.

As expected, Luton made 11 changes from Tuesday's 2-1 Checkatrade Trophy win at Gillingham, which featured a plethora of homegrown Town talent. The club will now have to wait and see whether the Football League will punish them for a breach of the reformatted Trophy team selection rules. Frankly, to do so, would be a nonsense as the competition has been farcically altered to promote and develop the homegrown players of elite clubs. Luton have done just that and all off their own backs.

Similar to their midweek adventures, Luton were ahead early. After the transfer speculation surrounding him on Wednesday Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu was Mr Motivated and a fabulous piece of skill bamboozled Bloomfield before his low cross was turned in by Hylton.

The Hatters should have doubled their advantage soon after when the goalscorer fed in Cook, but the former Sunderland man opted for a poorly executed lob against 6ft 6ins goalkeeper Jamal Blackman.

Town were rampant and Cook and Mpanzu both had chances before the former was brought down by Stephen McGinn on the edge of the area. The linesman awarded the spot-kick but, for the first ever time in a Luton shirt, McGeehan didn't make the net bulge from 12 yards.

A low Matt Bloomfield shot tipped round the post by Christian Walton was all that troubled Town in the opening period and after the half time interval they ramped up the pressure on the visitors.

Marriott, McGeehan and Hylton queued up to shoot with Sido Jombati clearing off the line before Mpanzu squirmed a cross wide when it looked easier to score.

But they did in the 57th minute when Cook's shot was parried by Blackman into the path of Hylton for a simple tap-in.

Just when the floodgates looked like they'd open, Wycombe pulled one back. Even though the visitors improved Blackman was still called upon to acrobatically palm over a McGeehan volley.

If there were any home nerves, Hytlon was the tonic in the 88th minute. The striker tricked his way past Will De Havilland, was brought down and referee Graham Scott pointed to the spot. There was a brief conversation with regular spot-kick taker McGeehan, but with one hand on the match-ball it was only ever going to be the striker taking it.

Hylton sent Blackman the wrong way for his hat-trick, but the hitman wasn't done there. Luton countered in numbers, he set Cook free and the midfielder guided confidently into the bottom corner to open his Hatters account.

"Scintillating", said boss Jones. It's a wonder how he wasn't drooling as he spoke..

Luton: Walton; O'Donnell, Potts, Mullins, Cuthbert, McGeehan, Hylton (Famewo, 90), Cook, Marriott (Vassell, 82), Mpanzu (Smith, 68), Lee Unused subs: Gray, Gilliead, King, Justin

Wycombe: Blackman; Jombati, McGinn (Gape, 54), Stewart, Hayes, Bloomfield, Southwell (Akinfenwa, 72), Harriman, Rowe, Freeman (Thompson, 72), De Havilland Unused subs: Pierre, Wood, Richardson, Kashket

Referee: Graham Scott

Attendance: 8,097 (530)