Notts County vs Luton Town FC (29th Oct 2016)

PUBLISHED 18:24 29th October 2016** Walton's late penalty save earns Hatters a point**

NOTTS COUNTY 0 LUTON TOWN 0

Att: 6,313 (2,033 Hatters)

Christian Walton pulled off a brilliant late penalty save to preserve the Hatters’ eight-game unbeaten run with a goalless draw at Notts County this afternoon.

The England Under-21 international goalkeeper turned Vadaine Oliver’s spot-kick away, after captain Scott Cuthbert was penalised for holding at a corner, to ensure the Town kept a clean sheet in the league for the first time since late August in front of more than 2,000 travelling supporters at Meadow Lane.

Manager Nathan Jones described that following as “Championship class”, and his on-loan Brighton goalkeeper’s save was certainly worthy of that level or above as the point kept the Town in fourth place in the Sky Bet League Two table – two places ahead of their hosts.

Jones made two changes to his starting line-up from last week’s draw with Mansfield, with Johnny Mullins coming back into defence for the first time in a month at the expense of Dan Potts, while his former Oxford team-mate Danny Hylton returned to the frontline alongside Jack Marriott after serving a one-match suspension.

After a scrappy opening period in which referee Michael Salisbury was the busiest man inside Meadow Lane, awarding a number of free-kicks, the Town had their first sight of the Magpies goal on 12 minutes.

Alex Gilliead was the architect, picking the ball up just outside his own penalty area and carrying it, after trading passes with Cameron McGeehan, to the edge of the County box where he found Marriott.

The Hatters striker tried to fashion an opening to shoot, but his blocked attempt landed at Jordan Cook’s feet, and the ex-Walsall man couldn’t get enough purchase on his effort to trouble home keeper Adam Collin.

County had their first half-chance just after the quarter-of-an-hour mark but Cuthbert did well to clock Adam Campbell’s 20-yard shot, then Hylton raced clear at the other end but his attempted chip from just outside the area didn’t catch Collin off guard.

Walton had to be alert in the 18th minute when County broke quickly from a short free-kick inside their own half. Rob Milsom played Jonathan Forte in on the left and his low cross was intercepted by Mullins, but Hatters keeper Walton had to react quickly to prevent Aaron Collins from tapping in.

Just before the half-hour the Town had another chance, and this time it fell to Gilliead, who was looking the Hatters’ biggest threat. Stephen O’Donnell crossed from the right and Hylton flicked on, but Collin was equal to the Newcastle loanee’s low shot from 15 yards.

The Hatters had a let off in the 35th minute when Collins’ looping header looked destined for the top corner, but somehow Cuthbert managed to usher it away from the far post.

Then, a minute later, Gilliead was at the heart of the Town’s best chance so far, once again driving at the home defence from the left and drifting side to set Marriott free into the area, but the striker’s left-foot shot found only the side netting.

County fashioned a couple of chances in the 42nd minute, first Sheehan producing a great block to deny Alex Rodman just inside the area, before Milsom let fly from outside the box, although his left-footed effort was always rising above the frame of Walton’s goal.

A minute before the break Marriott fired another warning shot to the hosts after more incisive build-up play involving Gilliead and McGeehan, but his 20-yarder unfortunately fizzed the wrong side of Collin’s right-hand post again.

Another great chance arrived in injury-time when Sheehan’s left wing free-kick found Mullins at the far post. His header back across goal landed at Hylton’s feet, but he couldn’t get his shot away inside the six-yard box.

County had the first attempt on goal in the second half, Rodman firing straight at Walton in the 51st minute.

The Hatters were soon on the attack however and Hylton was appealing for a penalty for handball against Haydn Hollis as he looked to spin the centre-half, latching onto Sheehan’s low cross, but referee Salisbury remained unmoved.

The hosts sounded another warning on the hour when their captain, Carl Dickinson, crossed from the left and sub Michael O’Connor blazed over, seconds before Forte flashed a left-footed shot just wide of Walton’s right-hand post from 20 yards.

McGeehan led a 63rd-minute counter-attack, picking the ball up inside his own half and carrying it to the Magpies’ 18-yard line, but his attempt to play Marriott in sent the striker too wide, although his cut back to the edge of the box and curled a right footer just wide of the stanchion.

