Hatters at the double to sting Bees

Hatters continued an impressive start to their pre-season campaign with a comfortable 2-0 win at Conference side Barnet this afternoon.

Town boss John Still would have been delighted with his side’s work against a Bees side who had made no secret of their desire to claim a scalp in the build-up to the clash.

In a game that contained some tasty challenges throughout, Hatters came through unscathed with another clean sheet, while goals from Mark Cullen and Jake Howells’ penalty proved the difference.

The Luton chief picked a strong side once more, as Andy Drury and Paul Connolly were given their first starts, along with Alex Lawless, Scott Griffiths Mark Cullen, Mark Tyler, Alex Lacey and Luke Rooney.

In a quiet first half, it was Barnet who started with more purpose, Luisma Villa testing Tyler from distance as the Hatters keeper opted to palm away his long range attempt.

Barnet’s hulking centre forward John Akinde was causing some problems for Lacey most noticeably and he might have won a penalty when bundled over by Steve McNulty, but referee Andy Woolmer gave nothing.

It took Town a good 30 minutes to fashion a half chance of their own, when Alex Wall saw his shot charged down by full back Andy Yiadom.

Tyler then was called into action twice, comfortably collecting Luke Gambin’s effort to start with.

His next stop was far, far better, showing excellent reactions to palm Mauro Vilhete’s point blank header away after Akinde had wriggled round Griffiths.

With 37 on the clock, Hatters finally had a first shot on goal as Rooney played Cullen in, but he opted to shoot first time and Stack was equal to the task.

Keanu Marsh-Brown continued trying to beat Tyler from distance, with one chip wastefully over and the other straight down the keeper’s throat.

Then, out of absolutely nothing, Hatters had the lead on the stroke of half time as this time it was Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu who sent an Cullen clean through.

Beating the offside tap, the Town forward raced clear, carrying the ball about 40 yards and then picked his spot to expertly beat Stack.

After the break, Hatters swapped Luke Wilkinson for McNulty, while Tyler was once again alert to clutch Villa’s rasping drive.

Town had a glorious chance to make it 2-0 as Cullen and Ruddock Mpanzu linked up well, with the forward playing his team-mate in, only to see his run into the box crudely ended by Bondz N’Gala.

Luke Rooney tried to take the penalty, but Wall claimed the ball and although his effort wasn’t lacking in power, it thundered against the underside of the bar and out again.

Barnet had shouts for a spot kick of their own as Villa’s shot appeared to strike the arm of Wilkinson, but Town’s defender had turned his back, so nothing was given.

Cullen arched his back to send a bullet header just wide, before Town made six changes as Ross Lafayette, Matt Robinson, Jim Stevenson, Fraser Franks, Shaun Whalley and Howells all came on.

Stevenson almost netted with his first touch, as a first time volley from Cullen’s perfect cross was scrambled behind by sub keeper Sam Cowler.

Town almost had a third when Griffiths flicked Whalley’s corner goalwards, but it rebounded off a defender and Lafayette couldn’t convert the rebound.

That was the start of five consecutive corner for the visitors, with Franks and Lafyatte both going close.

Hatters wrapped up victory when they won a second penalty on 79 minutes as the sliding Sam Muggleton tripped Whalley in the box.

Regular taker Howells assumed responsibilty this time and made no mistake, calmly sending Cowler the wrong way to find the bottom corner.

Cullen continued to impress, until he was replaced by Drury, as Luton made it two victories, seven goals scored and none conceded.

The tests will no doubt get harder, along the way, but Still can have nothing but positives from the signs his side are already showing.

Barnet: Graham Stack (Sam Cowler 69), Andy Yiadom (Ramil Sheriff 46), Elliot Johnson (Sam Muggleton 46, Joe Gater 82), Maurho Vilhete (Lee Cook 69), David Stephens (Bondz N’Gala 46), Jack Saville (Jack Taylor 76), Keanu Marsh-Brown (Ahmed Abdulla 69), Curtis Weston (George Sykes 69), John Akinde (Jamal Lowe 53), Luisma Villa (Alfie Cain 76), Luke Gambin (Harry Cain 76).

Hatters: Mark Tyler, Paul Connolly, Scott Griffiths, Alex Lacey (Fraser Franks 69), Steve McNulty (Luke Wilkinson 46), Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu (Jim Stevenson 69), Andy Drury (Matt Robinson 69), Luke Rooney (Shaun Whalley 69), Alex Wall (Ross Lafayette 69), Mark Cullen (Andy Drury 85), Alex Lawless (Jake Howells 69).

Subs not used: Elliot Justham.

Referee: Andy Woolmer.

Attendance: 806.