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Luton Town
League Cup | Round Two
Aug 25, 2015 at 7.45pm UK
 
Stoke logo

1-1

McGeehan (91')
FT(HT: 0-0)
Walters (67')
Stoke win 8-7 on penalties

Live Commentary: Luton Town 1-1 Stoke City (Stoke City win 8-7 on penalties) - as it happened

Follow Sports Mole's live coverage of the second-round League Cup match between Luton Town and Stoke City at Kenilworth Road.
2

Stoke City needed penalties to secure a place in the third round of the League Cup after drawing 1-1 with League Two's Luton Town at Kenilworth Road.

Jonathan Walters put the visitors ahead midway through the second half, but Cameron McGeehan equalised in stoppage tie for the Hatters.

There was little to separate the two sides until Scott Griffiths missed his spot kick, allowing Geoff Cameron to secure Stoke's spot in the next round.

Read how all the action unfolded below.


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Good evening! League Two side Luton Town will be looking to cause another cup upset in the League Cup this evening, hosting Premier League side Stoke City in around an hour's time. Both clubs have just announced their lineups for tonight, so let's start with a look at the teams.

LUTON STARTING XI: Justham, O'Donnell, Griffiths, Cuthbert, Wilkinson, O'Brien, Smith, Lee, Ruddock Mpanzu, Green, McQuoid

STOKE STARTING XI: Given, Bardsley, Wollscheid, Wilson, Pieters, Sidwell, Ireland, Walters, Bojan, Arnautovic, Crouch

LUTON SUBSTITUTES: McNulty, McGeehan, Benson, Hall, Guttridge, Mackail-Smith, Tyler

STOKE SUBSTITUTES: Haugaard, Joselu, Van Ginkel, Adam, Diouf, Cameron, Teixeira

The home side have made six changes to the side that were beaten 3-2 by Yeovil Town at the weekend. Among the players coming in, Oliver Lee makes his debut after being released by Birmingham City at the end of last season.

Meanwhile, the visitors have made a string of changes too, making nine alterations following their 1-1 draw with Norwich City at the weekend. Marko Arnautovic and Erik Pieters are the only players to retain their spots in the starting lineup, while Bojan Krkic, who missed the second half of last season with knee ligament injury, returns for the Potters.

Stoke arrived at Luton's Kenilworth Road a little earlier, and have been getting to know their surroundings:


The last time these two sides met, they were both in the Championship during the 2006-07 campaign. Stoke won promotion to the top flight just a year later, while Luton were relegated, eventually dropping out of the Football League, before winning promotion to League Two in the 2013-14 season. Their last two meetings both resulted in draws, while Stoke won the three matches before then. Luton's last win came when they were both in the third tier in 2000, when they claimed a 3-1 win at the Britannia.

Luton have been a strong cup side in recent seasons. They reached the fifth round of the FA Cup in 2013 while in the Conference, or the National League as it's now known, beating Norwich City and Wolverhampton Wanderers during their cup run. In their last seven home matches in the League Cup, Luton have secured five wins, so Stoke will have to take the hosts seriously this evening.

Ahead of this match, Luton manager John Still told reporters: "For us, it's an opportunity to play in these games and produce good performances, and more important than good performances, they've got to be disciplined performances. Stoke are a fantastic football club and are growing, but lets hope that they don't grow too much against us. It's a terrific game for players and a good game for all of us, to play Premier League opposition is fantastic, but the players earned that in the last game."

Meanwhile, assistant Stoke manager Mark Bowen told the club's website: "It is an old cliche but you start every season involved in three domestic competitions, and being realistic you probably know that the Premier League is out of sight so you have to really focus on the cups. We put a big emphasis on trying to do well in them and the manager takes both cup competitions incredibly seriously, as do the players here inside the building."