McGeehan was at the heart of the Town’s next chance too, teeing up Glen Rea for a long-range drive that was too high, but with 70 minutes on the clock, Forte had County’s best chance, although Walton was once again up to the test, saving his low shot comfortably.

With just over a quarter-of-an-hour to go Jones introduced Olly Lee for Marriott, but with seven minutes left the hosts were presented with a great chance to open the scoring when ref Salisbury penalised Cuthbert for holding at a corner.

Walton pulled off a brilliant save to keep Oliver’s penalty out, however, diving to his right and sticking up a strong left hand to push the striker’s effort away emphatically.

The danger wasn’t over completely, with Dickinson heading against the crossbar from the resulting corner, but the Hatters could eventually breathe a huge sigh of relief.

Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu had been waiting to come on at the time, and after the midfielder had been introduced for Gilliead - who had produced "as good a performance as you'll find in League Two", according to his manager - he was at the centre of the next controversial moment involving Salisbury.

Lee was fouled right in front of the technical area as he played a ball down the right for his fellow sub to flick around his full-back and race clear. Ref Salisury had other ideas, however, and blew up for the foul by Milsom – much to Jones and the Hatters’ bench’s irritation – when Mpanzu was in full flow and heading towards the County penalty area.

The yellow card for the home midfielder didn’t help the Hatters, who ultimately had to settle for the fifth draw of their impressive recent run and take a useful point back down the M1.

TOWN: Walton, O'Donnell, Cuthbert, Mullins, Sheehan, Rea, McGeehan (Vassell 90+2), Gilliead (Mpanzu 85), Cook, Hylton, Marriott (Lee 74). Subs: Potts, Smith, Gray, King (GK)

Yellows: Rea, Hylton

COUNTY: Collin, Dickinson, Duffy, Hollis, Forte, Milsom, Laing, Richards, Rodman, Campbell (O'Connor 57), Collins (Oliver 57). Subs: Loach (GK), Tootle, Smith, Hewitt, Burke.

Yellows: Duffy, Hollis, Milsom

PUBLISHED 18:38 29th October 2016 The Hatters boss was happy with a point

After watching his side draw at Meadow Lane, Nathan Jones said he was pleased with an away point.

The result means the Hatters are now unbeaten in eight games, a run that was maintained after Christian Walton saved a penalty late on against the Magpies.

Jones said: “Overall it’s a good point, for 70 minutes we controlled the game. I thought we controlled the tempo of the game and moved the ball very well.

“It’s a shame we didn’t have a tiny bit more cutting edge, because I felt if we had we would have gone on to win the game.

“It was a good away performance, these are a decent side. We have come here and been brave in our possession and I feel it’s a decent away point."

http://www.lutontown.co.uk/news/article/2016-17/luton-town-notts-county-league-two-efl-3387497.aspx

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vfPxSatvO-c

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lq4YtNOy1w8

League Two: Notts County 0 Luton Town 0

Keeper Christian Walton made a superb late penalty save to ensure Luton Town left Meadow Lane with their unbeaten record in tact after a goalless draw at Notts County this afternoon.

With just six minutes remaining, visiting captain Scott Cuthbert was declared guilty of holding in the area by referee Michael Salisbury, who awarded a hotly disputed spot kick.

After the ensuing arguments died down, sub Vadaine Oliver stepped up from 12 yards, only to see the Luton stopper stick out a left glove and somehow divert his attempt behind for a corner, with plenty of home supporters already celebrating the goal.

Walton's late heroics also ensured that Hatters picked up a first league clean sheet since their 3-0 win at Cambridge United on August 27, some nine games ago.

Defeat would have been harsh on the visitors who had been the dominant force in the first period, before keeping County at arms length after the break, only really coming under concerted pressure in the last 20 minutes, as the Magpies went direct to their front-line.

However, hang on they did, to remain fourth in the table, staying just three points behind Doncaster Rovers going into what is now a mini break from league action, with an FA Cup trip to Exeter next week.

Hatters boss Nathan Jones had made two changes to the side ahead of kick-off, with Danny Hylton straight back in after his suspension, while Johnny Mullins replaced Dan Potts, as Alan Sheehan moved over to the left back berth on his return to the club he had previously captained.

Luton made an impressive start in the opening forays, looking confident in possession and forcing the early initiative, often nipping possession back high up the pitch.

