Amari’i Bell notched his first goal for Luton to seal a second successive 1-0 away victory at Barnsley, which “proud” manager Nathan Jones dedicated to his assistant Mick Harford, who today began treatment for prostate cancer.
While the Hatters hero was famed for his goalscoring, this was a Town triumph that owed everything to dogged, determined defending, from a backline still without skipper Sonny Bradley who has been suffering with Covid.
And after Town repelled everything the Tykes had to offer, to record their second clean sheet of the league campaign, Jones said: “That one was for Big Mick. We all know he started his treatment today, but that one was for Big Mick.
“Mick’s a big part. Everyone knows him, he has a fantastic relationship with every single player at the club. We’re gonna miss him in this time, but Mick knows the lads are right there for him, so it’s a big win for him.”
The decisive strike came early in the fourth minute as wing back Bell stroked home Elijah Adebayo’s cross and, from there, he was part of a backline that threw bodies in the way and shutout a silky Tykes team that couldn’t find the killer finish.
Peter Kioso and a half fit Tom Lockyer both put in saving tackles, the former with two in a hugely impressive outing on his first league start for the club. And when the hosts did get behind or hit the target, keeper Simon Sluga was there to stand tall or push away.
But Town were not without their moments at the other end, with a three-man front-line of Adebayo, Cameron Jerome and Admiral Muskwe that pressed, harried and worked their socks off. Jerome used all of his 35 years of experience, while youngster Muskwe exhibited plenty of promise and both had half chances.
Praising his forwards, Jones said: “They invert, they play a bit unorthodox and it’s very difficult. But the work-rate and what I get from them – and I gave them a rocket at the weekend – but they deserve all the accolades they’re going to get tonight. It was another wonderful win away from home. It’s just absolutely fantastic. I’m so proud of them.”
There was a huge hug for captain Kal Naismith and the final whistle from his manager, who was instrumental in shutting the door on Barnsley, while the boss labelled Henri Lansbury “outstanding” as the midfielder put his boot in, drew fouls to ease pressure, linked the play and, with one stunningly well-hit shot, was denied by the dive of Bradley Collins.
And despite a late siege from Barnsley, the Hatters held firm for the second victory of the campaign to lift them up to third in the Championship table.
The Hatters have made 1-0 away wins something of a specialty in the Championship under Jones and the manager said: “They’re the best ones. This is difficult place to come, they’re a good side, they cause you real problems. They’ve got youth, athleticism, they play in a certain way.
“But, we wanted to start better than we did the other day (at West Brom). We worked solidly on a start and I couldn’t have asked for anything better.
“I thought we had a few little chances, when got it into our front ones who caused real problems. Sluga had one save to make but I thought we created the more clear-cut chances.
“It was a tight game, a difficult game, we worked, dug in late on and we probably could’ve broken to win 2-0 late on, because it wasn’t a foul (on Harry Cornick). But I’m absolutely really proud of them because we don’t want to go back-to-back defeats.
“We had a tough lesson on Saturday, but they’ve bounced back absolutely magnificently.”
NJ picks up the odd bit of flak – goes with the job – but you have to say the summer signings were brilliant. The manager and his recruitment team deserve every credit. We have options and strength in depth, and it was great to see Peter Kioso, amongst others, doing so well. I know NJ likes his 1-0 away wins – but we could do without eighty-plus minutes of nail-biting!
Good luck, Big Mick – all Town fans owe you so much.