Hatters are Red hot after second half blitz

A second half blitz saw Luton Town earn a much-needed home triumph over Alfreton Town this afternoon, writes Mike Simmonds.

After a frustrating first period where the hosts found themselves frustrated by Alfreton’s time-wasting tactics and dragged into a scrap, the second 45 minutes exploded into life once JJ O’Donnell broke the deadlock, before Jonathan Smith and Andre Gray scored in quick succession.

The hosts also kept their third home clean sheet of the season in the league and with leaders Newport County losing at Kidderminster Harriers, moved to within four points of new table-toppers Grimsby Town with two games in hand on the Mariners.

Town made seven changes to the side that beat Dorchester Town 3-1 in the FA Trophy on Tuesday night with Mark Tyler, Janos Kovacs, Ronnie Henry, Jake Howells, Scott Rendell, Gray and Smith restored to the starting line-up.

Hatters made a fine start to proceedings with Gray a real box of tricks in the opening exchanges.

It was Scott Rendell who came closest though, showing glorious technique to send a controlled volley arrowing towards the top corner but Reds keeper Jon Stewart flung out a hand to tip it away.

The rebound fell to Gray, but after losing his footing, could only thunder into the side netting.

Some more stunning play from Gray led to another chance as his ingenious turn saw a cross that somehow eluded both Rendell and JJ O’Donnell, with the pair virtually on the goal-line.

Despite their early dominance, Hatters were indebted to keeper Mark Tyler for ensuring the scores remained goalless. First he came rushing out to deny Paul Clayton who had beaten the offside trap, before scrambling back to dive on the ball after Simon Ainge had tried to pass his way out of trouble.

Stewart batted away Rendell’s toe-poke moments later with the striker close moments later when after a period of sustained possession, he was first to Gray’s cut back only to direct his side-footer wide of the mark.

As the half wore on Alfreton’s efforts to frustrate their hosts were clearly working and Tyler came to the rescue once more as on 41 minutes as he pawed Josh’s Law’s curling free kick behind and from the resulting corner, clawed Darran Kempson’s header away.

Town then had a glorious chance to take the lead moments before the break as Stewart came out to clear at the feet of Gray, Howells won the second ball and fed Lawless, who could only place his chip into the hands of the backtracking stopper.

Law arrowed another free kick just wide as Town defender Janos Kovacs picked up a booking that saw him suspended for Tuesday night’s trip to Newport.

After the break, Town, in the knowledge they needed to up the tempo, saw Lawless drill wide, while referee Wayne Barratt finally had a word with Stewart for the ridiculous amount of time taken over every goal kick.

Hatters’ frustrations were ended on 53 minutes though when Gray fed Lawless and he reached the byline before crossing for O’Donnell who tapped home.

The relief around Kenilworth Road lifted immediately and had the opposite effect on Alfreton, with Stewart now virtually running to take his goal kicks, much to the mirth of the home supporters.

Vitally, Town doubled their lead two minutes later as when a corner was cleared back out to Lawless, and the midfielder marked his 100th appearance with the perfect cross for Smith to guide a header into the net for his first Hatters goal.

Two became three within moments with a sumptuous strike that brought all the home fans to their feet. Lawless sent Henry racing down the wing and his first marvellous first time cross was met by Gray at full pelt, who neatly diverted his volley past the despairing Stewart.

A shell shocked Reds didn’t know what had hit them and it should have been 4-0 on 68 minutes when the outstanding Gray slid Rendell clean through with a superb pass, but one on one with Stewart, he dragged inches wide of the post.

O’Donnell slammed into the side netting after a dinking run by Lathaniel Rowe-Turner and Lawless was denied by a good block from Stewart.

The keeper then came flying out of his goal to tackle Gray, with the rebound falling to O’Donnell with the youngster showing good composure to round the stranded custodian, but with defenders on the line, skied his effort into the crowd.

Newport had their first effort of any note when Ben Tomlinson half volleyed into the ground and behind, while Tyler finally had to dirty his jersey, collecing former Town youth player Matthew Harriott’s low drive.

Gray continued to showcase his skills as a lovely one-two with Rendell saw him hack off target, before both were replaced by Stuart Fleetwood and Jon Shaw.

The two replacements almost combined for a late fourth, with Fleetwood’s low ball just evading Shaw’s stretch, but Town had done enough and hopefully laid down a marker at Kenilworth Road for the second half of the season.

Hatters: Mark Tyler, Lathaniel Rowe-Turner, Janos Kovacs, Alex Lawless, Scott Rendell (Jon Shaw 87), Jake Howells, Simon Ainge, JJ O’Donnell (Dan Walker 90), Jonathan Smith, Ronnie Henry ©, Andre Gray (Stuart Fleetwood 86).

Subs not used: Dean Brill, Arnaud Mendy.

Alfreton: Jon Stewart. Josh Law, Connor Franklin, Adam Quinn, Darran Kempson, Paul Clayton (Tom Denton 72), Dan Bradley (Daniel Meadows 82), Nathan Arnold, Leigh Franks (Ross Killock 71), Matthew Harriott, Ben Tomlinson.

Subs not used: Anton Brown, Theo Streete.

Bookings: Harriott 15, Kempston 26, Kovacs 43, Franks 67.

Referee: W Barratt.

Assistant referees: L Marshallsay, M McIntyre.

Fourth official: S Feerick.

Attendance: 5,646 (58 away).

Hatters MOM: Andre Gray. Such a livewire for Town and an exquisite finish for his goal.

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