One excellent dart run from deep by the ever classy Alex Gilliead on 11 minutes saw him spin past a couple of home players during a driving run, the ball eventually making its way to Jordan Cook who hooked over the top.

County, who hadn't created a great deal early on, did muster a fine chance after 19 minutes when Jonathan Forte's low cross saw Mullins produce a brilliant interception at full stretch to stop Aaron Collins scoring, the striker also firing wide when Walton prevented the ball from running out.

Midway through the half, Luton's latest inventive corner routine saw Cook and Jack Marriott exchange passes, as Cook picked out Hylton, who got it totally wrong on this occasion, skewing his effort back from where it came for a throw.

Luton did test Adam Collin moments later, when Stephen O'Donnell's deep cross was flicked on by Hylton for Gilliead, who took a touch before shooting low at the keeper from 15 yards.

Glen Rea then put in one bone-crunching, perfectly legitimate challenge to bring the game to life, while he soon won the ball more conventionally, sending Cook away, but his cross gave Hylton too much to do, ambitiously heading wide.

Rea did see yellow for another tackle, before with 10 minutes to go until half time, he kept the scores at 0-0 with a truly wonderful goal-line clearance, sticking out a leg to turn Collins' far post header away, just when it was destined to creep into the corner of the net.

Luton recovered to carve another opportunity of their own, Gilliead advancing with purpose to slip in Marriott, the striker's first touch taking him too wide as he couldn't hit the target.

Town's intricate approach almost paid dividends too, Gilliead and McGeehan combining brilliantly to set up Marriott who side-stepped his man and from 20 yards, wasn't that far away.

On the stroke of half time, Hatters missed a glorious chance to move in front as Sheehan's free kick was met by Rea at the back post, only for Hylton to fail to convert from three yards out.

After the break, County's Rodman daisycutter forced Walton to handle smartly, while Carl Dickinson's cross was flicked over the bar by home sub Michael O'Connor, part of a double switch with Oliver.

Forte wasn't a million miles away from distance, with Luton never quite able to replicate their first half dominance of the ball, their best moment coming on the hour as Marriott sent an angled blast into the stands.

The hosts then started to come into the game more with Oliver and O'Connor upfront, often bypassing the midfield to hit their front two, as Cuthbert and Mullins needed their wits about them, the latter doing just enough to make Walton's stop from Forte easier than it might have been.

Jones opted to swap Marriott for Olly Lee with 15 minutes remaining, as Luton switched to a 4-2-3-1 formation, but all they could really create was McGeehan's overly ambitious 30-yard free kick cannoning into the wall.

Then came the frantic final last 10 minutes though as County forced a succession of corners, the last seeing Cuthbert penalised, with Walton coming to the rescue.

It was almost instantly in vain though, as the following set-piece reached Dickinson, all alone, but from a matter of yards, he couldn't win it, heading against the bar, as both sides had to make do with a stalemate.

County: Adam Collin, Carl Dickinson (C), Richard Duffy, Haydn Hollis, Jonathan Forte, Rob Milsom, Louis Laing, Jordan Richards, Alex Rodman, Adam Campbell (Vadaine Oliver 56), Aaron Collins (Michael O'Connor 56).

Subs not used: Scott Loach, Matt Tootle, Alan Smith, Elliott Hewitt, Graham Burke.

Hatters: Christian Walton, Stephen O'Donnell, Alan Sheehan, Scott Cuthbert (C), Johnny Mullins, Glen Rea, Alex Gilliead (Pelly Ruddock-Mpanzu 85), Cameron McGeehan (Isaac Vassell 90), Jordan Cook, Danny Hylton, Jack Marriott (Olly Lee 74).

Subs not used: Craig King, Jonathan Smith, Dan Potts, Jake Gray.

Bookings: Rea 34, Hylton 55, Duffy 57, Hollis 77, Milsom 88.

Referee: Michael Salisbury.

Attendance: 6,313 (2,033 Luton).

Hatters MOM: Alex Gilliead.

Jones blasts ‘extremely soft’ spot-kick decision

Hatters boss Nathan Jones brandished the decision to award hosts Notts County a late penalty during yesterday’s League Two clash at Meadow Lane as ‘extremely soft’.

Luton captain Scott Cuthbert was the player penalised by referee Michael Salisbury for holding in the area from a corner with six minutes to go, with Christian Walton coming to the skipper’s rescue with a wonderful stop from Vadaine Oliver’s spot-kick.

