Saviour Berry in league of his own
THERE is a reason why Luton are becoming many people’s second team in the Premier League.
Whether it be the rags-to-riches story, the quaint old stadium, the way they coped after captain Tom Lockyer suffered a cardiac arrest on the pitch at Bournemouth or Rob Edwards’ inspirational leadership, the Hatters never give up.
Yet, when a lengthy list of absentees extended to 11 in a relegation clash with Nottingham Forest, they would have been forgiven for lying down for once.
But that is not what this team do, and when Luke Berry netted in the 89th minute to complete his run of scoring for the club in each of the top four divisions, Kenilworth Road erupted.
It felt like a seismic moment in their bid keep in touch at the bottom of the table.
‘The way the game was going, I’m really pleased,’ Edwards said. ‘It’s been a challenging week to say the least.
‘This group showed that’s how you react. No matter what’s thrown at us, we’ll always keep going and fighting and I love them for that.’
The magnitude of the clash was increased because the verdict on Forest’s alleged breaches of financial rules is due tomorrow but neither side showed any evidence of nerves as the contest began at a breathtaking intensity.
Forest’s Divock Origi saw an effort improbably cleared off the line by Reece Burke but when Morgan Gibbs-White’s pinpoint cross was finished by Chris Wood, it was first blood to Forest.
Luton thought Teden Mengi had equalised but his smart finish was disallowed for handball. The dingdong battle continued and GibbsWhite went close before Mengi cleared Anthony Elanga’s effort off the line.
Luton huffed and puffed yet their threadbare squad looked set to leave them short. But when a late corner was headed down by Burke, Berry was there to turn the ball home.
‘We dominated and controlled the game,’ said Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo later. ‘We created a lot of chances and the problem is up front. The game should have been over much earlier. Too many chances without finishing, so I’m a little bitfrustrated.’
Edwards added: ‘If we had lost that game, it would’ve been a blow.’