York City vs Luton Town FC (27th Feb 2016)

PUBLISHED 18:28 27th February 2016 Lee lateshow earns the Town victory at Bootham Crescent

YORK CITY 2-3 LUTON TOWN

Olly Lee’s injury-time winner ended the Hatters’ hoodoo at York to give Nathan Jones his first back-to-back victories in charge.

After a forgettable and goalless first half, the Town ended a 10-hour wait for a goal at Bootham Crescent when Cameron McGeehan headed home his 12th goal of the season eight minutes after the break.

However, the lead lasted just 11 minutes when City substitute Bradley Fewster levelled after seizing on Stephen O’Donnell’s poor back pass.

But the Town restored the lead with 16 minutes to play when O’Donnell’s cross was turned home by Jack Marriott’s clever close-range finish.

Things are never easy following the Hatters though, and York equalised with eight minutes left on the clock when Fewster finished well to make it 2-2.

At that point the three points looked lost for the Town but, three minutes into five added at the end of the 90, Lee had the final word when running forward from midfield unchallenged before lashing home a low left-foot drive from the edge of the box.

The goal sealed a second win in a week, the Hatters’ eighth away win of the campaign, but a first at Bootham Crescent since a 2-1 victory in September 2001.

It all began with Nathan Jones naming an unchanged side following last weekend’s late win over Hartlepool. There was one change on the bench, where Paul Benson replaced Ryan Hall.

The first half, however, showed little to indicate any of the drama that would follow in the second 45 minutes. Both sides struggled in a mundane half that saw Mark Tyler save well from Vadaine Oliver in York’s best chance.

The Town failed to force home goalkeeper Michael Ingham into any meaningful action in the first half but, eight minutes after the break, McGeehan broke the Hatters’ long run without a goal at Bootham Crescent.

Danny Green’s left-wing corner was met by the midfielder’s head in the six-yard box and the Town celebrated a first goal in 608 minutes at the Yorkshire venue stretching back six goalless games.

Tyler needed to be alert to keep the lead intact on the hour when flying to his left to keep out Luke Summerfield’s free-kick but, three minutes later, York were level. O’Donnell got the weight and accuracy of his back-pass to Tyler all wrong, allowing Fewster – on the half-time – to nip in and race through and tap home from close range to make it 1-1.

However, it did not take the Town long to restore their lead when, on 74 minutes when, O’Donnell made amends for his error by setting up Marriott for his 10th goal of the season. The striker was in the right place at the right time to flick home a fancy finish in the six-yard box to make it 2-1.

Back in front the Hatters looked the more likely to extend their lead, but York had other ideas and duly levelled for a second time with eight minutes left on the clock. The Hatters defence failed to keep tabs on Middlesbrough loanee Fewster and he sent a composed finish beyond to Tyler from the left-side of the penalty area to make it two apiece.

Hurt, the Town responded well again; O’Donnell’s cross-shot bounced wide on 83 minutes before the right-back then nodded wide at the back-post following Jake Howells’ cross with five minutes left.

Moments after five additional minutes were indicated by the officials, substitute Craig Mackail-Smith saw a firm shot well-blocked Dave Winfield in the area and at that point it looked as though the Town would have to settle for a point.

Not so.

In the third minute added minute, Lee picked up the ball in the centre circle and drove forward. With no York challenge the midfielder continued goalwards before letting fly with a sweet, low, left-foot finish that flew past the outstretched arm of Ingham to send the Town players and over 700 supporters into ecstasy.

The goal knocked the stuffing out of York and the Town were able to see out the remaining few minutes to clinch an eighth away win of the campaign and a first at Bootham Crescent in seven attempts.

With a home game against Morecambe on Tuesday night, make sure you get down to Kenilworth Road. Who knows where this season could head…

Town: Tyler; O’Donnell, Howells, Cuthbert, Sheehan (sub Okuonghae 87); Lee, Lawless (sub Smith 61), McGeehan; Marriott, Green, Pigott (sub Mackail-Smith 61).

Subs not used: Benson, McCourt, Ruddock, Justham.

