Wycombe Wanderers vs Luton Town FC (16th Sep 2017)

REPORT: WYCOMBE 1 LUTON TOWN 2

Hatters net twice at the death to come from behind and win at Wycombe

The Hatters produced another dramatic late comeback to pick up their first away win of the season in a frantic finale at Wycombe this afternoon, and move back into the Sky Bet League Two play-off places.

The Town trailed 1-0 to an Adebayo Akinfenwa first-half header and had seen a Danny Hylton penalty saved shortly after the interval, when captain Scott Cuthbert – on as a substitute – steered in a 90th-minute equaliser that looked to have preserved the club’s unbeaten record at Adams Park.

It was the second season in a row that the Scotsman had scored at that end - he's only ever scored three times in a Town shirt - and it certainly did maintain the impressive historical record of 13 matches now unbeaten on visits to the Buckinghamshire club.

But eight minutes into time added on, the afternoon got even better for the Hatters as James Collins popped up at the far post to head in a late winner and send the Town unexpectedly up to fourth place in the table by recording back-to-back victories for the first time this term.

Jones went with the same starting XI that had beaten Port Vale in midweek, meaning a second successive start at the heart of defence for the first time this season for Glen Rea, who came in for the suspended Cuthbert on Tuesday.

Cuthbert had to settle for a place on the substitutes’ bench, with Alan Sheehan continuing to wear the captain’s armband, and it was the hosts who started on the front foot, and continued to dominate the first half.

Marcus Bean fired high and wide in the early stages before Luke O’Nien drew the first save of the afternoon out of Marek Stech, who dived low to his left to keep out the midfielder’s 20-yard shot after Alan McCormack had headed a long throw clear in the seventh minute.

Five minutes later, Akinfenwa had his first attempt on goal, meeting Joe Jacobson’s left-wing cross with a powerful header that, thankfully for the Town, flew just over the bar.

The Hatters weathered the early storm well, striker Collins helping out in his own six-yard box with a couple of headers and a perfectly timed tackle as Akinfenwa prepared to shoot, and when they got the chance to break, Andrew Shinnie’s pass into the box proved just too strong for Danny Hylton.

The next break brought an appeal for a penalty as Dan Potts switched the ball from left to right, and Jack Stacey was found in oceans of space on the right as it flicked off Jacobson’s head. Collins went down after a challenge from Antony Stewart as he looked to get on the end of the right-back’s cross, but referee James Linington remained unmoved.

Collins soon had the ball in the back of the net, meeting Sheehan’s 24th minute free-kick with a glancing header that beat Scott Brown – but the assistant’s flag ruled him offside and another decision went against the Town.

Collins burst into the left side of the box in the 35th minute and crossed low for Hylton, but Brown and Stewart got there just before the Town striker and managed to clear the danger.

The Town, however, were gaining a footing in the game – until Akinfenwa grabbed the opening goal five minutes before half-time, meeting Michael Harriman’s cross at the far post with another meaty header that this time found the bottom corner of Stech’s net.

Jones was forced into an immediate change, Cuthbert coming on for the injured McCormack and slotting into his usual berth at the heart of defence, with Rea moving into the holding midfield role.

Luke Berry prevented the Chairboys from extending their lead two minutes into time added on at the end of the first half, somehow managing to dig a clearance up and over the bar from inside the six-yard box as Matt Bloomfield looked to get on the end of a back post knock-down by Stewart.

Hylton led a charge deep into Wycombe territory straight after half-time – nutmegging his man on the right edge of the area before trying to cut back for Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu, whose attempted shot was smothered before it left his boot.

At the other end Wycombe sub Sam Saunders let fly with a 20-yard drive that Rea managed to head over the bar, before Hylton once again tricked his way past Stewart, this time on the left byline, before standing up a cross for Berry, whose header drifted wide.

Within seconds though, came a glorious chance for the equaliser. Hylton was clearly pushed by Jacobson just inside the penalty area, and this time Linington pointed to the spot.

Unfortunately, Brown guessed the right way and kept Hylton’s penalty out with a strong right hand, leaving his defenders to clear the danger as Hylton looked to get on the rebound.

The Town had started the second half well, however, and Potts was the next to have a go, but his left-foot volley was straight at Brown and when Collins latched onto a ball in the channel down the right, the home keeper gathered well ahead of Hylton at the near post.

