Northampton Town vs Luton Town FC (30th Apr 2016)

PUBLISHED 17:30 30th April 2016

The Hatters succumb to a two-goal defeat to Northampton in their final away game of the season

NORTHAMPTON TOWN 2-0 LUTON TOWN

The Hatters ended their campaign from Kenilworth Road with defeat after suffering a 2-0 loss to champions Northampton at Sixfields.

Zander Diamond opened the scoring just four minutes in, before John Marquis doubled the advantage before half-time.

Cameron McGeehan and Joe Pigott had goals disallowed, with the Town unable to spoil the champions’ party in the Midlands.

There was more bad news for the Hatters when Danny Green was caught late to be stretchered off with what looks to be a serious injury for the Town midfielder.

Nathan Jones made two changes from the draw with Newport County AFC, drafting in Jonathan Smith and Cameron McGeehan as Alex Lawless and Josh McQuoid took places on the bench.

Only four minutes had passed when the Cobblers delivered a sucker-punch through Diamond, meeting Danny Rose’s right-wing corner to put a bullet header past Justham.

But the Town had early sighters of their own through Green, teed up by Dan Potts to fizz powerfully, but ultimately wide of Adam Smith’s goal.

That proved the last action of Green’s game, caught late by Josh Lelan, who escaped with just a caution, attended to with oxygen and a stretcher as he was carried off with what looked like ligament damage.

With McQuoid on in Green’s place, the Hatters came agonisingly close to an equaliser. Smith showed great awareness to feed Ruddock down the right, and his ball in met Pigott on his own in the middle, only for his header to fly away high and wide from goal with no home defender around.

It was the best chance of the half for the visitors, with Northampton doubling their lead just six minutes later through Marquis. The striker couldn’t miss from a matter of yards after Ricky Holmes’ cross flicked John-Joe O’Toole on the way through, giving the hosts a two-goal half-time advantage.

It was a better start to the second half for the Hatters though, now opting to have two in attack following the introduction for Jack Marriott in place of Olly Lee.

The switch to 4-4-2 brought the Town back into the game, and the scoreline almost reflected that when Pigott struck the base of the post following good work down the right flank.

The same man dragged an effort wide five minutes later, profiting from Marriott’s miscontrol after being slipped through by McQuoid on the edge of the Cobblers box.

The hosts were enjoying their party, however, with neat intricate passing earning cheers from the hope support, almost culminating in Hoskins finding the back of the net, with Holmes also chancing his arm soon after.

The Hatters kept pushing, and almost struck a late consolation when substitute Jake Howells was fouled on the edge of the area. Sheehan stepped up to take the free-kick, curling beyond the wall but also passed the far post as the Town ended their away travels with a defeat.

Hatters: Justham, O'Donnell, Sheehan (c), Rea, Potts, Smith, Lee (sub Marriott 46), McGeehan, Ruddock (sub Howells 86), Green (sub McQuoid 21), Pigott

Subs not used: King, Lawless, Benson, Musonda,

Attendance: 7746, including 841 following the Hatters. Thank you for your excellent support on our travels this season!

http://www.lutontown.co.uk/news/article/gallery-northampton-luton-town-3087289.aspx

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G1AggqHE-ZM

League Two: Northampton Town 2 Luton Town 0

Luton Town failed to spoil League Two champions Northampton Town’s title party, falling to a limp defeat at Sixfields this afternoon.

The visitors were cast in their role as guests at an event they would have much rather not been invited too, but two soft goals conceded in the first half meant they were never going seriously spoil the occasion for the Cobblers.

True, Luton did improve in the second period, but by this time, the home faithful were already clearing their throats ready to hail the trophy presentation at the final whistle.

Hatters boss Nathan Jones made two changes to his side, recalling Jonathan Smith and Cameron McGeehan in place of Alex Lawless and Josh McQuoid, with both dropping to the bench, where there was no room for Zane Banton this week, missing out due to an ‘internal matter.’

After a guard of honour for their hosts, Luton then carried that generosity on to the pitch as inside three minutes, they conceded a goal of sheer simplicity, centre half Zander Diamond rising highest to meet a deep corner and plant his header beyond Elliot Justham.

Danny Green tried to grab an immediate response, fizzing wide of the target, before the winger was dealt a sickening blow on 15 minutes, sliding in on Josh Lelan, only to be caught by the right back.

