Portsmouth vs Luton Town FC (2nd Jan 2017)

PUBLISHED 18:07 2nd January 2017 McGeehan suffers broken leg as Hatters go down at Fratton Park

PORTSMOUTH 1 (Burgess 31)

LUTON TOWN 0

Att: 17, 402 (1,547 Hatters)

The Hatters suffered their first away defeat in ten matches in all competitions at Portsmouth this afternoon, as 2017 got off to the worst possible start with 11-goal midfielder Cameron McGeehan suffering a broken leg at Fratton Park.

Christian Burgess’ 31st-minute header proved enough for fourth-placed Pompey to open up a four-point gap over the Hatters in the League Two play-off positions, with Wycombe edging the Town down to sixth after their 2-1 win over Newport County.

Manager Nathan Jones made two changes from the starting line-up from Saturday's win over Barnet, and neither were great surprises, with James Justin and Alex Gilliead in from the start as replacements for the two players they came on for at Kenilworth Road 48 hours earlier, the injured Dan Potts and Alan Sheehan.

The Hatters started brightly, with Danny Hylton and Justin combining well down the left but the teenager’s cross was claimed by home keeper David Forde.

In the 13th minute, however, the Hatters suffered a severe blow when McGeehan stayed down after challenging for ball in the Portsmouth half.

After a seven-minute hold-up, in which the midfielder was shown a yellow card by referee Tim Robinson – presumably for dissent – McGeehan was carried off on a stretcher with a section of the home fans’ crass chants of ‘You’re going home in an ambulance’ and cheers providing a sad backdrop to his exit.

Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu came on in McGeehan’s place at the tip of the midfield diamond, which Jones had reverted to when Potts went off injured in the first-half of the win over Barnet.

With 25 minutes gone, Pompey had the first real attempt on goal but right-back Gareth Evans’ shot flew comfortably over Walton’s goal and into the 1,562 travelling Town fans.

Two minutes later, Jonathan Smith did likewise for the Town, before Kyle Bennett went up the other end and fizzed one just wide.

Then came the hosts’ breakthrough, when Burgess rose highest to meet Carl Baker’s free-kick from wide on the left and his header found the back of the Town net.

It was the first goal the Hatters had conceded in a league game on the road since Ollie Palmer scored a consolation for Leyton Orient in the 2-1 win at Brisbane Road on October 15th, and the clean sheet run would end at a club record-equalling four consecutive away shut-outs in Football League matches.

As the Hatters regrouped, Mpanzu looked to get in wide on a couple of occasions, and an inswinging cross from Cook lured Forde from his line, but a disappointing half on all fronts ended with Portsmouth in the ascendancy.

The fourth official signalled a minimum seven minutes of time to be added on, and Cuthbert had to produce a perfectly-timed sliding challenge to deny the marauding Evans a couple of minutes into that period, before Burgess headed wide from another Baker set-piece.

The second half started with Pompey on the front foot once more, Michael Smith heading straight at Walton, then Justin having to react quickly to deny Baker at the far post after an initial slip looked to let the Portsmouth wideman in.

Against the run of play, however, the Town were a lick of paint away from equalising, Hylton capitalising when Burgess failed to deal with Cook’s hook forward, but the striker’s impudent chip over the stranded Forde came back off the crossbar.

Jones made an immediate double change, with Olly Lee and Isaac Vassell coming on for Gilliead and Cook, and the Hylton chance seemed to lift the Town players, Smith trying his luck on the volley from 20 yards as Pompey struggled to clear Stephen O’Donnell’s long throw.

Hylton was terrorising the home defence, and after O’Donnell nodded Cuthbert’s raking pass into his path, the top scorer wriggled his way past Matt Clarke on the right byline and cut the ball back for Smith, but the midfielder’s stab at goal was off target.

The Town were on top, and Vassell was putting himself around up front, although the ex-Truro man went into Robinson’s book for dissent as Hylton lay on the ground after a heavy challenge from Clarke, and Justin was felled out wide by Evans, without a free-kick being given.

Forde was called into action in the 73rd minute when Lee sprayed a fine pass out to Justin on the left, and the full-back cut inside to fire a right-footed shot at goal, but the Irish keeper flew across his line to push it away.

Pompey had the best chance to seal the win two minutes into injury-time, however, when Robinson penalised Lee for a trip on Noel Hunt in the box, but the ex-Reading striker’s fellow sub, Gary Roberts, blazed his penalty high over the bar into the Fratton End.

The Hatters’ run of impressive away form had come to an end, but not without a Fratton fight. All thoughts, however, were at the local hospital with Cameron McGeehan. Everyone at Kenilworth Road will be wishing him a speedy recovery.

