Luton Town FC vs Wycombe Wanderers (9th Feb 2019)

HATTERS 3 WYCOMBE WANDERERS 0

Collins and Moncur, with a double, on target again as the Hatters equal club record

Two late goals from George Moncur, in addition to James Collins' first-half opener, sealed a fifth win in a row against Wycombe this afternoon - meaning the Hatters have now equalled the club record of 19 unbeaten Football League games set 50 years ago.

Wycombe Wanderers were the latest club in a long list who could not beat the Hatters in another red-hot atmosphere on a cold, windy day at Kenilworth Road.

James Collins netted the first to extend his lead at the top of the League One scoring charts with his 19th of the season, then new signings Jason Cummings and Moncur blossomed into a promising partnership to send every Hatter home with a smile.

The win means the Town still lead the way at the top of the division by six points, but now sit nine points clear of the play-off places due to Sunderland and Portsmouth only claiming a point in their matches.

Mick Harford made one change to the side that won 3-0 away at Shrewsbury last week, Danny Hylton coming in for Kazenga LuaLua, who missed out altogether with a hamstring injury.

Wycombe started reasonably well and Joe Jacobson took the first corner of the afternoon, picking out Adebayo Akinfenwa, whose header was never going to beat Shea who made a simple catch.

The Hatters were the ones who started brightest though, a minute later with a chance of their own. Some nice build-up play down the right from Jack Stacey allowed Hylton time to thread a low cross that Collins couldn’t quite squeeze in at the near post.

Paris Cowan-Hall exploited some space down the right wing after James Justin - making his 100th senior appearance - lost the ball high up the pitch. His low cross was smartly turned away from danger by Sonny Bradley who had to be aware of Nathan Tyson who was lurking behind.

The Hatters played some wonderful stuff to win their first corner of the game, the whole team linking together. Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu, with a skilful flick to Andrew Shinnie, whose smart pass found its way across the area and into Stacey, whose low cross was just about dealt with by the Wycombe backline.

The resulting corner put the Chairboys under more pressure, Mpanzu floating his cross into the area where Hylton was waiting after beating the offside trap. His nod down fell to Collins’ boot, putting his laces into it. The ball was blocked away though, squandering the strikers’ chance.

Mpanzu and Shinnie were at it again a little later on, linking nicely to release Stacey. His first time cross had Luke Berry stretching at the back post. He would have got there too if it hadn’t been for a last-ditch tackle from Jason McCarthy.

Stacey misplaced his turn on the edge of the area on the 17th minute, but Shinnie was there to collect the loose ball and fire an effort into the hands of Allsop.

Shinnie turned provider midway through the first half, twisting well to pick out Hylton. His touch was exemplary other than the finish with Allsop keeping the scores level, as he did when Stacey had a go soon after, the shot stinging the keepers’ palms.

Wycombe came with a game plan, pressing high up the field to disrupt the Hatters’ free-flowing game. Akinfenwa holding the ball up well for his team-mates to find their way into the box, but Pearson and Bradley stood firm.

The home side broke the deadlock though in the 33rd minute, Hylton spreading the ball across the pitch superbly for Stacey who had been looking for that pass since the beginning of the game. Stacey’s delivery was pinpoint onto Collins’ head and the top scorer made no mistake, a thumping header at the near-post to make it 19 for the season.

It became gritty towards the end of the half, both sides picking up bookings in an atmosphere worthy of a relatively local derby. It was the Hatters who ended the half the stronger of the two, however, as they looked to keep a second consecutive clean sheet and fourth in five matches

The second half began with a small calm after the storm which had been the end of the first half. It took nearly 10 minutes for the first sight of goal, Shinnie with a low drive, gathered by Allsop down to his right.

Stacey - who had a phenomenal game down the flank, lofted a delightful pass into Mpanzu, who was brought down in the area. The appeals were swiftly turned away as the Hatters began to exert their authority again.

McCormack latched onto Bradley’s header with a venomous volley which he could not keep down, and Jacobson hit one that was always bending wide of Shea’s goal.

The ball was in the Kenny End once more, this time a lot closer to the target when Collins placed his curling shot just over the stanchion from 25 yards.

Wycombe resorted to long-range attempts as the Hatters’ defence stood strong, Scott Kashket the substitute firing well over – as did Thompson a minute later. The visitors showed glimpses of promise, keeping the pressure on the Hatters who continued to battle the ball away as the clock ticked into the final 10 minutes.

But the Hatters made sure the three points remained in Bedfordshire with two late goals involving the two substitutes, Cummings and Moncur.