Physio Simon Parsell was on the scene quickly and immediately called for the stretcher, signalling a break with his arms, as Green needed a good seven minutes of treatment, including oxygen, before being carried from the field, Josh McQuoid on in his place.

The game took a while to come to life again after the injury, but Cobblers continued to look dangerous from every set-piece swung in, Justham pawing one away from near his own line.

Town then wasted a glorious opportunity chance to level on 28 minutes as Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu skinned David Buchanan for pace and picked out Joe Pigott who with an open goal at his mercy, could only direct the fierce cross over the top.

That miss was to prove crucial as on 35 minutes, Luton were 2-0 ahead when Ricky Holmes burst menacingly towards goal, fed O’Toole whose cut back beat Justham allowing John Marquis to tap into the unguarded net from close range.

The Cobblers then really started to go through the gears, showing just why they had beaten all and sundry comprehensively this term, keeping possession for well over a minute, forcing Luton to chase shadows, with Buchanan’s eventual shot easy for Justham.

Northampton were denied a third by the woodwork in injury time, as Sam Hoskins was teed up inside the area and had an age to weigh up his options, side-footing against the outside of the post.

Town swapped Olly Lee for Jack Marriott at the interval, going two upfront, but despite starting with a renewed zest, Northampton almost made it 3-0 when McGeehan was robbed by the excellent Holmes.

The Cobblers’ star player motored away and crossed for Hoskins who, under huge pressure from the recovering Dan Potts, could only slide wide.

Back came Town and on 50 minutes, it was they who were left cursing the frame of the goal, when Pigott received Ruddock Mpanzu’s pass and spun impressively to unleash a right footed drive that cannoned off the post.

The striker then went it alone with Stephen O’Donnell of all people in the centre forward role, his effort blocked by the covering Buchanan.

Marriott’s introduction opened the game up immeasurably though as Luton finally came to life, although their extra forward options gave Cobblers chances too, with the hosts wasting more than one fine break.

Hatters kept creating openings, this time for Pigott again, as he couldn’t find the target after the ball broke to him on the angle, screwing a first time effort wide.

Like the typical NBA basketball game, it was a case of you attack we attack and on Cobblers’ turn, Holmes threaded a wonderful pass through through the heart of Town’s defence, with Hoskins letting fly, only to be denied by a fine save from Justham.

With their initial burst weathered, Luton were then forced to watch Northampton ease through the final 20 minutes, before the celebrations started, Pigott seeing his consolation chalked off by the linesman’s flag, while Alan Sheehan curled a late free kick narrowly wide.

Cobblers: Adam Smith, Zander Diamond, Nicky Adams (Lawson D’Ath 57), Ricky Holmes, Josh Lelan, Sam Hoskins (Jason Taylor 85), David Buchanan (C), John-Joe O’Toole, Luke Prosser, Danny Rose, John Marquis (James Collins 57).

Subs not used: Ryan Creswell, Alfie Potter, Shaun McWilliams, Ryan Clarke.

Hatters: Elliot Justham, Stephen O’Donnell, Dan Potts, Alan Sheehan, Glen Rea, Jonathan Smith, Olly Lee (Jack Marriott 46), Cameron McGeehan, Danny Green (Josh McQuoid 21), Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu (Jake Howells 84), Joe Pigott.

Subs not used: Craig King, Frankie Musonda, Paul Benson, Alex Lawless.

Attendance: 7,664 (Luton 841).

Booked: Lelan 15, McGeehan 72.

Referee: Darren Bond.

Hatters boss Nathan Jones believed Saturdays’ 2-0 defeat at champions Northampton Town showed him and his side the level they need to be at if they are to challenge for the League Two title next season.

A below par Town were easily second best for the first period against the Cobblers, as they trailed after just three minutes to Zander Diamond’s header, before Sam Hoskins made it 2-0 prior to the break, with Luton unable to mount a fight back.

Afterwards, Jones admitted he was grateful for the lesson his team had received, saying: “Realistically, they were better than us and they showed why they’re champions and I’m glad we played them to be honest.

“Because it’s a gauge of where we want to be and these have been the best side all season, they must have been because the league doesn’t lie.

“I’m glad we’ve had this, glad we haven’t gone to another side in a similar position to us, glad we’ve had a gauge because this is what we have to attain, this is the levels week in week out we have to attain if we want to do anything.

“I said the other day, I thought Oxford were probably the best footballing side, but these are the most complete side in terms of how they press, how they work, they had a threat, they can score goals. Full credit to Chris Wilder for assembling and putting out a team week in week out that’s won the league.

