Newport County AFC vs Luton Town FC (17th Mar 2018)

MATCH REPORT & GALLERY: NEWPORT COUNTY AFC 1-1 LUTON TOWN

Town come from behind to take a point at Rodney Parade

Town fought back from a goal down to take a point against Newport County this afternoon – a result which sees the Hatters maintain second spot in Sky Bet League Two.

Josh Sheehan scored after two minutes to give the Exiles an early lead, before Dan Potts' header brought the game level midway through the first half.

Nathan Jones made two changes from the side that drew in midweek against Coventry, with Luke Gambin and Elliot Lee coming in for Flynn Downes and Harry Cornick.

The Hatters got off to the worst possible start after County's Sheehan put the hosts in front early on. Aaron Collins sprinted down the left before cutting past Jack Stacey, then shooting from an angle which Marek Stech parried away, but Josh Sheehan was there to follow it up 12 yards out, firing it through a crowd to put the hosts 1-0 up.

The Hatters came very close to responding six minutes later as Luke Gambin's neat touch to Elliot Lee gave the striker space to run at the Newport defence. The forward got an effort away from 16 yards – it deflected off a Newport defender, Danny Hylton looked to get a touch but Joe Day did well to palm it out for a corner.

Alan Sheehan – making his 400th career appearance – took it, Potts headed it down before managing to get a shot away but it was headed away from goal, before Gambin blazed over from 22 yards.

Aaron Collins persisted to threaten down the left and very nearly assisted in a second goal after 15 minutes, as he got past Berry before crossing to the back stick for Padraig Amond to head, but a combination of Stech and the post stopped the Exiles extending their lead.

Town got a deserved equaliser after 23 minutes when Dan Potts rose highest in the Newport box six-yards out to head in from Alan Sheehan's cross from a corner – the left-back's seventh goal of the campaign.

That fired Jones' team into life and it could have very easily been 2-1 to the Hatters just two minutes later when James Collins ran at the Newport defence before cutting on to his left, he looked for the bottom right corner, but Day somehow got a touch and sent the ball behind for a corner.

It was the Town striker again finding space out on the left after a great chipped pass from Stacey with ten minutes of the first half remaining. Collins got it into his right boot before curling it looking for the top right corner, but hit the crossbar.

After an entertaining opening half, it was a tightly contested second, but with very few chances for either side.

Town again threatened from a corner routine as Hylton met Sheehan's near post cross, but his effort was just wide to the left of Day's goal 53 minutes in.

Substitute Frank Nouble went close to giving Mike Flynn's side the lead with nine minutes to go, as he got an effort away from the edge of the box with the Town defence on the back foot, but it was a comfortable save for Stech in the end who dived to his left to gather.

Town went very close to snatching it a minute into stoppage time when substitutes Jake Jervis and Alan McCormack combined on the right, with the latter nutmegging Dan Butler before crossing in low, but the hosts managed to clear it away.

The result means the Hatters have now drawn four of their last five, sitting five points clear of fourth placed Wycombe Wanderers, with eight league games to go for the Town.

Newport: Day, Butler, Demetriou, O'Brien, White, Willmott, Tozer, Sheehan (Nouble 70), Dolan, Amond (McCoulsky 86), Collins. Subs not used: Bittner, Jackson, Bennett, Reid, Pipe.

Goal: J Sheehan 2' Yellow: Dolan, O'Brien

Town: Stech, Stacey, Cuthbert, Sheehan, Potts, Rea, Berry, Gambin (McCormack 87), Elliot Lee (Cornick 68), Hylton (Jervis 84), Collins. Subs not used: Justin, Mullins, Olly Lee, Shea.

Goal: Potts 23'

Referee: Craig Hicks Attendance: 3,512 Away: 589

NATHAN JONES ON THE 1-1 DRAW WITH NEWPORT COUNTY AFC

Town boss Nathan Jones was disappointed with his side for conceding early on for the second game in succession in the 1-1 draw at Newport County this afternoon.

Dan Potts' header brought the game level midway through the first half after Josh Sheehan had fired his side in front just two minutes in – the second time in four days that the Town have conceded early, after falling behind in the third minute at Coventry on Tuesday night.

The result leaves the Hatters in second, three points off leaders Accrington Stanley and five points clear of fourth-placed Wycombe.

Jones said: "It's not a bad point, but after you shoot yourself in the foot again after two minutes, you're chasing the game again.

"We can't seem to keep a clean sheet at the moment in terms of just giving ourselves an opportunity. We seem to be conceding first, which we haven't been doing all season, and then we're chasing the game again.

"I thought we were excellent first half, I really do. Apart from the first five minutes I thought we were excellent. We hit the bar, we had a number of chances. We played some really good stuff in some really difficult conditions.

"It was a really difficult day for conditions. It was blowing a gale, the pitch was dry and bobbly, it's not conducive really for anything free flowing, but I thought we were brave when we got it down.