Sheehan then had to produce a well-timed tackle in the Town penalty area to prevent former Hatter Craig Mackail-Smith having a clear run on Stech’s goal.

Jones brought Harry Cornick on for Shinnie as he looked to inject more pace into the attack, but we had to wait until the 70th minute for the next effort on goal, Mpanzu striking a beauty with his left foot from 25 yards that Brown had to back-pedal to tip over the bar.

A spell of pressure followed, Cornick powering his way down the right and sending in a dangerous cross that evaded everyone, before Cuthbert sent in a couple of crosses from the left that were well cleared.

Stech had to produce another top drawer save to keep out Luke O’Nien’s half-volley on 79 minutes, with Bean picking up a yellow card for a cynical foul on Hylton as the Town man led a lightning-quick counter attack down the left.

A lengthy hold-up followed as referee Linington made Jacobson leave the pitch after being grounded during a melee, requiring the referee to call the Chairboys’ physio on before Jacobson got up without having treatment.

Wycombe made light work of clearing Sheehan’s free-kick, and Saunders was soon bending a free-kick of their own around the Hatters’ wall, but just wide of Stech’s right post.

Elliot Lee came on for Rea as Jones threw a fourth forward into the fray, but it was Sheehan who found himself free at the far post to meet Berry’s 88th-minute corner, only for his header to be cleared.

We were in the 90th minute when the leveller finally came, Hylton crossing from the left, Lee flicking on at the near post and Cuthbert – who had asked Jones’ permission to move forward as an extra attacker seconds earlier – expertly steering a volley past Brown to the delight of the 1,459 travelling Town fans behind the goal.

Five minutes of injury time had been played when Hatters hearts were in mouths as Wycombe sub Paris Cowan-Hall saw a shot on the turn deflected inches wide of the post, but three minutes later those same hearts were beating with joy.

Seven minutes of added time had been signalled, but we were in the eighth minute when the impressive Cornick crossed to the far post and Collins looked to direct it back towards goal.

The ball looped up off Harriman’s head as the full-back jumped in front of him, and Bean couldn’t prevent it from crossing the line as he made a desperate attempt to keep it out.

The Hatters’ luck had turned – and how!

From the jaws of defeat an unlikely victory was snatched…and everyone has a week to catch their breath before Chesterfield visit Kenilworth Road as Jones’ men have the opportunity to record three successive wins and move into the automatic promotion spots.

TOWN: Stech, Stacey, Rea (E Lee 85), Sheehan, Potts, McCormack (Cuthbert 41), Mpanzu, Berry, Shinnie (Cornick 63), Collins, Hylton. Subs: Justin, Mullins, O Lee, Shea (GK)

Goals: Cuthbert 90, Collins 90+8

Yellows: Shinnie, Collins, Hylton

WYCOMBE: Brown, Harriman, Stewart, El-Abd ©, Jacobson, Bean, O’Nien, Gape (Saunders 34), Bloomfield, Akinfenwa (Tyson 67), Mackail-Smith (Cowan-Hall 90+2). Subs: Richardson (GK), Umerah, Eze, Scarr

Goals: Akinfenwa 40

Yellows: Bean, Akinfenwa

REFEREE: James Linington

ATT: 5,512 (1,459 Hatters)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sDhNabHdX9w

NATHAN JONES ON THE WIN OVER WYCOMBE

Town boss Nathan Jones hailed his side's win over Wycombe as a "fantastic three points" as the Hatters moved up to fourth in the Sky Bet League Two table.

Adebayo Akinfenwa gave the hosts the lead when he headed in midway through the first half, before Joe Jacobson fouled Danny Hylton inside the Wycombe penalty area in the second. The ex-Aldershot striker got up and took the spot kick, but stopper Scott Brown saved it to maintain his side's lead.

Captain Scott Cuthbert poked home from close range right at the end of normal time to bring the game level, before James Collins' back stick header in the eighth minute of added time sealed a remarkable victory for Jones' side.

The Welshman said: "A fantastic three points. We were nowhere near in the first half in terms of competing and how we went about it. We couldn't really handle Akinfenwa.

