Luton completed a Christmas clean sweep for the first time since winning the Conference in 2013/14 as Reece Burke came back from a three-month injury hell at Huddersfield to seal a rare away comeback victory.
The substitute centre-back wasn’t even at the club the last time Town triumphed on the road after conceding first – way back in April 2021 – but his strike, six minutes from time, after Amari’i Bell had cancelled out Duane Holmes’ opener just before the break, ensured a festive nine points out of nine for new boss Rob Edwards.
In four games in charge, he the manager has succeeded in ending two away-day hoodoos that had haunted the Hatters. First was a 38-year wait for victory at QPR. Then, some bold changes, designed to take all three points paid off against the Terriers.
It was something his predecessor, Nathan Jones, had not achieved in three-and-a-half years in front of a travelling Town crowd, including at the John Smith’s in the play-off semi-final defeat last term. This was yet another monkey off the back, and the symbolism of propelling Town into fifth was not lost either.
“We’ve got super Robbie Edwards…” chanted the Luton faithful, as barring the last-gasp defeat with ten men at Middlesbrough in his first game, they’ve been treated to not just a smooth transition of power, but a potential next level.
Modestly, Edwards said: “Full credit to the players and all of the staff as well. They’ve worked incredibly hard to make sure that all of the players are in as good a position as possible to go and deliver and get nine points.
“Massive credit to the players, massive credit to the staff and massive credit to the supporters who’ve made a long journey on New Year’s Day. I’m really pleased we send them home happy.
“We found a way to win. I was really pleased. After a slow start, I thought we gradually grew into it. And it was great timing to get the equaliser when we did.
“We felt, at 1-1 in the second half, there’s not much in the game. Lou (Louie Watson) was getting a bit tighter and I just thought let’s make an attacking change and just go for it.
“Cauley (Woodrow) coming on just gave us another little spark as well, so we went for it. But then it was a centre-back who got the goal.”
Game-changers was the term coined by Jones, and those instructions for substitutes have rung loud and clear this Christmas. Cauley Woodrow came off the bench to score at the death and set up this hat-trick of victories six days ago.
And, after a similar length spell on the sidelines, the classy Burke did the same at Huddersfield.
“(It’s) brilliant for him,” said Edwards told the BBC, adding: “It’s been frustrating for him, He’s been close to getting back but then just had a bit of a setback. He’s worked really hard and we needed him today.
“We thought we might, because of the number of games in the amount of days.
“Alfie (Doughty) started to tighten up, so we knew the change we were going to make. Huge credit to him, to come into that game and just defend is one thing, but then to actually break forward, I thought it was a brilliant goal.”
Luton began the Christmas period in mid-table, but this victory moved them up to fifth, level on points with fourth-placed Millwall who are Town’s game in hand on third-placed Blackburn, who are just three points ahead.
Edwards said: “It’s great. Let’s try and be there in around 20 games’ time. I’ll keep saying it, it’s so tight at the moment. It’s been a brilliant week for us, but we have to keep our feet on the ground, stay humble and keep working.
“There’s a lot of competitive teams in the league, I’m sure there’s going to be some twists and turns and probably some lows for us to go through in the second half of the season. That’s where we’ve got to make sure we stick together.
“Enjoy this moment now. It’s not often you get three wins in six days. We’ll stick together through the tough times as well as the good ones. Certainly, tonight’s a good one.”
I am not sure where you’re getting your info, but great topic.
A really good place to win after last season’s disappointment and with Huddersfield just starting on a winning run themselves. Even after the hosts had taken the lead, you felt the game was there to be won. Positive, skilful play and a never-say-die attitude all the way through the team. Good to see two ‘unlikely’ goal-scorers – and particularly pleasing for Reece Burke on his return.
There will, as the manager says, be the odd low point ahead in such a competitive league, but that applies across the board. A good cup run can be a bonus – or it can be a distraction. Either way, we’ve a point to prove against Wigan!