TOWN: Walton, O'Donnell, Cuthbert, Mullins, Justin, Rea, Smith, McGeehan (Mpanzu 20), Gilliead (Lee 54), Cook (Vassell 54), Hylton. Subs not used: Marriott, Senior, McQuoid, King (GK)

Yellows: McGeehan, Smith, Vassell, Mpanzu

POMPEY: Forde, Stevens, Rose (Linganzi 84), Clarke, Burgess, Baker (Hunt 80), Doyle (c), Smith, Naismith, Bennett (Roberts 68), Evans. Subs not used: O'Brien (GK), Lalkovic, Whatmough, Chaplin.

Yellows: Forde, Stevens

http://www.lutontown.co.uk/news/article/2016-17/portsmouth-luton-town-3497058.aspx

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nooxBI8Op1w

PUBLISHED 18:12 2nd January 2017 Jones thought his side improved dramatically after the break

Town boss Nathan Jones had mixed emotions after his side’s 1-0 loss to Portsmouth at Fratton Park this afternoon.

The Hatters lacked a cutting edge in the first half, something the manager was angered by, but a strong second half showing gave the hosts something to think about, as Danny Hylton and Jonathan Smith both went very close for their side.

Jones’ team went behind on 31 minutes through Christian Burgess’ close range header and the Hatters weren’t able to muster a real chance until Hylton hit the crossbar with a classy chip early on in the second half.

The striker was at the heart of the Town’s next best move as he cut in from the right, dribbled past two defenders and crossed the ball into the Pompey six-yard box, but Smith couldn’t turn the effort towards goal.

Jones said: ”I thought we were poor first half, we lacked bravery. You know when you come here you have got to be brave. You don’t come here and try and sit back and contain anyone, we tried to win the game.

“We showed no bravery, a few didn’t turn up. They had no energy about them, the desire to affect the football game and in the first half we really lacked any kind of quality.

“Second half was a totally different affair and I thought we were excellent.

“We were on the front foot, we were positive. We had the best chances of the half, in terms of Danny hitting the bar and Jonathan Smith [having a chance]. We were much, much better in the second half.”

League Two: Portsmouth 1 Luton Town 0

All teams have a bogey side and Luton's continues to be in the blue of Portsmouth after yet another defeat on the south coast this afternoon.

Going into the contest, the Hatters had taken just two points from their five previous meetings against Pompey since returning to the Football League, while losing six from seven trips to Fratton Park, with only last season's bore draw going against the grain.

With no victory since 1975, the visitors were made to pay for a timid first half display, in which star midfielder Cameron McGeehan was stretchered off, with Christian Burgess' close range header ending Luton's long run of clean sheets on their travels, as they made it an unwanted seven losses from eight.

To their credit, Hatters picked up considerably in the second half, and deserved a point for their efforts, denied by the woodwork and a glaring miss from Jonathan Smith.

Luton boss Nathan Jones made just two changes from the New Year's Eve victory over Barnet, with Dan Potts injured and Alan Sheehan missing out too, James Justin and Alex Gilliead coming in, as Town reverted to the diamond which had seen off the Bees.

A bright and entertaining opening was then truncated by a lengthy injury to McGeehan on 15 minutes as he slid in on Michael Doyle and was immediately writhing around in agony.

He needed a good 10 minutes of treatment, while in that time, was bafflingly booked for hitting the ground in frustration, while was mercilessly and downright disgracefully jeered by the home supporters before and during being stretchered off.

Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu came on in his place, as the game started to open up, Gareth Evans over from range for Pompey, Smith following suit, despite having time and space to hit the target.

Carl Baker missed his kick from a low cross as Pompey finally got round the back of Town's defence, with Kyle Bennett not missing by much either.

However the hosts then took the lead on 31 minutes after Bennett robbed O'Donnell of the ball deep in Hatters to win a set-piece.

It was swung in with pace by Baker, as Christian Burgess beat Christian Walton to the punch, ending Luton's record of 402 minutes since conceding on their travels in League Two, dating back over two months when Ollie Palmer scored for Leyton Orient on October 15.

From there, Luton couldn't ever really look to trouble David Forde, bar the odd cross from deep, as sub Mpanzu would often take a heavy touch just as an opportunity looked like presenting itself, with attacking moves continually breaking down in the final third.

Captain Cuthbert was on hand with a superbly timed sliding challenge to prevent Evans from making it 2-0, with Burgess heading narrowly wide in the seven minutes of injury time played.

In the second period, Pompey almost had an immediate second has another dangerous set-piece was met by Evans, who headed straight at Walton.

