Hatters march on thanks to Rendell brace

A brace from Scott Rendell saw Luton Town ease past Conference rivals Nuneaton Town in their FA Cup first round replay tonight, writes Mikes Simmonds.

Rendell netted in either half to move up to nine goals for the season as Hatters secured an FA Cup second round tie at home to Blue Square South side Dorchester Town on Saturday, December 1.

Town boss Paul Buckle made four changes with goalkeeper Mark Tyler recalled, Janos Kovacs and Lathaniel Rowe-Turner reinstalled to the centre of defence, while Dan Walker started on the right wing.

Stuart Fleetwood missed out with injury, Dean Brill dropped to the bench, while Jonathan Smith was ineligible and Simon Ainge cup-tied.

Town, who lined up in a 4-4-2 formation, made a positive start, winning three early corners and from one Alex Lawless delivery, Kovacs’ towering header was nodded off the line by Adam Walker.

Hatters broke their mini scoring drought on 22 minutes when great work from O’Donnell saw him ride two challenges and fire in a low cross that was expertly turned into the net by Rendell.

The hosts came close to a leveller as James Armson drilled across the face of goal, while Rowe-Turner then showed great powers of recovery to clear the danger from Adam Walker.

Luton had a lucky let off on 38 minutes when Tom James swung a free-kick over as the impressive Andy Brown saw his glancing header hit the post and bounce away.

After the break, Hatters’ bad habit of switching off moments after the break happened again as an overlap left Tom James with a clear run on goal, but he shot from distance, allowing Tyler to parry and collect the loose ball.

Needing an equaliser, the hosts showed the most attacking intent in all of their matches against Town as Tyrell Waite cut in and swerved an effort wide.

Andre Gray just failed to beat the linesman’s flag from Lawless’ delightful through ball, before the striker took a pot-shot from distance that went narrowly wide.

As is the current theme for Town’s opponents, Nuneaton always looked dangerous from set-pieces and a corner was headed inches wide by Brown.

The hosts finally committed men forward allowing Hatters, and in particular O’Donnell on the left flank, space to exploit.

Matt Robinson replaced the rather ineffective Dan Walker on 55 minutes, as his shot into the ground was deflected over by Gray.

Town looked to have closed out the tie on 71 minutes when Gray was hauled down in the box by skipper Gaz Dean, earning the skipper a booking, along with Simon Forsdick for complaining.

Eventually, Rendell had the ball on the spot and easily beat Ben McNamara for his third success from 12 yards this season.

The striker was close to his hat-trick when he raced on to Robinson’s clever through ball, but McNamara was out to steal the ball off his toes on the edge of the box.

In the closing stages, Buckle brought youngster Jake Woolley on and, in a nice gesture, midfielder James Dance for his first action since the FA Trophy tie at Hinckley United on January 18.

Neither got the chance to have much of an impact, but it mattered little as Luton were comfortable winners to move a step closer to a potentially lucrative third round tie.

Boro: Ben McNamara, Kevin Malaga, Simon Forsdick, Gavin Cowan, Gaz Dean (C), James Armson (Connor Taylor 76), Daniel Sleath, Adam Walker, Andy Brown, Tyrell Waite (Wesley York 65), Tom James. Substitutes not used: Jon Adams, Robert Thompson-Brown, Delroy Gordon, Steve O’Halloran, Kyle Patterson.

Hatters: Mark Tyler, Lathaniel Rowe-Turner, Janos Kovacs, Alex Lawless, Scott Rendell, Jake Howells, Arnaud Mendy, JJ O’Donnell (James Dance 90) Ronnie Henry (C), Andre Gray (Jake Woolley 90) Dan Walker (Matt Robinson 55). Substitutes not used: Alex Lacey, Dean Brill, Brett Longden, Dean Beckwith.

Bookings: Robinson 63; Dean 71; Forsdick 71; Kovacs 75; Malaga 81.

Referee: Gavin Ward.

Assistant Referees: Mark Jones and Mark Astley. Fourth Official: Joe Clarke.

Attendance: 1,596 (471 Luton).

Star Hatter: JJ O’Donnell.