"We didn't do the ugly side of stuff and credit to Wycombe, they put a lot pressure on you, everything goes into your box, but we are having to get used to that because of what we are coming up against.

"I am disappointed with the first half, I really am. I am really going to have to think about my team selection next week to be honest with you. I might just have to play a team full of workers and then bring the footballers on.

"But look, I can't take it away from a wonderful, wonderful afternoon. Bearing in mind we missed a penalty – a clear one, it could have been a sending off.

"As I said though, what a win. I am delighted for the fans with the atmosphere they created, they had to put up with a lot. They were brilliant, I am absolutely delighted for them."

Collins nets stoppage time winner as Luton steal points at Wycombe

League Two: Wycombe Wanderers 1 Luton Town 2

A quite simply mental final few moments saw Luton Town emerge as 2-1 winners at Wycombe Wanderers this afternoon.

It had looked for all the world that the visitors would be on their way to their fourth away game without a victory this term, trailing to Adebayo Akinfenwa's first half header.

Danny Hylton missed a penalty early in the second period too, but with time running out, Luton pushed Scott Cuthbert up top and he volleyed the leveller with two minutes to go to rescue what looked like a welcome point.

However, things got even better, as in the eighth minute of stoppage time, Harry Cornick's deep cross from out wide was met by James Collins at the far post, his header looping up and over keeper Scott Brown and dropping across the line, Marcus Bean unable to keep it out, sending almost 1,500 Luton fans behind the goal into absolute bedlam.

They were joined by a barely able to contain himself manager Nathan Jones at the full time whistle which blew seconds later, as Town's players celebrated raucously, knowing full well just what a big result this is.

Earlier, Jones had kept faith with the same team who had beaten Port Vale 2-0 on Tuesday night, with Cuthbert back on the bench after completing his one game ban, while former Luton striker Craig Mackail-Smith started for the visitors.

Town were indebted to keeper Marek Stech on seven minutes, as he made a sharp stop from Luke O'Nien's 20-yard volley that was arrowing into the bottom corner.

Wycombe continued their promising start, with Joe Jacobson's deep cross met by Akinfenwa, whose header flew narrowly over the top, while all Luton had in the opening exchanges, was James Collins' appeals for a penalty, going down under a challenge from Anthony Stewart.

Collins thought he had opened the scoring on 24 minutes though, deftly glancing in Alan Sheehan's free kick, only for the linesman's flag to cut short the celebrations.

Akinfenwa then should have made it 1-0 after fine work by Mackail-Smith, but produced an air kick when the goal was gaping.

Although looking like they were beginning to gain some kind of foothold, Luton then fell behind five minutes before the break with a goal of sheer and utter simplicity.

Despite no doubt warning his side time and time again in the build-up, Jones could only watch as Akinfenwa isolated Glen Rea and easily outjumped Luton's centre half to meet Michael Harriman's deep cross and nod beyond Stech.

Luton made an immediate change as Alan McCormack went off holding his groin, replaced by Cuthbert.

Town, needing a response in the second period, almost fell further behind, Rea making a brave block from Sam Saunders' goalbound blast.

The Hatters started to show signs of life, Hylton rounding Anthony Stewart on the left and crossing for Luke Berry to head wide.

They then had a superb chance on 51 minutes, with Hylton flicking over the top of Jacobson, and getting pushed to the floor, with referee James Linington awarding a penalty.

Hylton's casual effort was easily saved by Brown though, with the rebound headed away from Town's striker as Wycombe remained in front.

Struggling to create anything of note, Jones brought on Harry Cornick for Shinnie and they eventually came close on 70 minutes, when Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu's wonderful left-footed 25-yard volley was acrobatically flicked over the bar by the back-pedalling Brown.

Stech made an important save from Luke O'Nien's close range blast with 11 minutes to go, as a second would surely have killed off any hope of rescuing a point.

Then the fun start, as Cuthbert the motioned to his manager to be thrust forward and after given the all-clear, it took just 30 seconds for the move to pay dividends.

Hylton turned provider, picking up the ball on the left hand side, his cross flicked on by sub Elliot Lee and the captain produced a striker's finish to volley beyond Brown.

In stoppage time, Paris Cowan-Hall almost won it with a late strike, that deflected just behind for a corner, before Collins then popped up to net the most dramatic of winners.