A clearly annoyed Jones said: “The less said about the arbitration of this game the better.

“It’s an extremely soft penalty, I don’t really want to comment, it’s a soft penalty, but we can’t give people opportunities to do that, especially away.

“I could say a million things about the referee, I really could, but I’ll end up in front of the FA.

“Their manager (John Sheridan) was as frustrated as me, so it’s not like he was in any way a certain way towards us or towards them.

“I think he was equally as whatever he was for both sides, so it’s a disappointing one.”

When asked for his thoughts, centre half Johnny Mullins, who was in the thick of the action for the spot-kick, said: “It was holding, but if there’s a penalty for that then I guess there should have been a penalty for every other decision on the pitch in the box.”

Official Salisbury, in his first year in the Football League, then made an equally controversial decision in the closing moments, denying Luton a clear break on goal.

With sub Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu racing clear, the referee opted to bring play back and book Rob Milsom, awarding Luton a free kick, rather than giving the visitors an advantage, which further exasperated Jones.

He added: “They’re too eager to blow the whistle and slow the game down.

“They’re not there to officiate, they’re there to make sure that the game is played at the right manner, the right tempo and so on.

“When someone’s in and you can give them an advantage, you can delay for a second or two and you’ll see, the picture will become.

“He’s just too eager at times to blow the whistle. No-one had really come to see him, they’d come to see a good football match and I felt at times he probably killed the flow of the game.”

Mullins lauds Walton’s ‘wonderful’ late penalty save

Hatters defender Johnny Mullins labelled keeper Christian Walton for his ‘wonderful’ penalty save to ensure Luton took a point from their trip to Notts County yesterday afternoon.

After Scott Cuthbert was adjudged guilty of holding in the area by referee Michael Salisbury with just six minutes to go, the on-loan Brighton stopper magnificently turned away Vadaine Oliver’s spot kick, as Luton stretched their unbeaten run in all competitions to eight games.

Mullins said: “It was an absolutely wonderful save from a real top class keeper in Christian.

“We all know that and to play in front of him breeds confidence, and that penalty, I can’t speak highly enough of him.

“I felt they changed shape (second half) and went a little bit more direct which caused its own problems, but Christian comes out and makes it easier.

“What a wonderful save, I know he’s made that save to keep us the point, but I thought we more than deserved that, if not all three.”

Manager Nathan Jones was fulsome in his praise too, saying: “Christian made a magnificent save from a pen, that’s when you need your keeper sometimes.

“In all honesty, you lose the game then probably, but it got us a point, that’s magnificent and it would have been harsh on either side to lose.”

Fellow loanee Alex Gilliead wasn’t surprised to see Walton produce his heroics either, adding: “Chris is a class keeper, I didn’t really see much about the penalty, just seen the referee give it.

“It was one of those touch and go ones, but all credit to Chris, it’s an absolutely unreal save, it kept us in the game and kept us the point.

“We know how good Chris is, we see him in training every day, and we know he’s got that in his locker, so everyone’s happy for him.”

Notts County 0 Luton Town 0

Step aside Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo and Rembrandt – Luton are the new masters. Drawing is their speciality.

At least, at Meadow Lane, a point was more welcome than the previous four in five League Two games as keeper Christian Walton saved a Vadaine Oliver penalty six minutes from time to keep their canvass blank. Defeat would have painted an ugly picture.

On the plus side, the Brighton loan man's wonderful stop earned a first clean sheet in ten league games, but the Hatters just aren't finding the killer instinct that brings maximum returns.

And on Halloween weekend, Alex Gilliead was the Luton man with a tricks – with boss Nathan Jones declaring afterwards that the Newcastle loan midfielder put in one of the best League Two performances he'd seen – but the treats evaded them.

The manager added: "Overall, I think it's a good point. For 70 minutes we controlled the game. We weren't really under pressure, we controlled the tempo of the game, moved the ball very well, got into real good areas had some real good interplay, it's just a shame we didn't have a tiny bit more cutting edge and put one of those chances away. I felt we would have gone on and won the game.

"It was a good away performance. These are a decent side, we've come here, we've been brave in our possession, brave in what we've done and I felt it was a decent away point."

Striker Danny Hylton – restored to the side after serving a one-match ban – was one of two changes with Johnny Mullins returning at centre back, with Jake Gray and Dan Potts missing out and former Magpies defender Alan Sheehan moving to left back.