The first arrived when Stacey threaded a brilliant pass to Cummings who matched it with an even better touch. His pace and footwork caused all kinds of problems for the Wycombe defence. The move deserved a goal, but Allsop saved the Scotsman's shot, although he couldn't deny Moncur, who had all the time in the world to tap home into the empty net.

The pair were at it again three minutes later. Cummings grabbing a second assist after just seven minutes on the pitch. Moncur had more work to do this time though, finding Allsop’s bottom right corner through a crowded penalty area to put any doubt at bay.

Ankinfenwa nearly flicked in a late consolation for the Chairboys in stoppage time, but Shea was able to deal with the effort and keep a second consecutive clean sheet.

Joey Barton’s Fleetwood are up next week, with a trip to the Fylde coast the next destination at the end of the Hatters' Golden Mile!

TOWN: Shea, Stacey, Pearson, Bradley (c), Justin, McCormack, Mpanzu, Shinnie (Sheehan 89), Berry (Moncur 73), Hylton (Cummings 82), Collins. Subs: Potts, Baptiste, Thorne, Isted

Yellows: Hylton, Collins

Goals: Collins 33, Moncur, 85, 88

WYCOMBE: Allsop, Jombati, Jacobson, Gape, El-Abd, Bloomfield (Freeman 82), Cowan-Hall (Bolton 65), Thompson, Akinfenwa, Tyson (Kashket 72), McCarthy. Subs: Stewart, Bean, Yates (GK), Owens

Yellows: El-Abd

REFEREE: Andy Davies

ATT: 10,072 (751 away)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fBeqX2BZEs0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IBPvjnytv2I

MICK HARFORD PROUD AS HIS TEAM EQUAL THE CLUB RECORD

Another home win over Wycombe sees the Hatters equal 19-game unbeaten run

Hatters interim manager Mick Harford spoke of his pride at seeing the current team writing their names into the Luton Town history books this afternoon by equalling the club record 19-game unbeaten run in the Football League.

Town continued their sequence without defeat, which kicked off following the 3-2 loss at Barnsley in mid-October, by seeing off Wycombe 3-0 - Sky Bet League One player of the month for January, James Collins, netting his 19th goal of the season in the first half before George Moncur scored two late goals to seal the win after coming on as a substitute.

The win, combined with results elsewhere, means the Town now have a nine-point cushion over third place, and Harford said: "It was a tough encounter against a good Wycombe team. They make it very hard for you, it was a real physical game and the pitch wasn't great with all the rain, and it was a bit windy and bumpy.

"But I think we overcame everything that they threw at us and when we got the ball down and played our football, we were by far the better team and in my opinion, thoroughly enjoyed the victory.

"We created chances and got in down the sides of their diamond with Jack Stacey and James Justin, Jack especially in the first half put some great balls into the box. Collo got on the end of one to make a great finish, and there were various other opportunities where we could have gone further ahead.

"But Wycombe are a good outfit and they defend very well and they've got experienced players who make it very difficult for you.

"I am absolutely thrilled and delighted to come away with the clean sheet and a 3-0 victory. I'm so proud of the players because I said to them in there that there has been a lot of good players who have gone through this football club, and there's been a lot of good teams down the years, and they are now in the history books.

"I'm really delighted for them and proud of them that they've made it in there in terms of equalling a club record, so I take my hat off to all the players for what they've done so far this season - it's a great achievement."

Luton defeat Chairboys to equal club record

League One: Luton Town 3 Wycombe Wanderers 0

Luton equalled a club record of 19 Football League games unbeaten as they defeated Wycombe Wanderers 3-0 this afternoon.

The Hatters, who had twice gone 19 games without being beaten in the late 1960s, always looked like they could match the sequence against the Chairboys, although needed sub George Moncur's late double to make fully sure of victory.

The hosts made their first change in four games, with Kazenga LuaLua ruled out by a stiff hamstring, and Danny Hylton came in for his first start since his red card at Sunderland on January 12.

Town came close on eight minutes, visiting keeper Ryan Allsop spilling Pelly-Rudddock Mpanzu's cross under pressure from Hylton and James Collins' rebound deflecting over the bar by the fortunate Joe Jacobson.

Full back Jacey Stacey then made a vital interception before Adebayo Akinfenwa could shoot, while at the other end, he burst forward, sending over a low cross that Jason McCarthy just prevented Luke Berry from converting.

