Luton Town FC vs Yeovil Town (7th Feb 2017)

PUBLISHED 23:08 7th February 2017 Town put five past Yeovil to reach the semi-finals

LUTON TOWN 5 (COOK 11, SHEEHAN 50, VASSELL 60, 90+3, HYLTON 66)

YEOVIL TOWN 2 (ZOKO 58, SOWUNMI 65)

Att: 2,480 Away: 88

A superb performance from Isaac Vassell helped put the Hatters within a win of a trip to Wembley as Nathan Jones’ side put five past the visiting Yeovil Town at Kenilworth Road tonight.

Jordan Cook opened the scoring with a drilled effort within the opening 15 minutes, before Alan Sheehan’s third goal from a free-kick this season doubled the hosts’ lead just after break.

Francois Zoko halved the deficit with a finish from close range, which the Hatters responded to through Vassell who powered in the Hatters’ third on the night.

Substitute Omar Sowunmi headed home from a Ryan Dickson cross, before Hylton ended a goal scoring drought of nearly two months with a tap in, and finally Vassell rounded off the scoring with a deft clip of the ball at the near post.

The hosts started brightly, with Jonathan Smith having an effort well saved by Johnny Maddison after Hylton had played the striker in, but the Yeovil keeper got down well to block the effort after three minutes of play.

That was followed up seven minutes later by Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu’s curling effort from 18 yards which was tipped away from the bottom right corner, as Town pushed to open the scoring.

Seemingly inevitably they managed to with 16 minutes gone, when Isaac Vassell’s drifted cross after a driving run down the right was intercepted, the ball fell to Cook nicely on the edge of the Glovers’ box, and the former Walsall forward made no mistake, smashing it into the bottom left corner of Maddison’s net.

That was Cook’s third of the season and his second in 2017, which came at a good time for the Hatters, who had been the better side in the opening exchanges and deserved something for their early dominance.

Matt Dolan came close to drawing the visitors level on the half hour mark, as his driven effort from 30 yards looked as if it might beat Matt Macey – who was making his debut in the Hatters net – but the 22-year-old on loan from Premier League side Arsenal did really well to tip the ball over for a corner.

Macey had to be on his toes almost immediately after, as he got finger tips on a Shayon Harrison drive from 30 yards, maintaining his side’s slender lead.

With six minutes left of the half, Jonathan Smith very nearly made it two for the hosts as his rocket of an effort from 20 yards cannoned off the upright and was cleared away by the visitors.

Five minutes after the restart, the Hatters got the goal they had desperately required to cement their lead in what turned out to be a frenzied second half, as Sheehan bent home a wonderful free-kick from 25 yards after Vassell had been brought down.

As the clock approached the hour mark, Yeovil got a goal back through Francois Zoko, as a long ball down field into the Hatters box wasn’t cleared, and the Glovers forward was able to poke home from close range.

Town replied just two minutes later, as Vassell burnt down the left on the counter after a quick throw by Jack Senior, cut in and closed in on goal, before dispatching the ball beyond Maddison and into the goal to make it 3-1.

With 25 minutes left of normal time to play, Darren Way’s team got a goal back as Sowunmi headed in from close range from Dickson’s left wing cross.

Town went straight down the other end from the restart and scored, as Vassell put the ball on a plate with a good ball from the right for Hylton, who tapped in for his 15th goal of the season and the Hatters’ fourth on the night.

The match settled down as Yeovil tried to bridge the gap by firing long balls in the direction of target man Sowunmi, but Sheehan, Johnny Mullins and Scott Cuthbert managed to get their head on a majority of the hopeful pumps forward.

With the result pretty much secured for Nathan Jones’ side, Vassell added a fifth as his smart flick on from Alan Sheehan’s left wing cross beat Maddison.

That goal was more than enough for the striker to earn the sponsors’ Man of the Match, as the 23-year-old and Hylton formed a strong partnership on the night.