The result saw Luton up to fourth place in the table, while they continued their proud record of never having lost a game at Adams Park in their history, with run now stretching to an impressive 13 games.

Chairboys: Scott Brown, Michael Harriman, Joe Jacobson, Anthony Stewart, Adam El-Abd (C), Marcus Bean, Luke O'Nien, Dominic Gape (Sam Saunders 34), Matt Bloomfield, Adebayo Akinfenwa (Nathan Tyson 67), Craig Mackail-Smith (Paris Cowan-Hall 90).

Subs not used: Barry Richardson, Josh Umerah, Ebere Eze, Dan Scarr.

Hatters: Marek Stech, Jack Stacey, Dan Potts, Glen Rea (Elliot Lee 85), Alan Sheehan, Alan McCormack (Scott Cuthbert 40), Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu, Luke Berry, Andrew Shinnie (Harry Cornick 63), Danny Hylton, James Collins.

Subs: James Shea, Johnny Mullins, Olly Lee, James Justin.

Booked: Shinnie 31, Collins 44, Bean 79, Hylton 90, Akinfenwa 90.

Referee: James Linington.

Attendance: 5,512 (1,459 Luton).

Jones might consider team selection despite late win

Hatters boss Nathan Jones admitted he might have to change his team selection away from home despite snatching victory from the jaws of defeat at Wycombe Wanderers this afternoon.

With two minutes of normal time left, the Luton chief was staring down the barrel of a fourth away match with a win this season, trailing 1-0 to the Chairboys.

Although Scott Cuthbert levelled and then James Collins dramatically won it with the last kick, Jones was not overly impressed, saying: “I’m disappointed with the first half, I really am.

“I'm really going to have to think about my team selection to be honest with you, as I might just have to play a team full of workers until the game opens up and then bring my footballers on.

“Because at the minute, my footballers are not winning the battle and that happened today, away at Mansfield and we’ve had to come from behind in both games.

"Two late goals in both games, it's a great way to do it, but I don’t want to be doing that.

“Maybe we need to reconsider our recruitment, but we’ve got to win the battle and when you come up against the sides who do well in this league. they are really on the front foot, and put you under a lot of pressure.

"Notts County, are a real physical side, they’re right up there, these (Wycombe) are a real physical side, Mansfield are a real physical side, so we have to make sure we win the battle first before we try and play."

Jones was going to let his players bask in the glory of the victory that pushed them back up to fourth in the table for one night though, adding: "We came through that, we showed little bits of quality, more endeavour second half which is probably what got us the result.

"I can’t be too critical at this point, when we do the debrief, we’ll be very critical, but at this point, I can’t be too critical because it was a fantastic win."

Jones given a stern telling off by assistant Hart

Hatters chief Nathan Jones revealed that he had been given a stern telling off by assistant manager Paul Hart after his side’s 2-1 win at Wycombe Wanderers yesterday.

After looking second best for long periods, Town somehow came away with victorious, courtesy of goals from Scott Cuthbert's equaliser, and then James Collins's dramatic winner in the final minute of stoppage time.

However, speaking afterwards, Jones said: “I’ve just had an absolute rollicking from my assistant in terms of how I prepared for games, so I’m going to have to change a few things.

“I’ve been told off in no uncertain terms about my preparation, about what I do, and certain things.

“I respect him, he’s a mentor to me, and I’m going to learn, I’ve learnt today.”

It was a tough game on the sidelines for Jones, who like his Wycombe counterpart Gareth Ainsworth, was spoken to by referee Darren Linington during the contest.

However, Collins’ header that crept over the line brought scenes of unbridled joy with it, as the Luton boss added: “I didn’t enjoy it for about 87 minutes, we've kind of got out of jail a little bit and I only mean that by the lateness of the goals.

“We had a penalty well into the second half that might have meant we could have been on level terms a lot earlier and maybe could have gone on from a stronger position to try and win the game.

“But what a way to win a game, probably the best way to win a game, and the referee added on a lot of injury time as a lot went on, a lot was going on off the ball as usually happens here.

“Think that gave us that extra bit of added time and we won it in added time, so brilliant, I’m absolutely delighted.”

Hatters** boss frustrated as Akinfenwa scores again**

Luton boss Nathan Jones was frustrated his side once again hadn’t heeded his warnings about Wycombe Wanderers striker Adebayo Akinfenwa yesterday.