We've already touched upon Luton's impressive home form in cup competition, but Stoke are no slouches on the road, as this stat shows:


Luton Town are former winners of this competition, defeating then-defending champions Arsenal 3-2 in the 1988 final with a last minute winner from Brian Stein. That win came 16 years after Stoke got their hands on the trophy, defeating Chelsea 2-1 in the 1972 final.

Just to remind you, there are no replays in the League Cup. So, if it's a draw after 90 minutes, the match will go straight to extra time before a penalty shootout if the sides are still level after the additional 30 minutes.

This is one of 23 matches taking place in the League Cup this evening. You can keep an eye on the scores from all the other fixtures here.

Luton have had a tricky start to the league season, losing their last two fixtures, which leaves them without a win in their first four outings in League Two. They sit 22nd in the table, just above the relegation places.

It's been a similar tale for Stoke. They lost their opening match of the campaign, conceding late on against Liverpool, before sharing draws with Tottenham and Norwich, leaving them also still waiting for their first win of the season.

The good news for both sides is that it's a mild if overcast evening in Luton, with no rain forecast this evening, so it should be pleasant playing conditions.

Prior to kickoff, there will be a two-minute silence to remember those that died in the Shoreham air disaster at the weekend. Two footballer from Worthing United were among those killed in the incident.

PREDICTION! The players should be heading out in the next couple of minutes, so there's just time for a quick prediction. Stoke can expect a tough match this evening against a Luton side that do go well in the cups, but the Premier League side should have more than enough to progress. I'm going for a 3-1 win for the visitors.

The players are in the tunnel ready for the start of tonight's match. Even though one fixture takes place tomorrow, the draw for the third round will be make later tonight.

The players are greeted by a lively Luton crowd as they head out onto the pitch ahead of kickoff. It's not quite full at Kenilworth Road, but the fans that are their are certainly making themselves head.



The players line up either side of the centre circle for the two-minute silence, which is observed impeccably by the crowd.

KICKOFF! The hosts get the match underway.

Stoke are dominating the possession in the opening moments of the match, with Bojan quickly getting a couple of touches under his belt on his return from injury. Arnautovic flicks it in to Crouch on the edge of the box, but Luton clear quickly.

Stephen O'Donnell tries to get Luton down the other end as he launches a thrown in towards Pelly Ruddock, but Pieters quickly wins it back for the visitors. Stoke understandably look the stronger of the two sides so far, but they haven't tested Elliot Justham yet.

Jonathan Walters is back after missing out with illness at the weekend, and he quickly gets involved, looking for Peter Crouch in the middle, but his cross from the right is sloppy, going straight behind for a Luton goal kick.

BOOKING! Luton's Mark O'Brien will have to be on his best behaviour for the rest of the night, as he's booked for dragging down Stephen Ireland.

CHANCE! Stoke get their first real sight of the Luton goal as Arnautovic skips through the middle with ease before attempting to slot the ball in low, but he can't quite pick out the corner, leaving the keeper with an easy save.

CHANCE! Stoke are starting to find the gaps at the back and are clearly keen to put the keeper under pressure. It's Phil Bardsley who takes the shot though, and the defender's finish goes well high, drawing ironic cheers from the crowd.

A long ball out from the back by Given drops for Walters. Justham decides to take care of it himself, and comes a long way outside the Luton box to make the clearance, but he gets to it with ease and boots it back down field. It's a lovely sweeper-keeper move from the Luton man.

Stoke are bearing down on the Luton goal again as Bardsley makes a run down the right before looking for Crouch. It goes straight past the striker, but Arnautovic is waiting out the other side and plays it back in to Bojan, but Cuthbert outmuscles the Spaniard as boots it clear.

CHANCE! On the counter-attack, Scott Griffiths brings the ball out from the back, weaving through midfield before deciding to test Shay Given with a curling effort from 25 yards out. It looked like it was just going over, but the keeper takes no chance and tips it behind for a corner.

Stoke were certainly quick to impose themselves this evening, but having failed to add an early goal, they've started to let Luton see more of the ball, with Griffiths firing a long throw forward for the hosts.

