Reading vs Luton Town FC (19th Apr 2023)

Report | Reading 1-1 Luton Town

The Hatters secured a place in the Sky Bet Championship play-offs for the second season in a row after coming from behind to take a point from their trip to Reading tonight.

Carlton Morris nodded home his 19th goal of the campaign to cancel out Andy Carroll's opener for struggling Reading, who were reduced to ten men soon after when the ex-Newcastle and Liverpool hitman netted with a deliberate handball.

The point was no less than Town deserved after dominating the game against the Royals for all bar a spell just after half-time when Carroll headed them in front

Alfie Doughty returned to the starting line-up after missing Saturday's win at Rotherham. The left-sided flyer's return, in place of the injured Reece Burke, was the only change made by manager Rob Edwards as the Hatters go in search of the victory that will guarantee a play-off place for the second season in a row.

Third-placed Town went into the game unbeaten in ten matches, as well as being ten undefeated on the road, while hosts Reading were 22nd in the table, inside the relegation zone on goal difference.

Backed by a raucous atmosphere inside the Select Car Leasing Stadium, with home fans buoyed by a point gained against promoted Burnley on Saturday in their first game under new manager Noel Hunt, Reading made a positive start and should have gone in front in the second minute when Andy Carroll blazed over from close range after good work down the right by Femi Azeez.

Another lifted by events last Saturday, Cauley Woodrow, tried his luck from 30 yards after a spell of treatment for Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu, but Reading keeper Joe Lumlet was right behind it.

Allan Campbell, who scored on this ground last season, tested Lumley after 15 minutes with a half-volley after good work by Marvelous Nakamba, seconds before Doughty hit the foot of the post with a thunderous free-kick after Woodrow had been brought down in full flow by Carroll, who was shown a yellow card by referee Tim Robinson.

A long-throw from the right by Royals left-back Nesta Guinness-Walker caused concern in the Hatters' six-yard box, Etham Horvath puinching the bouncing ball clear before Tom Holmes volleyed over from the edge of the area with 20 minutes played.

Woodrow called Lumley into action again from distance in the 24th minute, the Reading stopper beating the striker's effort away, and by now the Hatters were well in the ascendancy, playing some lovely football and drawing foul after foul inside the hosts' half, Jeff Hendrick eventually going into the book for a late challenge on Mpanzu.

Lumley denied Woodrow again on 36 minutes, claiming his attempted curler from outside the box as it headed towards the top corner, then Naby Sarr threw himself in the way of the forward's blast from ten yards as he looked to profit from a knock-down from strike partner Morris.

The Hatters were dominating the ball and playing through the Reading lines seemingly at will, with Mpanzu having a shot blocked and several crosses flashing across the face of goal, with home defenders content to smash the ball anywhere to get it away from their box.

The momentum changed at the break however, and after Horvath had pushed Lucas Joao's shot behind for a corner, Reading took the lead in the 51st minute when Andy Carroll met Tyrese Fornah's right-wing corner with a thumping header.

Carroll had the ball in the net again four minutes later - but his celebrations were cut short when referee Robinson rightly judged that he had deliberately handled the ball into the net and showed him a second yellow card, ending the former England striker's night 35 minutes early.

A man up, Town went in search of the leveller, Drameh whipping in a low cross that Morris met at the near post but couldn't direct his half-volley on target, before Woodrow cut back for Campbell, who had the ball taken off his toe and gratefully claimed by Lumley.

Edwards made a triple change with just over 20 minutes to go, bringing on Elijah Adebayo, Luke Berry and Jordan Clark for Lockyer, Mpanzu and Campbell, but it was one of Reading's subs, Mamadi Camara, who made a telling contribution with 18 minutes remaining, blocking another Woodrow shot from just inside the area after Berry had sent a dangerous-looking cross in from the left.

Woodrow sent another volley just wide of Lumley's post with 15 minutes left, picking up a knock in the process that eventually ended his evening's work, then Clark side-footed Bell's low centre over the bar from six yards out.