Attendance: 3,628, including 715 supporting the Town.

http://www.lutontown.co.uk/news/article/gallery-york-2-3-town-2977230.aspx

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OlvDKPz8x4Y

League Two: York City 2 Luton Town 3

A truly, truly remarkable afternoon at Bootham Crescent saw Luton Town finally end their long-running hoodoo at York in dramatic fashion thanks to Olly’s Lee wonderful late winner.

With injury time ticking down, Hatters looked like they would have to settle for a point as despite taking the lead twice through Cameron McGeehan and Jack Marriott, they had been pegged back to 2-2.

However, Lee then picked up possession from Danny Green’s throw inside the York area and set off towards goal, beating a host of York players in a marvellous solo run, before steadying himself to drill into the bottom corner with his left foot from 20 yards.

The victory saw Hatters enjoying that winning feeling for the first time at the Minstermen since September 15, 2001, a run spanning six games and 14 long years.

There was never any sign that a such a thrilling second 45 minutes was on the cards at all though, after a first half that boarded on the sleep inducing at times, particular for those of a Luton interest.

Boss Nathan Jones went with the same side who defeated Hartlepool last weekend, but they couldn’t ever get into their stride in the first period, sending nothing at Michael Ingham’s goal, with a timid display that lacked any sort of gumption.

That’s not to say struggling York were much better either as Derek Riordan’s shot was charged down, before the first effort of any note on 23 minutes as Stephen O’Donnell was beaten too easily by Vadaine Oliver on the right and he pulled the ball back for Riordan to shoot wide of Tyler’s goal.

Oliver then climbed highest to head a cross back across goal, while he was much closer on 36 minutes, escaping the attentions of Scott Cuthbert, seeing his low shot well repelled by the legs of Tyler.

Luton took almost 40 minutes to even win a corner as Danny Green’s lovely cross flicked off the head of William Boyle and behind, only for the set-piece to be easily cleared.

That was about it for Hatters though as those inside Bootham Crescent were left hoping for something resembling excitement in the second half.

And boy were they to get it too as Luton came up with an intent that had been severely lacking, as McGeehan flicked a header wide at full stretch, with Lee putting an ambitions half volley well, well off target.

Luton then went ahead with their first shot on target on 52 minutes, finally ending their goal drought now topping the 10 hours mark at the Minsterman, with Green’s corner swung in and McGeehan timing his run perfectly to stoop and head a 12th of the season past Ingham.

If anything the goal seemed to pep York up as they almost levelled immediately when Tyler raced from goal to make a hash of his clearance, but half time sub Bradley Fewster and Oliver couldn’t make the most of the opportunity, with Lawless then nicking the ball off the toes of Kyle Cameron as he was about to steer home.

Alan Sheehan then brought Fewster but escaped without even a booking as the set-piece saw Tyler parry well from Luke Summerfield and Dave Winfield shank the rebound off target.

The hosts restored parity just after the hour with a goal that was all Luton’s fault as O’Donnell sold Tyler hideously short with a backpass, who was nutmegged by Fewster, with the sub beating Sheehan to tap into the empty net.

However, Luton didn’t let the leveller affect them too much, regaining the ascendancy on 74 minutes, O’Donnell’s earning some redemption for his earlier error, linking up well with Green, before racing into the box and crossing low for Marriott to send a lovely backheel past Ingham and into the net for a 10th of the season.

With 10 minutes to go, York went close once more a chipped free kick into the box was headed across goal by Winfield and Oliver beat Tyler’s punch, but it fell wide.

It was soon 2-2 though when Hatters’ offside trap was badly undone allowing Fewster (82) to race clear and easily beat Tyler.

Town found a third wind though as a deep cross by Jake Howells was put over by O’Donnell and sub Craig Mackail-Smith’s low effort looked on its way in only for Winfield to block.

Then with seconds left, Lee produced his moment of individual brilliance to win it as Hatters recorded back-to-back wins for the first time since November.

Minstermen: Michael Ingham, Femi Ilesanmi (Kenny McEvoy 64), Luke Summerfield, Vadaine Oliver, Russell Penn (C), Derek Riordan (Bradley Fewster 46), Kyle Cameron, Dave Winfield, Luke Hendrie, William Boyle, Danny Galbraith (Reece Thompson 80).