Jonathan Smith and Olly Lee, who is making his debut for Luton tonight, linked up on the right, looking for a way to burst into the Luton box, but Crouch is back to help get it clear for the visitors. Mark Hughes doesn't look worried yet, but he's furiously barking instructions to his players.

PENALTY APPEAL! Stephen O'Donnell comes out from the back with a blistering run down the right, but he tangles with Arnautovic just inside the Stoke box before getting his shot away. The crowd and a couple of O'Donnell's teammates want a spot kick, but the referee isn't interested. There was a bit of contact between the two, but it looked like the defender tripped over the ball rather than the Stoke striker.

CHANCE! Walters picks up a loose ball, cutting inside before shooting across the goal, but the keeper parries it clear. Bojan soon wins it back and tries to cross it straight back in, but he fails to pick out any of his teammates.

Pelly Ruddock shows to fantastic commitment, chasing down a ball to stop it going out for a throw near the corner flag, before getting the better of Wollscheid to set up Smith for a shot, but he curls it just wide. Stoke are living dangerously against a Luton side that are growing in confidence by the minute.

CHANCE! A one-two between Ireland and Bojan on the edge of the box sets up the latter for a shot, but his finish bears all the hallmarks of a player making his first start for seven months, as he scuffs it well wide.

Luton are pressing back towards the Stoke goal again, with Griffiths making a run down the left before crossing it in, but McQuoid is slow to arrive, leaving Given to claim it back for the visitors.

Stoke are still seeing plenty of the ball at Kenilworth Road, but the majority of their possession has been inside their own half, as Luton are making is difficult for the visitors to find a way through the middle. Ireland does manage to get a long ball away, but he overhits it, putting it straight behind for a goal kick. Mark Hughes is looking increasingly irritates on the sideline.

Bojan and Ireland patiently pass the ball around on the edge of the box, before Pieters manages to get the cross in for Crouch. It's a dangerous-looking cross from the defender, but Crouch just drifts offside.

As half time approaches, Elliot Justham will be pretty pleased, having only had to make one save in the Luton goal so far. He was probably expecting a busy night. Luton will certainly be pleased if they can stay on level terms at the break, but they'll need to maintain this level after the break, as Stoke have plenty of options on the bench.

The referee has to step in as Bojan and Wilkinson battle for the ball, resulting in the latter getting shoved in the advertising fence, which naturally irks the Spaniard. The official gives them a stern talking to though, and they part with a handshake.

BOOKING! It's all getting rather ill-tempered before the break as Steve Sidwell clashes heads with Olly Lee, earning himself a booking.

From the resulting free kick, Wilkinson delivers a diagonal ball into the box, but it's overhit, so Ruddock and Lee are unable to get on the end of it.

HALF TIME: Luton Town 0-0 Stoke City

So, it's all square at the break. Stoke City made a bright start and looked like they would overpower their lower league opponents, but Luton found their way into the match and have created some decent chances. They thoroughly deserve to be on level terms at the interval.

It hasn't been the most thrilling match from a neutral's perspective, and Stoke fans will certainly have been hoping for more, but the home supporters were delighted with their team's efforts in the opening 45 minutes. They've been tight and organised at the back, and have picked their moments well when going forward, although they've been aided by some sloppy Stoke defending.

Stoke dominated the possession with 73%, but a lot of that came in their own half. Stoke had four chances, but just two were on target, while Luton had two efforts, once which tested Shay Given.

Luton have been particularly efficient at keeping Stoke from running through the middle. Bojan Krkic made a huge impact doing just that for Stoke last season, but he's been kept very quiet on his return from a serious knee injury.

The players are starting to make their way back out ready for the second half.

RESTART! The action gets back underway at Kenilworth Road.

Stoke try to get forward just moments after kickoff, with Pieters playing the ball through to Arnautovic, but the latter's cross is blocked. Wilson and Crouch soon linked up down the other side as Stoke continue to try to make something happen, but Luton are ready again.