The victory puts Jones’ team into the semi-finals of the Checkatrade Trophy, where they now face Hylton and Mullins’ old side, Oxford United.

HATTERS: Macey, O’Donnell, Mullins, Sheehan, Senior, Rea, Mpanzu, Smith, Cook (Cuthbert 63), Vassell (Marriott 90), Hylton (Justin 90). Subs not used: King, Gray, Lee, Gambin.

Bookings: Rea 57, Senior 67

Yeovil Town: Maddison, Mugabi, Butcher, Smith Dickson (James 78), Whitfield (Goodship 81), Dawson, Dolan, Harrison, Eaves (Sowunmi 53), Zoko. Subs not used: Krysiak.

Bookings: Dawson 30, Sowunmi 86

http://www.lutontown.co.uk/news/article/2016-17/luton-town-football-yeovil-town-checkatrade-trophy-3563211.aspx

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PUBLISHED 22:59 7th February 2017 The gaffer reflects on a great quarter-final win

Hatters boss Nathan Jones praised his side for a “scintillating” attacking display as a 5-2 win over his former club Yeovil Town tonight at Kenilworth Road booked a semi-final spot in the Checkatrade Trophy.

Isaac Vassell scored twice and Jordan Cook, Alan Sheehan and Danny Hylton one each (despite the gaffer forgetting his top scorer had netted goal number 15 of the season in his post-match interview!) as the Glovers were put to the sword.

Jones said: “We are delighted to have got through to the semi-final. It was a big game for us tonight, especially as well from the weekend when we felt we were not so much robbed, because we robbed ourselves with not scoring the pen, but we wanted to get a bit of a lift and tonight was perfect.

“Going forward I thought we were excellent. We made hard work of it for ourselves really, because the only way they were going to score was from a punt into the box and anything second ball or a header. But going forward I thought at times we were scintillating.

“If we’d been a bit more clinical first half it would have been a bit more comfortable, but we got the goal from Jordan Cook – who is playing well – and my front two were a real threat. They are a threat every time they play.

“They were tonight and I was really pleased that they were on the front foot. We just made it a little bit hard work for ourselves. We got the second and they pulled one back, then we got the third and they pulled one back.

“Luckily we didn’t allow them to settle into the game. As soon as they scored, we scored – it was just a tinge of disappointment in how we handled the big fella they brought on.

“But I want to concentrate on the positives because I thought going forward we were a real force, we were excellent, and we could have had more.”

The Welshman selected his strongest team of the competition so far for the last eight tie, and he explained: “When you get to the quarter-final stage, you do look forward. It was the only time we have looked forward in terms of, ‘What can we do with it?’.

“It’s just circumstances a lot – Danny is coming back from a suspension, so that’s why he played. Johnny Mullins and Sheehan have been out, so they needed a game and that’s why they played. Then we made other changes around the team and did freshen it up a bit.

“But Yeovil are a threat and we’ve played them twice since I’ve been here and we’ve drawn both games 1-1. They are a hard-working, difficult to play against and I wanted to make sure that we won the game. I didn’t take the game lightly.

“We have the strength of squad that we can freshen the side up a little bit and rotate, and that proved tonight. I’m delighted because as a manager I’ve never got to a semi-final. I’ve only been managing a year but it’s my first semi-final.”

Awaiting the Hatters on Wednesday 1st March in the one-legged semi at Kenilworth Road are last season’s finalists Oxford United, who were promoted from League Two last term.

“Hopefully it will be a wonderful occasion because it’s one game from Wembley,” added Jones. “Now it gets down to the nitty gritty, the business end of it – as we are at the business end of the league as well. It’s a good time for us.”

Checkatrade Trophy: Luton Town 5 Yeovil Town 2

Luton Town moved to within one game of a Wembley appearance with a magnificent victory over Yeovil Town this evening, courtesy of some breathless second half entertainment.

The Hatters had looked in full control, leading 1-0 at the break, and doubling that through Alan Sheehan's free kick after 50 minutes.

