Plymouth Argyle vs Luton Town FC (9th Mar 2019)

PLYMOUTH ARGYLE 0 LUTON TOWN 0

Hatters held, but equal club record of 11 unbeaten EFL away games

The Hatters had to settle for a point from a goalless draw at Plymouth this afternoon, but equalled another club record as they made it 11 successive away Football League games without defeat.

Mick Harford's men continuously knocked on the 14th-placed Argyle's door, especially during an impressive second-half showing that might have produced more than the one point had it not been for a man-of-the-match performance from one-time Town loanee Matt Macey in the home goal.

The on-loan Arsenal man tipped a James Collins header onto the crossbar, then produced two more excellent saves to deny Elliot Lee as the Hatters piled on the pressure, but ultimately had to settle for a share of the spoils that extended the club record unbeaten EFL run to 23 matches - the equivalent of half a season since second-placed Barnsley beat us in mid-October.

Harford named an unchanged starting line-up and substitutes’ bench following last week's 2-0 home win over Rochdale.

In goal was James Shea, behind a back four of Jack Stacey, Matty Pearson, Sonny Bradley - making his first return to Home Park since his summer move as captain - and James Justin.

Alan McCormack anchored the midfield with Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu and Andrew Shinnie either side of him, and Lee just behind the front two of Danny Hylton and leading scorer Collins.

Plymouth started the brighter and Ruben Lameiras went closest with a fourth-minute drive that flew across the six-yard box and safely wide of Shea's far post.

The Hatters grew into the game and Shinnie fired the first shot on target in the 13th minute, hitting a volley straight at Macey after Collins knocked Pearson's clipped ball into his path, then Mpanzu did similar two minutes later from the edge of the box.

Lee then had two cracks at goal in as many minutes; the first a free-kick from 30 yards that was too high, then a side-footed effort from eight yards that Argyle defender Ryan Edwards blocked almost on the line, after Mpanzu cut back from the right byline.

Referee Darren Drysdale then became the centre of attention, first booking Argyle midfielder Graham Carey for a blatant foul on Shinnie when he could have played advantage and shown the yellow card later, with Stacey in good possession on the Town right.

Then Hylton was booked for a relatively tame coming together with Niall Canavan, before Drysdale spoke to him - together with captain Bradley - soon after when he was penalised for handball as he lay on the ground having seemingly been fouled from behind by Canavan.

Harford took the call to take the striker off and bring Kazenga LuaLua on in his place with ten minutes to go before the break, in order to prevent a possible red.

A scrappy period of play continued until Drysdale produced his third yellow of the half, for arguably the worst challenge, as Edwards took Justin out as the left-back raced onto a pass from Collins just inside the Town half, halting a dangerous-looking counter attack in full flow.

The second half started in much the same vein, but once the Hatters got the ball down and started to make in-roads down the side of the three Plymouth centre-halves, chances started to come.

First, Collins played Shinnie in on the right and the Scot's cross eventually found Justin, whose attempt to slip Mpanzu to the byline was turned behind for a corner. Justin delivered that, and Bradley found himself free at the far post, but controlled and crossed low into the six-yard box, when an initial volley at goal might have been better.

At the other end Shea was called into action in the 54th minute to keep out an angled shot by Lameiras as Argyle broke swiftly down the right through Freddie Ladapo and Joe Riley, but the Town were soon back on the attack, with Collins firing just side from 20 yards in the 54th minute.

Macey had to be at his acrobatic best in the 56th minute to tip a Collins header onto the crossbar after LuaLua had stood up a lovely ball to the far post after bursting past his man to the left byline.

Lee was the next to call the home keeper into action, letting fly from 20 yards, but the Arsenal loanee was able to get across his line and push the ball behind for another corner.

Lameiras was proving Plymouth's most-likely, and he drove inside from the right touchline on the hour but sent his low shot into the side netting as Shea dived full stretch to his left to cover.

Pearson was at his usual obdurate best two minutes later to stand Ladapo up as he drove towards the Hatters box from halfway on the Argyle right, winning a challenge and half clearing, before powering a header out of the penalty area as Argyle changed the angle of attack as Carey crossed from the left.

The Town came closest to going in front in the 66th minute, but were once again denied by Macey, as Mpanzu cut the ball back from the left of the six-yard box and Lee let it run across his to make space for a shot. An Argyle defender sliding in front of him got a deflection, and Macey did brilliantly to react and tip the ball around the post as it seemed destined for the bottom corner of the hosts' net.