Subs not used: Scott Flinders, James Berrett, Josh Carson, Jake Hyde, Reece Thompson, Kenny McEvoy.

Hatters: Mark Tyler, Stephen O’Donnell, Jake Howells, Scott Cuthbert (C), Alan Sheehan (Magnus Okuonghae 87), Olly Lee, Alex Lawless (Jonathan Smith 61), Cameron McGeehan, Danny Green, Jack Marriott, Joe Pigott (Craig Mackail-Smith 61).

Subs not used: Elliot Justham, Paddy McCourt, Paul Benson, Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu.

Booked: McGeehan 27, Mackail-Smith 81, Green 86.

Attendance: 3,628 (Luton 715).

Referee: Geoff Eltringham.

Hatters MOM: Olly Lee. Solid display topped off by that winner.

Luton Town boss Nathan Jones was far from happy with his side despite a thrilling 3-2 win at York City yesterday.

In an end-to-end second half, Hatters threw the lead away twice, before Olly Lee’s stunning solo effort secured a first victory at Bootham Crescent since 2001.

However, Jones couldn’t hide his disappointment at the overall performance of his side during the post-match press conference, saying: “I’m delighted because we’ve won the game, because we’ve got three points, but that’s nowhere near good enough, nowhere near a performance that we need.

“The win has masked it and that’s as bad as we’ve played in terms of energy in terms of how we moved the ball, in terms of how we went about our work.

“I’m delighted because we have goals in us and I know that, but defensively and all over energy we were nowhere near.

“It’s a little bit mixed emotions, because we won the game so it’s hard to be too down as I know we played better than that at Yeovil and drew the game, but I’m a little bit disappointed to be honest.”

There were no signs of the second half excitement come in a dreadful first period low on quality and any real goalscoring opportunities for the visitors.

Jones was at a loss to explain just why his side had been so lacklustre too, saying: “It was a poor first half, we lacked energy, lacked any real desire, they lacked any know how in their play and we’re better than that, I know we’re better than that, because I work with them every day and we’ve seen it in games.

“But we lacked anything. We looked a mediocre team and we’re not going to be a mediocre team and that’s the disappointing thing.

“We didn’t come out of the blocks, maybe it’s the journey, or I don’t know, but nowhere near good enough first half.”

Hatters came out quickly after the break though, Cameron McGeehan ending a 10-hour goal drought for the club at Bootham Crescent, before Jack Marriott made it 2-1 and Lee won it in stoppage time.

However, Jones was still not completely satisfied, particularly with the visitors defending, Stephen O’Donnell’s poor backpass gifting York a leveller.

He added: “We upped the tempo second half, came out of the blocks and we scored, then we give them a goal which can’t happen but is happening.

“Then we got the lead back again, then we should had defended that better, and then we managed to win it with a wonderful strike.

“So overall summing up, not good enough in performance, not enough desire, not enough potency about us and willingness to really work hard and really put in a shift for Luton Town.

“But we scored three good goals, two things we worked on, not Olly Lee’s as that was a bit of individual quality, so overall it’s mixed but three points, it’s an away win, keeps our good away form going and I’m pleased as much as that.”

York City 2 Luton Town 3

Olly Lee only scores stoppage time stunners and only his second ever Luton goal was a peach that got the Hatters out of jail to claim a first victory at York in 15 years.

Before that, Town had made a dog's dinner of it, twice throwing away the lead – after Cameron McGeehan headed his 12th of the campaign and Jack Marriott impudently flicked himself into double figures.

That was in an explosive second half that came out of nowhere, such was the truly dire opening 45 minutes, which stretched the visitors' barren spell at Bootham Crescent past the ten-hour mark.

In fact, the last time they notched on Minstermen territory was in their last triumph, nearer the turn of the century so Luton's goalscorers were mere babes when that happened, a lifetime ago.

It was telling that even despite the last-gasp glory and the fact this was Luton's first back-to-back League Two victory since November, boss Nathan Jones labelled it their worst performance of his tenure.

"I'm delighted because we've won the game and got three points, but that was nowhere near good enough," he said, adding: "That's nowhere near the performance that we need.

"The win has masked it but that's as bad as we've played, in terms of energy, in terms of how we move the ball and in terms of how we went about our work – that's probably as bad as we've played."

