Swindon Town vs Luton Town FC (6th Dec 2016)

PUBLISHED 22:49 6th December 2016 McQuoid at the double as Hatters make Checkatrade progress

SWINDON TOWN 2 (Norris 6 Iandolo 63)

LUTON TOWN 3 (McQuoid 8, 19, Vassell 69)

Att: 1,692 (134 Hatters)

Nathan Jones’ young Hatters made further progress in the Checkatrade Trophy tonight, registering a fourth win over higher-level opposition this season with a 3-2 victory over Sky Bet League One side Swindon Town at the County Ground.

Josh McQuoid netted his first goals of the season – a pair of them – and Isaac Vassell the winner as the Town recovered from conceding an early goal to deservedly win an entertaining game in Wiltshire.

The Hatters started on the front foot, and captain Jonathan Smith, on his return to his former club, had the first effort on goal, but his 25 yard shot sailed over the bar.

Within a minute, the hosts had the lead with a fine through ball between James Justin and Frankie Musonda being stroked into the net from 12 yards by Luke Norris.

The Town were level within two minutes, however, with Swindon keeper Will Henry unable to hold onto a curling shot from Vassell, leaving McQuoid with the simple task of tapping into an empty net from inside the six-yard box.

Craig King was soon called into action to keep out Nathan Delfouneso, but the Hatters had a flurry of chances that ended in them taking the lead in the 19th minute.

First Vassell spurned a great chance from a left-wing cross from Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu, then Dan Potts got on the end of a centre from Jack Senior, but couldn’t direct his effort past Henry.

Seconds later, however, home debutant Rhys Sharpe gave the ball away to the left of his own penalty area and McQuoid took full advantage, shifting the ball onto his right foot and curling a beauty past Henry from 15 yards to give the Town a deserved lead with his second goal.

Vassell burst down the left again two minutes later and stung the palms of Henry with a thunderous shot from a tight angle, before captain Smith put in a terrific cross from the right that was just too high for McQuoid, who was sniffing a quickfire hat-trick.

The Hatters front two were proving a real handful in an open, entertaining match, and Vassell was put through once more by a delightful through ball from Jake Gray just after the half-hour, but the striker’s clip over the advancing Henry drifted inches wide.

Potts and Jack Senior had produced great blocks to deny John Goddard and Brandon Ormonde-Ottewill, then Frankie Musonda got enough of a block on Delfouneso’s shot to divert the ball for a corner as the hosts threatened a comeback.

Next to have a go for the Hatters in the 38th-minute was Mpanzu, but Henry got his body safely behind the midfielder’s 25 yarder after Vassell and Smith combined to set him up on the left of the diamond.

Two minutes before the break, McQuoid priced some terrific instant control of a long ball, then tried to pick out Gray at the far post, but his skidding low cross proved just too strong for the sliding ex-Crystal Palace midfielder.

Swindon made three changes at the break, but not surprisingly Hatters boss Jones stuck with the 11 who had got the Town into a commanding position.

Within two minutes of the restart, there was another attempt at goal – this time from Olly Lee, although his shot at the end of a short corner routine flew over the bar.

Vassell soon rose inside the six-yard box to meet a cross from Justin, but another golden opportunity to increase the lead went begging.

Smith tried his luck from 25 yards, but his dipping 53rd-minute volley was just off target, just before Vassell fashioned another chance for himself, cutting across the box from the left, but his 20-yard shot was too high.

Swindon’s man threat, Delfouneso, chanced his arm from 20 yards just before the hour, but the ex-Aston Villa striker’s shot flew high over the Town bar.

It was a different story in the 63rd minute, however, when Ellis Iandolo – one of the three half-time subs – fired a beauty past King from a similar distance.

Their tails up, Swindon were having a go from all angles with Goddard and Jermaine Hylton, another of the replacements, firing off target in quick succession.

But the Hatters were back in front by the 69th minute, when Vassell finally got the goal his performance deserved, racing down the right, cutting inside his man and slotting past Henry with his left-foot for 3-2.

The Robins weren’t prepared to lie down, and Goddard went close with another shot from outside the box within a minute, but the Hatters were looking just as likely to increase their lead.