Lee had another go in the 73rd minute, this one relatively straight forward for Macey as it was straight at him, then Shinnie became the fifth player booked, for a foul on Carey, before Argyle sub Ryan Taylor's attempted curler went well wide.

David Fox became the fourth home player into the ref's notepad for a foul from behind on Mpanzu when the midfielder had already laid the ball off and Shinnie was away down the right, just as was the case with Stacey in the first half.

With no advantage played, the Hatters looked to create on themselves as Justin arced a terrific ball in from the flank, but Lee just couldn't connect with his header as it travelled dangerously through the six-yard box.

Dan Potts was introduced for Justin in the 82nd minute, and with three minutes left - after Mpanzu had shot well over the bar - the left-back sent an inviting cross low into the six-yard box, but Collins sliding in didn't have the chance to get a tap-in as Macey spread himself well to gather just in front of him.

The draw, combined with Sunderland's last-gasp equaliser at Wycombe, meant the Hatters remain seven points above the third-placed Black Cats, although the lead over Barnsley was cut to three points with the Tykes beating Accrington 2-0 at Oakwell.

Next up, Bradford away on Tuesday night.

TOWN: Shea, Stacey, Pearson, Bradley (c), Justin, McCormack, Shinnie, Mpanzu, Lee, Hylton (LuaLua 35), Collins. Subs: Potts, Berry, Moncur, Cummings, Sheehan, Isted

Yellows: Hylton, Shinnie

ARGYLE: Macey, Riley, Sawyer ©, Songo’o, Edwards, Fox, Carey, Lameiras (Anderson 90+2), Canavan, Ladapo (Taylor 69), Threlkeld (Ness 69). Subs: Smith-Brown, Wootton, Fletcher, Cooper (GK)

Yellows: Carey, Edwards, Canavan, Fox

REFEREE: Darren Drysdale

ATT: 11,081 (1,215 Hatters)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jb1qrFxWiPI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cGlTjqm3mcw

Stalemate for Hatters as Macey earns Argyle a point

League One: Plymouth Argyle 0 Luton Town 0

Luton were held to a goalless draw at Plymouth this afternoon after coming up against an inspired display from former loanee keeper Matt Macey.

The Arsenal stopper was in excellent form, particularly after the break, as he denied Town the three points that they deserved for their efforts in those second 45 minutes.

Try, try and try as they might, the visitors just couldn't break through a resilient Pilgrims' back-line, although the result did see Luton extend their unbeaten run in the Football League to 23 games.

Boss Mick Harford named an unchanged side, the hosts threatening first, winning the ball back from a free kick deep inside Town territory, Ruben Lameiras's angled drive not missing the target by much.

Hatters had their first serious attempt on 10 minutes, when Matty Pearson picked out the advancing James Collins, who headed back for Andrew Shinnie to ambitiously volley over the bar from 30 yards.

Town started growing into the contest, Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu's effort from just outside the box was simple for Macey, the ex-Hatter not tested when Elliot Lee had a pop from a long range free kick.

Luton created their best opportunity on 20 minutes, as a glorious passing move saw Mpanzu escape on the right, his cross met by Lee from close range with Ryan Edwards blocking on the line and Collins slicing the rebound well wide.

The Hatters were were forced into a reshuffle just after the half hour, as Hylton, booed at every turn, was involved in a nothing incident with Yann Songo'o five minutes previously, shown yellow by referee Darren Drysdale, who appeared desperate to get the home fans on side.

Just moments later, Town's striker went over expecting a free kick which wasn't given, grabbing the ball in frustration, with Drysdale calling him and captain Bradley over for a word.

It was abundantly clear he was on his last warning, meaning Harford had no option but to take the forward off before he saw a third red card of the season, Kazenga LuaLua on in his place.

After the break, Bradley was somehow left all unmarked at the back post by his old team-mates to chest James Justin's corner down, beat his man and find Collins, his effort repelled.

Argyle pressed too sporadically, Joe Riley picking out Lameiras, who forced James Shea into a sprawling save from the edge of the box.

Collins dragged wide, before the attacker thought he had broken the deadlock, meeting LuaLua's cross with a well directed header, only for Macey to use all of his 6ft7 frame to stick out a hand, tipping on to the bar and behind.

Macey was called into action again just before the hour, parrying Lee's blast away and then claiming the corner well.

The game started to really open up, Lameiras finding some space in the area, unable to find the bottom corner.

Luton kept pressing, with the overworked Macey doing well to get down low and flick Lee's low effort away after Mpanzu's incisive run and cross.

