Middlesbrough vs Luton Town FC (10th Dec 2022)

Report | Middlesbrough 2-1 Luton Town

The Rob Edwards era kicked off with late heartbreak at the Riverside as ten-man Town conceded an injury-time goal to go down 2-1 to Middlesbrough.

Jordan Clark netted a superb solo goal to give the Hatters the lead just after the half-hour mark in an even first half.

But Boro, 15th at kick-off but unbeaten in four under their own new manager in Michael Carrick, levelled soon after through Chuba Akpom's header.

The Hatters were reduced to ten when Amari'i Bell saw red for a second yellow card with just under 20 minutes plus injury-time remaining - both for fouls on Boro's right-sided flyer Isaiah Jones - and despite some stubborn resistance, substitute Matt Crooks fired in the hosts' winner a minute into added time.

Edwards named an unchanged line-up from the one that interim manager Mick Harford selected for the 1-1 draw with Rotherham a month ago, with Tom Lockyer keeping the captain's armband in Sonny Bradley's absence.

Ethan Horvath returned to training on Thursday morning and was straight back in the starting line-up following USA's World Cup campaign, whilst there is a single change on the bench with Cameron Jerome replacing Josh Williams.

The Hatters lined up in a familiar way with Gabe Osho, Lockyer and Amari'i Bell as the three centre-halves, James Bree and Alfie Doughty as the wing-backs either side of the midfield trio of Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu, Clark and Allan Campbell. Top scorer Carlton Morris and Elijah Adebayo led the line.

After Tommy Smith had blasted Boro's first shot way over in the fifth minute, Doughty was the first Hatter to have a sight of goal seconds later, but his left footer flew narrowly over Zack Steffen's bar.

Town were looking comfortable in an even game, with Doughty continuing his promising form from before the World Cup break down the left. But it was Bell, just behind him, who was the first name into ref Gavin Ward's book for a foul on Isaiah Jones in the 25th minute.

The breakthrough came in the 33rd minute when Clark picked himself up after being fouled by Jones just inside the Boro half, and took a quick free-kick into Morris feet.

Receiving the ball back from his front man, Clark drifted to his right, beat Jonny Howson with a nutmeg, then Hayden Hackney with a drop of the shoulder before unleashing a left-foot bullet past Steffen into the bottom corner.

The lead lasted for just five minutes as Boro, who had seen Jones fire over straight after the goal, moved the ball from right to left across the edge of the Town box, with Ryan Giles eventually delivering the cross for Akpom to meet with a firm downward header past Horvath.

Level at the break, the Hatters started the second half on top and Lockyer was presented with a glorious chance to restore the lead three minutes after the restart, but the man returning from World Cup duty with Wales volleyed Doughty's deep free-kick wide.

Lockyer picked up a 57th minute booking for a trip on Jones, who had appeared to kick out at the defender on the right touchline seconds earlier, causing the fourth official Leigh Doughty to intervene.

The right sided flyer was proving to be the hosts' main threat, but Bell and Doughty were shackling him well on the Town left.

It was Doughty's pressing at the other end that helped create an unexpected chance for the Hatters on 64 minutes, with Middlesbrough keeper Steffen closed down by Adebayo and Campbell after Doughty had initially nicked the ball on the left flank.

The ricochet off the Scottish midfielder went into the side-netting, just inches the wrong side of the post as Steffen was hounded on the edge of his six-yard box attempting to play out.

Edwards brought Harry Cornick and Luke Freeman on for Adebayo and Campbell, but Town were reduced to ten men with just under 20 minutes left when Bell picked up a second yellow for a foul on Jones.

The Hatters reverted to two banks of four, with Doughty dropping in at left-back after receiving treatment, and continued to stand firm as Lockyer headed one deep cross behind, then blocked an effort from distance before Boro sub Duncan Watmore drilled a low shot in that Horvath held well with ten minutes to go.

Howson and sub Crooks wasted good chances as the clock ticked down, but just as the board went up for five minutes of added time, the latter steered in a volley from close range to take all three points for Boro and lift them above Town in the table.