The equaliser finally came in the 80th minute when Berry arced a cross in from the left that Adebayo headed bravely in combat with Lumley. Morris was alive to the ball coming down from high in the Berkshire sky, and headed in from almost on the line for his 19th goal of the season and eighth in his last 12 matches.

Reading sub Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan led a breakaway in the 87th minute but fired high over the bar at the end of it, but Town were soon probing for the winner at the other end, Morris heading wide from a Doughty cross.

The point was enough to secure a place in the top six and extend the unbeaten run to 11 matches, as the Hatters wonderful campaign of character, commmitment and an abundance of quality continues.

TOWN: Horvath, Drameh, Lockyer (Adebayo 69), Bradley (C), Bell, Doughty, Nakamba, Campbell (Clark 69), Mpanzu (Berry 69), Morris, Woodrow (Freeman 79).

Subs: Shea, Lansbury, Taylor.

Goal: Morris 81

ROYALS: Lumley, Carroll, Holmes, Hendrix, Joao (Ehibhatiomhan 81), Azeez (Abrefa 70), Yiadom (C), Guinness-Walker, Fornah (Camara 70), Casadei, Sarr.

Subs: Boyce-Clarke (GK), Dann, Loum, Mbengue.

Goal: Carroll 51

Att:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QoKTOE6Sbrw – Rob Edwards interview

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FY2BmyRGfV0 – full time scenes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oCZ1u7kOJUs – match highlights

Reaction | Rob Edwards celebrates play-off qualification!

Hatters boss Rob Edwards wants the whole club to celebrate achieving a play-off place with three games to spare, following the 1-1 draw at Reading tonight.

“I’m really proud of the lads in there tonight,” said the manager after Carlton Morris’ 19th goal of the season pegged the Royals back after former England striker Andy Carroll had given them the lead early in the second half, before being sent off for picking up a second yellow card.

“I know the sending off changed the game to give us probably then complete domination and control, they still obvious retained a threat on the counter attack, but I felt with 11 men, especially in the first half, I thought we were really good, really dominant, had loads of control.

“It was similar to Saturday, we were really building up and it looked like the goal was coming. We created some really big chances, unfortunately we couldn’t get one before half-time.

“The goal we conceded, Andy Carroll’s been doing that for years, at the highest level as well. There was a little block, he gets away and we conceded from a corner. It’s something for us to look at and be better from, but the lads, they just never give up, never give up.

“I’m really pleased with everyone out on the pitch, but then the changes really gave us a fresh impetus and some new ideas, a little bit more creativity in certain aspects of the pitch.

“It was a great cross from Bez, Eli was really brave and Carlton was in the right place at the right time, so a fantastic equaliser.

“We went in search of the winner, couldn’t quite get it, but I think it’s a great night for the football club, I really do. We’ve guaranteed a play-off spot with three games to go.

“Of course we wanted to win the game, we’ll still keep our foot down and try to keep winning every game, but we’ve got to celebrate this as well tonight.”

Edwards vowed to keep pursuing Sheffield United in second, but will treat the final three league matches as play-offs in themselves as Town jostle for position, first with Middlesbrough and then Blackburn on the next two Mondays.

“We’ll still keep fighting and going for it, we have to while it’s still mathematically possible. There’s two things – we want to keep our momentum and we want to keep people fresh and fit. That’s what we’ve got to do, so we’ve got to find a real good balance to that.

“But we’ve got some fantastic games coming up now on consecutive Mondays, and I’ve just said to the lads in there now, we want to treat them as play-off games. They are.

“This is Middlesbrough coming and they are going to be there, Blackburn as well. So these next couple of games, let’s treat them like that. Let’s get the atmosphere going on Monday night. I’m sure everybody will be looking forward to it. Let’s have an early taste of the play-offs.”

Hatters secure a play-off place with late Morris equaliser as Royals striker Andy Carroll sees red

Championship: Reading 1 Luton Town 1

Carlton Morris's 19th goal of the season saw Luton secure a Championship play-off place for the second year running with a 1-1 draw at Reading this evening.The forward bundled home an equaliser with nine minutes to go against a Royals side who had striker Andy Carroll sent off early in the second half to ensure the Hatters picked up the point they needed to make sure of a top six berth and extend their season beyond May 8.

