Hatters storm back to thrash Portsmouth

Luton Town produced a remarkable comeback to defeat Portsmouth 5-2 in their Final Third Development League clash at Kenilworth Road this afternoon.

The hosts had been trailing 2-0 at half time, before scoring five times in the second period to seal victory.

Hatters gave starts to Scott Griffiths and Nathan Doyle, plus Shaun Whalley, Matt Robinson, Ricky Miller and Alex Wall, with Curtley Williams returning from his shoulder injury too.

Wall came within inches of a goal inside 60 seconds when his left footer was narrowly wide.

However, Pompey had the lead on three minutes as Griffiths’ backpass was cleared by Craig King, straight into Paul McCallum, with the ball rolling over the line.

Town should have been level moments later when a corner was spilled by keeper David Cornell, but Miller, lurking almost on the goal-line had his effort blocked.

The forward then sent Ryan Hall away on the left and he cut inside before shanking wide with the outside of his left boot.

On the half hour, Pompey doubled their advantage though as Nicky Shorey set up Craig Westcarr to beat King.

Hatters should have pulled one back soon after as Hall sent over the perfect cross, but Wall’s diving header frome close ranged sailed over the top.

Whalley was then off target from 25 yards, while further good wing play by Hall saw Wall nod over again.

After the break, Ben Close was just that from range, before Luton were back in it.

Cornell picked up Jonny Ertl’s backpass to give away an indirect free kick six yards out and Miller touched the ball to Wall who drove home.

Hatters were then level when Miller found Hall who rode a challenge and buried his shot into the bottom corner.

Wall stung the palms of Cornell, as Luton then took the lead for the first time on 75 minutes, Griffiths rising highest to power a downward header into the ground and beyond Cornell.

Williams then went off with cramp, but not before completing an impressive 85 minutes, with young midfielder Isaac Galliford also catching the eye too.

The final minutes saw Hatters run riot though as first Miller’s close range effort was touched on to the bar by Cornell, with Wall slamming home the rebound, before Wall broke clear and his shot beat the Pompey keeper although it needed scuffing into the net by the unmarked Whalley.

Hatters: Craig King, Matt Robinson, Scott Griffiths, Curtley Williams (James Justin 85), Mark Onyemah, Shaun Whalley, Nathan Doyle (Luke Trotman 46), Isaac Galliford, Ryan Hall, Alex Wall, Ricky Miller.