Defiant nine-man Hatters keep Trophy tie alive with narrow York defeat

MANFUL nine-man Hatters put in a brave and dogged performance to limit York City to a 1-0 victory at Bootham Crescent today in their FA Trophy semi-final first leg, writes Mark Wood.

Jake Howells was dismissed after just 13 minutes as he was penalised for handball on the line, while Keith Keane was given his marching early in the second half as he was shown two yellow cards in as many minutes.

But despite dominating, all City had to show for their efforts was Jamie Reed’s 14th-minute penalty, as resolute Luton kept the tie alive for when it returns to Kenilworth Road a week today.

Such was Town’s brave defiance that the 1-0 defeat must have felt like victory to Luton’s players and travelling fans alike.

Town made two changes to the side that were well beaten 2-0 at Wrexham on Wednesday night. Knocks ruled out Robbie Willmott and Aaron O’Connor, while Andre Boucaud, Craig McAllister and Godfrey Poku were all suspended as into the starting XI came Charlie Henry and Adam Watkins.

Luton included just five players who played in the 3-0 defeat at Bootham Crescent in September, while former Hatter Jason Walker was missing for York through injury.

City threatened in the opening moments before an awful lunging challenge by Moses Ashikodi left Henry writhing on the floor, but the Minstermen striker was shown just a yellow card.

Keane dragged a tame effort wide and Watkins whizzed over as Town looked to shoot at every opportunity early on.

But Luton’s hopes of progressing to a Wembley final were dealt a hammer blow on 13 minutes when a dangerous corner was flicked on to the back post and Reed’s sliding effort hit Howells’ arm on the line and referee Paul Tierney immediately pointed to the spot and red-carded the somewhat unfortunate Howells.

Reed then stepped up to take the penalty and sent Mark Tyler the wrong way as he calmly slotted the Minstermen ahead.

A hooked Henry effort was no trouble for Michael Ingham, while a George Pilkington error almost let York in, only for Ed Asafu-Adjaye to get in a telling interception.

Nice play from Henry and Watkins ended in a pointless cross the far post before York almost doubled their lead on 24 minutes when Matthew Blinkhorn somewhat controversially outmuscled Kovacs and lobbed over Pilkington and into the path of Reed who took a touch before hammering too close to Tyler who was able to parry the ball behind.

Looking to play on the break Henry led the charge on 26 minutes and Watkins teed up Greg Taylor, but his angled drive from a tight angle flew just over.

An opportunistic Henry shot flew well over, while Scott Kerr’s dipping volley was never going to trouble Tyler at the other end.

Janos Kovacs won a great header to flick on Asafu-Adjaye’s 31st-minute throw but no-one was lurking at the far post to turn home as Luton showed plenty of endeavour despite their reduced numbers.

At the back, Pilkington was struggling for the Hatters, while Blinkhorn spiralled a very presentable chance well over the bar.

And York almost made it two with a spectacular effort on 36 minutes. Town again struggled to clear their lines and Lanre Oyebanjo’s brilliant overhead kick drew a fingertip save from Tyler. Ashikodi seem certain to score the rebound at the far post, but Asafu-Adjaye did just enough to put him off and he prodded wide of the mark as Luton cleared their lines.

Some beautiful play by Watkins created space on the edge of City’s box on 38 minutes and Danny Crow’s delightful cross found Kovacs at the back post who, almost having the shirt ripped from his back, could only send his header inches wide.

On a booking and having taken a knock, Ashikodi made way for Ashley Chambers three minutes into the second half.

Robbed in possession, Keane was booked on 53 minutes for a silly foul on Scott Kerr and Reed’s long range freek-kick had to be tipped over the bar by Tyler.

And things went from bad to worse when Keane was shown his second yellow card in a matter of minutes for a challenge on Jamal Fyfield and he too was dismissed by Tierney.

Henry was also booked for his protestations and was promptly replaced by Shane Blackett as Luton looked to preserve what numbers they had.

In complete control against nine men, York dominated. Good work by Chambers ended in Kerr stroking at Tyler before Jon Challinor tested the keeper from the edge of the area.

Every Luton touch began to be cheered by Town’s travelling fans before the Minstermen twice went close again on 73 minutes. Chambers had the beating of Asafu-Adjaye and his driven cross was beaten away by Tyler with the Luton keeper recovering well to save at the feet of Blinkhorn.

Wave-after-wave of City attacks foundered on deep-lying Hatters and Chambers’ driven cross-cum-shot was just beyond Blinkhorn on 75 minutes.

Gutsy Luton kept going and made an extremely rare attack on 77 minutes when Crow got in behind to win a corner, but despite putting a large numbers of players forward it came to nothing.

Michael Potts lashed an effort well over with 11 minutes to go and Curtis Osano was brought on to replace the exhausted Watkins as Town defiantly clung on.

Tyler was to the rescue again on 85 minutes when Pilkington’s clearance rebounded off Osano a few yards from goal and the Luton keeper adjusted well to save.

Diving tackle after diving tackle was thrown in by brave Town as a shattered Crow was withdrawn for young Jake Woolley with three minutes to go.

A shocking five minutes of stoppage time was added as another late Luton corner came to nothing but a brilliant rearguard action from Luton kept the Minstermen out as they ensured the tie remained alive for the second leg at Kenilworth Road a week today.

Minstermen (4-3-3): Michael Ingham, Lanre Oyebanjo (Michael Potts 53), James Meredith, Chris Smith (C), Daniel Parslow, Jamie Reed, Scott Kerr, Jamal Fyfield (Danny Pilkington 62), Jon Challinor, Matthew Blinkhorn, Moses Ashikodi (Ashley Chambers 48). Substitutes not used: Matty Blair, Patrick McLaughlin.

Hatters (4-3-3): Mark Tyler, Greg Taylor, Keith Keane, George Pilkington (C), Alex Lawless, Danny Crow (Jake Woolley 87), Jake Howells, Ed Asafu-Adjaye, Charlie Henry (Shane Blackett 58), Adam Watkins (Curtis Osano 82), Janos Kovacs. Substitutes not used: JJ O’Donnell, Lewis Kidd.

Bookings: Ashikodi 3; Reed 50; Keane 53; Keane 55; Henry 57; Potts 78; Blackett 90+2.

Sent Off: Howells 13; Keane 55.

Referee: Paul Tierney.

Assistant Referees: Alix Pashley and Geoff Liddle.

Fourth Official: Karl Evans.

Attendance: 3,365 (Luton 457).

Star Hatter: Mark Tyler. Some fantastic stops kept Luton in the tie.