Jordan Clark has warned Luton must use their Vertu Trophy heroics as a springboard in the league as attention quickly turns to tomorrow’s trip to basement side Port Vale.
The midfielder struck a late penalty to seal a 2-1 quarter-final win over Plymouth and send the Hatters into a home semi-final against Northampton on Wednesday, moving them to within one game of Wembley.
But with League One form stuttering, and three winless games denting chances of reaching the play-offs, Clark insists the priority now is putting things right away from home, where Town have not won since November 8.
“Now it’s turning our attention to the league game on Saturday,” he told LTFC+. “We know the problem this year, which has been the away form. We’ve got to stop that rot. We’ve got to win away from home and just use this [Vertu Trophy win] as a little springboard.
“The fans are probably fed up hearing that, but end of the day we’ve just got to forget what’s in the future and just focus on game to game. And obviously Port Vale is the next step.”
Clark’s cool finish from the spot not only settled a tense finale to the tie but also brought up his tenth goal of the season, making it his most prolific goalscoring campaign of his career so far, at 32 years old.
“Yeah, I’m really pleased,” he said. “Obviously, when they equalise you’re thinking, ‘Oh, no’. You see the time ticking away a little bit, you’re thinking, could it be, penalty shoot out?
“Obviously disappointed that we didn’t get the ball down a little bit more and play, but the one bit of quality which we had into Kasey’s feet, flicked around the corner and obviously Nakhi did brilliant to get in and win the pen.
“And then obviously just about focusing and trying to pick my spot and hopefully it goes in and it goes into the back of the net because I think there are quite a lot of tired bodies out there. Didn’t want penalties. So, yeah, really pleased with that.”
Luton had controlled large parts of the first half before being forced to dig in after the break, with Plymouth responding direct and asking questions in the box.
“First half we played some stuff. But we’ve got to take it on ourselves to play through lines quick getting behind and ensure the quality which we know we have. But obviously, lately we’ve not been doing that.
“And then obviously second half you’re going to get a reaction from them. They’re going to put balls in the box and they’re going to play it long, which which is what they’ve had so much success from obviously the last I don’t know how many weeks.
“They’re probably one of the most in form teams in the league. Obviously they’re missing Tolaj, the main guy. Credit to us.”
The cup run now offers the prospect of another Wembley appearance for Clark, who famously scored under the arch on the biggest days in the club’s recent history, the 2023 Championship play-off final. He admits the squad are aware of what is at stake.
“One game away from Wembley now, which is massive and no matter what cup or what tournament you’re in, it can never be sniffed at, getting to Wembley.
“As we’ve known in the past, it’s a real special, special occasion. I know this club will travel in numbers which we want to give them [fans] a day out again.
“Any chance to get to Wembley, not many people do it in the career. So if we can do it, again, twice in so many years, it’d be really, really special.”
For now, though, Clark’s message is clear. The penalty may have kept Wembley dreams alive, but if Luton’s season is to be salvaged on multiple fronts, it has to start with three points at Port Vale.
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