Professional Town ease through Trophy replay

PROFESSIONAL Hatters proved too strong for spirited Hinckley United as they eased to a 3-0 victory in their FA Trophy second round replay at Kenilworth Road this evening, writes Mark Wood.

A strong Town team were always in control, but the spirited Knitters also wasted a hatful of chances on the night.

Daniel Bragoli’s own goal got the ball rolling and Amari Morgan-Smith netted his 10th goal of the season before the break to regain his title as Town’s top scorer this term.

A number of youngsters were handed their Hatters debuts in the second half and Stuart Fleetwood’s eighth goal of the season made sure of the victory against the Blue Square North strugglers in front of 1,004 fans, Town’s lowest ever crowd in a competitive game at Kenilworth Road.

Victory means that the Hatters will travel to Kidderminster Harriers in the next round a week on Saturday rather than going to Barrow in the league as previously scheduled.

Town named a much-changed side from the team that drew 3-3 at Southport on Saturday and there were two changes from the team that was held to a goalless draw at Hinckley United on Wednesday. Fit-again striker Morgan-Smith was handed a start, as was youngster Jerry Nash, while James Dance and Alasan Ann were ruled out through injury.

It wasn’t until the ninth minute that Curtis Osano whistled wide as the opening stages were dominated by the linesmen’s flags.

Hinckley though handed the Hatters a 14th-minute lead with a thumping own goal. Alex Lacey won a header from a corner and Bragoli incomprehensibly thundered into his own net from close range.

Sam Belcher briefly threatened at the other end, while a mazy run ended in Robbie Willmott dragging his shot wide.

A Craig Farrell cross was well snaffled by Mark Tyler with Andre Gray lurking at the far post, while John Paul Kissock and Morgan-Smith combined to tee up Fleetwood, but he could only curl right at Denham Hinds.

Kissock needed treatment for a head injury and reappeared with a new shirt and bandaged head midway through the half.

Morgan-Smith weaved his way into the box but curled well over, before Gray slipped Farrell clean through on 28 minutes but Tyler saved well at his feet.

Opportunistic JJ O’Donnell got in behind but his cross was cut out, while Morgan-Smith created room for himself but saw his shot blocked.

Paul Lister’s header from a corner was easy pickings for Tyler and Willmott finally got into the game when he closed down Hinds’ clearance but the ball ricocheted to safety.

The Knitters wasted a great chance to equalise two minutes before the break when Ed Asafu-Adjaye was too easily turned but Gray’s touch was too heavy and Tyler saved well at his feet.

They were made to pay a heavy price too as Morgan-Smith shrugged off his marker seconds later and produced a confident finish to double Luton’s lead.

It should have been three on the stroke of half time when Fleetwood slipped Willmott clean through but he rolled a tame finish wide of the far post.

Hinckley then wasted another glorious chance in stoppage time as Gray’s clever pass picked Farrell out unmarked at the far post, but his heavy touch again allowed Tyler to smother.

Jake Woolley replaced the impressive Morgan-Smith at the break and Jake Holt threatened in the opening moments but Lacey deflected his effort behind.

Holt then turned provider and dissected Town’s defence with a great pass but Tyler was again quick off his line to save with his legs.

The lively Gray was released again seconds later but could only fire into Tyler’s midriff.

Colby McAdams had a sight of goal but dragged well wide and then floated in a great cross but Woolley could only glance wide. Fleetwood rolled back for the young substitute but he could only scuff wide in a game that lacked intensity.

From a clever short corner routine Asafu-Adjaye was denied his second-ever Luton goal. Kissock and Fleetwood combined and the latter fired across the face of goal but Asafu-Adjaye’s point-blank effort was somehow blocked by Mark Dudley.

Willmott’s heavily deflected effort was easily saved by Hinds before the Knitters missed another great chance when Belcher raced clear but, with substitute Tom Byrne unmarked to his left, he shot wastefully wide.

Town’s response was instantaneous, Kissock bravely touching through as he was pole-axed in midfield, and McAdams found Fleetwood who finished with aplomb to make 3-0 on 66 minutes.

A Kissock curler flashed agonisingly wide after Willmott had teed him up, before 16-year-old Charlie Smith made his debut as he replaced McAdams on 74 minutes.

Byrne’s header from a corner looped just over with 10 minutes to go before Brett Longden, 17, made his Luton bow with nine minutes to go as he replaced Fleetwood.

Smith went close to a dream debut as he feinted and curled just over, while Byrne fired another good chance too close to Tyler with minutes to go as Town took another step closer to Wembley.

Hatters (4-4-2): Mark Tyler (C), Amari Morgan-Smith (Jake Woolley 46), Robbie Willmott, Stuart Fleetwood (Brett Longden 81), Ed Asafu-Adjaye, Curtis Osano, John Paul Kissock, Alex Lacey, JJ O’Donnell, Colby McAdams (Charlie Smith 74), Jerry Nash. Substitutes not used: Lewis Kidd, Leeroy Magaurshe.

Knitters (4-4-2): Denham Hinds, Sam Belcher, Mark Dudley, Daniel Bragoli, Paul Lister, Calum Flanagan, Lloyd Kerry (C), Jake Holt (James Hicks 84), Craig Farrell, Andrew Gray (Liam Canovan 70), Danny Newton (Tom Byrne 63). Substitutes not used: Rob Oddy.

Referee: R Whitton.

Assistant Referees: C Hatzidakis and D Avent.

Fourth Official: M Tweed.

Attendance: 1,004 (Hinckley 81).

Star Hatter: Mark Tyler. String of fine saves saw Town keep a clean sheet.