"But that would have been a great win coming away 1-0 away from home, because it's a difficult place to come, especially in the conditions. But we shot ourselves in the foot after two minutes and then you've got an uphill battle again.

"In recent weeks we haven't kept clean sheets, so we thought we might need two to win it, so we played a really positive side. It was as positive a side as we could have gone with, with the attacking players in my team.

"We did score, but we gave ourselves a mountain to climb in the first two minutes and that's the disappointing thing from today, because that would be a great 1-0 win."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sAsP0O6w9f0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zCXVtle01Rc

Hatters held once more at Newport

League Two: Newport County 1 Luton Town 1

Luton's winless run was stretched to five games after they were held to their fourth draw in five games at Newport County this afternoon.

Since demolishing Crawley Town at Kenilworth Road back in February, the Hatters, although hard to beat, have definitely stuttered in their quest for promotion, taking just four points from a possible 15.

And while a point in Wales is never to be sniffed at, with Town not having won at the Exiles since 2011, victories for Accrington and Wycombe means Town are now three points adrift of the summit, five ahead of Notts County and the Chairboys in third and fourth, Wanderers having a game in hand.

Boss Nathan Jones made two changes to the side that drew 2-2 with Coventry, Luke Gambin making for his first league start since the home game against the Exiles back in September, while Elliot Lee came in, Harry Cornick and Flynn Downes missing out, Alan McCormack named on the bench for the first time in six months.

As they had done on Tuesday night, the Hatters disappointingly fell behind early on, as this time it took County just two minutes to score.

Usually a Collins shot with Sheehan sweeping up the rebound would have been met with cheers by the 589 visiting fans, but this time with it being Aaron and Josh, it was head in the hands stuff.

First, impressive home winger Aaron Collins beat Jack Stacey on the right with ease and although Marek Stech, who had kept his place ahead of James Shea, saved well, Josh Sheehan was first to the loose ball, beating Luton's dithering defenders to tuck into the empty net.

Town went close to a leveller when Lee's shot took a wicked deflection, as Hylton nipped in but couldn't get a touch, keeper Joe Day reacting sharply to palm behind.

From the corner, Dan Potts rose highest and when the ball came back to him, saw his effort blocked by Dan Butler, with Gambin blazing over.

On 15 minutes, Luton were indebted to what appeared a magnificent save from Stech to keep them in it as Aaron Collins set off on the left, beating Luke Berry for pace and his cross picked out Robbie Willmott.

The ex-Town winger's downward header looked in, only for Stech to get a crucial touch and turn it on to the post, Luton just managing to clear away.

Hatters kept up the pressure at the other end in an open and entertaining contest, Gambin almost walking the ball in after some incisive passing, while yet another corner saw Cuthbert thump a header over.

Town were level on 25 minutes though when from their sixth corner of the first half, Sheehan's exquisite delivery was perfect for Dan Potts to power home a seventh of the season.

Luton almost had the lead seconds later too, James Collins breaking away on the left, turning inside Butler seeing his low shot brilliantly turned behind by Day.

With 37 gone, Hatters' Collins was inches away once more as picked out by Stacey's long ball, he shifted it on to his right foot and in attempting to pick out the top corner, saw his effort cannon against the bar.

Hopes were high that Luton could go on and pick up what would have been an excellent three points in the second period, but it never materialised as the game degenerated into a poor and ultimately scrappy affair.

Mickey Demetriou put his header over the top from Willmott's cross, while set-pieces looked the order of the day for the visitors, Sheehan's corner nodded wide by Hylton.

The Hatters then came under some pressure with Newport enjoying the better of the territory, both Cuthbert and Stacey making crucial blocks, while the unusually out of sorts Hylton hammering a half chance way over.

Stech showed smart handling to deny County sub Frank Nouble, while McCormack was introduced in the final moments and from his drilled cross, Cornick spun to hammer goalwards, his effort flying wide as both teams had to make do with a point.

Exiles: Joe Day, Dan Butler, Ben White, Robbie Willmott, Matty Dolan, Padraig Amond (Shawn McCoulsky ), Ben Tozer, Mark O'Brien (C), Mickey Demetriou, Josh Sheehan (Frank Nouble 70), Aaron Collins.

Subs not used: James Bittner, David Pipe, Marlon Jackson, Scot Bennett, Tyler Reid.

Hatters: Marek Stech, Jack Stacey, Dan Potts, Scott Cuthbert (C), Alan Sheehan (C), Glen Rea, Luke Berry, Luke Gambin (Alan McCormack 89), Elliot Lee, (Harry Cornick 68) James Collins, Danny Hylton (Jake Jervis 84).

Subs not used: James Shea, James Justin, Johnny Mullins, Olly Lee.

Referee: Craig Hicks. Booked: Nolan 78, O'Brien 89 Attendance: 3,512 (589 Luton).