However, four goals in the space of seven minutes saw the tie sway back and forth, with the Glovers twice getting back to within one, but crucially, Luton immediately restored their two goal advantage on both occasions, to eventually cruise through to a home semi-final tie with League One Oxford United.

Hatters boss Nathan Jones opted for a strong side, making just five change from Saturday's 1-1 draw with Grimsby, giving on-loan Arsenal keeper Matt Macey his debut, while Johnny Mullins, Stephen O'Donnell and Alan Sheehan were recalled, with Jonathan Smith fit to return too.

As has been the case in this competition, Luton played with an attacking freedom rarely seen at Kenilworth Road in League Two, going close inside five minutes, Danny Hylton controlling immaculately and teeing up Smith, whose low drive was saved by the legs of Johnny Maddison.

Macey was tested early on, gathering Shayon Harrison's effort at the second attempt, before Isaac Vassell should have made it 1-0, but took an age to finish as a covering defender intervened.

Hatters continued to catch the eye when venturing forward, Mpanzu's low curler requiring palming aside from Maddison, however, there was nothing the Glovers keeper could do on 11 minutes, Jordan Cook thumping home when Vassell's cross deflected into his path.

Despite Town's dominance, Macey had to be alert to turn away Harrison's curling attempt, as he gave a decent display between the posts on his first start for the club since arriving from the Emirates.

Five minutes before the break, Smith almost scored what would have undoubtedly been his best ever goal in a Luton shirt, thundering a volley against the bar with Maddison completely beaten.

Into the second period and Luton appeared to take complete control on 50 minutes as Sheehan's 25-yard free kick beat Maddison who really didn't cover himself in glory, eventually palming into the top corner.

Within 60 seconds, Hylton headed over an open goal from all of two yards from Vassell's perfect cross and the visitors were back in the game out of nowhere on 58 minutes, a long free kick pumped into the box and flicked on for Francois Zoko to take a touch and cleverly beat Macey.

However, Hatters flew straight back on the front foot, and moved 3-1 ahead straight away as Vassell raced past two defenders and then hammered beyond Maddison.

A breathless few minutes saw Hatters pegged back again on 63 minutes, when the towering sub Omar Sowunmi climbed highest to head past Macey.

As they had done moments earlier though, Luton restored their two goal advantage instantly as Vassell caused havoc on the right hand side, crossing for Hylton to convert and make it 15 for the season, as the pair made what should be a watertight case to be Town's first choice forward pairing when Crawley visit on Saturday.

Still Luton weren't finished, Mpanzu's curler palmed over by Maddison,. who then produced an even better stop to turn Hylton's header behind.

With both sides now starting to draw breath, the final 10 minutes saw Luton always keep the visitors at arms length and even manage to add a fifth in stoppage time, the outstanding Vassell turning in from close range.

Hatters: Matt Macey, Stephen O'Donnell, Jack Senior, Johnny Mullins, Alan Sheehan, Glen Rea, Jonathan Smith, Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu, Jordan Cook (Scott Cuthbert 63), Isaac Vassell (Jack Marriott 90), Danny Hylton (James Justin 90).

Subs not used: Craig King, Jake Gray, Olly Lee, Luke Gambin.

Glovers: Johnny Maddison, Nathan Smith, Matthew Dolan, Bevis Mugabi, Kevin Dawson, Tom Eaves (Omar Sowunmi 53), Ryan Dickson (C Tom James 79), Francois Zoko, Matt Butcher, Ben Whitfield (Brandon Goodship 81), Shayon Harrison.

Subs not used: Artur Krysiak.

Booked: Dawson 30, Rea 58, Senior 63, Sowunmi 86.

Attendance: 2,480 (88 Yeovil).

Referee: Ben Tozer.

Hatters MOM: Isaac Vassell. Simply outstanding throughout the entire evening.

Hatters boss Nathan Jones felt his side could and should have run out even more handsome winners during their 5-2 Checkatrade Trophy quarter-final success over Yeovil Town on Tuesday night.