McQuoid wouldn’t be completing his treble, subbed for Craig Mackail-Smith on 74 minutes, but Smith soon had the ball in his old club’s net, although referee Roger East already had the whistle in his mouth for a handball as the skipper controlled the ball that had looped high in the air as a shot from Lee was blocked.

Tyreeq Bakinson was soon introduced for Gray to bolster the midfield as the Town saw the game out with composure and authority, and without further threat from Swindon, to progress into the third round.

The draw – which is not regionalised or seeded – will take place live on Sky Sports News at 11.30am on Thursday, with ties due to be played on Tuesday 10th January.

TOWN: King, Justin, Musonda, Potts, Senior, Lee, Mpanzu, Smith, Gray (Bakinson 85), Vassell, McQuoid (Mackail-Smith 74). Subs: Gooch, Banton, Cotter, Snelus, Tomlinson

Yellows: McQuoid

SWINDON: Henry, Ormonde-Ottewill (Iandolo 46), Thomas, Rodgers (Young 46), Goddard, Sharpe, Evans, Furlong, Murray, Delfouneso, Norris (Hylton 46). Subs: Ouldridge, Gunner, Twine, Vigouroux (GK)

PUBLISHED 23:11 6th December 2016 Hatters boss hails his boys for deserved victory

Hatters boss Nathan Jones was delighted with how his team played in the 3-2 Checkatrade Trophy second round win at Swindon tonight.

Speaking after the game at the County Ground, the Town manager said: “It was a thoroughly enjoyable game – a real good football match. Both sides played with an energy, a tempo and a desire to play the right way.

“I felt it was pretty even in terms of build-up, but we had the better chances and probably could have won by more, although 3-2 was a fair result.”

Josh McQuoid scored twice – his first goals of the campaign – and Isaac Vassell the other, following up his first for the Hatters at Morecambe a fortnight ago, to seal the win.

Jones added: “I’m delighted for Josh, genuinely delighted for him because he’s trained at a real, real good level and he’s deserved probably more than I’ve given him so far this year.

“I’m delighted that he got his goal. It was a shame he couldn’t get another one, but him and Isaac were a danger all night.

“Isaac should have had more himself, but it was great for him to get his goal and he’s really finding his feet. They were a real threat tonight.”

http://www.lutontown.co.uk/news/article/2016-17/luton-town-swindon-town-match-gallery-3454621.aspx

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMyMtUb0Nu8

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

Checkatrade Trophy, second round: Swindon Town 2 Luton Town 3

Luton Town continued to make a mockery of the EFL's decision to fine them in the Checkatrade Trophy, by knocking League One Swindon Town out this evening.

Boss Nathan Jones stuck to his guns again, after declaring he wouldn't be dictated to by the threat of another financial penalty coming his way, as he rung the changes from Saturday's FA Cup win over Solihull Moors, with only James Justin keeping his place in the starting 11, although it was still a side packed with League Two experience

However, with Swindon making just six alterations from their last league outing, showcasing their intent to progress, the Hatters were more than match for their opponents, and deservedly went through, aided by some truly haphazard Robins defending.

Town even had to do it the hard way, as they fell behind after just five minutes when Justin was caught out defensively, Luke Norris curling fabulously inside the far post.

However, Luton were back in the game within 60 seconds when the visitors' midfield quarter of Jonathan Smith, Jake Gray, Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu and Olly Lee, tigerish all evening, won the ball back and Isaac Vassell set off.

He worked an opening, firing at keeper Will Henry, who fumbled badly, as Josh McQuoid tapped in from a yard out, his first goal since April.

Swindon were almost ahead again as the entertaining encounter flowed from end-to-end, Nathan Delfouneso's low effort well stopped by Craig King.

Luton then created a host of presentable chances, with Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu's cross met by Vassell as Henry parried, the rebound hitting a Swindon defender and only going just behind.

Dan Potts then got in McQuoid's way as he tried to turn in Jack Senior's cross, but there was no stopping the striker on 18 minutes, collecting a wayward pass and using Vassell as a decoy, fairly hammered past Henry from the edge of the box.

Vassell was denied by a good low stop from the keeper, while he should have made it 3-1 on 31 minutes as found by a superb Gray through ball, advanced on Henry and tried to dink the stopper, only to see it fall wide.

