Luton Town FC vs Peterborough United (7th Aug 2021)

Report | Luton Town 3-0 Peterborough United

Perfect start as the Hatters score three without reply!

The Hatters made a perfect start to the Championship campaign as a capacity crowd returned to Kenilworth Road for the first time in almost 18 months with goals from Elijah Adebayo, Harry Cornick and Fred Onyedinma - making a brilliant debut - sealing a 3-0 win over newly-promoted Peterborough.

The Kenny rocked to the long yearned for sound of 10,000 fans singing Mick Harford's name, before a minute's applause in tribute to the supporters who have passed away since the start of the pandemic.

It was also the first time back in front of a full house for manager Nathan Jones, who handed a Luton debut to Amari’i Bell who starts in place of Dan Potts after he picked up an injury against Brighton and Hove Albion last time out.

There are competitive debuts for Allan Campbell and Fred Onyedinma, whilst Gabe Osho makes his first league start for the Hatters in defence – alongside captain for the day, Kal Naismith.

The visitors were almost handed an early lead when Sluga miscontrolled Osho's back pass, but the Croatian international raced back to atone for his error and clear it off the line.

Last season's supporters' player of the year was soon hearing his name ring around the packed stadium, however, claiming a 12th-minute free-kick from former Town loanee Jorge Grant and setting Cornick and Campbell away with an early kick.

Cornick's cross was blocked, but Bree followed up to pick out Clark, who arrived into the box to glance a header inches wide of the far post.

Clark, Onyedinma and Adebayo, who appealed for a penalty when seemingly held back as he looked to attack a cross, were all posing the Posh defence problems, and Frankie Kent was soon the first into ref Andy Woolmer's book for a late foul on Onyedinma as the left winger looked to race clear midway inside the visitors' half.

Peterborough had their first attempt on goal in the 25th minute, Grant firing wide from outside the area, but the Hatters soon had their noses in front just after the half-hour.

Clark won, then took a right-wing corner, rolling the ball short to Onyedinma who teased Joe Ward before standing up a cross which Adebayo met with a downward header that went in off the far post, Posh keeper Christy Pym's desperate attempts to keep it out all to no avail.

Sluga had to be at his best to preserve the Hatters' lead in the 41st minute, first pushing Joe Tomlinson's shot away, then reacting to keep Grant's inswinging cross out as Jonson Clarke-Harris looked to get a foot on it. Osho slid in to deny Sammie Szmodics a chance of pouncing on the loose ball.

Onyedinma came close to doubling the Hatters' lead two minutes before the break as Campbell did well to play a one-two with Cornick and get to the right byline, cutting the ball back to the edge of the box where the ex-Wycombe man fired at goal, only for a deflection to take it wide for a corner.

There were no changes at the break, and after ten minutes of sizing each other up, the first incident of note of the second half came with a yellow card for Posh midfielder Josh Knight, sent off against the Town when playing for Wycombe last season, for a late challenge on Clark in the 55th minute.

Posh survived a second potential red card when captain Mark Beevers handled midway inside his own half as Adebayo nicked the ball past him, and looked to be denied a clear goalscoring opportunity. Referee Woolmer again showed only yellow though, before booking both Jones and Posh boss Darren Ferguson for protesting on the touchline.

Bree sent the resulting free-kick narowly wide after a three-minute hold-up, but the Town were two to the good within a couple of minutes as Onyedinma once again terrorised Thompson before cutting back for Cornick to steer home from close range.

It was three on 71 minutes as Cornick fed Bree down the right touchline to whip in a wonderful cross that just cleared Clark, for Onyedinma to meet on the volley. Pym saved his first effort, but could do nothing to prevent the winger firing home for a debut goal.

The Kenny erupted, as it did when he received a standing ovation as he was substituted for Carlos Mendes Gomes, joining another debutant in Admiral Muskwe, who had replaced Cornick moments earlier.

There was still time for a sixth Hatters debut, with Henri Lansbury enterig the fray with five minutes left as Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu's 299th appearance for the club ended with a similar reception.

What a day to be a Hatter. Luton, and our fans, are back!

Goals: Adebayo 31, Cornick 68, Onyedinma 71

Nathan Jones delighted with Peterborough win

Manager Nathan Jones said he was delighted following the return of supporters for today’s 3-0 win against Peterborough United.

Kicking-off the 2021/22 Sky Bet Championship campaign in style with goals from Elijah Adebayo, Harry Cornick and Fred Onyedinma, the Hatters returned to action in front of a sold-out Kenilworth Road in style.

On the ovation he and his players received, Jones said: “I was very appreciative of the reception I got and with a full house, the team really gave them something to get behind, they will go home happy today and it was a good day all round.”

