Lacklustre Luton defeated again
After another disappointing result midweek against QPR, Luton were hopeful of instant revenge, with the R’s coming to Town just three days later.
Rob Edwards made two changes from the side that lost on penalties in the Carabao Cup, with summer signing duo, McGuinness and Baptiste coming in for Nakamba and youngster, Nelson.
It took less than one minute for the referee to get the yellow card out, with Tahith Chong picking up his third booking of the season, for a handball after he thought he was fouled.
18 minutes on the clock and Luton took the lead for the first time this season. The ball fell to Baptiste after a Luton corner, he swung the ball towards the back post, meeting the head of McGuinness, who’s header is saved by Nardi, but the ball crashed against defender, Jimmy Dunne, giving the Hatters a much needed lead.
Luton came so close to doubling the lead in the 25 th minute. Alfie Doughty broke free on the left-hand side and fizzed the ball across the face of the goal, but Elijah Adebayo was unable to get the all-important touch, from yards out.
With twelve minutes of the half to play, the ball falls to Reece Burke outside the box, the defender was urged to shoot by the Kenilworth Road crowd, he did so, but got it all wrong, barely making contact with the ball.
The Hatters held onto their lead at the break and Rob Edwards would’ve been impressed with his sides, much improved first half performance.
10 minutes into the second half at the fans at Kenilworth Road could not believe Adebayo didn’t double the lead. Baptiste brilliantly picked out Adebayo with a through ball, but he was denied by the feet of the QPR shot stopper.
Following this, a few minutes of madness saw Luton concede 2 goals within the space of 3 minutes. Frey did brilliantly to get the better of McGuinness, he picked out Madsen who tapped the ball past Kaminski to level things up. A few minutes later, Paal fired the visitors ahead on the volley, making Luton pay for their missed chances. A sentence that seems awfully familiar as of late.
QPR almost made it three, but for Kaminski’s goal line clearance. Luton then went up the pitch and Joe Taylor thought he’d rescued a point for the Hatters, but he was unable to direct his effort on target.
The full-time whistle blew. 6 wins in the previous 51 games for Luton, with 1 win in the last 7 months of competitive football. An international break falls at the right time for the Hatters, with Millwall and The Den awaiting Rob Edwards’ side, in two weeks time.