The visitors then were a whisker away from levelling on 53 minutes as Burgess missed Cook's hopeful punt forward, and Hylton raced clear to sublimely chip Forde, only to see his effort cruelly bounce off the bar and away.

Jones brought on Olly Lee and Isaac Vassell for Gilliead and Cook, as Hatters fans finally started to believe they could mount a fight back, Smith's volley gathered in by Forde.

The recently recalled midfielder then missed the chance of the match on 65 minutes as he raced into the box after some superb work by Hylton, wriggling round his man on the byline man and laying it on a plate for Smith, but faced with an open goal, he somehow got it all wrong, skewing well wide.

Lee's wonderful ball out wide picked out Justin, who cut in from the left an unleashed a fierce effort parried behind by Forde, as Town were the hampered for the final 20 minutes when Hylton took a blow to the back.

Hatters' leading scorer had to stay on despite motioning to go off as Jones had already rung all the changes, although Hylton was reduced to playing the game at a walking pace for the remainder, such was his limited movement.

Despite all their territory and moments late on, Luton just couldn't create a chance as good as Smith's and almost fell to a even more flattering defeat late on, when Lee felled Noel Hunt in the area.

Gary Roberts stepped up only to blaze over the top, as Hatters remained in the fixture, but try as they might, there was to be no late equaliser, consigning Hatters to yet another defeat at Fratton Park.

Pompey: David Forde, Enda Stevens, Danny Rose (Amine Linganzi 82), Matt Clarke, Christian Burgess, Carl Baker (Noel Hunt 80), Michael Doyle (C), Michael Smith, Kai Naismith, Kyle Bennett (Gary Roberts 68), Gareth Evans.

Subs not used: Liam O'Brien, Milan Lalkovic, Jack Whatmough, Conor Chaplin.

Hatters: Christian Walton, Stephen O'Donnell, Johnny Mullins, Scott Cuthbert (C), James Justin, Glen Rea, Jonathan Smith, Cameron McGeehan (Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu 20), Alex Gilliead (Isaac Vassell 54), Jordan Cook (Olly Lee 54), Danny Hylton.

Subs not used: Craig King, Jack Marriott, Josh McQuoid, Jack Senior.

Attendance: 17,402 (1,547 from Luton).

Booked: McGeehan 15, Smith 41, Vassell 65, Forde 86, Hunt 90, Mpanzu 90.

Referee: Tim Robinson.

Hatters MOM: Scott Cuthbert. Captain continues to rise to the occasion.

McGeehan suffers leg break against Portsmouth

Hatters boss Nathan Jones confirmed that midfielder Cameron McGeehan suffered a broken leg against Portsmouth this afternoon.

The 21-year-old went down in agony on 15 minutes after what looked an innocuous challenge with Michael Doyle and was eventually stretchered off.

Speaking afterwards, Jones admitted the worst about the injury, while also revealing the club had recently turned down another offer for his services too.

He said: “We think it’s a leg break and that’s the frustrating thing for us, because he’s in wonderful form.

“We’ve just turned down a lot of money for him so it’s a real travesty for the kid and a travesty for us.

“He’s just gone to hospital to have an x-ray so that’s been confirmed.

“We’ve had inquiries about him, he trusts us with his future, it’s just sad it’s happened today in such a big game as well.

"That kid just wants to play football, wants to get better, wants to develop, you know he’s injured, so it’s a sad one and we hope that he recovers quickly."

On how long he thought McGeehan might be out for, Jones said: “I don’t know, I can’t say too much now as we haven’t had the full diagnosis.

“But we’ll just make sure he comes back safe so he’ll continue his progression.”

Meanwhile, when asked what he thought about the tackle from Doyle, Jones said: “I’ll have to see it again before I comment on it as I wouldn’t like to comment if it wasn’t (a foul).

“At the minute, it’s just a real, real, real travesty for the kid more importantly but also for us.”

Hatters skipper Scott Cuthbert added: “He’s a young lad, it’s probably his first experience of a serious injury and is never nice for anyone.

“I was saying to Stephen O’Donnell before the game he’s a real strong character, a real confident character, so he’ll bounce back.”

Jones slams Pompey fans for booing McGeehan

Luton chief Nathan Jones slammed Portsmouth’s supporters for booing Cameron McGeehan after he was stretchered off with a broken leg at Fratton Park this afternoon.

Town’s goalscoring midfielder was injured in a challenge with the home side’s Michael Doyle and needed lengthy treatment in which he was jeered mercilessly by Pompey’s fans.

