Hatters hit Harriers for six in Christmas cracker to go top of the league

Awesome Luton completely overran 10-man Kidderminster as they thumped their promotion rivals 6-0 with a scintillating performance to go top of the Skrill Premier table, writes Mark Wood.

With former leaders Cambridge United being held to a goalless draw at Nuneaton, Town surged past them with a breathtaking performance that overwhelmed their Midlands rivals, meaning the Hatters top the Conference at the end of 2013.

Braces from substitute Jake Howells and Luke Guttridge, plus strikes from Paul Benson and a first for the club from Scott Griffiths, gave boss John Still, missing the game through illness, and stricken midfielder Jonathan Smith the perfect ‘get well’ soon messages.

The sold out home ends were rocking at the end of this Christmas cracker as Town ran riot following the dismissal of Chey Dunkley for a professional foul on Benson nine minutes into the second half.

Town made just one change from the side that won 2-1 at Barnet on Boxing Day as leg break victim Smith was replaced by Matt Robinson in the starting XI, with Alex Wall coming on to the bench.

Promotion rivals Harriers, meanwhile, named former Town favourite Amari Morgan-Smith in their side as the two teams clashed in front of a season high crowd of 8,488.

With boss Still at home ‘nursing an illness’, Town started brightly and Callum Gittings was the first man into the book after only two minutes as he cynically brought down Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu as he broke down the wing.

A clever short free-kick followed and Alex Lawless’ dipping drive flashed just over the bar.

However, the ref evened the bookings up moments later as Benson was harshly booked for leaving his foot in on Dunkley.

A series of cheap free-kicks followed before Mpanzu burst through the middle and his shot was heavily deflected with Griffiths just unable to profit.

An end-to-end encounter with few clear chances followed as Morgan-Smith was booked for deliberate handball as he charged down a Ronnie Henry cross.

In an open start it was the Harriers who had the first real chance on 20 minutes when the highly-rated Joe Lolley created room and his 20-yard drive destined for the top right-hand corner was brilliantly turned over by Mark Tyler.

Town again broke at the other end as Lawless chipped Mpanzu through, but his touch was just too strong as Danny Lewis came out to smother with Andre Gray in support.

Guttridge couldn’t quite divert a dangerous Henry cross, before the Hatters finally broke the deadlock on 27 minutes.

Guttridge and Benson combined brilliantly on the left as the ball ran perfectly for Robinson. The young midfielder saw his shot superbly palmed away by Lewis, but only right to Guttridge who controlled before firing into the unguarded net.

Some inconsistent refereeing drew the ire of the home crowd before Robinson played in Benson, but his dangerous cross was cut out.

Luton were given a let off on 34 minutes when Joe Davis could only slice his clearance from Lolley’s cross into the six-yard box into the air, but Jack Byrne’s tame header was straight at the keeper.

At the other end the Hatters almost made it 2-0 two minutes later with a lovely flowing move. Guttridge’s flick sent Gray away and his backheel ran perfectly for Lawless, but his low shot was brilliantly turned past the post by Lewis, with Davis hooking an acrobatic effort just wide from the resulting corner.

The Hatters went close again five minutes before the break when the outstanding Mpanzu burst forward and whipped in a delightful cross but Guttridge’s header dipped just over.

Hesitation on the edge of the Luton box let Harriers in moments later, but Steve McNulty was on hand to cut out Lolley’s dangerous low cross.

Town though were dealt a big blow on the stroke of half time as injury forced off the impressive Mpanzu off as he was replaced by Howells.

The home side started the second half in lively fashion and almost doubled their lead two minutes in when Benson headed down Griffiths’ free-kick but Gray’s sharp, low, drive flashed just wide.

Howells saw his 50th-minute effort deflected behind before Luton did deservedly double their lead two minutes. Howells teased his cross to the far post and Benson looped his header over the despairing dive of Lewis.

And things got even better seconds later when Gray did superbly on the right and flicked the ball inside for Benson to power into the box where he was brought down by last man Dunkley.

The linesman flagged for the penalty and after discussions with his assistant, referee N Kinseley showed an original red card to Josh Gowling before finally finding the right man and dismissing Dunkley.

Sub Howells then kept his cool to power his penalty high into the left-hand side of the net.

Luton were now in complete control as Gray warmed Lewis’ midriff and Robinson fired wide, before Tyler had to pull off another great save to beat away Michael Gash’s ferocious 25-yard half-volley.

Benson almost played in Gray but sub Lee Fowler put an important foot in.

Guttridge saw his blast deflected comfortably at Lewis before it should have been 4-0 on 66 minutes when Robinson arrowed in a pinpoint cross in for Benson but he could only send his header just wide from a few yards out when he should have found the corner.

But Luton did make it four on 70 minutes when Gray lifted his cross to the back post and Benson headed back across goal for Howells to lift into the roof of the net from close range.

The Hatters proceeded to play some great stuff as they overran Harriers’ 10 men with Lawless sending another effort just over.

Guttridge picked up a booking for an unnecessary foul with 13 minutes to go, before a fifth did arrive on 79 minutes when Griffiths got the run on Kiddy’s defence to head home Guttridge’s free-kick.

Benson received a huge round of applause as he was replaced by Mark Cullen with 10 minutes to go.

Harriers defender Kyle Storer and Cullen exchanged overly-ambitious efforts, while Lawless’ long-range strike was well fielded by Lewis.

And things got even better for Luton with four minutes to go as they swept the length of the field with a stunning team move that culminated in the unselfish Howells, on a hat-trick, threading through Guttridge to stroke home his second of the day.

The victory was Town’s eighth consecutive home win for the first time since 1996 as they stretched their unbeaten league run to 17 games to top the table for the first time this since as they ended 2013 on a high.

Hatters (4-3-3): Mark Tyler, Steve McNulty, Alex Lawless, Scott Griffiths, Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu (Jake Howells 45+1), Joe Davis, Luke Guttridge, Matt Robinson, Ronnie Henry (C), Paul Benson (Mark Cullen 80), Andre Gray. Substitutes not used: Alex Wall,, Elliot Justham, Alfie Mawson.

Harriers (4-3-3): Danny Lewis, Lee Vaughan, Kyle Storer, Chey Dunkley, Jack Byrne ( Dior Angus 87), Michael Gash, Danny Jackman, Callum Gittings, Joe Lolley (Lee Fowler 61), Amari Morgan-Smith (Marvin Johnson 67), Josh Gowling. Substitutes not used: Jamie Grimes, Nathan Vaughan.

Booked: Gittings 2; Benson 4; Morgan-Smith 17; Guttridge 77; Vaughan 78.

Sent Off: Dunkley 54.

Referee: N Kinseley.

Assistant Referees: J Richardson and G Ions.

Fourth Official: L Marshallsay.

Attendance: 8,488 (Kidderminster 203).

Star Hatter: Luke Guttridge. Simply outstanding.