“They showed first half why they are champions if I’m honest. I would like to bemoan the way we went about our work first half, but they pressed us, they outworked us and did all the hard, ugly things so much better than we did and that’s why they won it.

“Days like today are disappointing, a few home games have been disappointing, but it’s all a learning curve and ones that are vital for me in terms of moving forward.”

Although happy to give credit to the champions, Jones was bitterly disappointed with his side’s defending for the Cobblers opening goal as from a corner, Diamond rose unopposed to power a header beyond Elliot Justham, despite the visitors being pre-warned of Northampton’s threats.

The boss continued: “It’s criminal really. We do our work on it, we show them videos on where they score and these are very good on set plays. Throw-ins in they score, free kicks they score, from corners they score.

“We showed them, then you just have to go out and mark your man, we didn’t do that, and it gives them a great start after four minutes.

“They don’t need that, on the day they celebrated, are in high spirits and so on and they never really looked back from that. That’s a lack of discipline from us really, and not ability, just a lack of discipline.

“We had too many lightweight players out there in mentality, not lightweight in term of physicality, but lightweight players. We wanted this to be a gauge and it is a gauge and we’re realistic to know where we are.”

Hatters improved in the second half, with Joe Pigott denied by the woodwork and having a goal disallowed, as Jones felt they belatedly got to grips with their task.

He added: “It was just a little bit more urgency, a little bit more hard work, that’s all it was, the difference in the two sides.

“They have the league’s outstanding player in Ricky Holmes and he was a little bit of a difference, but apart from that, all the difference was they worked harder than us, they pressed harder than us, that was it.

“Because we have some good players, but if you don’t work hard, it’s fundamental, at any level, but at this level especially.

“If you don’t work hard you won’t get your just rewards and we didn’t work hard. Seventy five per cent of the time they have been at it and worked hard and grafted and deserved what they got.

“There’s been a few where they haven’t and whether they’ve been in easy-oasy mode, I don’t know, but that won’t last.”

Hatters boss Nathan Jones revealed that young striker Zane Banton was dropped from today’s clash against Northampton Town due to an unspecified ‘internal matter’.

The 19-year-old has been one of the finds of Jones’ short time in charge at Kenilworth Road, making a number of impressive cameos from the bench.

Banton had travelled to Sixfields this afternoon and was in contention to start, but wasn’t even named on the bench as when asked why, Jones said: “That’s an internal matter, he would have been, I had contemplated starting him, but it’s an internal matter that we’ve had to deal with and it’s a learning curve for young Zane.

“If he wants to be a professional footballer, he has to do a lot of things differently, as he has wonderful, wonderful ability and he’s been a surprise for us.

“But his every day lifestyle has to change to make sure it’s conducive to being a top level footballer, otherwise he’ll have these learning curves and today was one of them.”

When quizzed further on it, Jones added: “It’s just a little bit of a lack of discipline, which has cost him really. We’ve missed that spark a little bit, but he’s a young kid, he has to learn.

“I had to learn throughout my career, and so does Zane. It’s nothing serious, nothing to be made more of but Zane will learn from it.”

Northampton Town 2 Luton Town 0

Cobblers all round. One the nickname of the champions, the other a family friendly way to sum up this Luton performance, this Luton season.

At Sixfields it was a procession, an exhibition appetiser before the main course of Northampton lifting the League Two trophy - a party the Hatters were incapable of pooping.

For four months under boss Nathan Jones they have sown a few seeds of hope, while they flirted with the play-offs, but with that a mathematical impossibility, this was more like the pre-Christmas Luton.

The quality of the hosts played a sizeable part and served as gauge of what is expected next term, if they have hopes of emulating this classy Cobblers side, but also a warning of the task on the Welshman's hands.

His boys from Bedfordshire's ponderous penchant for passing backwards was ruthlessly exposed by Northampton's contrasting raison d'être. Rapid by thought and design, they twisted Town's blood, slicing, careering and cartwheeling through at will, so much so that the 2-0 scoreline flattered the Hatters.

Their post-match celebrations well-earned, there were Luton players on the pitch - Jonathan Smith and Cameron McGeehan - who have only memories of what being a champion like.

Two years is a long time in football and its no respecter of past glories. And, if you take points tallies into account then Luton, who now cannot match last term's haul of 68, have gone backwards.