Goals:

LT - Clark 33

M - Akpom 38, Crooks 90+1

Att: 23,187

Reaction | Rob Edwards on Middlesbrough loss

Manager Rob Edwards provided an honest assessment after his side fell to a late 2-1 defeat against Middlesbrough this afternoon.

In his first match in charge, Jordan Clark gave Luton the lead before the hosts quickly responded through Chuba Akpom before half-time.

Following Amari’i Bell’s dismissal for a second bookable offence, the Hatters were resilient until the very end, before Matt Crooks found a winner in added time.

Edwards admitted that the players were down after the match but took the positives from the Riverside Stadium.

“The dressing room is flat, we’re all a bit flat because we worked so hard. Especially when you go down to ten men, taking a point away from home would have been a good result but it wasn’t to be. There are bits for us to learn from, reflect on and get better at.

“I don’t think there was much in it. I was pleased with the first half, I thought we quietened the crowd well, I thought we retained a threat, we were aggressive at the right moment and I thought we pressed well. Clicker’s goal was amazing, it was a wonderful individual goal. We didn’t create too much and this is something we want to continue to work on but we limited them to not much as well. Disappointing in how we conceded but we are always going to be disappointed when we concede goals.”

The boss also shared his appreciation for the travelling Luton fans who made the long journey on a cold December afternoon.

“A massive thank you to everyone that came to support us today. I know it’s a long, long journey, cold day, England are on the telly, so many things to make people stay at home but to come and get behind the team, a massive thank you to them.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y56o9GBRHMI – Match highlights

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fajYVoY5G34 – Rob Edwards interview

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b7GvoMwdhGI – Tom Lockyer interview

Edwards' first game in charge of Luton ends in cruel stoppage time defeat at Middlesbrough

Championship: Middlesbrough 2 Luton Town 1

New Luton boss Rob Edwards suffered late, late heartache during his first game in charge of the Hatters, as Middlesbrough substitute Matt Crooks scored a stoppage time winner to ensure the visitors left Teesside empty-handed.

It had looked like Town, reduced to 10 men for the final 17 minutes once Amari'i Bell was sent off for a second yellow card would hold on for a battling point, before Crooks, who had missed a glorious chance moments earlier, volleyed home the winner in the first of five added on minutes.

Edwards had gone with an unchanged side from Town's last game before the international break, a 1-1 draw against Rotherham, as World Cup duo Ethan Horvath and Tom Lockyer were both available and included.

Tommy Smith put one ambitious well effort off target early on for Boro, Alfie Doughty going far closer for the visitors, his 20-yard angled drive flashing narrowly over.

With both sides showing clear and obvious signs of ring-rust from their time off for the World Cup, a number of passes going astray, Bell and Doughty's continued troubles in containing Isiah Jones, the latter eventually booked for a foul, the only real moments worth writing about in the early stages.

It then came as something of a real surprise when, on 33 minutes, Luton took the lead with a goal of real quality, completely out of keeping with the rest of the match.

Taking a quick free kick, Clark received the ball back and nutmegged Jonny Howson, also beating Hayden Hackney before unleashing a superb left-footer from 20 yards that beat the despairing dive of Zack Steffen and nestled into the corner.

However, Boro were unbowed by falling behind, Jones beating Doughty with ease inside the area to rifle over before they were level on 38 minutes when the ball was worked wide to Ryan Giles on the left, his pinpoint cross met by a downward header from Chuba Akpom giving Horvath no chance.

Dael Fry put an effort wide as the hosts looked to go into the break with the advantage, but Town were able to keep them from doing so.

After the break, Luton might have gone back in front with their first attack, Doughty's deep free kick met on the run by Lockyer, but he could only volley disappointingly wide with just Steffen to beat.

Moments later and the hosts had their own opportunity, Jones' flick allowing Akpom to race into the box, his fierce attempt clipping the point of post and bar.

Midway through the half, Luton almost had their advantage back as they timed their press on Steffen to perfection, the on-loan Manchester City keeper more than happy to invite players on when in possession, this time Alan Campbell charging his clearance down, as it rebounded into the side-netting.

Edwards made his first changes with Harry Cornick and Luke Freeman on for Adebayo and Campbell, but Luton were then down to 10 men for the final 17 minutes, Bell, who had looked a candidate for an early bath from the moment he fouled Jones in the first half, receiving one from Gavin Ward.

