Five star Luton nuke Nuneaton to stretch their lead at the top

On-fire Luton massacred Nuneaton in the second half as they romped to a fantastic 5-0 victory in front of a record crowd of 3,482 at Liberty Way this afternoon, writes Mark Wood.

Hatters led 1-0 at the break against their fourth-placed hosts after a keeping error allowed Paul Benson to open the scoring, but the floodgates opened in the second half as Andre Gray, Luke Guttridge, Benson again and Jake Howells all scored in this resounding victory.

It was another terrific team performance from the Town who stretched their record unbeaten league run to 23 games and extended their lead at the top of the division to 11 points over Cambridge United, who were busy booking their place in the FA Trophy final.

Luton named a completely unchanged squad from the one that thrashed Hereford United 7-0 the week before.

A strong wind and bobbly pitch made it difficult for both sides, but it was Boro who threatened first on 10 minutes when Wesley York stretched Town’s defence with a sprightly break forward and drew a comfortable save from Mark Tyler with his effort from the edge of the area.

As Luton got to grips with the conditions they won a corner moments later and Howells’ dangerous delivery ran to Cameron McGeehan at the back post whose shot was well blocked.

The Hatters went close again on 17 minutes when Guttridge’s ball ran to Howells and his right-footed snapshot from outside the area was parried on to the roof of the net by James Belshaw.

It could have been 1-0 to the visitors on 21 minutes when Ronnie Henry’s cross found Gray in the box and he flicked into the air but skewed his volley wide.

Strong defending from Steve McNulty the saw him shrug York off the ball as he looked to make a nuisance of himself on 25 minutes,

James Armson’s cross held up worryingly in the wind as it landed on the roof of Tyler’s net, before a bit of fortune helped the Hatters take the lead on 34 minutes.

Gray’s flick was missed by a defender to put Benson clean through, but his touch looked too heavy as Belshaw seemed to have saved at his feet, only for the ball to go loose as Benson tapped home his 13th of the season before the recovering defender could get there.

Theo Streete threatened with a powerful run forward before Town should have doubled their lead four minutes before the break when Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu headed forward and Guttridge’s lobbed pass found Benson, but he could only skew his volley just wide.

A goalmouth scramble gave Boro some hope before the break, but they couldn’t force the ball home as Scott Griffiths did well to clear.

Boro made a strong start to second half as captain Gareth Dean saw his far post header from a corner deflected behind four minutes in.

A lightning break by Gray saw him race over half the field before trying to pick out Mpanzu at the far post, but he lacked conviction with his attempted header as Griffiths’ effort from the clearance was easily saved.

Boro gambled as they brought on top scorer Louis Moult for Connor Taylor on 57 minutes and the action suddenly switched from end-to-end with Belford doing well to hold on to Guttridge’s low driven cross.

But Town doubled their lead on 63 minutes when Guttridge brilliantly beat Daniel Sleath and curved in a superb low cross which the diving Benson got a touch to with Gray sliding in at the far post to force the ball home for his 23rd goal of the season.

More great work from Gray saw him fire a great cross across the face of goal, but found no takers, before Luton made sure of of victory with 20 minutes to go with a terrific team third.

A brilliant passing move saw Town work the ball from one side of the pitch to the other with Benson integral, as Mpanzu found Gray in the box who teed up Guttridge to fire home a great goal.

Nuneaton looked to hit back as Andrew Brown could only head over on 77 minutes, while more wonderful football ended in Gray forcing a fine low, full-stretch stop from Belshaw.

Town were proving virtually unplayable and, after Benson had seen a header in the box blocked he got his second with nine minutes to go when Howells picked him out perfectly at the back stick and he headed back across goal to score.

In complete control Luton brought on Jon Shaw and Alex Lawless for the deadly Benson and Gray, but it made little difference as the fifth duly arrived five minutes from time as Shaw made an immediate impact, winning the ball well on the left, before delivering the perfect cross for Howells to power home his header at the far post.

Substitute Philip Trainer was lucky not to be booked for a late and unnecessary foul on Mpanzu and Guttridge was afforded a well deserved late ovation as he was replaced by Matt Robinson.

And when the final whistle sounded Town were given the massive standing ovation they rightly deserved from their huge army of travelling supporters.

Boro (4-4-2): James Belshaw, Emmit Delfouneso (David Hibbert 75), Theo Streete, Gavin Cowans, Gareth Dean (C), Adam Walker (Philip Trainer 80), Daniel Sleath, James Armson, Connor Taylor (Louis Moult 57), Andrew Brown, Wesley York. Substitutes not used: Delroy Gordon, Jan Adams.

Hatters (4-3-3): Mark Tyler, Fraser Franks, Steve McNulty, Jake Howells, Scott Griffiths, Cameron McGeehan, Luke Guttridge (Matt Robinson 88), Ronnie Henry (C), Paul Benson (Jon Shaw 83), Andre Gray (Alex Lawless 84), Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu. Substitutes not used: Anthony Charles, Elliot Justham.

Referee: Darren England.

Assistant Referees: Alix Pashley and Ian Johnston.

Fourth Official: Joshua Smith.

Attendance: 3,482 (1,991).

Star Hatter: Paul Benson. Simply outstanding, led the line brilliantly and took his goal superbly.