Speaking afterwards, Jones said: “One thing I will say, Portsmouth fans showed no class whatsoever, absolutely no class.

“That was an absolute disgrace. The kid’s a young boy, he’s a wonderful talent, he works hard every day and it’s a bad injury and Portsmouth fans shows what they’re about.

“An absolute disgrace in how they reacted, showed absolutely no class whatsoever.”

Pompey assistant Leam Richardson somehow tried to claim he didn’t hear the reaction from the home supporters afterwards, while skipper Scott Cuthbert continued: “I think they’re sitting up there they maybe don’t know the situation.

“When you see a young kid and he’s getting strapped up and stretchered off it’s obviously not a good sign.

“So you’re wanting a bit of respect, give him a clap off as he’s obviously done himself some serious damage.

“But they don’t know what’s going on on the pitch.”

To make matters worse, McGeehan was booked by referee Tim Robinson while receiving treatment after pounding the floor in frustration.

When asked for his view, Cuthbert said: “He decided Cam was lying there with a broken leg to book him, I don’t know why, you need to ask him about that.

“I don’t know if there was a problem with the stretcher, that’s what I heard. Cam’s broken his leg, he’s frustrated, you need to ask the ref why he booked him.”

Jones added: “I think it was his reaction after, I don’t know, but surely an element of empathy or compassion has to be shown.”

LUTON do not score and do not win at Fratton Park but this latest defeat at Portsmouth stung all the more after Cameron McGeehan was stretchered off with a broken left leg amid disgraceful jeers and chants from the home rabble.

Songs of 'you're going home in a ******* ambulance' left boss Nathan Jones with no other choice but to call the Pompey fans 'an absolute disgrace'.

And his side were clearly affected by the 15th minute injury blow in a first half where Blues centre back Christian Burgess headed the 31st minute winner, which set the Hatters on the path for more pain in this parish.

The last time Town won at this ground, The Rolling Stones' 'Goats Head Soup' was top of the album charts, David Bowie had killed off pop alter-ego Ziggy Stardust and Britain had just entered what would become the EU. The year was 1973.

Hatters chief Jones was just a toddler and the last time Luton even scored at Fratton Park he was still a few months away from becoming a Town player. That was 1995.

Since then the hosts' Hampshire home has not been a happy hunting ground. Their failure to get anything again – in what was a League Two promotion six-pointer – saw the visitors slip down to sixth in the division, with Wycombe replacing them, and now it will now take a colossal effort to secure automatic promotion, albeit the gap remains eight points after third-placed Carlisle lost.

That task won't be helped by what is sure to be a lengthy absence for McGeehan, their second top goalscorer. Aside from his abhorrent treatment at the hands of Portsmouth fans, the midfielder was bewilderingly booked for punching the ground in pain, distress and most likely frustration as it took an age to get him on a stretcher.

And now, all of a sudden, Luton have a growing list of walking wounded, with even top marksman Danny Hylton effectively making up the numbers in the latter stages when he had to play on with a back injury, after all the substitutions had been made.

Jones had already had to make two injury-enforced changes to the starting line-up as James Justin and Alex Gilliead replaced Dan Potts and Alan Sheehan.

With McGeehan on his way to the hospital, Town conceded a free-kick in the final third and Burgess beat keeper Christian Walton to the delivery and headed Portsmouth in front. It was really the hosts' only clear-cut chance of the game, stopping the clock on the Hatters' record-equalling away-day clean sheet record at 402 minutes.

Having been so shell-shocked in the first half, Luton were a different side after the break and Hylton – still mobile at this point – was denied a moment of genius with a lob that crashed back off the crossbar.

The striker then put the ball on a plate for midfielder Jonathan Smith. It looked harder to miss the target from point blank range – but did. You can rarely pass up chances like that in games this tight against your promotion rivals and come out smiling.

Indeed, they were only spared a greater margin of defeat when Gary Roberts blasted high over from the penalty spot after Olly Lee's foul deep into injury time.

In a luckless afternoon it was scant consolation, but the collateral damage was already done.

Portsmouth: Forde, Stevens, Rose (Linganzi, 84), Clarke, Burgess, Baker (Hunt, 80), Doyle, Smith, Naismith, Bennett (Roberts, 68), Evans Unused subs: O'Brien, Lalkovic, Whatmough, Chaplin

Luton: Walton, O'Donnell, Smith, Mullins, Cuthbert, McGeehan (Mpanzu, 20), Hylton, Cook (Vassell, 54), Gilliead (Lee, 54), Rea, Justin Unused subs: King, Marriott, Senior, McQuoid

Referee: Tim Robinson

Attendance: 17,402 (1,547)