For a jazz musician, they say it’s about the notes you don’t play, so if similar is true of goalkeepers then today Simon Sluga was Miles Davis as he kept Luton’s merry band playing into the fourth round of the FA Cup.
There was very little romance about this tie when it was drawn, considering Town drew Championship rivals Reading in the Carabao Cup earlier in the season, but all of Cupid’s arrows appeared reserved for the stopper.
The Croatian made a string of second half saves, but it was his efforts where he didn’t even touch the ball that proved the major moments in keeping Reading out.
He had very little to do in the first half when Town were on top, taking the lead through George Moncur’s sumptuous side-foot finish on the half hour mark.
But after the break, the Royals peppered Luton’s goal with Sluga flinging himself at shots from Tomas Esteves, Michael Olise and Sam Baldock.
But it’s when Alfa Semedo and, in the dying minutes, Nahum Melvin-Lambert get through one-on-one with hims that he really earned his corn.
The odds were on the Reading players scoring, but Sluga’s speed off his line arguably forced both shooters to aim high to get past his big frame and, as a result, they both hit the bar.
The last-gasp chance also saw Jayden Onen fire over the rebound, having previously seen a follow-up shot blocked by the keeper.
That late flurry had Town boss Nathan Jones punching the advertising hoardings, after Danny Hylton had been fouled in the build-up, so goodness knows what his reaction had been, had the ball hit the net rather than the woodwork.
But defensive debutant Gabriel Osho, who also made an important last-ditch block against his former side, summed it up best, saying: “Sometimes everything’s just in your favour and I think today was just one of them days.”
Talking of Sluga’s performance, Jones said: “In the first half he didn’t have much to do. I thought we were excellent first half, but then we kind of made it hard for ourselves. We didn’t come out of the blocks flying, which is what we wanted to do.
“We gave the ball away too easily and allowed them to break on us and gain the momentum and it was difficult to get it back.
“I thought we made it hard for ourselves but he’s made some good saves. A lot of them were from distance and some they’ve missed.
“It’s good to get in the hat, but we could’ve made it a lot, lot easier for ourselves.”
Indeed, after Moncur’s opener, Town were the better side, but couldn’t find a second, particularly after the interval when Hylton had a golden chance to open his account for the season, only to see goalie Luke Southwood pounce on the line.
But on Moncur’s decisive strike, Jones added: “He did it against Huddersfield as well. It’s controlled and he does it week in, week out. He’s got real good technique and I felt we could hurt them in certain ways.
“I felt we did that really well in the first half and we created a lot of chances and opportunities in and around their box. With just a little bit more quality or a little more conviction, we would’ve gone in further ahead.
“At 1-0 you’re susceptible, they can get back into it and, to be fair to them, they stepped on and we didn’t combat that.
“We had a great chance to make it two, but no-one will remember the chances missed, they’ll remember that we won it 1-0, kept a clean sheet and we’re into the hat.”
PLAYER RATINGS:
SIMON SLUGA – 10 (Star man)
A starring performance from the Croatian international and a deserved clean sheet for the keeper, who is a major reason Luton can look forward to the fourth and fifth round draws on Monday night.
JAMES BREE – 7
Provided the assist for George Moncur’s opener and played an intelligent through-ball to Ryan Tunnicliffe just before the break. Replaced by Jordan Clark on 58 minutes.
DAN POTTS – 7.5
Captain for the day, but in an unfamiliar centre half berth he’ll be pleased with a clean sheet.
GABRIEL OSHO – 8
His Hatters debut, playing against his former club and looked good on the ball and imposed himself well. Produced a fabulous saving tackle to thwart Sam Bladock after Simon Sluga had parried Alfa Semedo’s shot.
BRENDAN GALLOWAY – 7
Back in the side for the first time since suffering a serious knee injury in the 7-0 Championship defeat at Brentford in November 2019. Felt his way into he contest and defended well when Reading were on top after the break. Replaced by Rhys Norrington-Davies on 74 minutes.
RYAN TUNNICLIFFE – 8.5
One of his best performances in a Town shirt, seeing action in both boxes and doing well with all the gritty stuff in between. He should’ve had an assist, but somehow Danny Hylton couldn’t convert.
JOE MORRELL – 8
Found his passing range to good effect from the midway point of the first period, first playing a good ball from deep to Sam Nombe and then to James Bree for the opener, which proved a fruitful route on a few occasions.
GEORGE MONCUR – 8
Had Luton first good chance but saw his shot blocked, but was on target soon after with a fabulous side-foot finish, guiding James Bree’s up-and-under cross low beyond Reading keeper Luke Southwood.
ELLIOT LEE – 6
Claimed for a penalty in the 70th minute when Danny Hylton played him in and he went down under a challenge, but referee Darren Bond was unmoved. Replaced by Luke Berry on 74 minutes.
SAM NOMBE – 7.5
His first start for Luton, he put in a good cross for Town’s first decent chance and then did well to occupy a defender to allow George Moncur the space for the opener. Full of running and endeavour and his 81 minutes on the pitch before being replaced by Kazenga LuaLua will do his development the world of good.
DANNY HYLTON – 7.5
Diligent in his defensive work, tricky in possession and lively with his runs, he did everything right but score. In fact he cannot buy a goal at the moment. Should’ve had one early in the second half, but somehow Luke Southwood saved on the line.
SUBSTITUTES:
JORDAN CLARK – 5
He got on the ball a lot but his crossing let him down.
LUKE BERRY – 6
Could really impose his best attacking qualities on a second half that Reading dominated.
RHYS NORRINGTON-DAVES – 6
An expected replacement for Brendan Galloway, but didn’t have many moments to shine.
KAZENGA LUALUA – 7
A lovely piece of skill on the byline would’ve of delighted fans in the Kenilworth Road end, had there been any, but he did well to keep the ball up there on accession, to relieve pressure on Luton.
UNUSED SUBS: Harry Cornick, Tom Lockyer, Glen Rea, Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu, Harry Isted,
You could certainly see your enthusiasm within the article you write.
The world hopes for more passionate writers like you who are
not afraid to mention how they believe. At
all times go after your heart.
Having read this I thought it was rather enlightening.
I appreciate you spending some time and energy to put this
information together. I once again find myself personally spending
a significant amount of time both reading and posting comments.
But so what, it was still worth it!