Josh McQuoid makes a stunning run forward for the hosts, but he take a touch too many on the edge of the box, allowing Pieters to clear it for a throw in. Ruddock, who was excellent in the first half, launches it deep from the sideline, but he can't find any of his teammates.

CHANCE! Crouch was frustrated in the first half, watching a couple of wayward crosses sail straight past him, but he connects with a superb ball in from the right from Bojan, but his overhead kick is wide of the target.

BOOKING! Phil Bardsley goes in late on Jonathan smith, earning himself a booking. That's now three players on a yellow card, including two for Stoke.

A wayward ball from Sidwell goes straight to Ruddock, who quickly squares it to Greenslade, but the striker fails to spot the run of Bojan, who steal it back for the visitors. It looks like Stoke have had a bit of a talking to at half time, as they're showing a lot more intent in this half.

It's end-to-end stuff as Walters is brought down just outside the box, giving Stoke a free kick. Bojan and Walters both get chances from the resulting set piece, but they're both blocked, allowing McQuoid to charge down the other end. He reverses it for Greenslade, but the pass is sloppy, gifting it straight back to Stoke. Crouch tries to get involved down the other end as the visitors head back towards the Luton goal, but he's offside, not for the first time this evening.

Luton are living dangerously now as Arnautovic sprints down the left before crossing the ball in towards Crouch, but the striker is offside yet again. Meanwhile, the replays of the Stoke free kick from a few minutes earlier have just been shown, and it looks like Wilkinson actually fouled Walters in the penalty area. The visitors probably should have had a spot kick there.

CHANCES! A quick throw in for the hosts finds McQuoid, but pulls it back to Smith, but a last-gasp challenge from Wilson keeps it out. Stoke immediately push back down the other end, with Bojan lobbing the ball in for Crouch, but his header it tipped around the post by the keeper.

SUBS! Luton a making two changes, with Cameron McGeehan replaces Danny Green, while Pelly Ruddock makes way for Ryan Hall.

Luton are continuing to cause problems for Stoke, with Smith making a break down the left before launching the ball towards the Stoke goal, but it's a comfortable save in the end for Given.

SUB! Mark Hughes is making his first change of the night, replacing Peter Crouch, who just hasn't had his usual impact, with Joselu.

GOAL! Luton Town 0-1 Stoke City (Jonathan Walters)

Jonathan Walters always seems to score the most vital of goals for Stoke, and he makes an excellent run into the box to give the visitors the lead. Arnautovic plays the ball in to Ireland, who in turn flicks it on for Walters, clinically lobbing it over the keeper into the bottom corner.

Stoke have had plenty of possession this evening, and are having no problem holding the ball at the back at the minute. With chances having been few and far between, they probably could just keep possession to see the win out, but Hughes will be wanting a second goal at least.

SUB! Luton make their final change, sending on Paul Benson in place of Josh McQuoid.

CHANCE! Ryan Hall has looked lively since coming off the bench a short time again for the home side, and he gets a shot away from just outside the box, but it isn't anything for Given to worry about.

Smith loses possession on the edge of the Stoke box, allowing the Potters to break down the other end. Bojan and Walters link up through the middle, but a heavy challenge on the goalscorer leaves him clutching his ankle. It looks like he'll be ok to continue, much to relief of Republic of Ireland manager Martin O'Neill, who is watching on from the stands this evening.

Walters has certainly shaken off the knock as he skips past Griffiths, but Cuthbert sprints across the face of goal to get the block in, denying the striker a second goal of the night. Hughes has been encouraging his side to keep pressing for a second, but they continue to lead by just one goal.

CHANCE! Probably Luton's best chance of the night falls for Cameron McGeehan, and he curls is just a couple of inches wide. Wilson gives away a free kick in the middle, allowing Hall to blast it into the box for the hosts. McGeehan strikes it superbly from the edge of the box, but it just crept wide. Had it been on target, it looked like it would have beaten the diving Given.