Swindon made a triple change at the break, but still it was Hatters continued their attacking threat, breaking from deep, utilising the pace of Vassell.

However, when into the penalty area, it looked like it wouldn't be the striker's evening, as he headed Justin's perfect cross woefully off target eight yards out and completely unmarked.

Jonathan Smith flashed a dipping volley across goal, while Vassell lashed into the stands, as Luton were made to pay for their profligacy on the hour mark when Ellis Iandono took aim from 25 yards and thundered an effort beyond King.

However, as they had done earlier, Luton didn't for once look like the goal had knocked them from their stride, as they were back on the front foot.

They led 3-2 on 68 minutes too, Vassell taking full advantage of yet another defensive error to keep his cool and this time finally demonstrate a clinical touch, slotting under the advancing Henry.

Swindon although having plenty of possession, were restricted to efforts from range, as Johnny Goddard fired narrowly over, as the Hatters, with Craig Mackail-Smith on, always looked a constant danger on the break.

With Tyreeq Bakinson on for the impressive Gray, the visitors classily kept their opponents at arms length, as although the Robins almost snatched a draw, Iandolo nodding wide in stoppage time, Luton were good value for their win.

Over to you EFL.

Robins: Will Henry, Brandon Oromonde-Ottewill (Jermaine Hylton 46), Conor Thomas, Anton Rodgers (C Ellis Iandolo 46), Johnny Goddard, Rhys Sharpe, Jake Evans, Darnell Furlong, Sean Murray, Nathan Delfouneso, Luke Norris (Jordan Young 46).

Subs not used: Lawrence Vigouroux, Tom Ouldridge, Scott Twine.

Hatters: Craig King, James Justin, Jack Senior, Dan Potts, Frankie Musonda, Olly Lee, Jake Gray (Tyreeq Bakinson 85), Jonathan Smith, Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu, Isaac Vassell, Josh McQuoid (Craig Mackail-Smith 74).

Subs not used: Liam Gooch, Connor Tomlinson, Zane Banton, Jack Snelus, Kavan Cotter.

Attendance: 1,692 (134 Hatters).

Booked: McQuoid 73

Referee: Roger East.

Star man: Josh McQuoid.

Jones: It would be utter stupidity to fine us

Hatters boss Nathan Jones believes it would be ‘utter stupidity’ if Luton were fined again by the EFL for their Checkatrade Trophy selection at Swindon Town last night.

Luton, who had a £15,000 penalty imposed on them for their selections in the group stages, rung the changes once more against the Robins, making 10 in total from Saturday’s 6-2 FA Cup win over Solihull, as only James Justin kept his place.

However, the likes of Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu, Dan Potts and Olly Lee started, all who have made over 14 appearances in the league for the club this term, with Town triumphing 3-2 thanks to Josh McQuoid’s double and Isaac Vassell’s strike.

Hatters will receive £20,000 in prize money for reaching round three, but on possibly having to pay a chunk of that back, Jones said: “It’s like Indian giving. Why give it to take it back?

“We’re doing right. We’ve got a squad, we pay our players, we’ve got a great group of players and these are top players for our level.

“We have to play them. What are we going to do? Play the same ones all the time? And, how do I keep everyone else happy? How do I convince those to stay at Luton Town? That they’re future’s with Luton Town?

“Before they’d say, ‘we’ll I’m never getting an opportunities’. Well, here’s your opportunity now take it and they all have. It would be ludicrous, absolutely utter stupidity to fine us, it really would be.”

Jones also pointed out to other competitions where teams make wholesale changes and no-one bats an eyelid, as he continued: “It’s ludicrous.

“We’ve played Olly Lee, Pelly Ruddock, Dan Potts, James Justin and these are players that have played lots of first team games for me, so it’s not a weakened side. It’s the fact that we’ve got a hell of a lot of games.

“I’ve looked at the Champions League tonight and Man City have made seven or eight changes. I’ve looked at other games tonight and others have made lots of changes.

“We have to do that. They’re not Santorini ponies where you just have to flog them every single day, marching up and down a steep hill. These are athletes and you have to look after them, you have to make sure they can go a full season and we’re doing that.

