Morecambe vs Luton Town FC (26th Sep 2017)

MATCH REPORT: MORECAMBE 0 LUTON TOWN 0

Shrimps keeper Roche denies Town all three points at the Globe Arena

The Hatters were forced to settle for a draw at Morecambe tonight as they made it four games unbeaten in Sky Bet League Two, but were denied a victory by some excellent goalkeeping from Shrimps keeper Barry Roche.

The Town were looking for a fourth win in a row following after Saturday’s home success over Chesterfield lifted them up to third in the table, and both Harry Cornick – making his first start for the club – and Dan Potts went close in an dominant first half display, but found Roche blocking the way.

By the end, Morecambe had created a couple of excellent chances themselves that could have seen them nick all three points, but goalkeeper Marek Stech and his stubborn back four could claim a fifth clean sheet of the season to ensure they made the long trip back from Lancashire with something.

Boss Nathan Jones made two changes to his starting line-up, both enforced with Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu serving the first game of a three-match suspension for his straight red card at the weekend, and Andrew Shinnie missing out with the ankle injury that forced him off in the first half of that game at Kenilworth Road.

Coming into the starting XI in their place were Glen Rea and Cornick, who was handed his first league start in a Hatters shirt after seven appearances as a substitute since his August move from Bournemouth.

The Hatters started like a train, especially Cornick, who had the first of a series of early attempts on goal in the fifth minute when he gathered a loose ball and shot on the turn from just outside the area, but his effort fizzed just wide of Roche’s post.

As the Town attacked at will, Collins fired in a seventh-minute shot that flew just past the other post, before Potts nicked the ball in front of his man and let fly from 25 yards, but his left-foot shot flew just over.

The defence had to be on their guard at the other end, captain Scott Cuthbert and Alan Sheehan making several excellent clearances and blocks as Morecambe attacked, while Danny Hylton had a shot from 20 yards that was too high.

Stech gathered a Patrick Brough free-kick comfortably before he had to react smartly to tip a 33rd-minute effort from Adam Campbell, cutting in from the left onto his right foot, over the bar.

Two minutes later, Roche pulled off his first crucial stop, beating away Cornick’s blast from inside the box after Hylton had seen a shot blocked.

The Town had played some lovely football in an open first half, and Collins was next to have a go, hitting the side-netting, before Roche produced his best save of the night to keep out Potts’ half-volley from eight yards out after a spell of head tennis in the box and keep the score goalless at the break.

The Hatters came out of the blocks quickly again after the interval, a flurry of corners in the opening couple of minutes leading to Collins having a half-chance and Olly Lee seeing a shot blocked

The Town survived a penalty shout in the 49th minute when Lee challenged Campbell in the box, but referee Darren Handley waved the hosts’ appeals away before showing the Town midfielder a yellow card for an earlier foul on the halfway line as Morecambe broke.

Alan Sheehan made a terrific interception at one end, then set the Town on another lightning quick break which ended in Luke Gambin bending one towards the top corner from 25 yards, but it was just off target.

With the hour-mark approaching, Town were asking all the questions here as Gambin sent another deep cross to the far post, but Cornick couldn’t quite get anything on it, before a good passing move from left to right saw Stacey and Gambin set Collins up for a shot that was saved by Roche.

Almost immediately Stech had to make a terrific save to deny Morecambe sub Kevin Ellison, and then Campbell, who was trying to get on the rebound, before an inswinging free-kick from Rose caused consternation in the box as Steve Old volleyed over, and Lee and Rea combined to block a shot from Andrew Fleming.

The Hatters were still posing the most threats, however, and a lightning quick break from Cornick and Hylton saw the striker feeding Collins in the box, but the ex-Crawley man’s shot was deflected behind.

Cornick created another chance for Collins, whose shot was too high, before the forward’s had to succumb to cramp and his energetic full debut came to an early end in the 81st minute, the 326 travelling fans giving him a great reception as he made way for Jordan Cook.

Within a minute came arguably Morecambe’s best chance, Callum Lang heading a right-wing cross from Fleming onto the roof of the net before Jones handed recent signing from Basingstoke Town, Aaron Jarvis, his professional debut as an 87th-minute sub for Collins.

The 19-year-old didn’t get an opportunity in front of goal, but Rea did after a late corner was only half-cleared by Ellison and the midfielder, who’d had an excellent game in the holding role, sent in a left-footed half-volley that flashed inches past the far post.