CHANCE! Shay Given is really under pressure as Luton appear to have found an extra gear in the last few moments. McGeehan beats a couple of defenders to rifle the ball towards goal, but Given parries it clear. Benson tries his luck on the rebound, but the veteran keeper is ready again.

Having survived a ferocious couple of minutes from the Luton forwards, Stoke are starting to hold the ball up again as they try to run down the remaining minutes.

SUB! Stoke make their final change, with Geoff Cameron replaces Bojan. It's been a fairly quiet return to action for Bojan, but the manager will be pleased that he's managed 85 minutes after seven months out.

Luton launch the ball forward after Joselu loses it in midfield, looking to force something in the final couple of minutes, but the introduction of Cameron has given Stoke an extra man at the back, helping the visitors clear the danger.

Luton have four minutes to push for the equaliser, which is greeted with enthusiasm by the home crowd. McGeehan goes on another pacy run down the right, but it's put out.

GOAL! Luton Town 1-1 Stoke City (Cameron McGeehan)

Stoke have gifted Luton the equaliser as they left Cameron McGeehan completely unmanned in the box. Griffiths picked the substitute out with an excellent low cross, leaving the midfielder with an easy tap in at the far post. He's looked a real handful since coming on, and has looked Luton's best chance of a goal in the last 20 minutes.

Stoke are on the ball again and pushing towards the Luton goal again, but have they left it too late? Hughes has been on at his side to get the second since they broke the deadlock, and it looks like their failure to do so will result in an additional 30 minutes at Kenilworth Road.

McGeehan thinks that he can win it for Luton as he breaks down the right again, but he just lets the ball get away from in while looking to cross it in.

FULL TIME: Luton Town 1-1 Stoke City

So, it's going to be extra time at Kenilworth Road. It's hard to argue again that Luton didn't deserve the equaliser. They defended well throughout and kept pressing until the death, capitalising on Stoke's failure to add a second.

Right then, it looks like the players are almost ready to go for extra time.

RESTART! Stoke get extra time underway.

Luton want to continue from where they left off as Benson plays the ball over the top to McGeehan, but the scorer of the equaliser can't control this one in time.

Wollscheid loses the ball inside Stoke's half, letting Benson run at the Stoke goal before squaring it to McGeehan, but Pieters, who had made countless vital blocks for Stoke this evening, is there to halt the move yet again.

CHANCE! Justham is tested early in extra time as Jonathan Walters attempts to drive the ball in from the edge of the box. The keeper parries it clear to Joselu, who hurries the rebound, smashing it well wide.

SUB! Stoke had one change left to make, so they've brought on Mame Biram Diouf in place of Arnautovic.

CHANCE! McGeehan was really given his all since coming off the bench, and he's on the move again now for Luton, attempting to curl it in at the near post from the left-hand side of the box, but he puts it in the side netting.

Stoke force a corner down the other end, which falls to Bardsley on the edge of the box. The defender's drive is blocked by Griffiths, but almost drops to Joselu, but it's just cleared in time by the hosts.

BOOKING! Jonathan Smith is shown the yellow card for a late challenge on Sidwell.

CHANCE! Stephen Ireland is in space 30 yards out, but has no-one ahead of him, so he takes it on himself. The low drive is accurate and has plenty of space behind it, but Justham gets down low to make the stop.

Bardsley and Wollscheid get the ball forward towards the end of the first period of extra time, with the latter finding Walters on the wing. He crosses in for Diouf, who has been quiet since coming off the bench, but O'Donnell heads it away.

EXTRA TIME HALF TIME: Luton Town 1-1 Stoke City

The managers stroll out ready to talk to their players midway through extra time. Both teams had chances to edge ahead in the first 15 minutes, but it remains 1-1.

RESTART! Luton get the final 15 minutes of extra time underway. Can either side force a winner, or are we heading to penalties?