Argyle had the odd threat, sub Ryan Taylor spinning and shooting waywardly after the ball dropped to him.

Dan Potts replaced Justin, as Harford opted against calling for either George Moncur, Jason Cummings or Luke Berry, and his low cross was grabbed at full stretch by the inspired Macey, with Mpanzu then slamming a hopeful attempt into the stands.

Although forcing a number of decent positions and winning plenty of corners in the final stages, Luton just couldn't get that all-important goal, as they saw their lead at the top cut to three points with Barnsley's win over Accrington.

However, they remained seven in front of Sunderland, the Black Cats pinching a point at Wycombe courtesy of a stoppage time equaliser.

Argyle: Matt Macey, Joe Riley, Gary Sawyer ©, Yann Songo'o, Ryan Edwards, David Fox, Graham Carey, Ruben Lameiras (Paul Anderson 90), Niall Canavan, Freddie Ladapo (Ryan Taylor 67), Oscar Threlkeld (Jamie Ness 67).

Subs not used: Ashley Smith-Brown, Scott Wootton, Alex Fletcher, Michael Cooper.

Hatters: James Shea, Jack Stacey, James Justin (Dan Potts 80), Matty Pearson, Sonny Bradley (C), Alan McCormack, Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu, Andrew Shinnie, Elliot Lee, James Collins, Kazenga, Danny Hylton (Kazenga LuaLua 35).

Subs not used: Harry Isted, Jason Cummings, Alan Sheehan, George Moncur, Luke Berry.

Booked: Carey 29, Hylton 30, Edwards 42, Canavan 62, Shinnie 74.

Referee: Darren Drysdale.

Attendance: 11,081 (1,215 Luton).

Harford** 'disappointed' Town didn't emerge victorious from Argyle trip**

Luton boss Mick Harford was left 'disappointed' that his side couldn't emerge with all three points at Plymouth Argyle this afternoon.

The Hatters had by far the better of the chances during the 90 minutes, James Collins' denied superbly by former Town loanee Matt Macey, who also saved well from Elliot Lee.

Harford felt that the visitors had done more than enough to triumph though, saying: "We’re very disappointed we haven’t come away with the three points.

"Over the 90 minutes, we more or less dominated the game, in terms of possession, the way we played, with respect there was only one team who wanted to try and win the game, and that was us.

"Once we settled down, especially in the second half, we created numerous, numerous chances and with a bit of luck, we would have won the game comfortably.

"Their goalkeeper will obviously get man of the match, Matt Macey and well played to him, he pulled off some great saves.

We know Matt very well, he’s got Plymouth a point basically in terms of the saves he’s made.

“On the counter attack we looked very strong, Kaz (Kazenga LuaLua) when he gets into in one v one situations, is a real threat and when our midfield players get on the ball, we have good outlets with the full backs and the forward runs of the strikers.

"So overall, I thought it was a very dominant performance and we are disappointed not to come away with the three points."

Luton boss took Hylton off to avoid a red card

Hatters boss Mick Harford admitted he had no option but to take Danny Hylton off before half time against Plymouth this afternoon, to avoid the striker receiving a third red card of the season.

The forward was very harshly booked on the half hour by referee Darren Drysdale, for a nothing clash with defender Yann Songo’o, before receiving a stern talking to from the official after picking the ball up when not being awarded a free kick, with it clear he was on a final warning.

That saw Harford act, bringing on Kazenga LuaLua with 10 minutes of the first period remaining, as Town’s chief said: “I didn’t want to go down to 10 men, if it had been anyone else, I would have done the same.

“I thought the referee looked like he wanted to give yellow cards out at certain times, I’m not criticising him, I just thought it was the best thing to do for the team and the football club, absolutely 100 per cent.

“We didn’t want to play that length of time with 10 men and it was the best thing to do for the team.

“Listen the way Danny plays and the way he backs into people, he is going to get cautioned.

“He is a physical player, we understand that, emotions were riding high, but we’re fine.

“He understands the reason he was coming off, why he came off, it’s been put to bed and we move on.”

Harford did think that Drysdale had been helped with his decision by the home supporters though, adding: “I thought the crowd had a big influence on his decision, I’ve got to be honest with you, the crowd swayed the referee a little bit and that’s what home crowds are for.

“They’re there to try and sway referees and do things, it was a bit of nothing, but we just couldn’t take the risk.

“Danny had got a little bit frustrated, he gave the ball away, it was hard to see, and it just looked like he was getting a bit frustrated.

“If it had been any other player, I’d have done the same.”