Mullins did his bit, along with Walton, to keep out a Jonathan Forte cross, though the keeper palmed into the path of Aaron Collins who blasted a snapshot wide.

But even with Gilliead pulling the strings for the visitors, clear-cut chances were few and far between. He had their only shot on target, while Jack Marriott fired wide on two occasions, before an off-balance Hylton couldn't convert the stroke of half time.

Though Luton were decent in the first half they still needed Glen Rea to acrobatically scoop off the line from Aaron Collins' looping header.

In the second period, County were kept at distance with Rodman and Forte trying their luck. The latter was then presented with a golden chance to break the deadlock, though he couldn't get enough purchase on a fabulous deep cross in behind Mullins.

With stalemate seemingly stamped across the game, from out of nowhere in the dying stages, referee Michael Salisbury pointed to the spot, signalling that Scott Cuthbert had hold of a Magpie. The Hatters skipper protested and it was a terribly soft decision, but justice was done when Walton to clawed to safety.

Boss Jones was less than impressed by the spot-kick call, saying: "The less said about the arbitration of this game, the better. It's an extremely soft penalty and I don't really want to comment. We can't give people the opportunity to do that especially away.

"I could say a million things about the referee but I'd end up in front of the FA. Their manager was as frustrated as me, so it's not like he was in any way a certain way towards us or them. He was equally as whatever-he-was for both sides. It's a disappointing one."

Moments after the penalty miss County hit the top of the bar from a Carl Dickinson's header as the hosts began to go long.

But while, the Hatters coped to secure a first league shut-out in two months and remain fourth in League Two they're still waiting for their Renaissance.

Notts County: Colin, Dickinson, Duffy, Hollis, Forte, Milsom, Laing, Richards, Rodman, Campbell (O'Connor, 57), Collins (Oliver, 57)

Unused subs: Loach, Tootle, Smith, Hewitt, Burke

Luton: Walton, O'Donnell, Mullins, Cuthbert, McGeehan (Vassell, 90), Hylton, Cook, Marriott (Lee, 75), Gilliead (Mpanzu, 85), Rea, Sheehan.

Unused subs: King, Potts, Smith, Gray

Referee: Michael Salisbury

Attendance: 6,313 (2,033)

Luton Town: Spot-kick hero Christian Walton praised after stalemate

Defender Johnny Mullins hailed Christian Walton's penalty save which earned Luton a stalemate point at Notts County to extend their unbeaten run in League Two to seven games.

The Hatters had been relatively untroubled by a Magpies side that begun the day just two points and two positions behind them in sixth place, but in the 86th minute referee Michael Salisbury pointed to the spot after signalling that Scott Cuthbert had held a County player from a corner.

Vadaine Oliver looked to have scored but the Brighton loan goalie reached up high to paw away.

"What a wonderful save," said Mullins, who had returned to the starting line-up after seven games out.

"We've got a real top-class keeper in Christian and we know that. To play in front of him breeds confidence and I can't speak highly enough of him.

"They changed shape and went a little bit more direct, which caused its own problems, but then Christian comes out and makes it easy."

Manager Nathan Jones said: "In all honesty you probably lose the game then [if they'd scored]. He's got us a point and that's magnificent. It would have been harsh on either side."

But the boss was less than impressed by the "soft" decision, adding: "I could say a million things about the referee but I'd end up in front of the FA."

Mullins said: "It was for holding, but if there's a penalty for that then I guess there should have been a penalty for every other decision in the box. I can't really comment too much on that but it was an absolutely wonderful save."

It was Town's first clean sheet in ten league games stretching back to August, but only the second time they've been prevented from scoring in the division.

"I thought the performance was very good for 70 minutes. In the first half we had them running all over the place. In the last 20 minutes they changed their shape and went a bit more direct but it was a good away performance and all that was missing was a goal," said Mullins.

"I felt we looked like scoring. We looked dangerous. It wasn't a performance where we didn't look like creating chances. We did. It's a good point in the end, looking at the other results."

Despite their fourth draw in five league games, Luton remain in fourth place as they head into a mini cup break.

Mullins said: "We're in a good position. We know there are things that we're going to get better at as the season goes on. You look at the squad, and the teams that we're playing against and I think we're well and truly in the mix and hopefully we'll be there come the end of the season."