“We put out a team that we think can win the game and that’s what we’ve done. We’ve had a massive game on the weekend where we’ve had to use our squad and we’ve progressed in one cup competition and we’ve got another cup competition tonight where we played a side that we felt could win the game. It has. That leads into another massive game on the weekend.

“We felt it was three big games in a week. We’ve assembled a squad, we need to use them and I felt they were excellent. That’s a strong side we played tonight, a very, very strong side. You could put that side in League Two comfortably, without a problem.”

With the fines coming from the EFL itself, Jones felt the league’s governing body should be proud of the way his side have approach all four cup competitions this term, rather than constantly penalise them.

He said: “It’s just gratuitous if we get a fine for it because we’ve just won a game, we’re progressing in their competition, we bring fans away, we bring more fans than anyone else so we’re actually enhancing the competition and we’re getting fined for it.

“I can’t say what the EFL are going to do but, let me tell you now, we’re an EFL team, we’re an EFL club and we’re doing the EFL proud because we’re competing on every level.

“We’re still in the FA Cup, we’re still in the Checkatrade Trophy, we had two great games against Championship sides (in the EFL Cup) and we’re joint fourth in the league. What more do they want?”

Meanwhile, two-goal McQuoid, who had labelled any fine as ‘scandalous’ previously, condemned any other penalty that might come Luton’s way, adding: “I think that’s stupid really. We’ve beaten a good side despite using the squad. It’s just stupid, it’s a stupid rule.

“You need to feed the young players in as well, give them a chance and that’s what we’ve done. Players like me need game time, so it’s a good opportunity for me to come in as well.”

MATCH REPORT: Much-changed Luton Town deservedly defeat Swindon to progress in Trophy

If Luton get their pockets picked by the EFL for another £5,000 then it will be money well-spent. In fact, it's a deal, is a steal, it's sale of the flippin' century as they outplayed League One Swindon to progress to the third round.

Josh McQuoid bagged a brace and Isaac Vassell claimed the winner but he and the Hatters could have filled their boots and been out of sight by half time as they wasted chance after chance.

It won't matter now as they're in the hat for the next stage and, as a delicious added bonus, can continue to hone their anti-authoritarian act of non-compliance. Once again, that's two fingers stuck proverbially up to the EFL Trophy rules and another ten grand in the bank.

We'll have to wait until Saturday's team sheet is revealed to see if the Football League siphon off half of those winnings, which would be ridiculous, but that's the powers that be for ya.

Never mind, the Hatters are in the black, both in financial terms and, more importantly, from a development standpoint.

With four changes from their last run-out in the EFL Trophy, boss Nathan Jones fielded fewer Academy graduates this time around but, as a glowing tribute to his squad's depth, it was a magnificent night in every respect.

Jake Gray was exceptional, McQuoid notched his first goals since April and Vassell – though he should have comfortably claimed a hat-trick – was a real handful.

Against higher division opposition, it was everything you're crying out for more of in their League Two outings – pace, power, pressing and width. You'd run out of fingers and toes to count on the amount of times they forced errors from Swindon or caused chaos on the counter and it was an envirgorating example of why – despite their run-ins with the lawmakers – that they really do care about the competition.

And they even gave the Robins a head-start, six minutes in, though it was a stunning through-ball that Luke Norris gobbled up first time.

But Town were back in terms in two minutes when Vassell burst from the halfway line and aimed a shot at Will Henry who should have done better. But his gaffe was the Hatters' gain as McQuoid poked into an unguarded net from point blank range for his first of the season.

The forward bagged another in the 18th minute, moments after two chances went begging. One for him when Dan Potts got in his way and, before that, two bites at a cross for Vassell. It mattered little though when McQuoid accepted Swindon's invitation to shoot, smashing home with interest from the edge of the area.

With the Robins rocking Luton really should have put the tie to bed in the first period.Gray split Swindon's defence to put Vassell clean through but he got his angles all wrong as he dinked over the onrushing Henry but well, well wide.

A heavy touch ruined another promising opportunity and, just before the break, another chance passed Luton by as Gray couldn't quite convert McQuoid's powerful pass as he slid in at the back post.

Swindon made all the substitutions at the break but Town continued where they left off – that's to say, with Vassell missing a sitter. He'll be comforted by his winner, which is just as well because, before that, he headed comfortably wide when well-placed and unchallenged six yards out.