Andrew Shinnie's bouncing attempt was comfortable for Ryan Allsop, the visiting stopper making an even better stop with his legs from Hylton, who looked offside, Berry putting the rebound well over.

Allsop was sarting to become a busy man, gathering Stacey's driven cross at the second attempt, as on the half hour he could watch the same player's curler fly harmlessly off target.

With Wycombe's much reported antics just starting to rile up the home supporters, their team responded in the best possible fashion as Hylton played a magnificent ball out wide to Stacey.

He looked up and sent over a cross that Collins, who else, got in front of Allsop to nod home for his 19th of the season and ninth in seven games.

The encounter then started to really liven up, Hylton booked for clipping Jacobson, despite it being his first offence, Adam El-Abd cautioned after an incident which saw Sonny Bradley bundled into the net, the home skipper not impressed at all.

After the break, Wanderers had a spell of pressure, stopping Town getting out as much as they had in the first period, but Luton stood firm, Bradley and Pearson both clearing their lines to stop their opponents from restoring parity.

The Hatters gradually began to reassert their earlier dominance though, Alan McCormack high, wide and not very handsome on the volley after a ball dropped invitingly for him.

Collins was far closer, transferring the ball on to his left and sending in a curler that missed by a matter of inches.

Precious little goalmouth occurred for large parts, but with Akinfenwa leading the line, there was always a chance of something happening, Town's back-line needing to keep their wits about them.

Sub Scott Kashket rifled into the stands, before Luton had the breathing space they craved with five minutes to go, thanks in no part to sub Jason Cummings debut.

Off the bench, his produced a superb touch to bring a high ball out of the sky, beat two man with some nifty footwork and shoot low, Allsop parrying, unable to stop Moncur tapping home from a few yards.

The duo then combined again for Town to put a real gloss on to the scoreline two minutes later, as Cummings twinkle-toed his way into the area, finding Moncur who stroked his effort into the corner.

Town's result, a fifth straight leave victory, was made even better with scorelines elsewhere coming through, as also second placed Barnsley won convincingly, 4-1 at Gillingham, Sunderland and Portsmouth dropped points with draws at Oxford and Plymouth respectively.

That saw the Hatters move nine points clear of Pompey in third place and a hefty 11 in front of the Black Cats, as although both teams do still have games in hand on Luton, neither possess anywhere near the same kind of momentum Town have garnered under interim chief Mick Harford.

Hatters: James Shea, Jack Stacey, James Justin, Matty Pearson, Sonny Bradley (C), Alan McCormack, Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu, Andrew Shinnie (Alan Sheehan 89), Luke Berry (George Moncur 73), James Collins, Kazenga, Danny Hylton (Jason Cummings 81).

Subs not used: Harry Isted, Alex Baptiste, George Thorne, Dan Potts.

Wanderers: Ryan Allsop, Sido Jombati, Joe Jacobson, Dominic Gape, Adam El-Abd ©, Matt Bloomfield (Nick Freeman 81), Paris Cowan-Hall (Luke Bolton 66), Curtis Thompson, Adebayo Akinfenwa, Nathan Tyson (Scott Kashket 71), Jason McCarthy.

Subs not used: Anthony Stewart, Marcus Bean, Cameron Yates, Charlie Owens.

Booked: Hylton 39, El-Abd 43, Collins 50.

Referee: Andy Davies.

Attendance: 10,072 (751 Wycombe).

Harford** hails a 'magnificent achievement' as Luton match best ever Football League run**

Luton interim boss Mick Harford paid tribute to the Hatters' players after they equalled a club record of 19 games unbeaten in the Football League this afternoon by seeing off Wycombe Wanderers 3-0 at Kenilworth Road.

James Collins' 19th of the season and George Moncur's late double saw Town match the sequence achieved in the 1967-68 season and then between the end of the 1968-69 campaign and start of the 1969-70 term.

Harford, who has led Town in their last six league games since Nathan Jones departed, with five straight wins and one draw, said: “On equalling the record, I just said to the players in there, this football club has had some great players, had some great teams and to equal that record is a magnificent achievement for the group of players.

“I take my hat off to them, they fully deserve it because the way they’ve gone about their business in that run has been amazing, so well done to the players.

“They're a good team Wycombe, they make it very hard for you, they make it very difficult.

“They have a style of play which is hard to combat at times, they matched up in terms of shape, they’ve got some very adequate players in certain positions and are hard to deal with.

“But I thought after the fight, after we'd won the second balls, after we got the ball down and played, we were by far the better team in terms of football and thoroughly deserved the victory.”