JONES PULLS A MASTERSTROKE
LUTON TOWN manager Nathan Jones saw an early tactical change pay dividends as his side scored three second-half goals to beat struggling Cambridge United on their own turf.
The Hatters had looked vulnerable at the back in a first half where Cambridge had the majority of possession.
But the introduction of Scott Cuthbert for Ollie Lee in the 28th minute gave the visitors a solid platform to build on, and a Josh Coulson own goal, Jack Marriott’s wonder-strike and a late Danny Hylton effort secured maximum points.
“We didn’t win our battles in the first half and I felt the substitution needed to be made,” said Jones.
“I needed someone who would win headers in there. Scott Cuthbert came on and was colossal.
“Once we’d made that change we nullified them, and in the second half we picked the pace up. This is a difficult place to come but after the break we were outstanding.
“We’ve played so much better than that and not got the points, but this was all about getting the win.
“We’ve got a great group here, players that people covet, now we need to go to the next level.”
A breathless start saw the Hatters hit the post in the third minute, Jordan Cook seizing on a poor punch by Cambridge keeper Will Norris but seeing his powerful effort come back off the upright.
At the other end Christian Walton made two saves to foil Luke Berry, before Marriott tested Norris with a curling effort that was tipped over the bar after an intelligent dummy from Pelly Ruddock.
Ruddock spurned the best chance of the half after playing a clever one-two with Hylton and finding himself with the goal at his mercy. But his low shot from 12 yards trundled the wrong side of the post. The second half was initially less eventful, but two goals in two minutes turned the contest in the Hatters’ favour.
A long free-kick into the box was nodded down by Rea and stabbed into his own net by Coulson.
Then Marriott picked up the ball on the right, cut inside and fired a delicious curling effort into the top corner.
Hylton’s simple finish in stoppage time completed the scoring.
U’s manager Shaun Derry said: “For 70 minutes we more than matched a very good football team.
But you get judged on certain situations that happen on the field. When we had chances we didn’t take them, and we switched off at crucial times to let them get their goals.
“I share everybody’s frustration and pain, but I’m certain I can put it right. We’re clearly not in a good place at the moment, no one wants to be at the bottom of League Two.
“I’ll continue to lead the team, but I’m asking for more from the players.”
CAMBRIDGE UNITED: (4-2-3-1): Norris 6, Taylor 7, Legge 7, Coulson 5, Adams 4 (Gosling 78 5), Dunne 6, Clark 6 (Pigott 65 5), Mingoia 7, Berry 7, Elito 8, Williamson 6 (Ikpeazu 65 5) Subs not used: Gregory, Long, Dallison, Newton LUTON TOWN: (4-2-3-1): Walton 7, O’Donnell 7, Mullins 6, Rea 8, Potts 6, Lee 5 (Cuthbert 28 7), McGeehan 6, Marriott 8 (Vassell 90 N/A), Cook 6, Ruddock 7 (Smith 86 N/A), Hylton 7 Subs not used: King, Gray, McQuoid, Justin