Every star needs a great stage to perform upon and a final famous night under the Kenilworth Road lights in 2020 proved the perfect setting for midfield maestro Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, as his first goal for Luton beat Bristol City.
His masterclass performance also included an assist for Glen Rea’s rocket that opened the scoring as, almost exactly a year on from a debacle of a display away to the same side last season, the Hatters grasped from the early stages and refused to relent.
In fact, the only negative of the night was that, once again, there were no supporters in the ground to enjoy Dewsbury-Hall’s performance, as leading exponents of their art, such as the 22-year-old, deserve their tune to be seen and heard far and wide and cheered to the rafters.
As it was, those Luton fans glued to their tablets and laptops could marvel in another match-winning display from a man who has lit up a terrible year for the world, away from football.
Talking of the Dewsbury-Hall’s match-winning strike, manager Nathan Jones said: “I’ve seen him do that for Leicester and Blackpool and that’s part of the reason why he’s here. He’s got a wonderful left foot, he drives on, but he’s shown what a good player he is. I’m very happy with that.”
His first telling contribution in the contest came just after the quarter hour mark. His corner found Rea at the back stick but the Town enforcer saw his shot scrambled behind.
He made no mistake from the resulting set-piece as he was found alone at the back post by a wonderful delivery, meeting it with a volley as technically good as you are likely to see, one which flew past Dan Bentley in the visiting goal.
Not content with that, Dewsbury-Hall continued to run the show, his probing passing catching the eye every bit as his classy dribbling and 2020 vision, and had Town gone in more than one goal to the good nobody could have complained, even though they rode their luck when a Chris Martin header came back off the bar on the former Hatters’ return to the Kenny.
The start to the second period was more even and City were level on the hour when captain Sonny Bradley put into his own net when having to attempt to get a cross over his bar, with Martin waiting to tap home if he hadn’t.
That came moments after Town’s top scorer James Collins saw Bentley pulled out a great save after the industrious Harry Cornick pounced on a loose pass.
Town have a wonderful record under the Kenilworth Road lights though – approaching two years since they lost in league action at the old stadium – and they were not to be denied a third win in four home games. Fittingly, it was the star of the show, Dewsbury-Hall, who secured the points.
He picked up the ball 35 yards from goal, and after moving into position to get a shot away he fired into the bottom corner with just over 20 minutes to go.
It almost got better for Luton as Rhys Norrington-Davies forced Bentley into yet another save with time running down, which would only have served as icing on the cake.
This night, as much of this season has been, was about the Leicester loanee however. Boss Jones said after the defeat at Reading that he was saving Dewsbury-Hall for this game. The Hatters boss was not left disappointed after witnessing yet another sublime showing from this classy operator.
PLAYER RATINGS:
Simon Sluga – 6.5
Quiet night for the Croatian stopper on his return to the side with James Shea away on parental duty, one of six changes to the starting line-up. He fielded a well-hit shot in the first half but there was nothing he could do about the goal.
Matty Pearson – 7
Very solid display from another who returned to the starting XI. Kept a number of attackers quiet and made a vital block deep into the second period.
Tom Lockyer – 8
Quietly becoming a very impressive performer. He was foot perfect in defence and continually brought the ball out of danger with some crisp passing launching many an attack. Has made one of the centre-back spots his own.
Sonny Bradley – 6
It was a steady night for the Hatters’ skipper before he unfortunately put into his own net on the hour mark. Stayed strong against a late barrage from the visitors to ensure a fine win.
Rhys Norrington-Davies – 7.5
The Wales international returned to the starting line-up and impressed with his relentless running down the left wing, which was combined with impressive defensive work. So close to his first Luton goal late on too which would have capped off a fine display.
Glen Rea – 9
The best performance of the season from the Hatters’ midfield stalwart. His goal gave them the initiative but he was there to break up play time and time again in the first period and stood up to be counted throughout the second. A calm presence as ever in the centre of the park.
Ryan Tunnicliffe – 7.5
Industrious endeavour as always from the midfielder who had to walk a tightrope after an early booking. Did a lot of the work that goes unnoticed which contributed to the Town playing so high up in the opening period. Replaced by Kazenga LuaLua on 64 minutes.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall – 9.5 (Star man)
What else is there left to say about this wonderfully talented exponent of the beautiful game? He provided it all in this match. A goal, an assist, a masterclass of a display and another man of the match award.
Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu – 7
Was moved to the left side of the Luton attack where his running power and presence was a threat early on. Faded in the second period and was replaced by Dan Potts on 64 minutes.
Harry Cornick – 7.5
A hardworking enterprising display on his return to the team. He almost lit the night up with what would have been a wonder goal in the second half and nearly had an assist when setting up the Collins chance. Had his full-back on toast.
James Collins – 7
Guilty of missing a great chance in the second half but relentless working yet again from the leader of the Town line. Fouled throughout the contest but with little reward.
SUBSTITUTES:
Dan Potts – 7
Came on to deal with the aerial threat for the final 25 minutes and performed his centre-back role well, while also contributing to moves down the left hand side. He’s forming a good understanding with Norrington-Davies.
Kazenga LuaLua – 7
Didn’t have the goalscoring impact that he had at the Madejski Stadium on Saturday but killed time well with the ball at his feet towards the end of the game and caused some havoc with his trademark runs down the left.
Jordan Clark – N/A
Not on long enough for a rating.
Subs not used: Danny Hylton, Elliot Lee, George Moncur, Harry Isted, Brendan Galloway and Sam Nombe.
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I agree it’s a real shame KDH hasn’t got the crowd his performance deserves. Great result against a very good side. Shame Bakinson isn’t still a Hatter. And Martin.
The only slight downers for me were the same old problems of this season. So many wasteful crosses (partly poor delivery, partly Collo’s movement in the box and partly the lack of other players in the box); and Collo missing a great chance to make the game much more comfortable. I still find it odd that a keeper makes a mistake and gets slated but a striker typically gets away with it. Collo was very lucky he didn’t cost us more points on Tuesday. But as Glos says it’s amazing where we are compared to last season. So at least the points we’ve dropped as a result of attacking errors haven’t put us in danger of a tough relegation fight like perhaps the defensive errors did last season.
Hopefully the second half of the season yields as many points as the first and we can have a care free mid table finish!
Well done, NJ and all the squad – spot on last night, and a thoroughly deserved victory. With nine games to go last season the chances of staying up seemed slender. Now, at the end of the calendar year, we’re comfortably – and rightly – in mid-table. There will be slips on the way, and sometimes we’ll disagree with team selections – but in the end NJ and the squad have the responsibility and deserve our total support. Come on you Hatters!