A superb Isaac Vassell netted twice, with Alan Sheehan’s free kick, plus goals from Jordan Cook and Danny Hylton enabling the hosts to ease through to a semi-final tie with League One Oxford United.

Jones said: “The tempo we played with, going forward with a real, real threat, we were scintillating at times, and 5-2 didn’t actually flatter us, we missed chances as well.

“We could have got off the mark earlier than we did, we still had some chances in the second half as well, as they came out and gambled a little bit.

“We looked a real threat, it probably could have been more. Apart from not handling just a few aerial balls in the second half I thought we were excellent, I really, really did.”

One thing that did frustrate Jones was the manner in which Hatters were breached twice, despite on both occasions restoring their two-goal lead within 60 seconds in a crazy five minutes period.

He continued: “It was a relief as I’m disappointed with their goals and how they scored them.

“I was disappointed with the decisions before them, because every time he (referee Ben Toner) gave a decision which I didn’t feel was a foul, they scored from it, which made it doubly frustrating.

“We made it hard for ourselves for a minute, for two minutes of the game, but I can’t criticise them, because they scored five wonderful goals and moved the ball very, very well. We’ve got to learn to deal with free kicks pumped into your box as if you want to play at the next level, got to learn to deal with that at this level.”

It was only once Glovers threw on gigantic sub Omar Sowunmi that they really looked like breaking through, and it paid off as first he won a header to set up Francois Zoko to pull one back, and then nodded beyond Matt Macey to make it 3-2 as well.

Jones had brought on captain Scott Cuthbert to combat the Glovers’ aerial approach as the boss added: “That’s why we changed shape a little bit as we only felt they had one way they were going to score a goal and that was from an aerial ball in, a flick, or you score directly if the ball is good enough in.

“They did that, and I’m disappointed with the two as we could have made it a lot more comfortable.

“It’s a threat, but a predictable one and we should be able to deal with that but we didn’t and we made it a lot harder for ourselves than we should have.

“Every team seems to have a big giant that they want to smash it up to, especially in this league.

“Whether we play Cambridge, we play Wycombe, they’ve all got that big aerial threat and you have to have that at this level.”

RED-hot Isaac Vassell blasted a brace as Luton booked an EFL Trophy semi-final at home to Oxford United after seeing off Yeovil in a ridiculous seven-goal thriller – never let it be said that this much-maligned competition has been dull.

The Hatters were 2-0 up and cruising for the best part of an hour at Kenilworth Road before the two teams traded blows, basketball style, with four goals in eight minutes. Each time the Somerset side got back in it, Luton went straight up the other end and reasserted their advantage.

Barring the two Glovers goals, the biggest Trophy home crowd at Kenilworth Road all season would have gone home happy but also wondering why they can't get served this sort of stuff in the league.

Then again, the hardy souls that have braved this competition have been treated to some high quality stuff. If you can forego the brainless Football League fines for fielding supposed understrength sides in the early stages, it has been a real treat.

Here, Nathan Jones used this last-eight tie against his former side to rubber stamp just how seriously he's been taking it.

With a Wembley final ever closer on the horizon he picked more first-team regulars than ever before and they showed they are, most definitely, not messing around.

Vassell continued his scoring streak with a fourth and fifth strike in four games and could've had a hat-trick, while Danny Hylton – picked in the competition for the first time this term – netted his 15th of the campaign to surpass his tally for Oxford last season and set up a mouthwatering personal proposition against his old club in the last four.

Jordan Cook, got the goal-fest underway and an Alan Sheehan free-kick special had impressive Luton in cruise control before a barmy eight-minute spell of you-score-we-score.

Among five changes from Saturday's League Two draw at Grimsby, Johnny Mullins – in the middle of a four-game league suspension – was given a run out and Arsenal loan shot-stopper Matt Macey had a confidence-inspiring Hatters debut in place of the cup-tied Stuart Moore. The 22-year-old made a very strong case for a league start when Crawley come calling on Saturday.

