Can all games be at night under the lights at Kenilworth Road? Somehow, against all the odds, Luton beat high-flying Brentford to claim a shock scalp and supercharge hopes of the great escape.
Town have not lost at home this term in the league at night, but against the meanest defence in the division, and without Izzy Brown and Kazenga LuaLua for a second game running, few expected this.
Martin Cranie’s first half screamer proved the difference after Shandon Baptiste had put through his own net to hand Town the lead.
At that point the hosts had barely been out of their half as 10,000 fans inside this rowdy old ground battened down the hatches for another storm, the like of which swept seven past their side three months ago at Griffin Park.
It really only came once Ollie Watkins halved the deficit in the 83rd minute, but this time it was so different.
The Hatters hoofed their way to victory and the people of this parish will have never enjoyed long ball football more as it lifted Luton off the foot of the Championship table and within three points of safety.
This was no-nonsense football. Grit, determination, last-ditch blocks and bodies thrown in harm’s way – any means possible to blunt the weapons of the division’s second highest scorers.
Simon Sluga pulled off a string saves, Harry Cornick ran himself into the ground , Glen Rea kicked anything that moved and Luke Berry made set-plays pay, with assists for both goals.
The Bees owned the ball, with 64 per cent possession in the first half, and they created chances, a lot of them, but, in the end, that was immaterial because Town shut them out.
In fact, they deserved a third clean in four games.
It wasn’t to be, but as the din died down after the final whistle, David Bowie’s classic hit Heroes rang around the Kenny, bathed in light, lashed by rain and full of hope.
Love this piece James. Tone is perfect.Thanks