HARFORD IN AWE OF HIS ‘20’ HATTERS
Town make history by beating Cod Army
LUTON boss Mick Harford says his side are up there with the best Hatters teams of the past as they created history with victory at Fleetwood Town.
The crop of 2018-19 became the first ever Luton side to make it 20 without defeat in the Football League.
A 41st-minute George Moncur free-kick and Pelly Ruddock’s 50th-minute strike sent the Hatters on their way.
But Paddy Madden made it interesting at the death as his 90th-minute goal set-up a tense finish.
And Harford was thrilled for his side. He said: “I’m thrilled for the players.
“It puts them up there in terms of some of the best teams that have ever been out and performed for Luton Town Football Club.
“They are in that high echelon and I am thrilled for them.
“It is only testament to the way they work, the way they go about their business, the way they train, the way they conduct themselves everyday. They are a brilliant bunch to manage.
“I’m thrilled for them and thrilled for the football club.”
And Harford also praised Moncur for his role in the win.
Speaking about the set-piece he said: “We were not sure who would take it.
“It was either James Justin or George. Thankfully George took it!
“A brilliant goal, a brilliant finish and it was part of our play that got us that free-kick in terms of the counter-attack. I’m thrilled
for George. He made a big contribution he played as a 10 and was man marked for the majority of the game.
“He had to get off the shackles of Jack Sowerby.
“He followed him all over the pitch, it was a difficult day for him, but he showed his class.”
It was a Jason Holt challenge that would give Luton the chance to find their dead-ball groove.
Holt stopped a sublime counter-attack with Danny Hylton’s sumptuous back-heel releasing Alan McCormack to break through the pack.
He slid Jack Stacey in on the right and Holt fouled allowing Moncur to sweep an unstoppable free-kick into the corner.
A battling first half performance full of the grit, endeavour and a sprinkling of class that showed why the Hatters are the champions elect.
Their first was a touch of class, but the second is one that Alex Cairns will not want to see again.
Fleetwood have yet to earn a point this term after conceding first and Cairns allowing Ruddock’s 25-yard effort to roll through his legs did not aid their quest to end that hoodoo.
From then on the game was Luton’s, but Fleetwood did not roll over.
Madden made it 18 for the term at the death with his ninth firsttime strike of the season.
Fleetwood boss Joey Barton defended Cairns after his error and says it is a one-off.
“It is as rare as hens’ teeth that,” he said. “Alex has been outstanding. Many times I have sat here and said he has kept us in games and made key saves at key times. He will continue to do that.
“He just made a mistake. Everyone is human. We all make mistakes.”
And Barton was proud of the way his men responded as Madden made it 2-1 late on.
He said: “I expect the lads to be the way they are and respond in the manner that they did. It would have been easy to go under and maybe get beat by four. We responded correctly to it against a good side.”
FLEETWOOD TOWN: Cairns 6, Coyle 6, Soutar 6, Eastham 6, Husband 6, R Wallace 6 (Hunter 76, 6), Sowerby 6 (Sheron 84, 6), Holt 5 (Nadesan 58, 6), Burns 7, Evans 6, Madden 7. Subs not used: Jones, Morgan, Biggins, Garner.
LUTON TOWN: Shea 7, Stacey 7, Pearson 7, Bradley 7, Justin 7, McCormack 7 (Thorne 82, 6), Ruddock 7, Moncur 8 (Lee 68, 7), Shinnie 7, Hylton 67 (Sheehan 86, 6), Collins 7. Subs not used: Potts, Cummings, LuaLua, Isted.