Luton really should have been celebrating another three points on the road such was their dominance in the contest, finishing with 68% possession, but they missed a hatful of chances as their slim hopes of catching Sheffield United in second were realistically ended.

The visitors made just one change for the contest, Alfie Doughty replacing the injured Reece Burke, meaning Amari'i Bell reverted to defence, Tom Lockyer moving over to the right of the back three, while Jordan Clark and Elijah Adebayo were among the substitutes.

The visitors should have been behind inside two minutes when they were carved open with uncharacteristic ease on their left by winger Femi Azeez.

His ball picked out the completely unmarked Carroll just a few yards from goal, the ex-Newcastle and Liverpool forward somehow sidefooting woefully over the bar in what was a real let-off.

It was Woodrow who tried his luck first for the Hatters, having a crack from fully 30 yards after a marauding run by Bell, but it failed to test keeper Joe Lumley.

As Luton started to get a grip on their counterparts, they had another decent opportunity on 14 minutes, the ball dropping to midfielder Allan Campbell, who scored at this venue last term, only to send his potshot straight at Lumley.

The Reading keeper was then beaten all ends up moments later, when a clever free kick routine saw Doughty unleash a terrific daisycutter that the home stopper was fortunate to see crash against his post and out.

With 20 gone, Town almost came a cropper from Nesta Guinness-Walker's long throw, as the defence made a mess of dealing with it, Ethan Horvath out bravely to punch away, Tom Holmes sending his volley harmlessly over when the ball dropped invitingly to him outside the box.

Woodrow had better luck with his own effort from range midway through the half, forcing Lumley to parry away, while he sized up another curler with 35 minutes gone, this time the home keeper able to hold on.

With Doughty's left foot a real source of creativity for the Hatters, fellow wing back Cody Drahem then showed he was just as dangerous, with a terrific cross that was touched back by Morris to Woodrow, whose close range blast would have been in, but for a last-ditch block.

The rest of the first period then saw Luton absolute dominate, as Reading simply couldn't get out of their half at times.

Toying with their opponents at times, the only cause of frustration was Luton unable to create that clear-cut goalscoring opportunity that they required to unlock an increasingly desperate home defence.

It all changed after the break though as despite the Royals starting poorly, with Luton not clearing their lines properly, it led to Lucas Joao curling a shot that Hovath clawed behind.

Reading then had the lead from the corner on 52 minutes when Carroll was criminally left unmarked to meet Azeez's delivery and head past an exposed Horvath.

Just four minutes later and the game changed on its head as it looked like the forward had doubled the Royals advantage from another set-piece, wheeling away to celebrate.

However, as Town screamed for handball, replays showed that the striker had clearly punched the ball into the net, which earned him a booking from referee Tim Robinson, and as he had already been cautioned in the first half for an ill-advised sliding challenge, was dismissed.

It was met with boos from the Royal supporters, but they didn't have the benefit of the second look and Carroll's head shaking as he trudged off could only have been in disappointment that his indiscretion was picked up by the officials.

With Town still dominating the ball but unable to manufacture that definitive chance, Edwards made a triple change with 20 left, showing just how strong a squad Luton have at this stage of the season, Adebayo, Clark and Luke Berry all on for Lockyer, Campbell and Mpanzu.

Berry almost immediately set up a leveller when his cross was parried out by Lumley for Woodrow's volley to be blocked once more.

You sensed it wasn't going to be Woodrow's or Luton's night when with 15 minutes left, Doughty's searching ball forward was nodded back by Morris for the striker to hit first time from 20 yards, only narrowly dragging wide of the target.

He picked up a knock when unleashing his effort, eventually taken off for Luke Freeman, as Luton then had their best chance when Bell got away on the left to pick out Clark, only for the substitute to sidefoot glaringly wide from eight yards.

