Preview: Cheltenham V Luton Town

10 November 2017

Cheltenham Town return to Sky Bet League Two action this Saturday afternoon as we welcome in-form Luton Town to the LCI Rail Stadium (kick-off 3pm).

The Robins will be looking for a return to winning ways in the league after FA Cup defeat last weekend and climb from the current 15^th spot in the standings – six points off the play-offs.

The Hatters have lost just once in the club’s last six league games - 3-0 to Coventry City last time out - and will be keen to secure a win to climb to challenge for top spot from their current third place.

The Opposition:

Luton boss Nathan Jones will be hoping to build on the club’s recent run of free-scoring and eye-catching form that saw him claim the Sky Bet Manager of the Month award for October this week.

And Jones has this week distanced himself from links to the vacant Sunderland job and insisted his focus remains on life at Kenilworth Road.

He said explained: "[There has not been contact] that I know of. It's very flattering, they're a massive club, to get linked with things like that you're obviously doing things right in your own back yard. I'm always laid back about these things, if these things materialise, they materialise, right now I'm concentrating on doing well for Luton Town.

"We're in a fantastic place here, a fantastic environment and a fantastic club. I'm delighted with the squad. We've just come off the back of a wonderful month, a win against higher league opposition, so we're in a good place and I don't want anything to derail that.

"I am not saying we are reading for league one, what I am saying is we assembling a squad that we believe will be and not just one that can tread water there, but one that can impact league one," he continued.

"Let's not forget we have got to get there first! There's no point us being a top League One side if we can't get out of League Two.”

Team News:

Cheltenham team news: Midfielder Nigel Atangana is a doubt for the home clash after suffering a recurrence of his ankle problem during the warm-up for the midweek Checkatrade Trophy clash with Newport County. Fellow midfielder Joe Morrell is away with Wales Under-21s. Kevin Dawson is suspended while Jaanai Gordon and Jordon Forster remain long-term injury casualties.

Luton team news: Midfielder Alan McCormack could be in contention for a place on the bench. The 33-year-old has missed Hatters’ last 11 games after injuring his groin against Wycombe and undergoing a minor hernia operation. Glen Rea is also available for the clash after serving a one-match ban.

The man in the middle:

Referee Rob Lewis – who has taken charge of nine games this season and handed out 26 yellow cards and one red card - will take charge of the league clash at the LCI Rail Stadium. He will be assisted by Grant Taylor, Andrew Hedley and fourth official Kevin Morris.

Last time we met:

31/01/17 – Luton Town 2-3 Cheltenham (L2)

01/10/16 – Cheltenham 1-1 Luton Town (L2)

24/01/15 – Cheltenham 1-1 Luton Town (L2)

13/09/14 – Luton Town 1-0 Cheltenham (L2)

03/12/11 – Luton Town 2-4 Cheltenham (FA Cup)

Ticket Information:

Fans will be able to buy tickets in person from the Ticket Office on Friday until 3pm and online by clicking HERE until Saturday morning at 11am.

On matchday, the Ticket Office will be open for collections from 12noon and limited seating will also be available for fans wishing to pay by card on the day.

All remaining seats will be available for cash purchasers on the night from the turnstiles from 1.30pm.

As always, fans collecting pre-paid tickets are asked to arrive early to avoid any queues and to enable easy access into the stadium.

For further information call the Ticket Office at the LCI Rail Stadium on 01242 573558 (option 1) or email our Ticket Office Manager, Luke James, via tickets@ctfc.com

Match Previews

Match Reports

REPORT: Cheltenham 2-2 Luton Town

11 November 2017

Defender Will Boyle snatched a dramatic late goal as Cheltenham Town roared back to claim a point against high-flying Luton Town in a Sky Bet League Two thriller at the LCI Rail Stadium.

The in-form Hatters took the lead after 11 minutes when Dan Potts got himself free and headed in at the far post from a corner.

The Robins hit back just before the break when Jamie Grimes scrambled the ball home from close range after getting onto Harry Pell's flicked header across goal.

Substitute Elliot Lee popped up five minutes from time and looked to have snatched three points as a Luton free kick fell kindly into his path for him to make no mistake.

But in the 95^th minute the most dramatic of twists saw goalkeeper Scott Flinders come up for a corner, win a crucial header and Boyle turn it home to spark wild celebrations.

Manager Gary Johnson had made three changes to the side that defeated Newport in the Checkatrade Trophy in midweek with Jordan Cranston, Mo Eisa and Kyle Storer recalled to the starting line-up.

