Cardiff City vs Luton Town FC (18th Apr 2022)

Match Report | Cardiff City 0-1 Luton

Harry Cornick's 12th goal of the season - and second winner as a game changer in South Wales - was enough to give the Hatters all three points and complete a perfect Easter on the Bank Holiday trip to Cardiff.

Cornick, on as a first-half replacement for the injured James Bree, headed the game's only goal in the 71st minute, one minute earlier than his match-winning strike along the M4 at Swansea in February, as Town took a giant step towards securing a place in the Championship play-offs.

Manager Nathan Jones made two changes. Following Sonny Bradley's dismissal against Nottingham Forest, Tom Lockyer came into defence, as did Dan Potts to replace Cornick.

Henri Lansbury was back amongst the substitutes after being forced off against Huddersfield, and Carlos Mendes Gomes was named in the matchday squad for the first time since facing Peterborough United earlier this month.

The Hatters were in the ascendancy from the kick-off, with Snodgrass at the heart of the opening two chances inside the first five minutes, first curling in a free-kick that Potts headed over, then sliding Oyedinma into the box, but his shot was just wide.

Captain Kal Naismith was soon trying his luck from distance, an eighth-minute shot that wouldn’t come down, before Cardiff registered their first attempt on goal ten minutes later, Rubin Colwill volleying Joel Bagan’s cross high over James Shea’s crossbar.

The hosts were forced into an early change, with Isaak Davies on in place of the injured Alfie Doughty by the 20-minute mark, and after Reece Burke had seen a header saved from a Snodgrass corner, Cardiff started to enjoy more possession without really creating a chance, Town blocking several shots and defending their penalty area well to limit the threat.

The Bluebirds' best chance came courtesy of an error from the Town, with Naismith's attempted pass to Burke on halfway catching Allan Campbell's ankle and rebounding into the path of Tommy Doyle, who played Jordan Hugill in for a chance that Shea raced off his line to save brilliantly.

In the few minutes leading up to half-time, however, the Hatters' injury curse struck again, first James Bree forced off and Harry Cornick on in his place, then Shea colliding with his own defender, Lockyer, and eventually having to be replaced by Harry Isted after attempting to carry on following a lengthy period of treatment.

For 25-year-old Isted it was a league debut, and fourth senior appearance having come on in the FA Cup fifth round tie against Chelsea last month when on-loan keeper Jed Steer suffered a serious achilles injury.

Cardiff had keeper Dillon Phillips to thank for keeping the scoresheet blank early in the second half when he pushed Snodgrass' effort away acrobatically, then Cornick sent a 55th-minute curler onto the roof of his net moments after Davies' had wasted the hosts' best opening from a counter attack at the other end.

A hat-trick of Hatters injuries was completed on the hour when Onyedinma limped off after racing to the byline, and hurdling over an innocuous-looking sliding challenge from Bagan, Peter Kioso coming on at right wing-back as the final game changer.

Kioso was at the heart of the Town's next opening, playing a one-two with Campbell and sending in a cross from the right that Cornick almost got something on at the near post, with Phillips eventually gathering off his own defender Perry Ng.

The breakthrough finally came in the 71st minute as Adebayo won a flick from Isted's long ball forward. Cardiff's defenders could only divert the danger out to the left, where Snodgrass took a touch and delivered an inch-perfect cross for Cornick to head into the top corner from ten yards out.

Isted was soon having to fall on a low snap-shot from Doyle, and he showed his composure to claim a handful of Cardiff crosses and relieve any pressure that might have been building, before racing off his line to gather at substitute Mark Harris' feet.

Despite the lengthening casualty list, the Hatters squad once again showed its strength in depth, and adversity, to manage the game out and bring another huge three points back over the Severn Bridge.

Goal: Cornick 71

Nathan Jones' reaction to Cardiff win!

Nathan Jones was delighted to mark a brilliant Easter period with a second win over the Bank Holiday period against Cardiff City.

His side earned their victory thanks to Harry Cornick’s second half strike, but his initial reaction was one of disappointment after losing three more players to injury during the match.

“It comes at a cost all the time. We’re at our limit at the minute but we’re somehow finding a way to win games. Two 1-0’s over Easter, six points over Easter and we’re at our limit.”

Speaking on James Bree’s injury, Jones said: “It’s a diabolical challenge. I’ve had a go at the linesman because they have one job to do. The player has crossed it and he’s absolutely gone through him. We’ve suffered for it. It could be (a bad injury), the boy hasn’t meant to do it, but he’s caught him really late after he’s crossed it.”

On a more positive note, the Hatters further strengthened their play-off hopes, to which the manager added: “If I was other teams I’d be thinking something different about Luton Town but when you’re the manager of Luton Town and the stakes are so high you don’t allow yourself that luxury to consider anything. We need probably four points to guarantee everything so let’s see.

Any time is a good time (to score), especially if you can keep a clean sheet. I thought we were a lot better second half, first half we were passive, we allowed them to move the ball but we’ve had a massive game on Friday against one of the toughest opponents you can come up against in the Championship at the minute.