Jones frustrated by Town's inability to keep a clean sheet

Hatters boss Nathan Jones was left bemoaning his side's inability to keep a clean sheet as they were held to a 1-1 draw at Newport County this afternoon.

After conceding with just three minutes on the clock at Coventry in midweek, Town only lasted two minutes this time, with Josh Sheehan sweeping home from close range.

Although Dan Potts levelled midway through the first half, it means that Luton have now gone seven matches without a shut out, and have conceded first in their last three games.

Jones said: “It’s not a bad point, but after you shoot yourself in the foot again after two minutes, you’re chasing the game again.

“We just can’t seem to keep a clean sheet at the minute in terms of just giving ourselves an opportunity. We seem to be conceding first which we haven’t done all season and then we’re chasing the game again.

“I thought we were excellent first half, I really do, apart from the first five minutes. “We hit the bar, we had a number of chances, we played some really good stuff in some really difficult conditions.

"It was blowing a gale, the pitch was dry and bobbly, so it’s not conducive really for anything free-flowing, but I thought we were brave when we got it down.

“That would have been a great win coming away 1-0 because it’s a difficult place to come, especially in the conditions, but we shot ourselves in the foot after two minutes and then you’ve got an uphill battle again."

Jones was doubly frustrated with his defence after speaking to them specifically about not conceding during training in the week, as he added: "The right hand side got beaten too easily, twice now, then Marek makes a save and it comes back out to someone, but you've got to defend well.

"We set up to defend well, talk to them, show them, I had the defence in on Thursday, and was speaking to them about the importance of keeping clean sheets and defending well.

"We spoke about it right before we came out, then that happens, so there’s not much you can do.

"I thought structurally we were very good first half, scored a good goal, had so many corners, so many set-plays, opportunities, where (James) Collins has hit the bar, but 1-1 is probably a fair result in the end as ironically, we had the wind second half, but I don't think we tested the keeper once."

Second half display disappoints Luton chief

Hatters boss Nathan Jones was left disappointed by his side’s second half performance at Newport County on Saturday.

After an entertaining first period in which there were chances at both ends, with Dan Potts’ header cancelling out Josh Sheehan’s opener, Luton looked they had more goals in them after the break. James Collins struck the bar, and forced a great save out of Joe Day, who also turned aside Elliot Lee’s deflected effort, with Scott Cuthbert and Luke Gambin off target too.

However, in the second period, Luton’s attacking threat virtually dried up, Danny Hylton nodding a corner wide and the visitors only really going close late on through Harry Cornick.

Jones said: “The ironic thing is we were better first half against the wind than we were with it second half until late on, when Harry Cornick had a shot after Macca (Alan McCormack) got down the line, did we look like creating anything.

“That’s the disappointing thing, we had a few people off it, it was a real difficult day condition-wise, it’s dry, it’s bobbly, we had to grind it out and battle.

“We picked a side to try and still play and handle it as we haven’t got all six footers that just grind stuff out, we haven’t recruited that way, so it was a difficult day.”

One of the changes Jones made to improve his side’s creativity was by handing Gambin his first start in just under six months, and on the decision, he continued: “He’s been bright in recent weeks Luke, so we felt he deserved an opportunity.

“In recent weeks we haven’t kept clean sheets, so we thought we might need two (goals) to win it, so we played a really positive side.

“It was as positive a side as I possibly could have gone with, with the attacking players I had in my team.

“We did score, it’s just we gave ourselves a mountain to climb by conceding in the first two minutes.

“That’s the disappointing thing because that would be a great 1-0 win coming here as it’s a difficult place to come, it really, really is.”

Striker Hylton was one who had a tough afternoon, well shackled by the home defence with his usually excellent touch deserting him at times, with Jones adding: “That wasn’t one of his most productive ones, but it’s difficult to take him off because of who he is.

“He didn’t look as sharp, first half he was a lot better, second half he wilted a little bit, but he’s still coming back.

“He’s been out for eight games, this was his third game back so it might take a little bit of time.”

One thing Jones didn’t doubt was his side’s fighting spirit to come back from conceding first, although he wishes it wasn’t such a regular occurence with that being the third game in a row now.

He added: “We should have good character to come back as we’re making a habit of doing it, so we’re having to come from behind.

“Accrington was against the run of play, it really was and we can’t fathom for that. The last two away games, we’ve given ourselves a mountain to climb in terms of conceding first.

“Teams are not having to earn that, it’s bad, bad defending, and that’s the thing I’m disappointed with. Because apart from that, they put their head on it, they grafted, they worked hard, but it’s just we have to chase a game.

“First five minutes we were under the most pressure, we didn’t start well which was ironic really as we knew Newport come here and there’s not real fluency in the game, they take a lot of long throws, that takes time.

“So we knew it would be a difficult game and we have to create our own pressure, we just got off to a real, real bad start, that’s the disappointing thing.”