Cranston was soon in the thick of the action stopping Harry Cornick in full flow with a well-timed tackle as Luton looked to break out at pace at every opportunity in a lively opening first five minutes.

At the other end, Eisa was hungry for the ball as he skipped past Alan Sheehan with ease, but his low cross was just too far in front of a stretching Storer.

It was Luton who took the lead after 11 minutes as left back Potts peeled off at the back post from a corner and powered home a header.

And it could have been worse minutes later when Luke Berry went past his man out wide and his superb deep cross found Danny Hylton who amazingly headed wide from just three yards out.

Moments later Olly Lee produced another testing cross from the other flank that Grimes cleared over his own bar as Luton threatened to take the game away.

The home side were dealt a blow when Cranston was stretchered off and replaced by O'Shaughnessy on 34 minutes.

However, the Finnish defender was immediately part of the home equaliser, as his deflected cross was flicked on by Pell and Grimes poked the ball home from close range.

Luton continued to pose a real danger on the break, with Taylor Moore producing a superb tackle to deny Hylton from cross range as he looked to sweep home another cross.

The Hatters then cut Cheltenham wide open in injury time to set Harry Cornick clean through on goal.

But, one-on-one with Flinders, Cornick saw his shot brilliantly saved by Flinders who raced out and stood tall, with the ball cannoning off his chest and clear.

Cornick had chance to make amends seven minutes after the break as he wriggled his way into the penalty area but saw his shot flash over.

Cheltenham responded with a period of sustained pressure as Sellars fired in a low pass to the feet of Graham and he unloaded a powerful strike that was blocked on the edge of the area.

Pell then forced a corner that was met by Boyle, but his header fizzed over the top.

Cheltenham made a second change with 15 minutes to go, with the hard-working Graham replaced by Danny Wright.

The powerful forward almost had a dream introduction as he picked out Eisa, after some aerial ping pong in the Luton box, but his strike partner sliced a prodded shot wide.

It was to be Eisa’s last contribution in the game, as Freddie Hinds came on the final ten minutes.

Olly Lee saw an arrowed drive flash wide, with Flinders at full stretch, before Luton looked set to snatch all three points five minutes from the end.

A free kick on the edge of the box was blocked and rolled across goal and into the path of Lee who turned it home.

But then, in the fifth minute of injury time, it was Boyle who was to be the last action hero - with a little help from Flinders - for the Robins.

CHELTENHAM TOWN: Flinders; Cranston (O'Shaughnessy 34), Grimes, Moore, Winchester, Boyle, Sellars, Pell, Storer, Graham (Wright 75), Eisa (Hinds 80). Subs not used: Flatt (Gk), Bower, Davey.

LUTON TOWN: Stech; Potts, Cuthbert, Stacey, Lee, Hylton, Cornick (Ruddock Mpanzu 89), Rea, Berry, Collins (Lee 45), Sheehan. Subs not used: Shea (Gk), Justin, Cook, Shinnie, D’Ath.

REFEREE: Robert Lewis

ATTENDANCE: 3,900 (1,007 from Luton)

Match Reports

Ticket News

Ticket & Match Information: Luton Town

11 November 2017

Home supporters are advised that tickets for Saturday’s Sky Bet League Two encounter with Luton Town at the LCI Rail Stadium (kick-off 3pm) will be available right up until kick-off.

Supporters will be able to buy tickets in person from the Ticket Office on matchday from noon, with limited seating available for fans wishing to pay by card on the day. Collections will also be open from noon.

All remaining seats will be available for cash purchasers on the day from the turnstiles from 1.30pm.

The away end for this fixture has completely sold out ahead of the fixture.

As always, fans collecting pre-paid tickets are asked to arrive early to avoid any queues and to enable easy access into the LCI Rail Stadium.

Matchday ticket collections information:

If you have purchased tickets in the Autovillage Main Stand, Paddock or Tunnel areas your tickets on a matchday will be available for collection at the Ticket Office.
If you have purchased tickets in the Colin Farmer Stand your tickets will be available from the collection point located at the stand.
In order to collect your tickets, please remember you will need to quote your name and postcode at the relevant collection points.

Fans are reminded that access to the Robins Nest bar on matchdays is on a first come, first served basis - if the bar reaches capacity there will be no further admittance. Please arrive early to avoid any disappointment.

All supporters are reminded that bag searches will always take place and all pyrotechnics are banned from being taken into the LCI Rail Stadium. Anyone found trying to do so will be ejected and arrested.

We look forward to welcoming you to the LCI Rail Stadium for Sky Bet League Two action against Luton Town.

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