And his profligacy was duly punished just after the hour when Swindon substitute Ellis Iandolo rocketed in from 25 yards.

Just as an underserved momentum swing looked on the cards, Vassell finally got his goal, though he did it the hard way. The striker raced passed Darnell Furlong and shaped to lob the stranded Henry, but delayed so the defender could recover, only momentarily though as he beat his rival anyway and slotted low into the corner.

Luton had half an hour to see themselves into the next round and they did it with relative ease, as only a Johnny Goddard dipper that grazed the top of Town's net, came close to ruining the visitors' night.

Rules? Pah! Fines? So what! The Hatters are on a roll and they're making this competition look easy. Five grand? Well, they're worth it.

Swindon Town: Henry, Ormonde-Ottewill (Hylton, 45), Thomas, Rodgers (Iandolo, 45), Goddard, Sharpe, Evans, Furlong, Murray, Delfouneso, Norris (Young, 45) Unused subs: Vigouroux, Ouldridge, Gunner, Twine

Luton Town: King, Potts, Smith, Gray, Mpanzu, Lee, Vassell, Senior, McQuoid (Makail-Smith, 74), Justin, Musonda Unused subs: Banton, Bakinson, Snelu, Cotter, Tomlinson, Gooch

Referee: Roger East

Attendance: 1,692 (134)

Luton Town: More EFL Trophy fines would be ‘absolute utter stupidity’ – Nathan Jones

Nathan Jones said it would be "utter stupidity" if Luton were to be slapped with another fine after his side knocked Swindon out of the EFL Trophy last night.

It was Town's first game in the competition since being hit with a maximum £15,000 penalty for flouting team selection rules by fielding a host of Academy graduates.

It was deemed that they'd picked understrength sides in the group stages, yet they qualified for the second round with a game to spare.

Last night's 3-2 thriller ensured the fourth tier Hatters have now beaten two League One outfits but they will again be scrutinised should they fail on Saturday to start at least five of the team that rocked the Robins to progress to the third round of the Trophy.

Judging by recent experience – when the EFL, despite widespread criticism, fined Luton and 11 other clubs a total of £60,000 for not fielding so-called 'full-strength' sides – the authority are unlikely to be lenient of further failures to adhere to their rules. Not that Jones agrees.

"It would be ludicrous, absolute utter stupidity to fine us, it really would be," said the manager after the impressive victory at the County Ground, in which Josh McQuoid bagged a first half brace and Isaac Vassell netted the winner.

"We've played Olly Lee, Pelly Ruddock, Dan Potts, James Justin and these are players that have played lots of first team games for me, so it's not a weakened side. It's the fact that we've got a hell of a lot of games.

"I've looked at the Champions League tonight and Man City have made seven or eight changes. I've looked at other games tonight and others have made lots of changes. We have to do that.

"They're not Santorini ponies where you just have to flog them every single day, marching up and down a steep hill. These are athletes and you have to look after them, you have to make sure they can go a full season and we're doing that.

"It's just gratuitous if we get a fine for it because we've just won a game, we're progressing in their competition, we bring fans away – we bring more fans than anyone else, so we're actually enhancing the competition – and we're getting fined for it.

"I can't say what the EFL are going to do but, let me tell you now, we're an EFL team, we're an EFL club and we're doing the EFL proud because we're competing on every level.

"We're still in the FA Cup, we're still in the Checkatrade Trophy, we had two great games against Championship sides [in the EFL Cup] and we're joint fourth in the league. What more do they want?"

Despite the the authority's sanction last month, Town had actually accumulated £20,000 in prize money from their opening two group stage victories and they added another £20,000 for knocking out Swindon, so even a further maximum penalty would still see them still in credit, financially, which makes it all the more senseless for the EFL to dish out any reprimands.

Jones said: "It's like Indian giving. Why give it to take it back?

"We're doing right. We've got a squad, we pay our players, we've got a great group of players and thee are top players for our level and we have to play them.

"What are we going to do, play the same ones all the time? And, how do I keep everyone else happy? How do I convince those to stay and Luton Town? That they're future's with Luton Town?

"Before they'd say, 'we'll I'm never getting an opportunities'. Well, here's your opportunity now take it and they all have."