Last term they finished agonisingly one place and three points off the play-offs. Now a bottom half of the table finish is the likely booby-prize. Of course, the blame for that really lies with the old regime, but it will be quite a gulf to make up after the summer, let alone reach the dizzying heights of what Northampton have achieved.

Such was the table-toppers' swagger that this game was effectively over after five minutes when the Hatters conceded a first corner and allowed Zander Diamond to thunder a header in at the back stick.

Things got worse soon after when Danny Green was clattered by Josh Lelan. The Northampton man got a caution the Luton winger got gas, air, a stretcher and a trip to A&E. You could hear his leg snap up in the back row of Sixfields stadium. Horrible stuff.

The Hatters barely made it out of their half for 45 chastening minutes as the ubiquitous Ricky Holmes ran rings around them, inspiring "ole's" by the half hour mark.

When the visitors did make it to the rarified atmosphere of Northampton's penalty area, Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu larruped a cross at Joe Pigott who, despite the pace of the cross, should have done better than to head high and wide with the goal gaping.

The hosts showed Luton how it should be done with a flowing move orchestrated by Holmes and finished by John Marquis, tapping into an empty net from John-Joe O'Toole's cross.

With the Cobblers queuing up, Sam Hoskins hit the base of the post and David Buchanan blasted at keeper Elliot Justham before, from a Luton perspective, the welcome respite of the half time whistle.

Afterwards, though the visitors were much-improved, there was still the sense that Northampton were toying with them. Hoskins was only denied a tap-in by Dan Potts after another Holmes counter, this time robbing McGeehan 20 yards from his own goal.

Two missed chances for Pigott highlighted another chasm between the two sides, because on chances alone the striker could have had a hat-trick. Hitting the post was as close as he came.

That leaves one more duty to fulfil against Exeter next week but, really, the season can't come to an end soon enough.

Northampton Town: Smith, Diamond, Adams (D'Ath, 57), Holmes, Lelan, Hoskins (Taylor, 84), Buchanan, O'Toole, Prosser, Rose, Marquis (Collins, 57)

Unused subs: Cresswell, Potter, McWilliams, Clarke

Luton Town: Justham, O'Donnell, Potts, Smith, Rea, McGeehan, Green (McQuoid, 22), Ruddock Mpanzu (Howells, 84), Lee (Marriott, 45), Sheehan, Pigott

Unused subs: Lawless, Benson, King, Musonda

Referee: Darren Bond

Attendance: 7,664 (841)

Nathan Jones said that Zane Banton's "everyday lifestyle has to change" after he was dropped for the 2-0 defeat to League Two champions Northampton over an "lack of discipline".

The 19-year-old had made four substitute appearances in the last month after making his Football League bow and the manager revealed the striker was considered for a full debut at Sixfields, but was a surprise omission.

Banton did travel with the Hatters and quizzed over why he was left out of the squad, Jones said: "That's an internal matter, he would have been, I had contemplated starting him, but it's an internal matter that we've had to deal with and it's a learning curve for young Zane.

"If he wants to be a professional footballer, he has to do a lot of things differently, as he has wonderful, wonderful ability and he's been a surprise for us.

"But his everyday lifestyle has to change to make sure it's conducive to being a top level footballer, otherwise he'll have these learning curves and today was one of them."

When asked about what Banton had done, Jones would only say: "It's just a little bit of a lack of discipline, which has cost him really, we've missed that spark a little bit, but he's a young kid, he has to learn.

"I had to learn throughout my career, and so does Zane, it's nothing serious, nothing to be made more of but Zane will learn from it."

Luton were comfortably beaten by the classy Cobblers with first half goals from Zander Diamond and John Marquis.

"They showed in the first half why they are champions," Jones said, adding: "I could bemoan my team today but let's give Chris Wilder [Cobblers boss] credit for assembling and puting out a team, week in, week out, that has won the league.

"I'm glad we played because it's a gauge of where we want to be. These have been the best side all season. They must have been because the league doesn't lie."

Hatters winger Danny Green was an early casualty suffering a suspected broken leg in a challenge with Josh Lelan and getting stretchered off after lengthy treatment.

Jones said: "Ironically, it was the only time we put a tackle in, in the first half. Danny looks like he's broken his leg, which is unfortunate for him.

"He's come back in, he's tried to work hard and get levels of fitness so he can keep going and that's obviously given him a real setback now, so it's disappointing. We'll gauge it but we wish him well."