The imposing striker put his side in front five minutes before half time, as he easily outjumped Glen Rea to head Michael Harriman’s cross beyond Mark Stech.

After the striker netted an equaliser during last year’s 1-1 draw at Adams Park, It was something that Jones had warned his defence about time and time again, but much to his annoyance, they still couldn’t cope, as he said: “We couldn’t really handle Akinfenwa and I’ve got to be honest with you, he’s been doing it for years, he’s one hell of a threat.

“But he never scored against me, he never, ever scored a goal against me, and I’m 10 stone soaking wet.

“Because I was clever enough and if you go up against him and you want to battle him, you’re not going to win.

“So you have to be clever and we weren’t, we didn’t handle him.

“One ball in, we lost the header, we did it here last year.

“We were totally comfortable, one ball in and he scores, makes it 1-1 and we don’t learn, and that’s the frustrating thing.”

Although Town battled back to triumph 2-1 in dramatic style with James Collins' last second winner, if Luton want to achieve their goal of promotion this term, Jones knows they are going to have to do much better against such physical opposition.

He added: “Every time we didn’t press, every time we didn’t stop forward play, they just put in your box and they get on the seconds and they’re a hard team to play against.

“It’s a fantastic three points, but we were nowhere near in terms of first half, in terms competing, in terms of how we went about it.

“We didn’t do the ugly side of stuff and credit to Wycombe, they put you under a lot of pressure, everything goes in your box from absolutely anywhere.

“But we’re having to get used to that, because that’s what basically we’re coming up against.”

Luton chief delighted Town’s record at Adams Park continues

Hatters boss Nathan Jones was ecstatic that the Hatters unblemished record at Wycombe continued on Saturday.

Town’s 2-1 triumph ensured they are still yet to lose at Adams Park, with their record now seven wins and six draws from 13 visits.

It had looked for long periods like the run would be ended until Scott Cuthbert cancelled out Adebayo Akinfenwa’s first half header and then James Collins popped up to win it in stoppage time as Jones said: “It’s been a good ground for me, when I was at Brighton and Yeovil, so I’m very happy with that.

“I’ll take any win really as we were excellent against Swindon for 30 minutes and lost the game because of the sending off.

“This was totally different, but to come away at Wycombe and they’re flying, they’re doing excellently, they’re a real difficult side to play against but I’m just delighted and happy with that.”

Meanwhile, captain Scott Cuthbert, who has now scored on his last two visits to the Chairboys, hadn’t been aware of Town’s unbeaten stat until afterwards.

He added: “No I never knew about that. Any time I play here, it’s always a tough game, but we always seem to get results and always seem to do quite well.

“That’s nice for the club as well and good that we’ve kept that run going.”

Jones let his emotions run wild after Chairboys victory

Hatters boss Nathan Jones admitted his emotions ran wild in the aftermath of Town’s stunning 2-1 win at Wycombe Wanderers on Saturday.

Luton had been staring down the barrel of defeat, until Scott Cuthbert fired the visitors level and James Collins then headed a last-second winner.

After the full time whistle, a highly animated Jones headed to the away terrace, packed with nearly 1,500 travelling supporters, almost ripping his coat off in celebration.

Speaking afterwards, Jones said: “They give me energy, well they give me too much energy, I’ve got to control myself at times.

“But I’m a young manager, I’m learning, I’m very passionate about my work, the job I do, and it all comes down to this, the 10, 11, 12, hours a day.

“The seven days a week, the sacrifices, the sleepless nights, the endless DVDs of horrible quality and I’m talking about the quality of the thing I have to watch.

“All these things come down to 90 minutes on a Saturday or a Tuesday night, and today, the emotions ran wild.

“I was getting some stick, someone actually said I’m getting sacked in the morning, well hopefully I’ve kept my job for another week and what a great way to win.

“You take any away win, but that way we’ll take.”

Meanwhile for striker Collins, he was in dreamland nodding the winner in front of Town’s massed away ranks, adding: “The support we get away from home and at home is brilliant,

“I don’t know what the exact number was here but they sold the whole stand out.

“So for me on a personal note to score in front of them in the 98th minute, I’m absolutely delighted.”