It wasn’t to be the Town’s night in front of goal and the result saw them drop down to fifth, but it’s another game unbeaten – and third clean sheet in that run – before Newport County visit Kenilworth Road in four days’ time.

TOWN: Stech, Stacey, Cuthbert ©, Sheehan, Potts, Rea, O Lee, Gambin, Cornick (Cook 81), Hylton, Collins (Jarvis 87). Subs: Justin, Senior, Musonda, Famewo, Shea

Yellows: Lee

MORECAMBE: Roche, Brough, Old, Thompson, Oliver, Campbell (Lang 76), Wildig (Ellison 38), Lund, Osborne (Fleming 61), Muller, Rose. Subs: Nizic (GK), McGowan, Kenyon, Lavelle

REFEREE: Darren Handley

ATT: 1,354 (326 Hatters)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qfVzd5rrxow

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYEyOIl7_D8

NATHAN JONES ON THE 0-0 DRAW WITH MORECAMBE

Town boss Nathan Jones lamented his side’s performance in front of goal tonight as they weren’t able to make it four wins on the spin as they drew 0-0 at Morecambe.

Wins against Port Vale, Wycombe Wanderers and Chesterfield set the Town up to go on a solid win run, however they were unable to break down the Shrimps’ defence.

On the flipside, it does mean the Hatters have now kept a clean sheet in half of their ten Sky Bet League Two fixtures this season - and three in the last four matches.

Jones said: “I was pleased for the most of the night with our performance. I thought we started very well in terms of we had a real intensity about us. We got in some great areas consistently – we tested the keeper early, but we probably lacked just a little bit of cutting edge.

“They could have nicked it late on, they came into it late on and could have nicked it with the through balls across the box.

“I thought for an away performance we moved the ball nicely. We got it into our front men, our front men were a handful all night, we probably just lacked a little bit of cutting edge.

"We got in so many good areas especially on the right-hand side, we just couldn’t pick anyone out, we didn’t have anyone running across the near post. We didn’t have anyone getting on the end of anything which probably cost us. We had enough opportunities in their box.

“I thought we were right at it for an away side. We were on the front foot, we were relentless in terms of our play. We got in, we had a counter-attacking threat as well. I am just disappointed with our quality in the final third.

“I’ll have to look at it again now, I have just seen them now and whether it was that we didn’t pick anyone out or the runs weren’t good enough, but it seemed to me we had about 20 opportunities of getting the ball in the box and getting into areas where we just couldn’t pick anybody out. We just had to pick one person out and we just didn’t do that.

“It’s the only disappointing thing really, we have come away with a clean sheet, we have defended well for most of the night, so it’s hard to be too disappointed. Obviously we will be because we would have liked to have gone four on the bounce.”

Hatters held to a stalemate at Morecambe

League Two: Morecambe 0 Luton Town 0

Luton Town saw their three game winning run ended after a hard-fought goalless draw at Morecambe this evening.

The visitors had plenty of possession and impressed for long periods against their opponents, but although having the game's outstanding player in Harry Cornick, just didn't have that final ball in their locker to break down a stubborn Shrimps back-line.

Town boss Nathan Jones made two changes prior to kick off, Cornick in for his first start, while Glen Rea started in place of the suspended Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu and injured Andrew Shinnie.

Utilising a newlook 4-2-3-1 formation, Luton started brightly, easily the best they have to any away match this season, Cornick in particular causing a whole host of problems, manufacturing a shooting opportunity from 20 yards, not missing by much.

Luton continued to impress, with Danny Hylton and James Collins linking well, the latter dragging narrowly wide from the edge of the box, while Dan Potts won the ball back high up and went alone, thundering over.

Town had to be alert at the back though, Scott Cuthbert with a crucial intervention at full stretch to deny Vadaine Oliver.

Hylton saw his 25 yarder fly harmlessly wide, as the hosts finally started to gain a foothold in proceedings, Adam Campbell cutting in from the left and unleashing an effort that Marek Stech had to tip behind.

Cornick continued to look Town's liveliest attacker, receiving possession inside the area, his blast parried away by Barry Roche, while Collins fired into the side netting too.

Hatters created their best chance of the match on the stroke of half time, Potts's close range volley drawing a wonderful save from Roche, who stuck out a hand to palm away.

Luton once again started well after the break, Olly Lee's shot from a corner deflecting away from the line, although the midfielder could count himself lucky not to concede a penalty, after tangling with Campbell in the box.