McGeehan makes another of the quick bursts that Stoke have struggled so much with since his introduction. Wilson makes the sliding tackle to stop him getting the cross in, but the midfielder collides into the ball boy behind the goal. Thankfully, both players and the young lad in question all seem to alright.

Ireland have worked hard through the middle for Stoke, particularly since half time in regulation. He makes another run for the visitors, attempting to set up Sidwell with the through ball, but the offside flag is up.

Diouf really hasn't made much of an impact after coming on early in extra time. The striker, who was Stoke's top scorer last season, gets forward down the left, but there's no-one there for him to cross it to.

Wilson and Pieters links up down the left as Stoke bring it out from the back again, but the latter's cross is flicked out by Griffiths. The home side try to race away on the counter, but Smith loses the ball.

Benson uses all of his strength to hold of a challenge from Wilson and take the ball to the Stoke goalline, but Wilson manages to put it behind for a corner, which is easily dealt with by Stoke.

McGeehan gives away a free kick just outside the box, giving Stoke a chance to win it late on. There's some pushing and shoving in the box though, forcing the referee to have a word with Smith and Diouf.

BOOKING! Pieters curls the ball in superbly to Diouf at the far post. He jumps well, but inexplicably tries to punch it in, earning himself a yellow card. It went wide anyway, despite him using his hand.

EXTRA TIME FULL TIME: Luton Town 1-1 Stoke City

So, it's going to be decided on penalties. The Luton crowd certainly seem excited at the prospect as they're all on their feet, cheering on the League Two side, who really have worked hard to go toe-to-toe with their Premier League opponents tonight.

Stoke will no doubt be pleased to have all the experience of Shay Given between the posts for then. Luton's Elliot Justham has shown some excellent reactions tonight though.

The managers are speaking to the players, while the medical teams are working on some weary legs.

It looks like Luton are going first, in front of the Stoke fans.

Luton 1-0 Stoke Paul Benson blasts the ball down the middle to get Luton off to a strong start.

Luton 1-1 Stoke Jonathan Walters's effort is low and on target, squeezing under the keeper into the bottom right.

Luton 2-1 Stoke Mcgeehan makes is two from two for Luton.

Luton 2-2 Stoke Joselu takes a wonderful spot kick, putting it right into the left-hand side of the net.

Luton 3-2 Stoke Olly Lee goes for power, and gets the better of Given.

Luton 3-3 Stoke Phil Bardsley keeps Stoke on level terms.

Luton 4-3 Stoke Luke Wilkinson fires to the left. Given gets a hand to it, but he can't stop it going in.

Luton 4-4 Stoke This is a really impressive shootout! Sidwell takes a straight run up, and whacks it into the left.

Luton 5-4 Stoke Ryan Hall makes it five out of five for Luton, going straight down the middle.

Luton 5-5 Stoke Former Luton loanee Marc Wilson takes it to sudden death.

Luton 6-5 Stoke Stephen O'Donnell smashes it past Given

Luton 6-6 Stoke Mame Biram Diouf coolly slots it in.

Luton 7-6 Stoke Jonathan Smith powers the ball into the roof of the net.

Luton 7-7 Stoke Wollscheid goes straight down the middle. Justham gets a hand to it, but he can't stop it going through.

Luton 7-7 Stoke Scott Griffiths misses! He goes for the roof of the net, but it strikes the crossbar.

PENALTIES Luton 7-8 Stoke Geoff Cameron seals it for Stoke, chipping it into the roof of the net.

STOKE CITY WIN 8-7 ON PENALTIES!

Well that was tense! Both sides have clearly been working on their spot kicks, with excellent accuracy and power from both teams. Scott Griffiths was unlucky to strike the crossbar, but Stoke really kept their nerve going second in the shootout.

So, that's all from this match, but check out results from all of this evening's League Cup fixtures, and stick around for details of the third-round draw, which is coming up soon. Thanks for joining me this evening. Goodbye.

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