However, the Hatters were level in the 81st minute when two subs did combine, Berry with a terrific cross that saw Adebayo bravely go up with Lumley, the keeper's punch rebounding off his head and looping goalwards, Morris making sure it did cross the line hook or by crook.

The final stages saw Luton unsurprisingly with all the pressure, but as had proved the case for the majority of the evening, couldn't ever find that one chance required.

Royals sub Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan fired over the top in a rare counter, before the hosts, with keeper Lumley running through all the tricks, including telling the home fans to keep the ball in the stands, and unnecessarily sprinting to the corner of his box before diving over, held on for a precious point in their battle to stay up.

Royals: Joe Lumley, Andy Carroll, Tom Holmes, Jeff Hendrick, Lucas Joao (Kelvin Ehibhatiomham 82), Femi Azeez (Kelvin Abrefa 70), Andy Yiadom ©, Nesta Guiness-Walker, Tyrese Fornah (Mamadia Camara 70), Cesare Casadei, Naby Sarr.

Subs not used: Coniah Boyce-Clarke, Scott Dann, Mamadou Loum, Amadou Mbengue.

Hatters: Ethan Horvath, Cody Drameh, Tom Lockyer (Luke Berry 68), Sonny Bradley (C), Amari'i Bell, Alfie Doughty, Marvelous Nakamba, Allan Campbell (Elijah Adebayo 68), Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu (Jordan Clark 68), Cauley Woodrow (Luke Freeman 80), Carlton Morris.

Subs not used: James Shea, Henri Lansbury, Joe Taylor.

Bookings: Carroll 16, Hendrick 33, Doughty 60, Lumley 79, Holmes 89.

Sent off: Carroll 56.

Referee: Tim Robinson.

'Great night' for Edwards as he insists Luton should celebrate reaching the play-offs with three games left

Town secure top six berth in Berkshire

Luton boss Rob Edwards felt his side should celebrate their achievement if reaching the play-offs with three games of the season to go by drawing 1-1 at Reading this evening.

The Hatters had gone into the game needing just a point to assure themselves of a top six berth, but it looked like they weren’t going to do so when falling behind to Andy Carroll’s header early in the second half.

It had looked like the former England and Liverpool striker had doubled his tally moments later, only to see his effort chalked off for a handball, and with the yellow card received his second of the night, led to an early bath.

Town eventually made their numerical advantage count, Carlton Morris bundling the ball over the line with nine minutes to go, for a result that means Luton will feature in the play-offs for the second season running.

On doing so, Edwards said: “I’m really proud of the lads in there tonight.

"I know the sending off changed the game to give us probably then complete domination and control, they still obviously retained a threat on the counter attack, but I felt with 11 men, especially in the first half, I thought we were really good.

"Really dominant, loads of control, similar to Saturday (against Rotherham), we were really building up and it looked like the goal was coming.

"We created some really big chances, unfortunately we couldn’t get one before half time, the goal we conceded, Andy Carroll’s been doing that for years, at the highest level as well.

"There was a little block, he gets away and we concede from a corner, so something for us to look at and be better from, but the lads they just never give up, never give up.

"I’m really pleased with everyone out on the pitch, but then the changes really gave us a fresh impetus and some new ideas, a little bit more creativity in certain aspects of the pitch.

"It was a great cross from Bez (Luke Berry), Eli (Elijah Adebayo) was really brave and Carlton was in the right place at the right time, so a fantastic equaliser.

"We went in search of the winner, couldn’t quite get it, but I think it’s a great night for the football club, I really do.

"We’ve guaranteed a play-off spot with three games to go, of course we wanted to win the game, we’ll still keep our foot down and try to keep winning every game, but we’ve got to celebrate this as well tonight.

"It’s with three games to go, and some teams have got four games to go, 12 points to play for still.

"So to achieve that is really special and I think we’ve got to celebrate that, we really do.

"I love the fact that the lads in there are a little bit flat and disappointed, we tried to pick them up and they will, they’ll get themselves going again.

"But everyone at the club, everyone connected with the club, should feel really proud of the players, really pleased with where we’re at the moment and keep enjoying it.”