Luton Town 1 Nott'm Forest 1
Kenilworth Road was the setting for the ultimate six-pointer. Nott’m Forest went into this game just three points above Luton Town, with Rob Edwards’ side knowing this was a massive opportunity to get themselves out of the bottom three.
After seeing The Hatters’ capitulation at the hands of Bournemouth in the second half, Nuno Espirito Santo must have come into this game feeling his side could score goals against this team. Luton needed to make home advantage count in what was easily their most important game of the season.
It started well for the hosts as the dangerous Ross Barkley got a shot off from just outside the box but Sels got down well to make the save. The summer signing has given Forest a solidity in between the sticks that Turner was not giving them earlier in the season.
The fans seemed up for this game and Kenilworth Road was bouncing whenever Edwards’ side came forward. It is crazy how intimidating this ground can be when the home faithful are in full voice, considering it holds far less than a lot of League One grounds.
Credit: @LutonTown
Forest could not cope with the industry of Barkley who weaved his way through their midfield before having another shot at goal. This time Sels was beaten but his effort was just off target. The midfielder is having a real career renaissance since joining The Hatters.
Wood held the ball up well for Elanga who broke free from the hosts’ defenders. His pace and skill saw him head towards the box before he unselfishly laid it on a plate for Origi. The striker did everything right with Kaminski beaten but Burke did brilliantly to get back and clear off the line.
Neco Williams started getting forward down the right wing more for the visitors. It was one of these surging runs where he found Gibbs-White who lifted a cross to the back post. Wood was there to meet it on the volley and give Nott’m Forest the lead.
Luton Town were getting that sinking feeling again. Unlike the crew and passengers on the Titanic, this was not an option and they had to find a way to get afloat again in this game. Their survival in the top-flight depended on it.
Mpanzu chased down a ball on the right, lifted it over the head of Murillo before a drilling a ball across the six yard box. Williams did brilliantly to clear the ball, facing his own goal, with two Luton Town players waiting to pounce.
As the corner came in, Mengi looked to control it on his thigh before slotting it into the back of the net. Kenilworth Road erupted as the defender wheeled away celebrating. This was cut short as VAR ruled out the effort for a handball by Mengi as he looked to control it.
Credit: @NFFC
Into the second half and some neat skill by Origi on the touchline saw him switch play to opposite flank. The ball was rolled into the path of Elanga who looked to double the visitors’ lead. His shot beat Kaminski but Mengi did well to get back and deny him.
Forest then had a free kick deep in their own half. Murillo spotted Kaminski off his line and went for goal. The keeper seemed in trouble as he back-peddled but luckily managed to get fingertips to it to turn it over the bar. It would have been some goal from the Brazilian.
With only one minute of normal time remaining, Luton forced a corner. Barkley swung it in and Burke headed it towards goal. Berry spun and shot putting the ball past Sels and into the back of the net. The roof nearly came off Kenilworth Road.
In added time a long ball pumped towards the hosts’ box was half cleared by the head of Mengi. Yates struck a superb volley which left Kaminski as a spectator. The ball fizzed narrowly wide of the far post with Hatters’ fans breathing a sigh of relief.
The points were shared in this bottom of the table clash and did neither side any favours. With Nott’m Forest waiting to hear about ‘Profit and Sustainability’ charges, they really could have done with the three points to put some distance between the two teams.
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