How much contact on the flier remains debatable, but with the defender finding himself in the last chance saloon following a number of minor offences, his luck ran out when catching his opponent on the touch-line.

With Duncan Watmore introduced from the bench, the ex-Sunderland attacker fashioned some space inside the area and saw his low drive well gathered by Horvath.

Boro remained patient in their approach, skipper Jonny Howson teed up to arrow over from just inside the the area with five minutes left.

They should really have sewn up the three points moments later when Giles delivered an an excellent low cross that picked out the completely unmarked Crooks, but he could only lift his shot over the bar from eight yards out.

He made no mistake in stoppage time though, as although Luton looked to have cleared their lines from a free kick, the ball back in rebounded into his path, and this time he made no mistake.

Boro: Zack Steffen, Isaiah Jones, Ryan Giles, Dael Fry, Riley McGree (Duncan Watmore 72), Tommy Smith, Jonathan Howson (C), Marcus Forss (Matt Crooks 83), Darragh Lenihan, Chuba Akpom (Malik Dijksteel 90), Hayden Hackney.

Subs not used: Liam Roberts, Alex Mowatt, Rodrigo Muniz, Malik Dijksteel, Patrick McNair.

Hatters: Ethan Horvath, Alfie Doughty, James Bree, Tom Lockyer (C), Gabe Osho , Amari'i Bell, Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu, Allan Campbell (Luke Freeman 66), Jordan Clark (Luke Berry 83), Elijah Adebayo (Harry Cornick 66), Carlton Morris (Cameron Jerome 83). Subs not used: Harry Isted, Louie Watson, Casey Pettit.

Referee: Gavin Ward.

Booked: Bell 26, Lockyer 56, (also Bree 73)

Sent off: Bell 73.

Attendance: 23,187.

Hatters boss feeling 'flat' as Bell sees red in last-gasp defeat for Luton at the Riverside

Edwards disappointed as red card costs Town

Luton boss Rob Edwards admitted he was left feeling flat by the manner of Town’s stoppage time defeat in his first game in charge of the club at Middlesbrough this afternoon.

The visitors looked to have done enough to earn a point at the Riverside, Jordan Clark’s first half goal quickly cancelled out by Chuba Akpom’s close range header. However, Amari’i Bell was sent off with 13 minutes remaining, as Matt Crooks pounced to volley home in the first minute of five added on, meaning Luton made the long trip home with nothing for their efforts, as Edwards said: “The dressing room is flat, we’re all a bit flat because we worked so hard.

"Especially when you go down to 10 men, taking a point away from home would have been a good result, it wasn’t to be, bits for us to learn from and reflect on and get better at.”

Clark’s goal was one of the bright moments in what was a disappointing first half quality-wise, as although Boro quickly restored parity, Edwards had been satisfied with his side’s offerings.

He continued: “I don't think there was much in it.

"I was pleased with the first half, I think we quietened the crowd though, retained a threat, we were aggressive at the right moments, we pressed well, Clicker’s goal was amazing, a wonderful individual goal.

“We didn't create too much and that's something we want to continue to work on, but we limited them to not much as well.

"I’m disappointed with how we conceded but we're always going to be disappointed with how we concede goals, so the first half was very pleasing overall.”

After the break, barring one attempt from Tom Lockyer that flew wide, Luton didn’t really create a great deal of opportunities and paid the price when Bell was dismissed for his second booking, which led to Boro taking charge.

Edwards added: “I’m not going to argue with it too much.

"There were a few fouls in the game, they were good in transition, Jones was obviously a threat, we’re asking Belly, asking all the lads to try and be physical, fairly, but we’re disappointed to lose a man as it makes the job difficult then.

“We just probably lacked a little bit of control, we gave the ball away too cheaply on a number of occasions and when we won it back, we want to be little a bit better with the ball.

"It allowed them to gain momentum and more control and then we couldn't press as well.

"So then they've got the game when and when we lost Amari it makes it a lot more difficult.

"But what I will say is the lads gave absolute everything and I know they always do, but they gave absolute everything.”