Collectively, Luton will want to start as impressively as they did here. Jonathan Smith,

Luton were well on top but still needed Macey to tip over Matthew Dolan's rising blast and then launch into an eye-catching diving save to push away Johnny Harrison's curler.

Only the woodwork denied Luton a second when Smith walloped an unstoppable volley from outside the box, but the hosts did extend their lead five minutes into the second period when Sheehan whipped a free-kick into the top corner.

It should have been 3-0 moments later but Hylton headed over with an open goal at his mercy.

The Hatters' profligacy threatened to come back and haunt them when Francois Zoko stabbed in to halve the deficit, but two minutes later, on the hour, their two-goal advantage was restored thanks to Vassell's fourth in four games. It was all the in-form striker's own work as he muscled past two defenders before thumping in.

Giant Glovers substitute Omar Sowunmi, who had provided the assist for Zoko, then dragged the visitors back into the contest with a header, but that hope was quashed quickly again as Hylton turned in from close range.

Vassell then capped a man-of-the-match display to add his second of the night deep into injury time.

Wembley is almost in sight.

Luton: Macey, O'Donnell, Smith, Mullins, Hylton (Justin, 95), Cook (Cuthbert, 64), Rea, Mpanzu, Vassell (Marriott, 95), Senior, Sheehan Unused subs: Gray, Lee, Gambin, King

Yeovil: Maddison, Smith, Dolan, Mugabi, Dawson, Eaves (Sowunmi, 54), Dickson (James, 79), Zoko, Butcher, Whitfield (Goodship, 81), Harrison Unused subs: Krysiak

Referee: Ben Toner Attendance: 2,480 (88)

NATHAN Jones hailed Isaac Vassell as a 'real diamond' after his brace in last night's 5-2 thriller against Yeovil which saw Luton seal a spot in the semi-finals of the EFL Trophy.

The striker is in the form of his short Hatters career and now has five goals in his last four games, while he is also starting to forge a dangerous double act with Town's top scorer Danny Hylton.

The latter scored his 15th of the campaign to surpass his tally last term for former club Oxford United and set up a last four Trophy clash at Kenilworth Road with the U's.

Jones said: "I can't say too much more about Danny. Everyone knows what I think of him but Isaac is now looking [good]. We are polishing a few rough edges off a real diamond.

"At times he's unplayable with pace, power and he wants to get in. He is a bit of an animal at times and we're so, so delighted to have him. Hopefully he'll get better. They're [Vassell and Hylton] forging a good partnership and with the two we have, Jack [Marriott] and Ollie [Palmer], we have quite a potent front four."

Vassell was spotted playing for non-league Truro City by Hatters strike legend and current head of recruitment Mick Harford and he joined Luton in a one-year deal in the summer, which was extended in December to keep him at the club until the summer of 2018.

Jones said: "You've got to remember, he was at Plymouth, where he wasn't used and then he went and played non-league football. No disrespect to a lot of teams but he wouldn't have got an education there, we don't think.

"We've got him now and it's all part of a learning curve, but what he has are attributes that you can work with. They're potent, real good attributes and we're delighted to have him.

"If he doesn't get better then I'm not doing my job."

Hylton said of Vassell: "He's an animal. He's so quick, so strong, direct, he's got a good touch, he's athletic and he's got everything, honestly.

"He needed a few games to settle in and get his confidence up. You saw it when he scored that goal and now he's confident, he's flying. If I was a defender I wouldn't want to play against him.

"I think he's got everything and it's a pleasure to play with him. Hopefully he can continue that form, keep scoring goals, keep winning us games and push us up the table."

Asked just how much the striker has improved since his return to the professional ranks, Hylton said: "He just needed a run of games in the league. Under the manager and the staff that we've got, they've guided him, worked with him, as they do with everybody. You really see him improving now and I think he's got those goals, he's settled in the team and he's only going to get better. That's scary that he can get better."