Match ends, Luton Town 3, Newport County 0.
LutonLuton Town3NewportNewport County0
Luton Town moved into the top three with a battling victory over Newport County that ended the visitors' nine-match unbeaten run in League Two.
Luke Wilkinson found space to head home an in-swinging corner after just five minutes to give the Hatters the lead.
Luke Rooney doubled their advantage after half-time with a skilful finish to punish a mistake by County goalkeeper Jamie Stephens.
In injury time Jake Howells added a close-range third to seal victory.
Luton first team coach Hakan Hayrettin told BBC Three Counties Radio:
"It wasn't all roses at the start. They may have had the best of the first half in patches. As the game went on I think we got stronger and stronger, and better and better.
"To keep a clean sheet against them is a wonderful experience really, because of how big they are and how strong they are. Fair play to the boys, they worked very, very hard. There was some good saves at vital moments by our goalkeeper.
"It's all well and good us getting these results but we can't just win at home. To have the support that we've got is just unbelievable. In times, previously, they've stuck by us and pushed us on and that could be a factor in our home form. This has got to be a fortress now and the players know that."
Newport County manager Justin Edinburgh told BBC Radio Wales:
"I don't think the scoreline was a fair reflection but credit to Luton, they were ruthless when the chances came their way.
"That's what we'll look at: we lost concentration in our own box and we weren't ruthless enough in Luton Town's box.
"We had enough chances to get something out of the game, that's for sure."
Line-ups
Luton
Formation 4-5-1
- 1Tyler
- 22Harriman
- 5McNultyBooked at 29mins
- 30Wilkinson
- 12Griffiths
- 20WhalleySubstituted forHowellsat 72'minutes
- 26DoyleBooked at 27mins
- 8Drury
- 4Smith
- 15RooneySubstituted forLafayetteat 81'minutes
- 13CullenBooked at 80mins
Substitutes
- 2Franks
- 11Howells
- 16Justham
- 18Lafayette
- 19Miller
- 28Stevenson
- 29Connolly
Newport
Formation 3-5-2
- 25Stephens
- 5Jones
- 6Yakubu
- 13Sandell
- 18Klukowski
- 33Byrne
- 8MinshullSubstituted forHoweat 65'minutes
- 4PorterSubstituted forChapmanat 58'minutes
- 2Jackson
- 11Zebroski
- 14Jeffers
Substitutes
- 1Pidgeley
- 7Chapman
- 9Howe
- 17Flynn
- 26Poole
- 28Crow
- 39Collins
- Referee:
- Darren Drysdale
- Attendance:
- 8,383
Match Stats
Home TeamLutonAway TeamNewport
- Possession
- Home51%
- Away49%
- Shots
- Home11
- Away11
- Shots on Target
- Home6
- Away5
- Corners
- Home5
- Away7
- Fouls
- Home7
- Away11
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Luton Town 3, Newport County 0.
Post update
Corner, Luton Town. Conceded by Andy Sandell.
Goal!
Goal! Luton Town 3, Newport County 0. Jake Howells (Luton Town) left footed shot from the right side of the six yard box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Andy Drury.
Post update
Andy Drury (Luton Town) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Adam Chapman (Newport County).
Post update
Ross Lafayette (Luton Town) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Ismail Yakubu (Newport County).
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Corner, Luton Town. Conceded by Jamie Stephens.
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Attempt saved. Mark Cullen (Luton Town) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top centre of the goal.
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Attempt missed. Chris Zebroski (Newport County) with an attempt from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the right.
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Attempt missed. Darren Jones (Newport County) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the left.
Substitution
Substitution, Luton Town. Ross Lafayette replaces Luke Rooney.
Booking
Mark Cullen (Luton Town) is shown the yellow card.
Post update
Corner, Newport County. Conceded by Steve McNulty.
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Attempt blocked. Darren Jones (Newport County) header from the centre of the box is blocked.
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Corner, Newport County. Conceded by Mark Tyler.
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Attempt saved. Chris Zebroski (Newport County) header from the centre of the box is saved in the top centre of the goal.
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Attempt missed. Andy Drury (Luton Town) right footed shot from outside the box is just a bit too high.
Post update
Attempt saved. Shaun Jeffers (Newport County) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
