Morrison on the money
CARDIFF skipper Sean Morrison proved a point to his manager with the winning goal.
Morrison had been left out of the side for the previous three games, but was dominant at the back and decisive up front as his header helped secure the Welsh side’s third win in four games.
Cardiff had been in danger of throwing the opener via Rubin Colwill away when Jordan Clark levelled for Luton – before Morrison struck.
“That was excellent, we dominated in all areas with and without the ball and you could see them fighting for each other,” Bluebirds boss Steve Morison said.
“Sean knows what we are trying to do and he is on board. He had his moment and he was fantastic.”
Cardiff had not scored in the first half of a league game this season, but, playing with the wind behind them, it took them only 10 minutes to break that bizarre record.
Colwill was left unmarked at the far post when he was picked out by Perry Ng’s cross and while he headed into the floor, the ball just got over the line before Hatters keeper Simon Sluga was able to claw it away.
“The record gave the press something to talk about, but I couldn’t care less if we score in the first half or the second as long as we win the game, and it was a controlled performance in appallingly windy conditions,” said goalscorer Morrison.
Cardiff had three great opportunities to extend the lead.
Morrison and Mark McGuinness failed to hit the target with headers and when Tom Lockyer failed to clear, Colwill scuffed his shot and it was saved by Sluga.
They were made to pay for those misses when Luton scored on 64 minutes. A Kai Naismith cross found Elijah Adebayo beyond the far post, who pulled it back across goal for Clark to fire in.
Luton were now on the front foot, but were hit by a hammer blow in the 77th minute when Ryan Giles’ cross from the left was allowed to travel right across the goalmouth for Morrison to dive in to head the winner.
Luton boss Nathan Jones was left fuming at his side’s performance.
He said: “Football takes bravery. We have a poor record against Cardiff and we allowed them to dominate us. I’m as embarrassed as I have been as Luton Town manager.
“But I take full responsibility. I’ve been let down before by certain players when we have played against Cardiff City and I have picked them again. We were a mile off on every level.”