Hatters return to winning ways by beating Barnsley

Luton Town importantly returned to winning ways after a 2-1 win over Barnsley this evening.

The Hatters went into the game smarting from a hugely disappointing defeat at MK Dons on Saturday, a result that was met with some severe criticism from those in attendance and those who weren’t, heaping extra pressure on the players when welcoming the Tykes. Determined to make a fast start, an unchanged hosts did exactly that, as after Nahki Wells saw his penalty appeals waved away inside 20 seconds, Town were ahead on two minutes, Jamie Donley’s free kick met by Mads Andersen, who buried a downward header against his former side.

Barnsley reacted well as a deep cross was met by Vimal Yognathan at the far post, James Shea flying to his left to fingertip his header away, the rebound dropping to Rylan Brownlie, who got it all wrong, hammering miles over. Town then almost had a second with 13 minutes gone, Tudor Mendel freed, but despite having Donley to his left, went right where Wells was, who chopped inside his man and curled against the outside of the post.

It was the Tykes who then took over with a good spell of pressure, Hakeem Odoffin losing out to Reyes Cleary, who put a cross in that Tobi Adeyemo sidefooted woefully wide from close range on 16 minutes, Yoganathan getting too much on his header from the winger’s second ball in, diverting powerfully over.

Having withstood Barnsley’s attacks, the Hatters tried to extend their lead just before the half hour as Odoffin pinged a superb raking pass out to Palmer from his right back berth, but the midfielder hared in the box and excitedly snatched at his shot, sending it wildly out for a throw. He kept his composure moments later on another foray forward unleashing a terrific reverse pass for the underlapping Kal Naismith, who dummied two men in the area and picked out Jordan Clark, his shot blocked by ex-Hatter Cameron McGeehan.

Barnsley had chances too, Tyrese Noslin away on the right and finding Brownlie who got too much on his effort, but Town also had opportunities, Mendel wide via a deflection, Clark also crashing over on the angle in what remained an open first half. The hosts were dealt a blow in the closing stages of the first half, Odoffin forced to go off, Izzy Jones on his place, but from the free kick, Town had a second, Walsh’s deep delivery met by George Johnston at the far post, the defender putting it on a plate for Wells to nod home a seventh of the season.

Luton didn’t cover themselves in glory defensively as the interval loomed, Andersen booked for a foul 20 yards from goal that saw Cleary curl over, but he almost ended the half how he started it, staying up front for a corner and then meeting Donley's cross, Cieran Slicker adjusting his feet to gather. Town made an enterprising start to the second period, almost scoring inside the opening moments again, Palmer putting Mendel away as he went with his right foot, Slicker parrying and then acrobatically gathering Clark’s follow-up.

However Barnsley, who had been a threat all evening, had one back with 58 minutes gone, when the ball broke kindly to half time sub Makenzie Kirk and he rifled past Shea via the underside of the bar. Luton responded well to seeing their lead cut, Palmer with another terrific reverse pass that saw Clark have a go on his left foot, Slicker saving low down.

With Town dangerous from set-pieces all night, another was put into the box where Andersen somehow ended up with his shirt in his hand while play carried on, the ball finding Naismith who slid in and prodded inches wide from close range. The hosts certainly weren't giving their supporters an easy ride, as having won possession back with 19 minutes left, Jones needlessly gave the ball to Cleary, who teed up Yoganathan, who had to score 10 yards from goal, sidefooting straight at Shea.

Jones was then immediately involved at the other end, nipping round his man and crossing only for Clark to head over when he really had to score. Wells might have put the result beyond doubt when he latched on to a deep free kick only to see Slicker out well to make the block, as Luton continued to dice with danger at the back, Andersen forced to step in and intervene.

Town then had another opportunity to put the game to bed, Clark chesting down Slicker’s clearance, and with the keeper out of his area, had an ambitious crack from range, not missing by much. In stoppage time, the visitors thought they had won a penalty when Amani Richards went over Naismith’s challenge inside the area, referee Carl Brook instantly whistling, but to the skipper’s relief, pointed away from goal and booked the visiting player for diving, allowing Luton to see out the three minutes of stoppage time without any further alarm.

Hatters: James Shea, Hakeem Odoffin (Izzy Jones 41), Kal Naismith ©, Mads Andersen, George Johnston, Liam Walsh, Jordan Clark, Jamie Donley, Tudor Mendel (Jake Richards 61), Kasey Palmer (Emilio Lawrence 79), Nahki Wells (Callum Marshall 79). Subs not used: Josh Keeley, Joe Johnson, Devante Cole.

Tykes: Cieran Slicker, Arley Kay, Jack Shepherd, Connor O’Riordan, (Ziyad Larkeche 46) Tobi Adeyemo (Amani Richards 74), Cameron McGeehan (C), Tyrese Noslin (Jubril Okedina 46), Reyes Cleary, Patrick Kelly, Rylan Brownlie (Makenzie Kirk 46), Vimal Yoganathan (Jonathan Bland 83). Subs not used: Rogan Ravenhill, Sam Gale. Booked: Andersen 45. Referee: Carl Brook. Attendance: 9,840 (382 Tykes).