That was a combination of the errors – including a woeful Stephen O'Donnell backpass – which allowed Bradley Fewster to bag a double, but largely down to a yawn-inducing first half.

There's an episode of The Simpsons which satirises America's perception of football (soccer) as a game lacking in action. The first 45 minutes here was life very much imitating art.

In 'The Cartridge Family' show, news anchorman Kent Brockman, commentates his increasing boredom, as nothing remotely interesting happens, describing the action, saying: "Half back passes to the centre. Back to the wing. Back to the centre. Centre holds it. Holds it. Holds it. Holds it."

For this Bootham Crescent remake, read that as Scott Cuthbert passing to O'Donnell and back again, until the latter's horrid second half error highlighted why that tactic, in the fourth tier, is one to use sparingly.

But by then the topsy-turvy madness was in full swing, which leaves you wondering what the Hatters could achieve if they could play well for a full 90 minutes. So slow have their starts been that you wouldn't begrudge fans calling for a half price discount on tickets.

But the second period was well worth the admission fee, for drama if nothing else.

McGeehan headed in from a Danny Green corner on 52 minutes – having already gone close with a header moments earlier – before O'Donnell was punished, as Fewster rounded Mark Tyler to slot into an empty net.

But the defender atoned by crossing for Marriott's audacious finish before slipping back into the bad books.

Luton were caught short trying to play offside and Fewster skipped past the right back to fire in for the second time – so there will not have been a more relieved man that the Scot once Lee popped up with his late, late cracker.

"I enjoyed that," the midfielder said, adding: "It was nice to get the winner in the last couple of minutes as I haven't scored for a while. It was a long time coming but worth the wait."

Fifteen years to be precise.

York City: Ingham, Ilesanmi (McEvoy, 64), Summerfield, Oliver, Penn, Riordan (Fewster, 45), Cameron, Winfield, Hendrie, Boyle, Galbraith (Thompson, 80)

Unused subs: Flinders, Berrett, Carson, Hyde

Luton Town: Tyler, O'Donnell, Cuthbert, Lawless (Smith, 60), McGeehan, Green, Marriott, Lee, Howells, Sheehan (Okuonghae, 87), Pigott (Mackail-Smith, 60)

Unused subs: Benson, McCourt, Justham, Ruddock Mpanzu

Referee: Geoff Eltringham

Attendance: 3,628 (715)

Luton boss Nathan Jones admitted to mixed emotions after Olly Lee's stoppage time stunner beat York 3-2 because he claimed his team were "mediocre" at times.

After a woeful first half the game turned into a five-goal thriller, but one where Town twice threw away the lead after Cameron McGeehan and Jack Marriott scored.

Jones said: "We need a consistency in our performance. I'm not asking for anything elaborate. I'm not asking for Barcelona-style football. I'm not asking for anything that's not standard in a good football team.

"I watched Northampton play these the other night and Northampton, you can see why they're top of the league. They do things well, they work, they graft.

"They have a settled team and he's [manager Chris Wilder] had them for two-and-a-half years, I understand that, but that's the level we need to reach in terms of a performance. Then, in the stuff we do and the structures we give them, then we pose teams different problems, but we've got to be better than that."

The manager claimed that the performance was the worst under his stewardship, particularly the start.

"It was a poor first half," he said, adding: "They lacked energy, they lacked desire and any know-how in their play. We're better than that. I know we're better than that because I work with them every day and we've seen it in games.

"We looked a mediocre team and we're not going to be a mediocre team. That's the disappointing thing. We didn't really come out of the blocks.

"It was nowhere near good enough in the first half. We upped the tempo in the second half, we came out of the blocks and we scored.

"Then we gave them a goal, which can't happen, but it is happening. Then we got the lead back again. Then we should have defended that one better and then we managed to win it with a wonderful strike."

The win was Luton's first at Bootham Crescent in 15 years and the first time they've claimed back-to-back victories in League Two since November.

Jones said: "I'm delighted because we've won the game and got three points, but that was nowhere near good enough. That's nowhere near the performance that we need.

"The win has masked it but that's as bad as we've played, in terms of energy, in terms of how we move the ball and in terms of how we went about our work."