Finally on goalscorer Harry Cornick, the Welshman spoke of his impact off the bench to score the winner.

“I pulled him yesterday and said ‘how do we get the best out of you’ because he has been fantastic for us. He toils, he works so hard and he gives massive shifts but he didn’t get near anyone the other day. We let someone else toil and then you come on and hopefully you get the benefit, and he did.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PEMm3wLM0VM – Nathan Jones interview

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BvWL_5MaTS0 – scenes at full time

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DfxyMA4pjMI – match highlights

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8rLA9E7I10U – Harry Cornick interview

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eWQERQEX0oM – Harry Cornick goal from all angles

Cornick nets the only goal as injury-hit Luton battle to a superb win at Cardiff

Championship: Cardiff City 0 Luton Town 1

A battered and bruised Luton showed their tremendous fighting spirit to pick up yet another massive three points in their quest for the Championship play-offs with a superb 1-0 win at Cardiff this afternoon.

The visitors were dealt not one, or two, but three injury blows during the game, with James Bree, James Shea and Fred Onyedinma all forced off at various stages of the contest.

However, unbowed by the changes they had to make, Town struck the only goal of the game when one of their replacements, Harry Cornick, rose to head home his 12th of the season on 71 minutes to secure a victory which pushed the visitors ever closer to securing a place above the dotted line.

The Hatters made two changes to the side who had triumphed over Nottingham Forest on Good Friday, one enforced with captain Sonny Bradley suspended following his late red card, Tom Lockyer coming in.

Dan Potts also returned, Cornick dropping to the bench, Henri Lansbury fit enough for a place among the substitutes too, as ex-Hatter James Collins missed out once more for the hosts.

It saw another switch in personnel, Onyedinma moving alongside Elijah Adebayo upfront, Potts and Lockyer forming the back three with Reece Burke.

The Hatters might have led inside the opening minute when Robert Snodgrass's deep free kick was met by Potts, his looping header dropping over the bar.

Town went close again shortly afterwards, Snodgrass the architect once more as picking up a loose ball he found Onyedinma, who couldn't locate the target from 18 yards when he should have at least worked Dillon Phillips.

Kal Naismith then followed suit, gathering a poor pass out of defence, he did well to fashion a shooting opportunity from 22 yards, only to rather rashly send it into the home stands.

With 15 gone, Cardiff began to mount some pressure of their own, a neat move on the left seeing Jordan Hugill fail to connect with a low cross, while a stretching Rubin Colwill volleyed wastefully after losing Amari'i Bell at the back post.

The hosts then lost Alfie Doughty to injury on 20 minutes, Isaak Davies replacing him, as they began to enjoy a good spell of possession and territory, winning a number of corners after some desperate blocks by the visiting defence, Snodgrass and Naismith both bravely throwing themselves in the way of goalbound blasts.

City had a brilliant chance on 38 minutes when Naismith's pass rebounded off Allan Campbell into the path of Doyle who broke to find the run of a clearly offside Hugill, Shea out quickly to spread himself well and with the flag staying down, had he been beaten, it would have controversially counted.

Town's appalling luck with injuries then struck for the first time, as they were hit with a double whammy in the final two minutes of the first half.

First Bree was caught when sending a cross in and went down off the pitch holding his ankle, eventually hobbling gingerly to the dug-out, Cornick coming on, Onyedinma moving to right wing-back.

Worse was to follow just before the break too, Bell not clearing his lines, City winning the ball back to send over a dangerous cross that Shea was out bravely to claim, suffering what looked like a serious knee injury after colliding with Lockyer.

Although the keeper was initially able to get up following treatment and restart play, he was soon sitting down once more, clearly in severe pain when kicking upfield, meaning Harry Isted, as he had been against Chelsea, was introduced, to make his Football League debut in the process.

He had to face one corner ahead of the interval, Ryan Wintle heading harmlessly over as the Hatters could then regroup in the dressing room and hope for better luck after the break.

Following a tight first period, the resumption was anything but, chance after chance at both ends in the opening stages.

Town showed first, Burke escaping on the right, his cross falling at the feet of Snodgrass, who brought out a flying save from Phillips.

City threatened too, Doyle well over from range, before they had the best opportunity when Luton gave the ball away upfield, that man Doyle racing away before finding an unmarked Davies who thrashed off target from 15 yards.

Back came Luton, the Bluebirds this time caught in possession, Cornick going for an audacious first time curler which had Phillips worried, landing on the roof of the net.

Town's injury misfortune wasn't over either, forced into yet another change on the hour mark, Onyedinma holding the inside of his thigh after racing on the outside of his man to win a corner, becoming Town's third player who had to go off, Peter Kioso his replacement.

His first involvement was almost a telling one, motoring away on the right to meet Campbell's pass and deliver a cross that Cornick fluffed, the rebound calmly picked up by Phillips.