Continuing, the gaffer reflected on what proved to be a fantastic afternoon: “Very pleased with how we looked, the athleticism, pace and power we played with, I think if we had started better then it may have been a different score line again.

“We felt our way into the game rather than taking it by the scruff of the neck. If I am honest, I felt we could have been a little bit more clinical as well but don’t think we should be moaning at a 3-0 win!

“It is always good if the front three scoring. Admiral (Muskwe) nearly scored at the end as well, Carlos come and did well and it showed we have strength in depth, real pace, power and impact. We’re delighted, it was a good win.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QbK572vLDI8 – Nathan Jones post match interview

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBIDTD-Dals – match highlights

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BcbVv1mr-Ns – reverse angle

Onyedinma stars at Luton welcome fans back with stunning victory over Peterborough

Championship: Luton Town 3 Peterborough United 0

Football - it's back!

After 18 long months, with supporters prevented from watching the beautiful game due to coronavirus restrictions, the Hatters finally returned in front of a full house at Kenilworth Road this afternoon and served up an absolute treat for their home supporters.

Starved of live action in recent times, since February 29, 2020 to be exact, the match was lapped up by Luton followers in a crowd of just over 10,000 from start to finish, as they saw their side blitz newly-promoted Peterborough with a display that can do nothing but whet the appetite for the campaign ahead.

The only disappointment was that it had to end, as everyone who witnessed the 90 minutes would have gladly stuck around for longer, but when it did, the Hatters could walk off to a rousing reception, and also sitting second in the early Championship table, just behind Hull City who won 4-1 at Preston North End.

Boss Nathan Jones handed debuts to three of his summer signings for the contest, Allan Campbell, Fred Onyedinma and Amari'i Bell all selected, with defender Gabe Osho handed his maiden league outing as well, centre halves Sonny Bradley, Tom Lockyer and Reece Burke all missing out.

Fellow new additions Henri Lansbury, Cameron Jerome and Admiral Muskwe were on the bench, but you got the feeling something special was in the air long before kick-off, the atmosphere bubbling up nicely.

There was no chance the Town players would freeze on the big occasion either, starting brightly, although they did almost fall behind to a horrendous own goal on eight minutes, keeper Simon Sluga letting Osho's backpass roll under his foot, just as he had done against Derby during his first season.

However, unlike at Pride Park, this time he did manage to get back in time and prevent it crossing the line, while taking a whack against the post for his troubles.

Town didn't let it affect though their momentum though, Sluga with a confidence-boosting claim and quick clearance which set up an opportunity for Jordan Clark to head wide from James Bree's cross.

Onyedinma was causing plenty of problems for the Posh back-line, none more so than when he was tripped by Frankie Kent some 30 yards from goal, the defender picking up the game's first yellow.

Midway through the half, United finally had their first spell of pressure, ex-Luton midfielder Jorge Grant having a crack from 25 yards, his effort flicking the side-netting on its way behind.

Town weathered it with ease though and had lift off on 31 minutes, Onyedinma the architect again.

He did wonderfully when collecting a short corner on the right, delivering an inviting cross that saw Elijah Adebayo rise highest at the back post, his downward header beating Christy Pym and going in off the post as, like captain Sonny Bradley had predicted, the roof almost came off the old ground.

Sluga was called into action to repel Joe Tomlinson's hopeful attempt, the Croatian just beating Jonson Clarke-Harris to Grant's dangerous cross, while Osho blocked Sammie Szmodics' follow up.

Town then transferred play up the other end, Harry Cornick finding Allan Campbell who teed up Bell, his right-footer cannoning off a defender and flying wide.

After the break, the game became more of an open contest, as twice Town sent crosses across the face of the six yard box with no-one there to convert them, before Bree's ambitious 25-yard drive was easy for Pym.

Peterborough had a huge let-off when captain Mark Beevers clearly handled the ball as Adebayo looked to get away, but despite being the last man, was mystifyingly only shown yellow by referee Andy Woolmer.

The official went and admonished both managers in the aftermath too, but although Bree put the resulting free kick wide, Luton didn't let the disappointment get to them for long, getting a second on 68 minutes when Onyedinma was the creator again, his low cross bundled home by Cornick.

From the celebration you could see how much the goal meant to the attacker too, as after going almost a full season without scoring last term, he was up and running after just over an hour this time.

Town continued to dominate on the wings, slicing their opponents apart as just two minutes later they had another, Onyedinma getting the goal his opening day display fully deserved.

This time it was Bree who got his head up from Cornick's pass and picked out the former Wycombe winger whose volley was excellent saved by Pym, the rebound dropping perfectly for the attacker to gleefully thump into the net.

