A-Stute Hatters are four-some at Histon

Histon 0 (0) Luton Town 4 (2)

A STRAIGHTFORWARD 4-0 victory for the Hatters at Histon all but secured them third place in the Blue Square Bet Premier ahead of the forthcoming play-offs, writes Mark Wood.

Town would have to suffer a cataclysmic defeat to Wrexham on the last day of the season to relinquish that spot and Luton were well worth their win at the Glassworld Stadium.

First half goals from recalled strikers Amari Morgan-Smith and Matthew Barnes-Homer, coupled with second half strikes from Claude Gnakpa and Barnes-Homer deep into stoppage time capped a fine all-round performance from the Hatters.

One worrying fact for the Hatters though was that Morgan-Smith seemed to be troubled by his breathing and was taken to hospital after being withdrawn in the second half.

The outcome of today’s results also means the teams in the play-offs were confirmed with Fleetwood sealing fifth place and the fourth play-off spot.

It was all change at the Glassworld Stadium for the Hatters as Town made seven changes from the side that saw off Eastbourne 3-0 at Kenilworth Road on Saturday.

Manager Gary Brabin shook things up, bringing in Kevin Pilkington, Adam Newton, Morgan-Smith, Barnes-Homer, Ed Asafu-Adjaye, against the club he was recently on loan at, Paul Carden and Luke Graham.

That meant Mark Tyler, Claude Gnakpa and Jason Walker dropped to the bench, with George Pilkington, Keith Keane, Lloyd Owusu and Jake Howells all being rested.

Czech defender Zdenek Kroca captained the Hatters for the first time, but already relegated Histon almost made a dream start when Omer Riza’s mishit cross smacked Pilkington’s near post on three minutes with the Luton keeper struggling to get there.

The Stutes were quick to adapt to the bone hard and bobbly pitch and Daniel Sparkes’ long range drive was well held by Pilkington on seven minutes.

But Town produced a lovely free-flowing move after a Histon error to break the deadlock on 12 minutes. Morgan-Smith seized on Lee Smith’s misplaced pass and slick passing between Barnes-Homer and Lawless left Morgan-Smith one-on-one with keeper Wes Forderingham. The on-loan Crystal Palace stopper pulled off a great low save as the ball bounced up on to the bar, before spinning in despite the best effort of Jon Stevenson to clear on the line.

Undeterred Histon kept plugging away, Zak Mills’ long-range effort flying just wide and Smith forcing a good low save out of Pilkington.

Robbie Willmott fired in a testing cross on 23 minutes that fell to Morgan-Smith at the back post, but his first-time effort, destined for the bottom corner, was deflected behind by the covering defender.

Omer Riza was presented with a great chance when Carden’s challenge fell to him in the box, but he was incorrectly flagged offside as he drilled wide.

Barnes-Homer did his best to bulldoze his way past the home defence while Dan Gleeson was just unable to connect with Morgan-Smith’s cross after he had started the move himself.

A swirling wind was also making it difficult for the players but Luton did deservedly double their lead on 35 minutes. Morgan-Smith’s centre was well won in the air by Barnes-Homer and the Stutes’ static defence failed to react and Barnes-Homer kept his composure to volley home from close range.

Some hesitant Town defending almost let Dee Okojie in, Riza failed to connect properly with an effort on the edge of the box and Sparkes sent a well placed free-kick well over.

Histon continued to threaten against Town’s mish-mash of a defence with Riza spiralling another promising chance well over.

Asafu-Adjaye overlapped a minute before the break and rolled in a teasing cross that was almost fumbled into his own net by Foderingham, while Morgan-Smith’s sharp effort in stoppage time forced a great one-handed save from the Histon keeper.

Town made an extremely bright start to the second half as they brought on Gnakpa for Willmott at the break. And after Barnes-Homer had just been unable to muscle his way on to Lawless’ pass Town scored a third on 47 minutes when Lawless’ corner picked out the unmarked Gnakpa at the far post, who with his first touch, headed downwards and into the net via the bar.

Barnes-Homer wasn’t quite able to control a searching Asafu-Adjaye pass, while Histon had a great chance to net on 56 minutes when Stevenson’s clever through ball sent Riza clean through but he got the ball tangled under his feet and Town’s defender got back in numbers with Graham producing a great block.

Former Harriers striker Barnes-Homer then blazed over after running on to Newton’s chipped pass and Riza wasted another chance as he pulled his shot wide.

Gnakpa proceeded to roll out the party pieces again as he turned his man inside out before having his close range blast well blocked.

Histon had their best chance of the day on 71 minutes when Remy Clerima could only direct a tame header straight at Pilkington from a corner.

A lively run by Dan Walker ended with him blazing well over as Town continued to boss the encounter, while only a great last-ditch tackle from Asafu-Adjaye denied Stevenson a goal.

Histon went close again with six minutes left when Antonio Murray curling cross picked out the onrushing Smith but Pilkington made himself big to repel his effort.

Some Gnakpa magic saw him create float a cross to the back post with three minutes left but Barnes-Homer could only send his header over, while Jason Walker’s endeavour saw him beat Foderingham to the ball late on only to get it caught under his feet again as he prepared to shoot.

The Frenchman then burst into the box and was twice wrestled to the floor by Mills, the second time outside the area where he was awarded a free-kick. The pair then clashed with Gnakpa appearing to lower his head towards Mills when trying to get up, but referee S Long seemed unperturbed.

A superb crossfield by Jason Walker set Gnakpa away and his cross eventually found Dan Walker at the far post whose shot was blocked before town made it four in the third minute of stoppage time when Barnes-Homer swivelled on the edge of the area and let fly into the bottom left-hand corner to notch his 19th goal of the season and cap a fine victory.

Stutes: Wes Foderingham, Lanre Oyebanjo, Erkan Okay, Remy Clerima, Omer Riza (Lewis Taaffe 66), Antonio Murray (C), Daniel Sparkes (Elliott Cox 79), Zak Mills, Jim Stevenson, Lee Smith Dee Okojie. Substitutes not used: George Lawton, Harri Hawkins, Jay Dowie.

Hatters: Kevin Pilkington, Dan Gleeson, Adam Newton, Amari Morgan-Smith (Dan Walker 60), Matthew Barnes-Homer, Robbie Willmott (Claude Gnakpa 46), Zdenek Kroca (C), Alex Lawless (Jason Walker 79), Ed Asafu-Adjaye, Paul Carden, Luke Graham. Substitutes not used: Mark Tyler, Godfrey Poku.

Bookings: Murray 83.

Referee: S Long.

Assistant referees: N Cooper and D Appleby.

Fourth official: A Marshall.

Attendance: 1,159.

Star Hatter: Matthew Barnes-Homer. Took his goals excellently and led the line well.