The forward got it spot on four minutes later though, as despite not being known for his heading ability, leapt highest to meet a wonderful cross by Snodgrass and direct his attempt beyond a full-stretch Phillips into the corner.

Looking for an immediate response, Cardiff finally tested Isted, danger man Doyle with a penetrating run into the box, Town's keeper equal to the low drive, while he also confidently claimed a corner and was out bravely to gobble up Curtis Nelson's downward header.

Late on, Town's determination to win shone through as Snodgrass once again threw himself in the way of a blast, with Kioso leaping heroically to clear his lines as well ahead of four minutes of stoppage time.

Campbell did magnificently to earn the Hatters a breather with some tenacious tackling as a late corner saw Phillips up, but although he got the first contact, Town's defence once more cleared their lines and finally break their league hoodoo against the Bluebirds, ending a run of five straight defeats and no win in eight, for a first win since October 2005.

The only down side was the sight of both Shea and Bree on crutches at the final whistle, unable to celebrate the victory with the 1,000-plus travelling fans, who were able to travel back to Bedfordshire celebrating a result which pushed the dreams of a place in the Premier League next term ever closer.

Bluebirds: Dillon Phillips, Joel Bagan, Will Vaulks, Jordan Hugill (Uche Ikpeazu 81), Ryan Wintle, Curtis Nelson ©, Cody Drameh, Alfie Doughty (Isaak Davies 19), Tommy Doyle (Mark Harris 78), Rubin Colwill, Perry Ng.

Subs not used: Rohan Luthra, Mark McGuinness, Aden Flint, Ollie Denham.

Hatters: James Shea (Harry Isted 45), James Bree (Harry Cornick 43), Reece Burke, Tom Lockyer, Dan Potts, Amari'i Bell, Kal Naismith (C), Robert Snodgrass, Allan Campbell, Fred Onyedinma (Peter Kioso, Elijah Adebayo.

Subs not used: Admiral Muskwe, Danny Hylton, Carlos Mendes Gomes, Peter Kioso, Henri Lansbury.

Bookings: Bagan 56, Naismith 90.

Referee: Andy Davies.

Attendance: 19,381.

Jones lauds Town's 'phenomenal' defensive display as Luton earn an 18th clean sheet at Cardiff

Hatters** boss thrilled by side’s determination not to concede during 1-0 win**

Luton boss Nathan Jones hailed his side’s ‘phenomenal’ defensive display as they kept yet another clean sheet during Easter Monday’s 1-0 victory at Cardiff City.

The Hatters made it 18 games without being breached this term, their eighth on the road as well, as they sit joint top of the miserly charts with Bournemouth, Huddersfield Town and Sheffield United.

The will to win was there for all to see in Wales, with the back five constantly clearing the danger, midfield duo Robert Snodgrass and Kal Naismith constantly throwing themselves in front of shots, Allan Campbell showing remarkable reserves of energy, and substitute Peter Kioso making some heroic leaps to head away in the closing stages.

It was all started by the front two of Harry Cornick and Elijah Adebayo as well, and reflecting on another terrific defensive display, which was achieved with Harry Isted on for his league debut after an injury to James Shea late in the first half, Jones said: “If you’re a manager and you’re looking at that, you know you’ve got a group that’s just phenomenal.

“Cardiff are putting everything in the box, they’ve got big ones, big Uche (Ikpeazu) comes on, he’s difficult to mark but they're just defending their goal, defending their three points, trying to defend their position in the league and it’s wonderful to see.

“There are a lot of sides that are far more fluent and graceful than how we played today, but they don't do what we do out of possession.”

Town’s solid platform gave the attackers the chance to do what they do best, as with 19 minutes to go, Snodgrass picked out Cornick to climb highest and head past Dillon Phillips for his 12th of the season, securing yet another crucial three points.

The match-winner was eager to praise Luton’s back-line though, adding: “It’s a massive win.

"It’s into the last stages of the season where every point matters, we knew it would be a tough game and we’ve come out with three points, delighted.

“We worked really hard, we had Forest on Friday, two days off and then straight into another tough game, another tough game.

"The boys gave their all against Forest, they really did, everyone left their legs on the pitch and then you’ve got to come here, got to work hard, keep going.

"The back four, back five, (Harry) Isted coming in, they’ve been unbelievable, two clean sheets in two really tough games, they deserve all the credit they do.”

The victory was picked up at a price for the Hatters though, as they suffered what looked like serious injuries to James Shea (knee) and James Bree (ankle), who both left the ground on crutches.

Fred Onyedinma also had to be taken off following a tight groin, as Jones said: “It comes at a cost all the time.

"We’re at our limit at the minute, but we’re somehow finding a way to win games, two 1-0’s over Easter, six points over Easter.

"They’ve had the luxury of probably taking this game slightly more seriously than they did the Hull game (2-1 defeat on Good Friday).

"They rested all their big players for this game, so they come into it far fresher than we do, but ours just give us everything and somehow find a way to get a win.”