Alan Sheehan had to make a superb block to prevent Oliver getting clear, while Luke Gambin sized one up at the other end, bending one over the top, Glen Rea firing off target as well.

Collins sent a tame shot into the hands of Roche, as all Luton couldn't manage to do was create that one, real clear-cut opportunity, something Morecambe did just after the hour, sub Kevin Ellison forcing Stech into an awkward save from close range.

Still Cornick continued to catch the eye, showing no signs of any drop off in his energy levels, racing down the wing again, picking out Collins, who shot into the stands.

Morecambe almost won it inside the final 10 minutes, as the two subs combined, Andrew Fleming's cross cushioned goalwards by Callum Lang, nestling on the roof of the net.

Late on, forward Aaron Jarvis came on for his Town debut, while the Hatters came close to winning it, Rea's shot whizzing across the face of goal as they had to make do with a point, ahead of Saturday's home fixture with Newport County.

Shrimps: Barry Roche, Patrick Brough, Steve Old, Garry Thompson, Vadaine Oliver, Adam Campbell (Callum Lang 76), Aaron Wildig (Kevin Ellison 38), Mitchell Lund, Elliot Osborne (Andrew Fleming 61) , Max Muller, Michael Rose (C).

Subs not used: Daniel Nizic, Aaron McGowan, Alex Kenyon, Sam Lavelle.

Hatters: Marek Stech, Jack Stacey, Dan Potts, Scott Cuthbert, Alan Sheehan, Glen Rea, Olly Lee, Luke Gambin, Harry Cornick (Jordan Cook 81), Danny Hylton, James Collins (Aaron Jarvis 87).

Subs not used: James Shea, James Justin, Jack Senior, Frankie Musonda, Akin Famewo.

Booked: Lee 50.

Referee: Darren Handley. Attendance: 1,354 (326 Luton). Hatters MOM: Harry Cornick. Outstanding all night.

Lack of a cutting edge frustrates Hatters boss

Hatters boss Nathan Jones was left with a tinge of disappointment that his side didn’t have enough cutting edge during their goalless draw at Morecambe on Tuesday night.

The visitors created a host of good opportunities, particularly in the first half, as although Dan Potts and Harry Cornick were denied by Shrimps keeper Barry Roche, Potts in spectacular style, time and time again, Luton’s final ball was often cut out.

Jones said: “I was pleased for most of the night on our performance.

“I think we started very, very well, in terms of a real intensity about us, we got into some great areas consistently, tested the keeper early, it’s just we probably lacked a little bit of cutting edge.

“They came into it late on and could have nicked it with a few balls across the box, but I thought as an away performance, we moved it well, put it into our front men, our front men were a handful all night, and we just probably lacked a little bit of cutting edge.

“As we got in so many good areas, especially the right hand side, we just didn’t pick anyone out, didn’t have anyone going across the near, didn’t get on the end of anything.

“It’s probably cost us as I thought we had enough opportunities in their box.

“We’ll look at it as we’re still unbeaten and just a tinge of disappointment as normally we show good bits of quality in the box, so it’s the only disappointing thing.”

Luton made a superb start to the game in terms of tempo, as they pushed Morecambe back in the early stages, but that opening goal just wouldn’t come as Jones continued: “I thought we were right at it, for an away side we were on the front foot, we were a bit relentless with our play.

“We got in, had a little bit of a counter attacking threat as well, I’m just disappointed with our quality in the final third.

“We’ll have to have look again as I’ve just seen them now, whether it was we didn’t pick anyone out? Or the runs weren’t good enough?

“But it seemed to me we had about 20 opportunities in terms of putting the ball in the box, getting in areas where we just had to pick someone out, pick one person out and we didn’t do that.

“That’s the only disappointing thing as we’ve come away, kept a clean sheet, we’ve defended most of the night well, so hard to be too disappointed, but we will be as we would have liked to go four on the bounce.”

Although Luton failed to make it four straight wins for the first time since the 2015-16 season, Jones still felt it had been a good result on their travels, adding: “It would be disrespectful for Morecambe if we were to say it’s two points dropped.

“They’re a side that have got decent players, put you under pressure, they’ve got threats, especially set-plays.

“But there were some wonderful performances out there, young (Aaron) Jarvis making his league debut.

“I’m just a little bit disappointed because I felt that one goal would have won it tonight and all I said to them was just try and win the game, because that’s all we wanted.”