Another summer signing Muskwe came on for his debut, while Onyedinma threatened a fourth, leading three defenders on a merry dance, denied by Pym's legs at his near post.

Jones had time to bring on Mendes Gomes for his debut and Lansbury too in the closing stages, making it six debutants in total on the pitch at the end, seven in the league if you include Osho.

The ole's soon followed as Town's newlook squad played out the final moments to an increasing crescendo of noise, before Woolmer brought the curtain down on a wonderful afternoon of football for anyone of a Luton persuasion.

Hatters: Simon Sluga, James Bree, Amari'i Bell, Gabe Osho, Kal Naismith, Allan Campbell, Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu (Henri Lansbury 85), Jordan Clark, Fred Onyedinma (Carlos Mendes Gomes 82), Harry Cornick (Admiral Muskwe 78), Elijah Adebayo.

Subs not used: James Shea, Glen Rea, Peter Kioso, Cameron Jerome.

Posh: Christy Pym, Dan Butler, Nathan Thompson, Mark Beevers (C), Frankie Kent, Sammie Szmodics, Jonson Clarke-Harris, Jorge Grant, Josh Knight (Ethan Hamilton 63), Joe Tomlinson (Joel Randall 59), Joe Ward.

Subs not used: Ronnie Edwards, David Cornell, Harrison Burrows, Ricky-Jade Jones, Idris Kanu.

Bookings: Kent 16, Knight 57, Beevers 64, Ward 84, Szmodics 87, Bree 90.

Referee: Andy Woolmer.

Attendance: 10,019 (1,032 Posh).

Hatters chief lauds 'intimidating' atmosphere created by Luton fans on their long-awaited return to Kenilworth Road

Town's manager quick to praise Luton's followers

Town boss Nathan Jones was thrilled with the ‘intimidating’ atmosphere created by the Hatters fans on what for many was their first game back at Kenilworth Road in almost 18 months this afternoon.

Buoyed by a sell-out crowd of just over 10,000, the Town players took to the occasion like they had never been away, while the same simply couldn’t be said for the newly-promoted visitors who looked increasingly nervy at times, each mistake and misplaced pass roared to the heavens by the fired up Luton faithful.

With a wonderful ovation greeting the players as they walked out on the field, the decibel levels were then upped on the half hour, Elijah Adebayo rising highest at the back post to head Fred Onyedinma’s deep cross into the net via the upright.

It was after the break when the stadium came even more alive though, firstly due to referee Andy Woolmer’s bizarre inability to send off Posh captain Mark Beevers for a clear handball when last man, dishing out a yellow instead.

The decision incensed not only the home supporters and players, but Jones himself, who received a talking to from the official, with the famous and expletive laden FA chant quickly receiving an long overdue airing.

Rather than dwell on the call though, Luton simply took their anger out on the Posh, Harry Cornick converting from close range after another dazzling run and cross from Onyedinma.

As Sonny Bradley had predicted at the back of last season, the roof then came off the famous old ground with 20 to go, Onyedinma, who starred all afternoon, getting the goal his performance deserved, finishing at the second attempt from James Bree’s delivery to make it 3-0 and sew up the points.

After going through their full repertoire of songs late on, when asked about having fans properly back for the first time since the coronavirus restrictions were lifted, Jones said: “This is an intimidating place and I’ve been here League Two, League One, where you can physically see players wilt and we’ve steamrollered teams in the second half.

“That doesn’t quite happen in the Championship, but it’s a big, big bonus to have our fans back and when you look at it, it’s such a difference when you've got fans here.

“We’ve sat in there (stands) through the pandemic, the atmosphere is not the same, but today you could see it.

“Then in the second half you could see when we’re attacking that (Kenny) end, the levels go up and that’s the thing I’m excited about.”

It was the first time that Jones himself had taken the walk out of the tunnel in front of a packed home crowd since he returned to the club for a second spell in charge during lockdown down last, following his controversial decision to leave for Stoke City in January 2019.

Having somehow saved the club from relegation and led them to a 12th placed finish in that time, he received an excellent reception, with strands of his DJ Otzi song heard both before, during and after the game.

On his reunion with the Luton supporters, added: “I’m delighted, but I’m hoping enough time has gone on now and enough water has gone under the bridge.

“I made a mistake and I said that, but it’s time to move forward now.

“Let’s get back on track, it’s an exciting time here, we’ve got a young exciting squad, we've got a squad that wants to achieve something, we've got a manager that’s aligned with that.

“Yes, I know it’s building bridges, but for 15 months I’ve been building those, so let's now complete the bridge.”